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Ki - The Tarnished Image of the Last Mongolian Empress
Ki – The Tarnished Image of the Last Mongolian Empress
January 13, 2019 Lauralee
Empress Ki’s rise to power is truly astonishing. She was forced to leave her homeland of Goryeo (Korea) to become a female tribute to the Yuan dynasty. She became a palace servant and eventually climbed the ranks to be empress. She still remains largely unpopular. When the popular Korean drama, Empress Ki, aired on television, historians criticised it for being too sympathetic.[1] University professor Yoon Suk Jin claimed he worried that by portraying Empress Ki as a warrior, it would lead to building a positive image of her.[2] Did Empress Ki deserve her negative reputation or was she vilified? It was said that history was written by the victors.
Empress Ki’s history was written in the Ming dynasty, a dynasty that succeeded Yuan’s.[3] The Ming dynasty blamed Empress Ki for the downfall of the Mongolian dynasty because of her “corruption and extravagance”.[4]She did not have a favourable reputation in her home country of Goryeo. The early Joseon dynasty accounts portray her family as ambitious and pleasure seeking.[5] In fact, one of her brothers was listed in the “Traitors” section in the History of Goryeo.[6] Empress Ki did betray her native country by invading her homeland. Her family prospered from Empress Ki’s position and often abused their power. However, she was actively involved in many philanthropic works and continued to sponsor Buddhism.[7] She was also responsible for promoting Korean culture in China.[8]"]
Empress Ki’s history was written in the Ming dynasty, a dynasty that succeeded Yuan’s.[3] The Ming dynasty blamed Empress Ki for the downfall of the Mongolian dynasty because of her “corruption and extravagance”.[4]She did not have a favourable reputation in her home country of Goryeo. The early Joseon dynasty accounts portray her family as ambitious and pleasure seeking.[5] In fact, one of her brothers was listed in the “Traitors” section in the History of Goryeo.[6] Empress Ki did betray her native country by invading her homeland. Her family prospered from Empress Ki’s position and often abused their power. However, she was actively involved in many philanthropic works and continued to sponsor Buddhism.[7] She was also responsible for promoting Korean culture in China.[8]"]
More:
https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/the-royal-women/ki-the-tarnished-image-of-the-last-mongolian-empress/
Interesting blog discussion of Empress Ki ( 기황후; 奇皇后 ) that contrasts what is known of her real character and history with the romantic version of her rise to power in the Yuan dynasty depicted on the now dated (2013) famous television drama series. Unfortunately, the complete presentation of the historical drama series on a Korean broadcast service web site has gone premium paywall. I got half way through the entire sequence of 51 episodes a second time before that happened.
The tv drama of the Empress' rise to power in the declining Yuan dynasty is almost dazzling in scope and appeal in spite of its fairy tale qualities. The read at the link above is interesting enough to stand on its own.
