If you loved Bridgerton, this historical K-drama will hook you from the very first minutes

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18 Apr 2026 • 12:19 PM MYT
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Image from: If you loved Bridgerton, this historical K-drama will hook you from the very first minutes
MBC ©MBC

Passionate love stories, political intrigue and sumptuous costumes — after Bridgerton, dive into Empress Ki, a captivating K-drama inspired by an extraordinary historical figure.

Since its release in December 2020, Bridgerton has become one of Netflix’s most unmissable series. Adapted from the novels by Julia Quinn, it quickly won over audiences worldwide. If you’ve already binge-watched every episode, another production deserves your full attention: the K-drama Empress Ki.

A spectacular K-drama from South Korea

Originally broadcast between 2013 and 2014 on South Korean channel MBC, Empress Ki is a historical drama that blends romance with political conflict. Inspired by real historical figures, the series spans 51 episodes, each around an hour long. Filmed largely in the renowned Hengdian studios in China, it impresses with the scale of its production. Now available on Netflix in France, it makes for a compelling alternative for fans of Bridgerton.

Image from: If you loved Bridgerton, this historical K-drama will hook you from the very first minutes
Empress Ki is a South Korean historical drama, currently available on Netflix — © MBC

An unforgettable heroine at the heart of power

The story follows Ki Seung Nyang, a woman from Goryeo (present-day Korea), destined to become a key figure in the Yuan Empire. But her rise to power is anything but easy.

Image from: If you loved Bridgerton, this historical K-drama will hook you from the very first minutes
South Korean actress Ha Ji-won plays Ki Seung Nyang in Empress Ki — © MBC

Ha Ji-won brings this complex and determined heroine to life. Far from the image of a fragile woman, her character emerges as a formidable strategist, driven by unwavering determination.

Alongside her, Ji Chang-wook portrays a tormented emperor, while Joo Jin-mo plays a king torn between duty and emotion. This standout cast — completed by actress Baek Jin-hee — heightens the intensity of the story, supported by meticulous set design and an immersive soundtrack.

You can stream Empress Ki now on Netflix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AabB3CB2zI

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