Empire of Gold

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Drama: Empire of Gold (English title)
Revised romanization: Hwanggeumui Jegoog
Hangul: 황금의 제국
Director: Jo Nam-Kook
Writer: Park Kyung-Soo
Network: SBS
Episodes: 24
Release Date: July 1 - September 17, 2013
Runtime: Monday & Tuesday 21:55
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Set over a period of 20 years from the 1990's, "Golden Empire" follows a family as the family members vie for the top position.

Notes

"Golden Empire" takes over the SBS Monday & Tuesday 21:55 time slot previously occupied by " Jang Ok-Jung" and will be replaced by "The Suspicious Housekeeper" September 23, 2013.
Director Jo Nam-Kook, screenwriter Park Kyung-Soo and second leading actor Son Hyun-Joo previously worked together in 2012 SBS hit drama series "The Chaser".
First script reading took place May 1, 2013 at SBS Production Center in Tanhyeon-dong, Ilsan, South Korea.
Filming began May 14, 2013 at a restaurant and traditional market in Incheon, South Korea. The first scene filmed involved Jang Tae-Joo (Ko Soo) and his younger sister Jang Hee-Joo (Yoon Seung-Ah) buying a t-shirt for their father and eating pork cutlet together.

Cast



Ko Soo	Lee Yo-Won	Son Hyun-Joo	Jang Shin-Young	Ryu Seung-Soo
Jang Tae-Joo	Choi Seo-Yoon	Choi Min-Jae	Yoon Seol-Hee	Jo Pil-Doo



Lee Hyun-Jin	Yoon Seung-Ah	Kim Gang-Hyun	Park Geun-Hyung	Jung Han-Yong
Choi Sung-Jae	Jang Hee-Joo	Na Choon-Ho	Choi Dong-Sung	Choi Dong-Jin



Kim Mi-Sook	Eom Hyo-Seop	Ko Eun-Mi	Jung Wook	Seon Woo Eun Suk
Han Jung-Hee	Choi Won-Jae	Park Eun-Jung	Son Dong-Whee	Yoo Soon-Ok



Choi Yong-Min	Park Ji-Il	Jin Seo-Yeon	Lee Won-Jae	Shin Dong-Mi
Park Jin-Tae	Kang Ho-Yeon	Jung Yoo-Jin	Kim Gwang-Se	Choi Jung-Yoon

Nam Il-Woo

Jang Bong-Ho

Additional Cast Members:

Kwon Tae-Won - Jung Byeong-Kook
Dong Ha - Choi Yong-Jae
Yoon Sang-Hoon - Oh Sang-Goo
Jung Chan-Hoon - investigator
Lee Il-Hwa - Im Yoon-Hee (Choi Min-Jae's wife)
Ko In-Beom - demolished building owner (cameo)

Trailers

Image Gallery

Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	TNmS		AGB
Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul	Nationwide	Seoul
2013-07-01	1	8.0% (18th)	9.7% (13th)	NR	9.2% (18th)
2013-07-02	2	8.2% (19th)	9.7% (17th)	9.0% (17th)	9.9% (14th)
2013-07-08	3	NR	NR	NR	10.0% (20th)
2013-07-09	4	8.1% (19th)	9.2% (16th)	9.2% (15th)	10.2% (13th)
2013-07-15	5	NR	10.3% (14th)	9.5% (17th)	11.4% (9th)
2013-07-16	6	8.7% (16th)	10.2% (15th)	9.7% (15th)	11.5% (10th)
2013-07-22	7	9.7% (16th)	11.8% (8th)	10.1% (13th)	10.8% (14th)
2013-07-23	8	9.4% (16th)	11.5% (9th)	10.7% (11th)	11.9% (9th)
2013-07-29	9	9.5% (13th)	10.0% (12th)	10.4% (9th)	11.4% (8th)
2013-07-30	10	10.1% (13th)	11.2% (11th)	10.2% (13th)	12.0% (4th)
2013-08-05	11	10.3% (12th)	12.4% (6th)	9.8% (14th)	10.9% (8th)
2013-08-06	12	10.5% (9th)	13.6% (6th)	11.0% (7th)	12.3% (6th)
2013-08-12	13	8.8% (12th)	10.3% (11th)	10.0% (9th)	11.9% (6th)
2013-08-13	14	10.8% (8th)	13.6% (5th)	11.2% (5th)	13.2% (4th)
2013-08-19	15	8.8% (17th)	11.3% (8th)	10.7% (9th)	12.5% (6th)
2013-08-20	16	10.3% (7th)	12.9% (6th)	11.7% (6th)	13.8% (4th)
2013-08-26	17	8.5% (16th)	11.0% (7th)	11.2% (6th)	12.9% (5th)
2013-08-27	18	8.5% (17th)	11.0% (8th)	11.4% (6th)	13.3% (5th)
2013-09-02	19	7.8% (20th)	9.8% (9th)	11.4% (7th)	13.7% (5th)
2013-09-03	20	6.8% (19th)	8.2% (17th)	10.6% (7th)	13.1% (5th)
2013-09-09	21	NR	NR	10.8% (7th)	12.3% (5th)
2013-09-10	22	7.4% (20th)	8.4% (18th)	11.2% (9th)	13.0% (7th)
2013-09-16	23	NR	9.6% (16th)	10.3% (8th)	12.6% (5th)
2013-09-17	24	8.1% (17th)	9.7% (13th)	9.7% (11th)	11.2% (8th)

Source: TNS Media Korea & AGB Nielson

NR denotes not ranked within the Top 20 TV programs (including news, sports, variety, etc.) for that day according to TNS Media Korea and AGB Nielson.

Awards

2013 SBS Drama Awards - December 31, 2013
- Best Actress (drama special) (Lee Yo-Won)
- Ten Star Award (Lee Yo-Won)

Comments

Park Min Nov 12 2022 9:42 pm It was a nice revenge drama but the sheer amount of plot holes left a lot to be desired. However, what kind of ending even is that! It's completely out of the ML character as if he "changed" because it's the ending, it needed some gradual build up. The man went through the wringer and the writer decided to end it like that. It feels like they were forced to be over dramatic for the ratings. Anyway, it's whatever.

Pone Thone Dec 13 2020 8:18 am It is weird to see Kim Mi Suk and Lee Hyun Jin as a mother and a son in this drama after seeing them together as a couple in "Happiness in the Wind".

Pone Thone Dec 13 2020 8:18 am It is weird to see Kim Mi Suk and Lee Hyun Jin as a mother and a son in this drama after seeing them together as a couple in "Happiness in the Wind". ?

junee davis Apr 12 2020 4:58 pm SPOILER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes Seo Yoon won but she really lost cause she is all alone with just the empire.

Arihant Sep 15 2017 11:54 pm Just picked this up and could not stop watching it. Am at ep 8 now Looks like it will be a sad ending but I will still watch anyway. Go soo is a revelation as the good boy going bad.supporting cast is awesome. Writing is brilliant! Just found it is the same screenwriter as Whisper, one of my all time faves. Too good and underrated!

Sakae Mar 18 2017 2:55 am Maybe I've read too much into it, but when Choi Min-Jae declared at the end "I will be definitely back," I (miss?)took it as an indication of possible part 2 at later date. Rhetorical plays between Lee Yo-Won and Min-Jae were intelligent, gentle, yet sharp like a sword, in all, good for encore in GE II. For that reason I am following Yo-Won's projects on what she is working on, but so far no indication that Empire will come back. BTW, role of Jang Tae-Joo was little too dramatic for me.

Abd Hadi Abd Malik Dec 14 2016 10:48 am I really love the dramas full.of plot and conflicts with ambiguity ending... hope Tae joo will come back as tycoon and buy and kill Sun Jin company!

crunkbabe Oct 22 2016 10:14 pm I always check this page in the hope that I find someone saying that Part 2 is gona be out! Can I please have part 2 of this show please! :) Maybe this time, Tae Joo can really fall in love!

Sakae Jun 16 2016 12:42 pm Would be presumptuous to express an interest in follow up on life of MD Choi Seo-Yoon in Empire of Gold, part 2? Compliments to all artists for work done in Empire of Gold which is now behind us. I've enjoy it.

John May 27 2015 5:59 am Watching this drama for 24 hours is not disappointing at all. I get hooked because of the actors/actresses' portrayals. Yes, I must say it is also the coldest drama I've watched but it leave something warm to the viewers like me. But it would have been a little more warmer if we just heard a bit of love lines between the lead actor & actress.

Naigambi paul uganda Feb 23 2015 2:16 am hahahahahahahaha realy this dramma is all about fighting for wealth inoder to earn a living hahahahaha iwish the script writer would have made seo hon and tae joo had fallen for each other hahah

choper Dec 09 2014 11:48 pm This drama is good but i m very disappoint. They should insert romance in Drama. I m tired of cheat and violence. I expect they will fall in love in ending but it become the other way. I feel upset and hope they will work together in another drama.By the way, the actors are awesome.

iris321 Apr 16 2014 3:18 pm Looks good :))

Bom Mar 31 2014 1:37 am Lee Yo-Won is just amazing. This is the first time I love and hate a character at the same time. I want to hate her, but then I can't. Spectacular performance!

Ethel Mar 16 2014 5:09 am After finishing 49 Days I looked for other dramas of Lee Yo Won because I was simply amazed by her performance there. When I was looking at this drama it seemed interesting so I gave it a try. Wow! It's another drama that I really liked. The characters and the dialogues were mind-blowing. Again like 49 Days, kudos to the writer. I think that he/she is another great writer.

And my... Lee Yo Won, what kind of actress is she? She's perfect!!!

Dinara Mar 10 2014 8:17 am I understand the Tae Joo. In our world where money and power controls everything, where the nearest can betray for even for small money, single way to be happy is achieve these 2 things. I thought like this, but after watching this dorama understood that even having them your life can be as inferno. However, even not having them people cannot be happy. So what should i do? Trying to achieve them or just living without them?

helen koh Mar 09 2014 1:42 am I thought the script mentioned that Seo Yoon and Tae Joo fall in love but the whole show never seem that way. I did not see them falling in love but rather fighting all the time. First few episodes was exciting but I get bored after episode 18 as they never stop fighting until the end. If the script can just have leave some episodes of romance the whole drama should be interesting. I just stop at episode 18 and jump to 24 to see the result. So sad.

Danger Jan 10 2014 7:18 pm I really loved this Drama, and Jang Tae-Joo. But seriously what was that kind of ending! He said he would take responsibility! By dying! That's not responsibility! That's running away from ur sins! And death is the easiest way to escape from life's pain.

But still Loved the drama and would give it 4 of 5.

patin Dec 12 2013 7:31 pm This is the best drama for me this year too.

I love the story & all the actors did a fantastic job.

kdr Oct 15 2013 2:58 pm I really enjoyed the fast pace and intense battles between the family but the romance between Jang Tae Joo x Yoon Seol Hee really ruined things for me... Maybe from the lack of chemistry or that I found Seol Hee really annoying but aside from that awesome series!

JC Oct 12 2013 7:21 pm The first episode was a disaster and didn't quite grab me at all. Muscle through that and then it starts to get interesting when the family war kicks in

queen bee Oct 11 2013 12:32 pm I've just finished wacth thid k'drama and i realy disapointed with this drama.wasting my time to wacth...please there's no chemistry .

camille Sep 27 2013 8:47 pm Great drama & Lee Yo Won showed another memorable character & she carried it out so good. She was perfect as Seo Yoon.

Kye Sep 26 2013 6:13 am Last few episodes weren't good and ending turned out to be awful

solar Sep 23 2013 3:33 am ended last week. Hmmm well felt sorry for the main character not the kind of ending that i would have liked.But still it was refreshingly great...........

Dina Sep 22 2013 1:07 am Awesome ! Great plot ,great cast !

This  is  one  of the  best  k drama of  this kind

Skye Sep 21 2013 4:21 am Addictive drama... not for the faint-hearted or those who indulge in romantic fantasies. Revenge, the pursuit of riches, rivalry, intellectual word play, intense business battles, heart-wrenching sacrifices and ending despair at the gain/loss of the EMPIRE. Great cast too.. absolutely recommend.

athena Sep 20 2013 10:54 am yes, a sad ending but a triumph acting from my fav actress Lee yo Won ..truly a very good drama despite the sad ending. A pat on the shoulders to all the cast of Empire of Gold...

yx Sep 18 2013 4:07 am Another korean drama that have a sad end

colleen Sep 17 2013 11:46 pm I'm confused....is it over? Tonites episode ended with 'To be continued'....yet another drama is scheduled to begin next Monday....

If it is over I am very disappointed....too many loose ends left hanging... ' I have loved watching Empire of Gold....and Go Soo...an incredible actor....hope he stars in a new show soon....

but in the meantime....what did that 'To be continued' at the end of tonites episode mean?

juz4fun Sep 16 2013 5:47 am I love lee yo won's chracter. a very brave woman with her own pride. I love how she takes responsibility in order to defend her family's empire of gold. and I wonder what would be the end of these love-hate couplr , TJ and SY. somehow, I dont feel that they will end up to live happily ever after together :(

Lena Aug 29 2013 6:01 pm I am glad I decided to give this drama a shot. It is pure awesome! It lives up to its title, "Empire of Gold." The main lead SY is freaking awesome. You would want to be on her side and want her to be the last one standing winning from all those backstabbing her. Fighting!! :)

athena Aug 28 2013 5:50 am the story line release are very misleading , from the start OTP is between TJ and SH...I watched this drama because of Lee Yo won.Love her acting here,totally out of her character as she is well known for her crying scenes while this story. I, the fan, crying for her character...Even its not the top drama in Korea but I totally love it.

benn Aug 21 2013 7:16 am WOOWWW...lee YO WON the BEST.....!!!!!

laeiya Aug 19 2013 4:46 pm Beat plot really hooked into this drama and the actors are my fav ones

Pchoovet Aug 18 2013 1:05 am Lee yo won made so great acting and she look so beautiful in this drama

DL Aug 14 2013 7:46 am the main cast( Ko Soo and Lee Yo Won) made me stick till now. i like the characters and plot.

Abu Aug 05 2013 10:34 am I just wonder why Ko Soo hasn't done much TV dramas especially for Sageuk. He'll be perfect for a historical drama. Lee Yo-Won on the other hand never ceases to amaze me. I didn't appreciate the way episode 1 started either but because of Ko Soo and Lee Yo-Won I kept on going and it turned out I made the right decision. I really like the cast except for Son Hyun-Joo

george Aug 02 2013 12:35 pm waiting,.....

Thuy Jul 28 2013 12:23 am I LOVE this drama!!! The plot is genius. The actors are great, especially Go Soo. I love watching him in my first Korean drama, Green Rose back then and despite many years have passed with many new actors coming up, he's still my most favorite actor...

mafu Jul 26 2013 9:22 pm interesting, fast-phased plot, great cast

Lota5 Jul 23 2013 1:05 am Only on episode 4 but I am loving this drama... I had to push through the first 10mins of episode 1 but once I did I was with it. Watching Jang Tae Joo is like watching what i feel like it would be to watch Tom Riddle's decent to voldemort... the road he's taken to get to the cold murderer he becomes in episode 1 is very interesting... I love all the characters, they're well rounded. No one is cartoonly good or bad. They're just people trying to make money over each other.I love lee yo won character Choi Seo-yoon, she is what keeps her family running and in control. Although, it wears on her, she's always ready to step in, take control and fight fornher family's despite who gets hurt on the way. Last but not least Choi Min-Jae who might supposed to be the villain but i don't see it yet, he's just trying to get what he thinks he deserves after putting in sweat and pain. All 3 characters have the same motivation (family) and they're all flawed... again love the show!!!

athena7 Jul 10 2013 8:26 pm It is the first drama of this genre got me interested...All round good acting..Go Soo ,Lee Yowon and Son Hyunjoo is is really good ,I consider their are heavy weights in Korean drama..can't wait for the story to unveils itself, to one of the great drama that all the K addicts such as I to keep re-watching it till I remember every detail like Surgeon Bong,Queen Seon deok for Lee Yowon among others..love AsianWiki to keep me updated.Thank you.

Norma Jul 08 2013 1:52 pm So sad that Go Soo is in here, he is a good actor but unfortunately this story is not going to sell just watching 5 minutes of Episode 1. What a waste!

Domino Jul 06 2013 7:29 pm This is not what I expected. It's too violent & disgusting for me. The audience doesn't even get an introduction to the characters' background or lives, it starts with murdering someone. I am so tired of the in your face anger, violence and cheating from the instant the show starts and it actually got worse. I am definitely not watching any more of this. Isn't there enough violence in the world going on we are exposed to? I think many people want to be taken away from all that garbage for awhile. I saw no entertainment value here at all. Watching just part of this gave me a sick feeling.

athena7 Jul 04 2013 8:18 pm Watch this drama episode 1 and episode 2 was very interesting..Lee yo won looks good here ..strong character ,the 1st time I took notice in Go Soo acting..haha he looks good too..all the 3 main actors are very serious and I just fell their vibe...can't wait to follow till it end..hope its going to be good..

VT Jul 03 2013 10:00 pm The poster looks too serious. Is this a depressing drama? Why does Ko Soo almost always pick sad/depressing drama/movie? I like him but couldn't handle the sadness on his face. Is this a good drama? Should I start watching, anyone?

scp Jun 15 2013 3:14 am I am excited and cannot wait to see my favorite actor of all time, Ko Soo.

whatsup Jun 10 2013 11:58 am This drama looks interesting. I can't wait to see the first episode!

reymar villamin Jun 07 2013 9:46 pm ...i will waiting this new korean drama showned in philipines.

lee yo won and gosoo.. i think nise loveteam

cio Jun 05 2013 10:53 pm ooow!!! 2 of my favorite actor and actress both have a superb acting cant wait to watch this

sj May 31 2013 2:29 am Ms. Lee Yowon.... fighting!!!!

sj May 31 2013 2:27 am I am looking forward to seeing this drama because my favorite actress Ms. Lee Yowon is cast. I am happy that I can see her again in a drama soon. I only wait & watch her drama & movie. I don't know why but I really like her as an actress. She acts so well & natural. Also, she's very beautiful.

day2x87 May 18 2013 8:41 am wow! this drama has quite a stellar cast so far! i wanna watch this!! hope the story's good...

day2x87 May 11 2013 9:30 am after watching Lee Yo Won in 49 days and the recipe, she instantly became one of my favorites. i like her versatility as an actress. she has a very unique charm that'll endear viewers to her. i'm so glad that she'll be doing another project and to be collaborating with another efficient actor like Ko Soo.

Adhe Talla Apr 24 2013 5:59 am Yes, she's back again in this year. How happy I am! My beautiful n talented Lee Yo Won eonni will play another character on her new drama project with Go Soo oppa, of course. I can imagine how great they will set their chemistry on the screen, perfect match. Can't wait. For go soo oppa welcome back to dramaland... Hwaiting uri eonni n oppa...

lusi Apr 14 2013 2:52 am OmG...match couple..i will wait new drama..

Hana Apr 11 2013 3:56 am omo! Another project for Lee Yo won. Congrats! Your the best :D

External Links

Official Website

Empire of Gold

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

Image Gallery

Episode Ratings

Awards

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