Empress Myeongseong (2001 TV Series)

Empress Myeongseong is a South Korean historical television drama produced by KBS. The series aired from January 5, 2001, to July 18, 2002, spanning 124 episodes. It provides a dramatized account of the life of Empress Myeongseong (1851–1895), the primary wife of King Gojong, the 26th monarch of the Joseon dynasty.

Promotional image for the drama Empress Myeongseong — Promotional poster for the 2001 KBS series Empress Myeongseong.

The narrative focuses on the political challenges and personal life of the Empress during the late 19th century, culminating in her assassination on October 8, 1895. The production features a rotating cast for the lead role, with Lee Mi-Yeon portraying the character for the first 80 episodes and Choi Myoung-Gil taking over for the remainder of the series. Moon Geun-Young appears as the younger version of the Empress.