And so it ended. "Empress Ki' did not quite reach the anticipated 30 percent in the ratings but what it accomplished was quite significant. The 51^st episode did reach 28.7 percent in the ratings, but more importantly the drama remained first in its time slot for the duration and the plot's pacing was intensely involving.

When the drama ended, Seungnyang, played by Ha Ji Won, triumphed but at an unimaginable cost.

In the final episode the last of her enemies were defeated but for the second time a man she loved died because of his efforts to protect her.

To read the article, visit kdramastars.com.