Empire of Gold

Empire of Gold (Korean황금의 제국; Hanja黃金의 帝國; RRHwanggeum-eui Jeguk) is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Go Soo, Lee Yo-won, and Son Hyun-joo.[1][2] It aired on SBS from July 1 to September 17, 2013 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes.

Empire of Gold
Promotional poster
Also known asGolden Empire
GenrePeriod drama
Political drama
Romance
Written byPark Kyung-soo
Directed byJo Nam-kook
StarringGo Soo
Lee Yo-won
Son Hyun-joo
ComposerPark Se-jun
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes24
Production
Executive producerLee Hyun-Jik
ProducersKim Jin-geun
Lee Young-jun
Production locationKorea
Running time60 minutes on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 (KST)
Production companiesStudioS (SBS)
Drama House
Original release
NetworkSBS TV
Release1 July (2013-07-01) –
17 September 2013 (2013-09-17)

Plot

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The series is a multi-generational saga that covers a twenty-year span from 1990 to 2010, and follows one chaebol family as it arises out of the ruins of the 1990s IMF financial crisis that wreaked havoc on the Korean economy, becoming one of the top conglomerates in the nation. Three people become locked in a power struggle for control of this chaebol empire.[3]

Cast

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Jang Tae-joo comes from nothing, and his ambition is fuelled after witnessing the misfortunes of his poor hardworking father. After their father dies, Tae-joo, along with his mother, raises his little sister Hee-joo on his own, and fights tooth and nail to rise to the top relying on his cunning wits. Smart, passionate, and driven, he endures contempt and humiliation as he works relentlessly towards his dreams of success and wealth. But betrayal and exploitation gradually turn him into a cold-hearted, ruthless mogule. He marries Seo-yoon, although he loves Seol-hee.
The reserved, aloof and second youngest daughter of the chaebol founder and heiress to the business empire, she and Tae-joo get married, although they both don't love each other.
Seo-yoon's cousin and Tae-joo's biggest rival for Sungjin Group's top seat. Choi Min-jae is as ruthless, cunning, and unscrupulous as Tae-joo, lobbying, bribing and arranging backdoor deals with the political elite.
A woman who uses her looks to garner insider information, sets up a real estate consulting firm to sell what she knows. Even though it's a dangerous job, she teams up with Tae-joo to take down the Choi family and their business empire. She falls in love with Tae-joo.
A mob boss who is the antagonist to Jang Tae-joo's start-up business, and becomes a friend of Tae-joo later.
The patriarch and CEO of giant conglomerate Sungjin Group.
Tae-joo's younger sister.
The youngest son of Sungjin Group, whose dream is to become an economist. His family runs the Sungjin Economic Research Institute, where he works.
Tae-joo's mother who took care of her children after her husband died.
  • Nam Il-woo as Jang Bong-ho
Tae-joo's father who died in an antiquated building blast without achieving financial blessing.

Ratings

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Episode #Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
TNmS Ratings[7]AGB Nielsen[8]
NationwideSeoul National Capital AreaNationwideSeoul National Capital Area
11 July 20138.0%9.7%8.5%9.2%
22 July 20138.2%9.7%9.0%9.9%
38 July 20137.5%8.2%9.3%10.0%
49 July 20138.1%9.2%9.2%10.2%
515 July 20138.2%10.3%9.5%11.4%
616 July 20138.7%10.2%9.7%11.5%
722 July 20139.7%11.8%10.1%10.8%
823 July 20139.4%11.5%10.7%11.9%
929 July 20139.5%10.0%10.4%11.4%
1030 July 201310.1%11.2%10.2%12.0%
115 August 201310.3%12.4%9.8%10.9%
126 August 201310.5%13.6%11.0%12.3%
1312 August 20138.8%10.3%10.0%11.9%
1413 August 201310.8%13.6%11.2%13.2%
1519 August 20138.8%11.3%10.7%12.5%
1620 August 201310.3%12.9%11.7%13.8%
1726 August 20138.5%11.0%11.2%12.9%
1827 August 20138.5%11.0%11.4%13.3%
192 September 20137.8%9.8%11.4%13.7%
203 September 20136.8%8.2%10.6%13.1%
219 September 20137.4%7.9%10.8%12.3%
2210 September 20137.4%8.4%11.2%13.0%
2316 September 20137.7%9.6%10.3%12.6%
2417 September 20138.1%9.7%9.7%11.2%
Average8.7%10.5%10.3%11.9%

Awards and nominations

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YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2013Korea Drama AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActressLee Yo-wonNominated
Top Excellence Award, ActorGo SooNominated
Acting Award, ActressJang Shin-youngNominated
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama SpecialGo SooNominated
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama SpecialLee Yo-wonWon
Special Award, Actor in a Drama SpecialPark Geun-hyungNominated
Jung Han-yongNominated
Special Award, Actress in a Drama SpecialKim Mi-sookNominated
Jang Shin-youngNominated
Top 10 StarsLee Yo-wonWon
2014Most Popular Actor (TV)Go SooNominated
Son Hyun-jooNominated

International broadcast

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It began airing in Thailand on digital television MONO29 on May 11, 2015.[10]

References

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