기황후

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by 사극 Paradise 2023. 1. 31. 10:07

So, I admittedly talk about 기황후 a lot, while being incredibly aware of what a controversial figure she is in real life, and how the show was also a bit controversial to a number of Korean historians. Since I am American, but not of Korean descent, I wanted to make sure that I was 100% clear on my awareness, and that I'm not coming across as another foreigner with huge stars in her eyes over 기황후 that is exclusively based on the show. Though, I will say I do find the real life 기황후 to be quite fascinating, and I do find her to be just as, if not more, intriguing as Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Wu Zetian, two other powerful and hated female rulers in history.

In spite of being aware of 기황후 being so controversial, there's so much about this show that I appreciate. A major point is that all of the primary female characters are very well written. They aren't glorified dolls who kick, punch, and say perfectly timed buzz words and phrases, but somehow the essence of the character is missing. Time and effort was actually put into developing these amazing women. I feel that all of these female characters are very intelligent in their own distinct way.

"Grabbing the Tigers by the Teeth" artwork by Two_ii

Empress Danashiri questions the logic of the Empress training she has to go through, in addition to questioning her Mother-in-Law's authority. Something I have to give her credit for is that she does not allow her mother in law to push her around. She's fierce and she isn't afraid to be straight forward in voicing where she stands.

Empress Danashiri artwork by The Bluedevil

Empress Dowager Budashiri is adept in picking her battles, and who to delegate in carrying out the battles she decides to participate in. As the regent to a somewhat weak willed Emperor, she is amazing in holding it together, and not losing her cool and beating some sense into the Emperor.

Empress Dowager Budashiri, artwork by The Bluedevil

Empress Bayan is adept at drawing people in with her perceived virtue, and gaining the empathy and loyalty of others. WIth these things gained, she then uses that support to her advantage and attacks her opponents. If she was a man, she would be revered for being so clever and strategic.

기황후 is the exceedingly flexible strategist. Again, if she were a man, she would be regarded as a hero and a genius for centuries to come, and not demonized as she has been in real life. However, I'm going to write within the context of the show, and not the real life historical figure, as the directions skew a little bit differently.

In the show, she goes from being a very vulnerable and potentially exploited little girl who cross dresses as a male in order to survive. So, I suppose one can say she is a functional transgender male. In order to survive as a functional transgender male, she learns to be a warrior, and she excels

Then, after being "outed" as a woman, she has to deal with an attempted rape and continuous sexual harrassment from 당기세. After rising through the ranks in what would consider gender appropriate, she has to deal with girl bullying. Through it all, however, she becomes resilient, strategic, and politically savvy. She knows how to lose strategically instead of behaving like a victim and a sore loser. If we want to talk about really dealing with institutionalized discrimination and sexism, the obstacles 기황후 went through on this show completely nail all of it, making the Good Old Fashioned All American Grievances of the 2020's look incredibly weak. This is why I feel like she is one of the best female characters of all time.