The Last Empress

No, the 2018-2019 SBS television series *The Last Empress* is set in an alternate universe where modern-day South Korea is ruled by a constitutional monarchy. It is entirely fictional, despite sharing a name with the real historical figure Empress Myeongseong of the Joseon Dynasty. The show is a high-stakes melodrama focusing on fictional royal intrigue, corruption, and murder.

The lead role of Empress Oh Sunny is played by the popular South Korean actress and singer Jang Na-ra. She stars opposite Choi Jin-hyuk, who plays the mysterious and skilled imperial bodyguard Na Wang-sik. The cast also features Shin Sung-rok as the ruthless Emperor Lee Hyuk.

The series was originally slated for 48 episodes but was extended due to its massive popularity, ending with a total of 52 episodes. It aired on SBS from November 2018 to February 2019. In some streaming formats, the half-hour episodes are grouped into 26 longer hour-long segments.

The show follows Oh Sunny, an aspiring musical actress who unexpectedly marries the Emperor of Korea, only to find herself trapped in a palace full of corruption and dark secrets. She teams up with Na Wang-sik, a bodyguard seeking revenge against the royal family for his mother's death. Together, they work to expose the royal family's crimes and bring down the corrupt monarchy.