The Last Empress (TV series)

The Last Empress is set in an alternate universe, in which Korea is a constitutional monarchy in 2018, Oh Sunny is a bright and vivacious musical actress who marries the Emperor of the Korean Empire. She becomes involved in the palace power struggle and a mysterious murder that sets off events that threaten the monarchy itself, while searching for true love and happiness. She teams up with Na Wang Shik who works as a bodyguard for the imperial family in order to uncover the crimes of the Imperial family. Na Wang Shik started working in the palace to take revenge on the person responsible for his mother's death.{{cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/the-last-empress-jang-nara-and-shin-sung-rok-ready-to-tackle-modern-day-monarchy-124274.html|title="The Last Empress" Jang Nara and Shin Sung-rok Ready to Tackle Modern Day Monarchy|date=November 20, 2018|website=HanCinema}}

• Jang Na-ra as Oh Sunny{{cite web|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201810300811050710|script-title=ko:'황후의품격' 산타요정 장나라, 황후의 옛 직업은 뮤지컬 배우|author=Hwang Soo-yeon|website=Newsen|language=ko|date=30 October 2018}} – an aspiring musical actress with a bright and cheerful personality. She became an overnight Cinderella after marrying the Emperor. In the palace, she fights to uncover the truth behind the death of the Grand Empress Dowager and topple the corrupt imperial family.
• Tae Hang-ho (Ep 1–6) and Choi Jin-hyuk as Na Wang-sik / Chun Woo-bin{{cite web|url=http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/247682|title=SBS '황후의 품격' 최진혁이 황실경호원으로서 열정적으로 훈련에 임하고 있는, '하드트레이닝' 현장이 포착됐다.|author=Lee Ye-eun|website=iMBC|language=ko|date=13 November 2018}} – seeks vengeance on the Imperial family after his mother's death. To infiltrate the Imperial household, he changed his identity to Chun Woo-bin, becoming the Emperor's most trusted imperial bodyguard with unrivaled fighting skills.
• Shin Sung-rok as Emperor Lee Hyuk{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003089050|script-title=ko:[단독] 신성록, 김순옥 신작 '황후의 품격' 주인공 출연 확정|website=My Daily|date=August 8, 2018|language=ko}} – Emperor of the Korean Empire. A powerful ruler who is well-respected by the people. He is talented and eloquent, but beneath his pleasant appearance lies an ugly personality.
• Lee Elijah as Min Yoo-ra{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=011&aid=0003405516|title=[공식] 이엘리야, SBS '황후의 품격' 출연···매력적인 악녀 변신|date=October 1, 2018|website=Seoul Economic Daily|language=ko}} – Imperial head secretary. She is quick-witted, decisive and greedy. She is trusted by the Emperor and becomes his secret lover and mistress.
• Shin Eun-kyung as Empress Dowager Kang{{cite web|url=http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/245321|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 장나라-최진혁-신성록, 대본리딩 현장 공개! 품격 다른 드라마 탄생 예고|author=Kim Mi-jung|website=iMBC|language=ko|date=16 October 2018}} – Lee Hyuk's mother. A fearless and powerful woman who holds absolute authority in the palace and is fiercely protective of her status.

{{colbegin}}

• Oh Seung-yoon as Crown Prince Lee Yoon / Vincent Lee{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000681738|script-title=ko:오승윤 '황후의 품격' 출연…"극중 중요한 열쇠 된다"|date=October 18, 2018|website=Sports Donga|language=ko}}

:Younger brother of Lee Hyuk.

• Yoon So-yi as Seo Kang-hee{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003085605|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 장나라-최진혁-신성록-신은경-이엘리야, 열정 충만 첫 대본리딩|date=October 16, 2018|website=Herald POP|language=ko}}

:Ah-ri's nanny, and birth mother.

• Oh Ah-rin as Ah-ri{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003348154|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 오아린, 앙증 이목구비+ 미소로 '엄마 미소 유발'|date=November 21, 2018|website=Sports Chosun|language=ko}}

:Illegitimate daughter of Lee Hyuk.

• Park Won-sook as Grand Empress Dowager Jo{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003126189|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 신은경-박원숙-이희진-오아린, '황실의 여인들'|date=October 25, 2018|website=My Daily|language=ko}}
• Lee Hee-jin as Princess So-jin{{cite web|url=http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/247435|script-title=ko:21일 첫 방송 '황후의 품격' 이희진, 파격 '하이패션' 공주로 변신!|author=Cho Eun-sool |website=iMBC|language=ko|date=10 November 2018}}
• Shin Go-eun as Late Empress So-hyeon

:First wife of Lee Hyuk.

• Yoon Da-hoon as Oh Geum-mo{{cite web|url=http://www.kyeonggi.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2000892|script-title=ko:윤다훈, '황후의 품격' 합류…장나라 아버지 役|date=November 14, 2018|website=Kyeonggi|language=ko}}

:Sunny's father and owner of a chicken restaurant.

• Stephanie Lee as Oh Hel-ro

:Sunny's sister.

• Lee Ji-ha as Shin Eun-soo

:Sunny's late mother

• Kim Myung-soo as Byun Baek-ho

:Father of Empress So-hyeon. Former Imperial head guard.

• Yoon Joo-man as Ma Pil-joo {{cite web|url=http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/247481|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 윤주만, 잔인무도한 '극강 악역' 마필주로 돌아온다... '존재감 甲'|author=|website=iMBC|language=ko|date=11 November 2018}}

:Right-hand man of the Emperor.

• Hwang Young-hee as Baek Do-hee

:Mother of Na Wang-sik. Adoptive mother of Min Yoo-ra and Na Dong-sik.

• Ha Do-kwon as Imperial head guard Joo
• Lee Soo-ryun as Choi Yoon-mi

: Head assistant of Empress Dowager Kang

• Kim Min-ok as Hong So-mae

: Head assistant of Grand Empress Dowager Jo.

• Choi Ja-hye as Ha Jeong-dan

: Court lady of Grand Empress Dowager Jo.

• Oh Han-kyul as Na Dong-sik

: Younger brother of Na Wang-sik.

• Kim Yoon-ji as Hyun-joo{{cite web|url=https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1S5S7I3W0W|title=NS윤지, 활동명 '김윤지'로 변경 후 SBS '황후의 품격'으로 배우 활동 시작|date=October 4, 2018|website=SE Daily|language=ko}}

:Sunny's junior colleague and a fellow musical actress who is jealous of Sunny

• Go Se-won as Prime minister
• Yoo Gun as Kang Joo-seung
• Kim Jin-geun as Incumbent prime minister

• Park Chan-min as News anchor (Ep 1)
• Yoon Jong-hoon as Terrorist who tried to kill the Emperor

:Kang Joo-seung's brother (Ep 1)

• Park Gyu-ri as Suicidal woman (Ep 13){{cite web|url=http://star.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/201812131424745363?did=NA&dtype=&dtypecode=|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 박규리, 짧지만 강렬 임팩트…절절한 눈물연기 '시선집중'|date=December 13, 2018|website=The Korea Times|language=ko}}
• Song Jae-hee as Father of Lee Hyuk and Lee Yoon (Ep 14 & 19)
• Jo Dong-hyuk as Detective in Grand Empress Dowager's murder (Ep 17–20)
• Park Doo-shik as Team lead Hong's son
• Son Chang-min as Goo Pil-mo, chief neurosurgeon at Daehan Imperial University Hospital (Ep 23–24)
• Kim Da-som as court lady Yang Dal-hee (Ep 28)
• Dong Hyun-bae as the detective (Ep 41–42)
• Ahn Nae-sang as Chief detective in Lee Yoon's assault (Ep 41–42)
• Jeon Soo-kyeong as Empress Eun (Ep 46–48)
• Kim Soo-mi as Sa Goon Ja/former chief Kim (Ep 47)

{{colend}}

The first script reading for the drama was held on September 6, 2018, at the SBS Ilsan Production Center with the attendance of cast and crew.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 장나라-최진혁-신성록, 대본리딩 현장 공개! 품격 다른 드라마 탄생 예고|url=http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/245321|website=iMBC E-news|date=16 October 2018|language=ko|author=Kim Mi-jung}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:'황후의 품격' 장나라-최진혁-신은경, 대본리딩만으로 높인 기대감|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201810161523508010|website=Newsen|date=16 October 2018|language=ko}}

Kim Jung-tae was originally cast for the role of Ma Pil-joo. He decided to resign after being diagnosed with liver cancer and was replaced by Yoon Joo-man.{{cite web|script-title=ko:김정태 측 "간암 치료 전념, '황후의 품격' 하차한다"(공식입장)|website=Newsen|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201810191650492410|date=19 October 2018|language=ko|author=Lee Min-ji}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:윤주만, 김정태 후임으로 '황후의 품격' 합류|website=YTN|url=https://www.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_201810211440433299|date=21 October 2018|language=ko}}

On November 19, 2018, Choi Jin-hyuk suffered an injury while filming an action scene that required 30 stitches on his forehead.{{cite web|script-title=ko:[공식입장] 최진혁 측 "눈 주위 부상으로 30바늘 꿰매…제발회 참석 추후 논의"|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1044748|website=Xport News|date=19 November 2018|language=ko|author=}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] 최진혁, '황후의 품격' 촬영중 부상…긴급 치료行 |url=http://isplus.live.joins.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=23138160&cloc=|website=IS Plus|date=19 November 2018|language=ko|author=Hwang So-young}}

While filming on December 18, 2018, Shin Sung-rok fractured his toe and underwent surgery the following day. He resumed filming activities the day after his surgery.{{cite web|script-title=ko:"다시 '황후의 품격'으로"…'발가락 골절' 신성록, 오늘(20일) 퇴원 [전문]|url=http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=201812200835505548&ext=na|website=MyDaily|date=20 December 2018|language=ko}}

Due to scheduling conflict, Choi Jin-hyuk was not able to participate filming the 4-episode extension. He completed filming until episode 48 as originally planned.{{cite web|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1303870wpp/choi-jin-hyuk-unable-to-appear-in-final-episodes-of-the-last-empress-due-to-schedule|title=Choi Jin Hyuk Unable To Appear In Final Episodes Of "The Last Empress" Due To Schedule|work=Soompi|date=15 February 2019}}

On February 25, 2019, the production released an epilogue featuring Jang Na-ra and Shin Sung-rok on Naver TV and SBS NOW YouTube channel.{{cite web|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1306173wpp/watch-shin-sung-rok-and-jang-nara-meet-again-under-different-circumstances-in-the-last-empress-epilogue|title=Watch: Shin Sung Rok And Jang Nara Meet Again Under Different Circumstances In "The Last Empress" Epilogue|date=25 February 2019|work=Soompi}}

On October 25, 2018, SBS signed individual contracts with the staff of The Last Empress to ensure better working conditions. However, according to the Hope Alliance Labor Union (HALU), the network and the production company SM Life Design Group (SMLDG) violated the contracts when they continued to extend work schedules without consent from workers.

The HALU also alleged that, "From November 21 to 30, the staff [of The Last Empress] had to undergo ten consecutive days of intense filming schedules that lasted for many hours without a single day of rest."[https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000032733 ‘황후의 품격’ 측 “29시간30분 연속촬영? 이동+휴게시간 포함된 것”(전문)][https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=076&aid=0003358659 [공식] 노조"'황후의품격' 근로시간위반+추가수당無, 내일 증거공개"]

On December 17, 2018, HALU filed a bill of indictment with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) against SBS and SMLDG.

{{Infobox album

| name = The Last Empress
OST

| type = soundtrack

| artist = Various Artists

| released = {{start date|2018}}

| genre = Soundtrack

| length =

| language = {{hlist|Korean|English}}

| label = Vlending, SBS Contents Hub

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Released on {{start date|2018|11|28}}

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = What Would It Be

| note1 = 어땠을까

| lyrics1 = Kim Ho-kyung

| music1 = 1601

| extra1 = Jang Deok Cheol

| length1 = 3:56

| title2 = What Would It Be

| note2 = Inst.

| music2 = 1601

| length2 = 3:56

| total_length = 7:52

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Released on {{start date|2018|12|06}}

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Not Over

| note1 = 끝이 아니길

| lyrics1 = Park Sung-il

| music1 = Park Sung-il

| extra1 = Gaho

| length1 = 3:30

| title2 = Not Over

| note2 = Inst.

| music2 = Park Sung-il

| length2 = 3:30

| total_length = 7:00

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Released on {{start date|2018|12|27}}

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = If I Convey My Heart

| note1 = 마음을 전하면

| lyrics1 = D'DAY

| music1 = KZ, Jung Su-min

| extra1 = Kei (Lovelyz)

| length1 = 4:11

| title2 = If I Convey My Heart

| note2 = Inst.

| music2 = KZ, Jung Su-min

| length2 = 4:11

| total_length = 8:22

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Released on {{start date|2019|1|16}}

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Deep Voice

| note1 = 낮은 목소리

| lyrics1 = Sebastian Anton Atas, Victor Carl Sjostrom, Red Haired Anne, SING

| music1 = Sebastian Anton Atas, Victor Carl Sjostrom, Red Haired Anne, SING

| extra1 = Park Ji-min

| length1 = 3:23

| title2 = Deep Voice

| note2 = Inst.

| music2 = Sebastian Anton Atas, Victor Carl Sjostrom, Red Haired Anne, SING

| length2 = 3:23

| total_length = 6:46

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Released on {{start date|2019|1|30}}

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = For Only One Day

| note1 = 단 하루만

| lyrics1 = Seo Jae-ha, Kim Young-sung

| music1 = Seo Jae-ha, Kim Young-sung

| extra1 = Seo Ji-an

| length1 = 3:45

| title2 = For Only One Day

| note2 = Inst.

| music2 = Seo Jae-ha, Kim Young-sung

| length2 = 3:45

| total_length = 7:30

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Released on {{start date|2019|2|13}}

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Open Ending

| note1 =

| lyrics1 = Jang Yeon-jung

| music1 = OneTop

| extra1 = Giryeon

| length1 = 3:45

| title2 = Open Ending

| note2 = Inst.

| music2 = OneTop

| length2 = 3:25

| total_length = 6:50

}}

{{tracklist

| extra_column= Artist

| headline = Disc 2:

| title1 = Anger and hatred

| note1 =

| extra1 = Various Artists

| length1 = 3:46

| title2 = Awkward romance

| note2 =

| extra2 = Various Artists

| length2 = 2:06

| title3 = Confused heart

| note3 =

| extra3 = Various Artists

| length3 = 1:50

| title4 = Definite flaw

| note4 =

| extra4 = Various Artists | length4 = 2:22

| title5 = Empress of slander

| note5 =

| extra5 = Various Artists

| length5 = 1:59

| title6 = Fabricated imperial family

| note6 =

| extra6 = Various Artists

| length6 = 2:30

| title7 = Fallen emperor

| note7 =

| extra7 = Various Artists

| length7 = 2:31

| title8 = Growing distrust

| note8 =

| extra8 = Various Artists

| length8 = 2:11

| title9 = It's all happening

| note9 =

| extra9 = Various Artists

| length9 = 2:23

| title10 = Imperial shadow

| note10 =

| extra10 = Various Artists

| length10 = 2:15

| title11 = Imperial identity

| note11 =

| extra11 = Various Artists

| length11 = 1:51

| title12 = Imminent crisis

| note12 =

| extra12 = Various Artists

| length12 = 2:28

| title13 = I am alone

| note13 =

| extra13 = Various Artists

| length13 = 1:52

| title14 = Min Yoo Ra

| note14 =

| extra14 = Various Artists

| length14 = 1:50

| title15 = My only one

| note15 =

| extra15 = Various Artists

| length15 = 3:33

| title16 = Man who thought he was dead

| note16 =

| extra16 = Various Artists

| length16 = 1:50

| title17 = Oh! Sunny day

| note17 =

| extra17 = Various Artists

| length17 = 1:38

| title18 = Overview of events

| note18 =

| extra18 = Various Artists

| length18 = 1:47

| title19 = Prelude to the truth

| note19 =

| extra19 = Various Artists

| length19 = 2:44

| title20 = Protect dignity! Besides !

| note20 =

| extra20 = Various Artists

| length20 = 1:20

| title21 = Princess Ari's Day

| note21 =

| extra21 = Various Artists

| length21 = 2:10

| title22 = Puzzled puzzles

| note22 =

| extra22 = Various Artists

| length22 = 2:16

| title23 = The Emperor is innocent

| note23 =

| extra23 = Various Artists

| length23 = 2:05

| title24 = The case to be revealed

| note24 =

| extra24 = Various Artists

| length24 = 2:47

| title25 = The past I want to die

| note25 =

| extra25 = Various Artists

| length25 = 1:59

| title26 = Good morning empress

| note26 =

| extra26 = Various Artists

| length26 = 2:15

| title27 = Throbbing Heart

| note27 =

| extra27 = Various Artists

| length27 = 2:00

| title28 = Thanks Oh Sunny

| note28 =

| extra28 = Various Artists

| length28 = 3:11

| title29 = Trigger of revenge

| note29 =

| extra29 = Various Artists

| length29 = 2:46

| title30 = Tearing bite fight

| note30 =

| extra30 = Various Artists

| length30 = 2:46

| title31 = Tears

| note31 =

| extra31 = Various Artists

| length31 = 2:54

| title32 = Stagnation

| note32 =

| extra32 = Various Artists

| length32 = 2:43

| title33 = The shadow of power

| note33 =

| extra33 = Various Artists

| length33 = 2:16

| title34 = The Empress dignity

| note34 =

| extra34 = Various Artists

| length34 = 2:24

| title35 = The ugly truth

| note35 =

| extra35 = Various Artists

| length35 = 3:28

| title36 = Unexpected breathing

| note36 =

| extra36 = Various Artists

| length36 = 2:20

| title37 = Woman with ambition, Seo Kang Hee

| note37 =

| extra37 = Various Artists

| length37 = 2:39

| title38 = Perfect trap

| note38 =

| extra38 = Various Artists

| length38 = 1:53

| title39 = Twisted self

| note39 =

| extra39 = Various Artists

| length39 = 2:15

}}

{{Television ratings graph

| title = The Last Empress

| refs = Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Media Research.{{cite web|url=http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00&begin_date=20180106|title=Nielsen Korea|work=AGB Nielsen Media Research|language=ko|access-date=November 21, 2018}}

| color1 = #A31A1C

| color2 = #415A52

| color3 = #3C2F58

| color4 = #000000

| legend1 = 1–13

| legend2 = 14–26

| legend3 = 27–39

| legend4 = 40–52

| season_title = Episodes

| width = 800

| height = 200

| country = South Korea

| -

|1.251

|1.372

|1.331

|1.485

|0.928

|1.365

|1.181

|1.521

|0.945

|1.492

|1.334

|1.821

|1.299

| -

|1.961

|1.766

|2.319

|1.712

|2.234

|2.047

|2.715

|2.115

|2.750

|2.754

|3.180

|2.327

|2.953

| -

|2.414

|2.877

|2.162

|2.747

|2.279

|2.780

|2.267

|2.858

|2.151

|2.691

|1.912

|2.527

|2.517

| -

|2.985

|2.676

|3.054

|2.398

|2.880

|2.115

|2.664

|2.275

|2.737

|2.065

|2.578

|2.669

|3.282

}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://programs.sbs.co.kr/drama/thelastempress}} {{in lang|ko}}
• {{IMDb title|id=tt9146104}}
• {{Hancinema drama|The_Last_Empress}}

{{Kim Soon-ok (screenwriter)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Empress, The}}

Category:Seoul Broadcasting System television dramas

Category:2018 South Korean television series debuts

Category:2019 South Korean television series endings

Category:Korean-language television shows

Category:Television series produced in Seoul

Category:Alternate history television series

Category:Anti-imperialism in Korea

Category:Korean Empire in fiction

Category:Republicanism in Korea

Category:South Korean alternate history

Category:South Korean thriller television series

Category:South Korean romance television series

Category:South Korean mystery television series

Category:Television series by SM Life Design Group

Category:Television shows written by Kim Soon-ok