American Perspectives: Born A Girl, Living as a Man Pt. 1 ("기황후" Ep. 1)

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by 사극 Paradise 2025. 4. 2. 20:59

"기황후" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube, as well as many other channels. It is an amazing classic 사극, and this author is aware that it's not historically accurate. The real life Empress Ki had a very contentious relationship with the Goryeo Dynasty. And many liberties were most certainly taken with the fictionalized version of historical characters. Dialogue adapted from English Subtitle translations by the "Imperial Team at Viki.com"

It is a beautiful day, and a time of personal victory in the Mongol controlled Yuan Dynasty China Capitol of Daedu, currently known as Beijing.

The relatively young Emperor Toghon Temur is regally seated in a golden palenquin, carried by eight men dressed in red. A procession of Eunuchs, Court Ladies, and Palace Maids follow him. They cross an arched concrete bridge over the palace pond. Emperor Toghon holds up his hand, signalling to the men who are carrying him to stop for a moment. The servants lower his palenquin to the ground, and he looks over at a very depressed former Goryeo King, Wang Yoo, standing on the arched point of the curved bridge.

Emperor Toghon walks up the bridge in his regal wedding finery. This victory for him is bittersweet. He "got the girl," but it wasn't quite the romance he had dreamed about. Wang Yoo reluctantly turns around to face this puppet of an Emperor whom he absolutely cannot stand.

"I will leave for Goryeo," says Wang Yoo.

"Will you attend the coronation of Imperial Consort Ki as Empress?" Emperor Toghon asks.

"Is there a reason I must attend?" Wang Yoo asks warily.

"It is a moment that someone who was brought over as a tributary girl becomes an Empress. Isn't it a celebration for Goryeo?"

"A celebration for Goryeo is something that is made by me, the King of Goryeo."

"If it weren't for the Imperial Consort, you'd already be dead," says Emperor Toghon. "Your pitiful life was saved by the Imperial Consort."

"To the Imperial Consort, please relay my thanks," says Wang Yoo. He really can't bear to speak with this jack ass much longer. He walks past Emperor Toghon.

"Do you still love Seung Nyang?"

Wang Yoo stops. This was the precise hot point he was taking great pains to avoid.

"Are you still holding Seung Nyang in your heart?" Emperor Toghon continues. He's the Great Great Grandson of Chinggis Khan, and this Goryeo King had better answer.

Wang Yoo pauses. He's not getting sucked into this half-wit emperor's daily drama. He takes the high road and walks away.

"I love her, she is my all!" Emperor Toghon declares. Tears stream down his face. "She's not meant to belong to a pitiful thing like you. Do you understand? Understand? Understand!" Empoeror Toghon screeches as Wang Yoo continues to walk away from this man whose only resemblance to Chinggis Khan is the bloodline. Otherwise, he lacks anything Chinggis Khan was revered for.

To be fair, Emperor Toghon obtained the throne when he was thirteen. While Chinggis Khan's empire didn't come together until he was in his forties. Chinggis Khan was enslaved for most of his childhood, while Emperor Toghon lived a luxuriant life in comparison, even while he was exiled.

The beautiful Seung Nyang, who is transitioning from Chief Imperial Consort to Empress, is sitting in front of her mirror. Her court lady is showing her various ornaments that she can wear with her wedding clothes. The position she's in now, has been a long time coming. She was taken away from Goryeo as a tribute in her late teens. Like Chinggis Khan, she didn't get to this high rank until she was in her forties. After a myriad of battles, she is now one of the most powerful women in the Yuan Dynasty, and across Asia. It didn't come without slashes, gashes, and scars.

She gazes at two intricately carved silver rings on a leather cord in front of her. She picks them up, and peers at them sadly. This isn't the end game her mother and father would have wanted for her. They would have been impressed, but they also would have preferred to have her stay in Goryeo.

One of the senior court ladies approaches her. "The Goryeo King has left Yeongyeong." She bows to Seung Nyang.

Seung Nyang conceals her emotions. She's surrounded by many people, even on walks alone, she has at least two people by her side. Decades of life in the palace has taught her to proceed with caution.

The doors burst open with a loud bang as Seung Nyang's palenquin is carried down the red carpet, just before the front of the palace steps. Everyone in the huge crowd kneels as her palenquin passes.

Emperor Toghon walks down the red carpet to meet her, and the soldiers lower her palenquin. She regally walks up the white steps to the palace, wearing her red wedding dress, golden jewelry, and golden crown.

Emperor Toghon joins her at the top of the stairs. He happily makes eye contact, while she looks at him demurely. He extends his hand to her, and she rests her hand in his. Everyone in the crowd kneels.

A high ranking court lady approaches them with a tray of wine.

"It is a drink to celebrate your health and long life," says Emperor Toghon. He hands her a beautiful cloisonne cup, and they take a drink. They put their cups back on the tray, and everyone in the crowd rises. The court lady walks backward, and blends in with the crowd.

"10,000 years!" The crowd cheers. "10,000 years!" In spite of the dynasty being on its last leg. "10,000 years!" But none of that matters now, as this wedding makes the future look promising. In real life, this part of the dynasty had to contend with both a plague and a famine, which in turn resulted in isolation from the European continent, which had been in engaged in a lot of trade at this point. During this time, because of that, the Empire was bankrupt, which the show doesn't really touch on.

"Seung Nyang, are you really here?" Asks Wang Go, sometimes known as King Simyang, a pro Yuan supporter who was constantly undermining the Goryeo Dynasty.

Seung Nyang looks at Emperor Toghon and smiles as the crowd cheers for them. He smiles back, and they hold hands. Seung Nyang looks over, and sees Wang Yoo standing at the very back of the crowd after all. Her emotions are very mixed, as their history is long, intense, and a threat to Emperor Toghon.

Seung Nyang and Wang Yoo's eyes meet, and she tries her best to keep her emotions in check. She can't help herself. She begins to cry. She looks away. Wang Yoo can't take it anymore, and Seung Nyang sadly watches him leave.

It's many years prior when Seung Yang appears to be either 8 or 10 years old. She and her mother are among a swarm of unwashed women and girls who are going to be taken away to the Yuan Dynasty as tributes. Some will be servants, court ladies, or concubines. The throw aways would be sent to a courtesan house or a prostitution den. In reality, it was not the peasant women who were taken away. Mongolian royalty had very stringent standards when it came to the women who served the Emperor, and they were actually picked from the Goryeo nobility. Nonetheless, the women are currency being used to keep the Yuan Dynasty at bay, in exchange for Goryeo's status as a sovereign, tributary kingdom.

Seung Nyang is terrified. These men who have captured them are volatile, frightening, and nothing like the men she is familiar with. She can't get herself to stop crying.

"Nyang," says her mother.

"Your Royal Highness," says Wang Yoo's Eunuch, Bang Shin Woo. He bows as he hands the young crown prince a bowl of water. Wang Yoo will also be heading to Yuan. He's the combination of student and hostage. He will learn how to be an effective king in accordance with Yuan Dynasty standards, and his absence from Goryeo will also be used to keep his father, the Goryeo King, on his best behavior. The Goryeo king acts up, Wang Yoo is toast.

A handsome, yet very temperamental and cruel soldier named Tanqishi is the oldest son of Prime Minister El Temur. He approaches Wang Yoo on horseback.

Wang Yoo puts down his bowl. He knows not to incite Tanqishi's wrath, but it really doesn't take much to do so.

"Let's depart!" Tanqishi commands. His brother, Talahai, is right beside him. Wang Yoo hates both of them, but for the sake of the kingdom, he has to "play nice."

"Move!" Talahai yells.

The women are forced to stand, and the soldiers push them to move faster. All of the women have ropes around their necks, and they are connected to each other.

Seung Nyang's mother stumbles, which creates a ripple effect in her group, but no one falls.

"Mother!" Seung Nyang shrieks.

"Nyang!" Her mother shrieks.

Talahai sharply turns his horse on the forehand, and whips Seung Nyang's mother across the back. She screams and falls, bringing the rest of her group down with her.

"Mom!" Seung Nyang yells fearfully.

Talahai continues to whip her.

Seung Nyang kneels down and begs. "Don't hit my mother! Don't hit my mother!" She rubs her hands together.

Talahai aims his whip at Seung Nyang's mother once more.

"Mom!" Seung Nyang yells. Before it can strike her mother's back, Seung Nyang lays on top of her, taking the lash on her behalf. She screams in pain. The whip burns and smarts significantly more than she anticipated.

"Nyang!" Yells her mother, who shields Nyang's body with her own as Talahai lashes the whip again.

"Won't you get up?" Talahai screams.

"Stop!" Wang Yoo yells.

Talahai, Seung Nyang, and her mother look up. Wang Yoo approaches them on horseback.

"Stop hitting them," Wang Yoo demands.

Talahai snarls at him and withdraws the whip.

"Mom, are you alright?" Seung Nyang asks frantically.

"I am," says her mother, "I'm okay."

"Why have you tied the women with ropes?" Wang Yoo asks.

"They are tributaries who have been captured after attempting to escape during the night." Talahai replies.

"Still," argues Wang Yoo, "can you regard these people like you would beasts? Untie these ropes, and have the injured healed!"

"Have you given me a command?" Talahai asks.

"Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince," Eunuch Bang says anxiously.

Tanqishi approaches them at a canter from his horse. "Why is our march being delayed so?"

"Brother," says Talahai, "Goryeo's Crown Prince has said to untie their ropes."

Tanqishi gives Wang Yoo side eye, and laughs. "I think Crown Prince, you have forgotten you are a hostage in this empire. I will let it go this time, but I shall no longer tolerate any more meddling. To the descendants of Borte-Cino/Blue Wolves, there is no such thing as magnanimity. Increase the speed of the march!" With a much too harsh yank on the reins for a renowned Mongol horseman, he sharply turns to the front. "Increase it!"

"Get moving!"

Wang Yoo pauses and watches the women and girls of his kingdom get forcibly marched. He can't stand to watch it, and he feels anger rising within himself for being powerless.

"What happens to the women once they reach Yuan?" Wang Yoo asks Eunuch Bang.

"The ones who ran away are sold to brothels," Eunuch Bang replies. "Or used as slaves, is what I heard."

"Beastly things," says Wang Yoo. He watches Seung Nyang and her mother getting pulled away like animals. "Even that young thing."

In reality, a girl as young as Seung Nyang would not have been taken as a tribute. The women requested were age 15 and up, from the noble class, unmarried, and virginal. Therefore, Seung Nyang's mother absolutely would not have been taken as a tribute, either.

Seung Nyang and her mother are sitting in their cell on a straw covered floor. Her mother is massaging Seung Nyang's blistered and cut up foot.

"Your feet hurt a lot, right?" Her mother asks.

"It's okay," says Seung Nyang. "Mom, I will massage you."

Her mother leans over and gives her a hug. "I am sorry, Daughter. I couldn't protect you. I am sorry," she sobs.

"My mom's crying again," Seung Nyang says tearfully. She pulls back. "Don't cry, Mom." She wipes the tears from her mother's face.

Eunuch Bang and Wang Yoo quietly walk up to the holding area. There are no guards in sight, and Wang Yoo has the keys. He hands them to Eunuch Bang.

"Open it," says Wang Yoo.

Eunuch Bang looks at him anxiously. "Your Royal Highness, please."

"Hurry and open it!" Wang Yoo demands.

"Yes," Eunuch Bang bows. He takes the keys and unlocks the cell of Seung Nyang and her mother first. There are several other women in the cell with them.

"Escape," Wang Yoo says softly.

Seung Nyang looks at him in disbelief.

"It's all I can do for you. I'm sorry."

Seung Nyang and her mother look at each other. Is this for real? Several other women don't even bother to ask. They push right through the doorway.

"Open there, too," says Wang Yoo. "Those of you who wish to, escape."

Many of the women stumble on their blistered, cut, and barely covered feet as they run through the forest.

Seung Nyang trips over a rock.

"Nyang! Nyang!" Her mother gasps.

Hoofbeats echo through the forest as Tanqishi and Talahai lead the way in rounding up these women. Tanqishi and his men pause. "Do not leave a single bitch alive! Kill all those who have escaped!"

Talahai and the rest of the men position their crossbows.

The women run for their lives. A woman in front of Seung Nyang and her mother is quickly struck down.

Tanqishi spurs his horse forward. Arrows whiz through the air, hitting women left and right. Seung Nyang's heart pounds in terror, as she and her mother run as fast as they can on their injured feet. Many women are dropping to the ground from their foot injuries alone, making them exceedingly easy targets.

Some women who happen to be in the path of the galloping horses are slashed down like weeds.

Seung Nyang's mother is shot in the back, and while Seung Nyang is scared, it's now or never. They must find somewhere to hide. Her mother falls forward. "Mom! Mom!" She tries to shake her awake as her mother is rapidly losing consciousness.

The ominous sound of hooves is heard close behind them. Seung Nayng fearfully looks behind her, and sees Tanqishi staring down at them and smiling. He laughs and loads his crossbow. Seung Nyang freezes as he aims right at her. She isn't about to abandon her mother and run away. Because her mother is knocking at death's door anyway, in a burst of strength, she throws her body in front of Seung Nyang and embraces her tightly. The arrow deeply embeds in her back.

Seung Nyang looks over her mother's shoulder, and at the two arrows in her back. She gets the chills, as she sees her worst nightmare playing out in front of her.

"Mom!" Seung Nyang yells.

Her mother falls against her, and her weight causes them to roll down the muddy hill.

Tanqishi's eyes widen, and he walks his horse to the edge. Lightning strikes, and he can't see mother and daughter anywhere.

The rain is pouring through the thicket of trees at the bottom of the hill. Seung Nyang is frightened and flustered. "Mom...Ma, just hold on for a bit more. I..."

"You must stay alive," says her mother. "Because you're a tributary girl who escaped, if you get caught, those bastards will kill you."

"Mom, don't leave me alone and go. Mom."

"Having birthed you as a girl in this dangerous world is my greatest regret," her Mom barely manages to speak. She takes the intricately engraved silver ring off her finger, and puts it in Seung Nyang's hand. "This was given to me by your father." She closes Seung Nyang's rain soaked hand around the ring. "Your father...is still alive. Go to Gaegyeong. He has the last name Ki, and has the exact same ring." She loses her breath, and her head falls against the leaf and grass covered ground.

"Mom!" Seung Nyang yells frantically. "Mom!" She unsuccessfully tries to shake her awake. Tears stream down her face, and she loudly sobs and screams. The sounds of thunder and rain keep her from being heard by the horse soldiers. Otherwise, on any other night, she would have been toast.

Several corpses of Goryeo women are covered by grass mats in front of the cells. Wang Yoo drops his umbrella when he comes upon them. He and Eunuch Bang kneel.

"It is my sin," Wang Yoo admits. "It's because I have no power, I was unable to protect my pitiful subjects."

"Your Royal Highness," Eunuch Bang wails.

Wang Go, Wang Yoo's rival, who is significantly older than him, joins them in the pouring rain.

Wang Yoo and Eunuch Bang rise.

"An incompetent father causes his child to die," Wang Go remarks. "And an incompetent king causes countless loyal subjects and people to die. Crown Prince, you have no qualification to be king. You're incompetent and naive." He moves closer to Wang Yoo. "If you want to live for Goryeo, bury your bones in Yuan. Understood?"

Wang Yoo begins to cry.

"I mean to say," Wang Go continues, "never again return to this land." He smirks at Wang Yoo's tearful face.

Seung Nyang is dressed like a ten year old boy, and she's looking a little rugged. She approaches a woman selling beautiful fabrics in the market.

"Ki? Name?" The woman asks.

"I don't know the name," Seung Nyang awkwardly admits.

"Hey Kid, if you don't know the name, how can you find a person just by their last name? Go over there. I'm busy!" Snaps the fabric vendor.

Seung Nyang sighs in disappointment.

"Was the owner of the Three Way Stop Tavern of surname Ki?" The fabric vendor asks as Seung Nyang walks away.

Seung Nyang sharply turns around. "Three Way Stop Tavern?"

Ki Ja Oh is sitting at the Three Way Stop Tavern, with his right hand man, Park Bul Hwa, enjoying a tasty meal. He examines the incricately engraved silver ring in his hand.

"Ok Boon was the one who said she couldn't raise a child as a concubine, and escaped with her," says Bul Hwa. "It's not your fault, brother."

Ki Ja Oh sighs.

"If we asks the translators in Yeongyeong, you should be able to find Nyang's whereabouts," Bul Hwa continues.

Ja Oh puts the ring in his pouch for safekeeping

"Is anyone there?" A very dirty and unrecognizable Seung Nyang asks no one in particular.

Bul Hwa and Ja Oh leave the table, completely oblivious to the wretched looking "boy."

"Is the owner here?" Seung Nyang asks.

"Aigoo," says the female owner. "What's with you?"

Seung Nyang quickly approaches her. "Is there anyone here with the surname Ki?"

"Why are you asking?" The owner inquires.

"I'm looking for my father."

"Aigoo," the owner chuckles. "I am Ki."

Seung Nyang sighs. "Ma'am is?"

The owner smiles at her and continues on with her chores.

Seung Nyang sighs in disappointment. She's a hungry child with no where to go. She glimpses a basket of left over meats and greens. Without any restraint, she immediately begins to eat.

The owner looks at her in shock. "Hey, how can you eat that? I'll give you a bowl of bukbab."

"It's okay," says Seung Nyang. "I won't eat free food." She takes a few pieces of meat and walks away.

As Seung Nyang is walking down the market street, trying to determine her next move, she hears the familiar sound of galloping horses. She looks behind her and sees Tanqishi and Talahai. If she hadn't been starving, she would want to throw up. Her blood runs cold as she stares at them. Whether they recognize her or not, she doesn't know. She makes a run for it. They cannot be given an opportunity to put two and two together.

As she's frantically running away, she turns a corner, and is right in Wang Go's path. He pulls on his horse's reins to stop, but instead of stopping, the horse rears, and clips Seung Nyabg in the chin. She falls backwards, out cold.

Wang Go's servant, Jo Cham, runs up to Seung Nyang. He covers his nose as her unwashed scent is overpowering.

"Is he dead?" Wang Go asks.

Jo Cham looks up. "I believe so."

"Move it," says Wang Go.

"Yes," Jo Cham bows.

Seung Nyang begins to cough.

"Your Royal Highness," says Jo Cham. "He's alive. What should I do?"

Wang Go sighs.

Seung Nyang is fast asleep in a room at Wang Go's home. A servant is hesitantly trying to change her clothes.

"Eek, smell," says the female servant.

Seung Nyang abruptly wakes up, and pushes the woman's hand away. "I'll do it," she says quickly.

"He's awake," says the female servant. "Looking like a boy, you're shy now?" She hands the clothes to Seung Nyang. "Wear these."

"Where's your home?" Jo Cham asks.

"I don't have one," Seung Nyang replies matter of factly.

"Your parents?"

"They passed away."

Jo Cham sighs.

Wang Go and Tanqishi are out on the proch enjoying a meal and some wine.

"When Crown Prince arrives in Yuan, I will ensure he pays for releasing the tributary women," says Tanqishi. He downs his wine in one gulp.

"This time, make sure he is unable to set foot on Goryeo forever," says Wang Go. "That way, I, Wang Go, can ascend the throne."

"To do that," says Tanqishi, "you, King Simyang, must gain favor from our royal court and Imperial Family."

Wang Go chuckles. "Would there be any issue? I have a method thought out already."

"A method?" Tanqishi's curiosity is piqued.

"Wait," says Wang Go. "Soon, an enormous sum in this Wang Go's name will be released into the coffers of the Yuan Royal Court and Imperial Family."

"I will look forward to it," says Tanqishi.

Wang Go opens the door in the middle of the pouring rain.

"Where did you put His Royal Highness' shoes?" Jo Cham asks a low level maidservant.

She bows. "They were just here." Several female servants are looking all over the porch for his shoes.

"They're here!" Seung Nyang yells. She rushes up the steps with his dry boots in hand. She respectfully places them on the porch and bows. "I held onto them in case they got wet in the rain."

"Who is this kid?" Wang Go asks disdainfully.

"He is the one who got hit by the horse not too long ago," Jo Cham replies.

Seung Nyang immediately drops to her knees in the mud. The rain is drenching her and making her cold. "Sir, please take me in. I will be sure to repay your kindness."

"To repay the grace, you say..." Wang Go says. He smiles at her. He's already starting to like this transgender boy. (Technically, Seung Nyang is trans, even if it's for the sake of survival). "What is your name?"

"Nyang--" she hesitates, realizing it might reveal her actual gender. "I am called Seung Nyang."

"Seung Nyang, I see," says Wang Go. "So, how will you earn your keep?"

Seung Nyang is out on the archery range, watching her seniors practice. She is envious of their sharp shooting, and she so badly wants to learn. She hated how powerless she and her mother were on that awful night.

She smiles and walks over to the men with a tray of refreshments.

"Seung Nyang, don't just take care of big brother. Look after me, too."

"You can help yourself by becoming the most skilled," says Seung Nyang. "Then, you'll be able to be served by me."

"Ah...I must increase my skill at the very least for this kid. I'm so darned jealous."

The men laugh.

Wang Go and Jo Cham are watching them from above. "What is the kid doing over there?" Wang Go asks.

"He said that he'd reapy your kindness by learning martial arts," says Jo Cham.

"Is that so?" Wang Go asks. He smiles and chuckles.

It's late at night, and Seung Nyang is practicing her archery alone on the shooting range. She awkwardly loads the bow, and fires the arrow, but misses the target. The range is filled with her arrows sticking up from the ground, just a few feet from the target. She loads another arrow.

She pulls back on the sinew, and flashbacks of Tanqishi pursuing the women invades her mind. His smirking face is especially triggering, and she pulls the sinew all the way back. She fires her arrow, and it hits the middle of the target. The accomplishment is bittersweet.

She grabs another arrow. This time, she's a beautiful young woman, cross dressing as a young man. The fire in her eyes burns brighter. The end game of revenge much closer. She pulls the sinew back on her bow, eyes sharply on the target. She hits the bullseye, splitting the arrow that was already there.

"Brother," her young male assistant approaches her. "It's time to go to the state salt dealership."

Seung Nyang is among a group of rag tag men heading to the salt dealership.

"Hurry on up!" A man at the entryway yells.

They burst through the wooden storage rooms, and see several large bags of salt.

"Why is there so much?"

"Why are you being so loud? Don't you know that salt is a prohibited good in this nation?"

"Don't worry about us," Seung Nyang interjects, "and be sure to keep silent on your end." She looks over at her men. "Load the salt."

Wang Go is enjoying an outdoor banquet with one concubine on each side.

"Your Royal Highness," the men around him bow. "Long live your peace and happiness."

"Your Royal Highness," Jo Cham runs up to him, and whispers a secret.

Wang Go nods and chuckles.

A pouch of silver coins is thrown down in front of a kneeling Seung Nyang.

"You have worked hard delivering the salt," says Wang Go.

"What are you doing?" Jo Cham asks. "Take it."

"The amount of salt being smuggled has increased to double," says Seung Nyang.

"So?" Wang Go says.

"Double the money," Seung Nyang asserts.

"In whose presence do you dare?" Jo Cham asks. "Have you forgotten His Grace's kindness in raising you?"

"My household members have increased," says Seung Nyang. "Moreover, there's a thing called hazard pay."

Jo Cham lunges for her, but Wang Go blocks him. He points at Seung Nyang and chuckles, his chuckle soon turning into hearty laughter.

"Do as the kid Seung Nyang has requested," says Wang Go.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness," Jo Cham bows.

"Next month, the amount of salt traded will increase even more," says Wang Go. "Let it be known."

Seung Nyang pauses. "I shall take my leave now." She picks up her pouch, and walks down the steps.

"Your Royal Highness," says one of Wang Go's ministers, "what do you mean you'll increase the amount of salt?"

"If your tail is long, it can get stepped on," Jo Cham adds.

"The current crown will soon proclaim his abdication," says Wang Go. "To further attain the approval of Yuan, don't you know that even more money is needed?"

"That is true," the minister agrees.

"The tides are on my side," Wang Go continues. "The current crown is deep in his illness, and do you know what the crown prince is doing?"

...To be continued...