탈탈 and Imperial Concubine 기

These fantastic fan art prints of Imperial Concubine 기/Ki and 탈탈/Taltal are from Episode 35 of Empress 기/Ki when 탈탈 is the first person she tells about being attacked in her dreams by a dog, and waking up with bite marks. These dreams are part of a dog curse, cast by Empress Danashiri in order to terminate Imperial Concubine 기's pregnancy.

People in the Empress 기 fandom frequently ask: "Team 왕유/Wang Yoo or Team Toghon?" My answer is always: "Team 탈탈" because throughout all the chaos and drama in the palace, he is Imperial Concubine 기's rock. His level headedness serves as an anchor among many who react strictly on emotion. He is supportive to her in her frustration while she is teaching Emperor Toghon to read. He was there for her first after Empress Danashiri beat her, and he is there for her again, protecting her after Empress Danashiri curses her. He even kills his Uncle Bayan, not only because his quest for political power has turned tyrannical, but because he was also trying to assassinate Concubine 기.

탈탈 is the perfect mentor and guy friend who provides logical perspective in a dangerously chaotic environment. He is not one to "mansplain" anything, and regards Imperial Concubine 기 as his equal, if not a little bit more than that. He is the ultimate ally in an environment where you are being targeted, and no one else will help you because they are terrified of the consequences. He is able to provide help in a rational way that destroys the issue, and cleans it up, so you're not left with an even bigger mess.

This print is perfect for hanging on your walls in a space where you may feel unfairly targeted, and you need a mentor like 탈탈 to pull you through. Or perhaps, to share with a friend who is exactly like 탈탈. It's also perfect for those of you who are 탈탈 biased like I am, and loved that he had the guts to step up when no one else would.

This print is available for your enjoyment at https://www.sageukparadise.com/sageuk.../p/empresskifanart

Artwork by The Bluedevil