I wouldn’t say: if you like QSD then you'll like EK. I’d say: if you feel that QSD lacks smth, watch EK and vice versa.

In 2009 QSD had madly high rates at the Korean TV.
That’s why in 2013 the EK writers took the QSD plot pattern as the success formula: a smart strong female lead goes up to the royal power, first she cross-dresses as a boy, then fights against an evil chancellor. There are some male leads for who she is a love interest: one is virtuous and very pragmatic, another one has unhealthy psyche. There is the third character (very cute) but there are no romance between them, alas.
QSD has a lot of complicated political affairs, mind games, multidimensional characters but it lacks romance, pathos, adventures.
In EK writers added all this and made a more vivid teenage version of the same plot. Also they made the characters not so complicated and made the female protagonist even supersmart and superstrong.
Recommended by An S
For me, the feeling of these dramas was the same. Nirvana does not have romance, but love is used, sometimes, in Empress Ki as mean to a purpose.
You cannot get bored at any if these two dramas and if you like strategy and court intrigues dramas, make sure you watch both. Great leads and supporting actors/actresses in both, stunning visuals, suspense.

I do believe Nirvana was better acted and characters were more complex, but if you liked one of these 2, don't miss the other one.
Recommended by Daenerys Aleathea
Both drama, set in historical period, have a beautiful and interesting
plot based on the protagonist's revenge.
The female protagonists are both strong, smart and skillful.
Both drama have a lot of episodes but they are very exiting and never boring.
Princess Wei Young are better in costumes clothing and filming.
Recommended by Alessandra
If you enjoyed the anti-colonial stance of the characters in Empress Ki, you'll appreciate the depiction of Korean resistance against Imperial Japan in Mr. Sunshine. Romance and freedom fighters combine to create a tale of love and struggle.
Recommended by TheUnhinged
Just can't get enough of Jii Chang Wook. Plus that show was amaze balls and I couldn't stop binge watching
Recommended by NOJAMZ
Both are historical dramas that have strong, proactive and very determined female protagonists and that sometimes their life goals clash with their love interests, leading to sacrifice them. And both have characters that the viewer creates a certain affection for them but who end up having very grievous deaths.
Recommended by Priscilla
Historical dramas centered on a woman (empress).

Empress Ki takes place in Korea while The Empress of China takes place in China.
Recommended by Sady
In both dramas the mc goes through a lot of struggles before actually becoming empresses
ex. power struggles, revenge, jealousy, concubine bs, death of own child, love triangles
The costumes for each dramas are beautiful though EoC has a bigger range cuz of more production money.
Both show how the women obtain power and be independent.
Recommended by nicolapelocan
its same era and same people and same events but diferent series.
Recommended by Raincat
The two stories take place in the same historical time. Faith takes place in the last part of Empress Ki, after she gets married.
While in Goryeo reigned King Gongmin and Queen Noguk (Faith), in Yuan did Emperor Huizong and Empress Ki (Empress Ki).
The two states were in constant conflict with each other. In Faith, King Gongmin had to fight against those who wanted Goryeo to be another province of Yuan. And one of those, was the main antagonist, Ki Cheol, brother of Empress Ki.
Both are historical, action and romance dramas. Only that Faith it's a lot lighter, have fantasy and medical themes, and focused in a romance story between two characters. Empress Ki is a darker and more serious story, with lots of tragedies and political themes, that focuses on a longer range of time, and in which the romance is just another one of the many points that has to offered.
Recommended by Docta
They both have a large dynamic and powerful feeling as well as both being period dramas. Everything is eye candy, story lines and characters are very well written, actors are amazing, some similarities in their plots but not enough to make complaints.
Recommended by ItsukaKitto87
Ha Ji Won plays the role of a strong influential woman in both historical series. Though one is of an empress while the other is a gisaeng, both carries quite a few similarities such as being smart etc...
Recommended by Orthello
If you admire Ha Ji Won in beautiful historical costumes, as well as portraying complex characters, then Hwang Jin Yi (2006 drama) is a must watch.
Similiarities:
=> actress Ha Ji Won
=> Ha Ji Won characters undergoes a lot of training to become a beautiful woman
=> The beautiful costumes that shows Ha Ji Won's characters' beauty
=> story is both about a woman who has to overcome the pain in her lovelife to become the best as she can be
=> Not really the same but can be comparable: If Empress Ki has fighting Ha Ji Won, Hwang Jin Yi has dancing Ha Ji Won
=> the beautiful way in which Ha Ji Won expresses her characters complexities in both dramas.
=> From what I know, these are the dramas that gave Ha Ji Won her Daesang (grand award) for the yearly tv station awards (Empress KI-MBC, 2013; Hwang Jin Yi-KBS 2006).
Recommended by Sageuk Lover
It’s not exactly the same but one of the similarities is King/Emperor falling in love with a maid. And the chemistry b/n the leads is on point.

Both are my favourites. So if you liked The red Sleeve, u will certainly like The Empress Ki.
Recommended by Fexchie
Similar plot, love triangle (one woman - two man), sarcifaces for love, treasons for love, lots of fight (swords) scene.....
Recommended by meg919
Empress Ki (2013) poster

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