Empire of Lust

Plot

Kim Min-jae (Shin Ha-kyun), is a brilliant general who's distinguished himself by protecting the borders of the recently established Joseon dynasty. He keeps a close eye on Yi Bang-won (Jang Hyuk), the fifth son of King Taejo (Son Byong-ho), whom he believes has ambitions of seizing the throne. Jin (Kang Ha-neul) is Kim Min-jae's son and the King's son-in-law. Due to his position as the King's son-in-law, he is unable to take part in politics and only seeks out pleasure. Yi Bang-won was instrumental in helping his father overthrow the Goryeo dynasty and found the Joseon, but was passed over when Taejo chose his successor. Meanwhile, Kim Min-jae falls in love for the first time with a gisaeng named Ka-hee (Kang Han-na), whom he takes as his concubine, not realizing that she aims to carry out a vendetta against him.

Cast

Shin Ha-kyun as Kim Min-jae

Sung Yoo-bin as young Kim Min-jae

Jang Hyuk as Yi Bang-won, Grand Prince Jeongan

Kang Han-na as Ka-hee

Kang Ha-neul as Kim Jin (Kim Min-jae's son)

Son Byong-ho as King Taejo

Lee Jae-yong as Jeong Do-jeon

Choi Moo-sung as Jo Yeong-gyu

Kang Kyung-hun as Lady Jeong (Kim Min-jae's wife)

Kim Da-ye as Princess Gyeongsun (Kim Jin's wife)

Kim Gu-taek as Ha Ryun

Gi Ju-bong as Jo Jun

Kim Seung-gi as Yi Je

Lee So-yoon as Sun-bun (Ka-hee's personal servant)

Hwang Geum-hee as Mae-hyang

Sa-hee as Lady Min (Yi Bang-won's wife)

Kim Young as Kim Min-jae's old servant

Moon Young-dong as Nam Eun

Yang Young-jo as Sim Hyo-saeng

Oh Ha-nee as Chwihangru gisaeng

Noh Haeng-ha as Chun Hyang-ru

Kim Wang-geun as the Head Eunuch

Hyun Seok-jun as the Crown Prince

Jo Hee-bong as Hwajeon shop owner (cameo)