Chinese drama where the FL becomes Empress:
- +1 The Princess Wei Young - One of my all time favourites. Loads of political intrigue and the FL is strong / becomes very powerful.
- The King's Woman - The FL is physically strong / a skilled swordswoman, but doesn't have much power / control over her life. Warning: the ML is controlling and the ending is tragic
- The Eternal Love 2 - This one has some intrigue, but it's lighter / more of a rom com with fantasy elements that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Korean dramas where the FL becomes Empress:
- +1 Empress Ki - Lots of intrigue. The FL is a strong fighter and slowly amasses political power. Warning: there's a rape scene and the ending is tragic.
- Moon Embracing the Sun - Lots of intrigue but the FL isn't particularly powerful.
- Queen for Seven Days - There's intrigue, but as far as I can recall the FL was not powerful. Warning: another tragedy.
- Mr. Queen - The FL is a noblewoman in ancient times whose body is taken over by the soul of a male chef from modern times. This one has some intrigue, but it also has a healthy dose of comedy and fantasy / doesn't take itself too seriously.
Dramas where the ML is or becomes Emperor but the FL doesn't become Empress:
- Legend of Lu Zhen - Chinese. The ML couldn't marry her, but promoted her to female prime minister when he ascended the throne. When he fell ill and later died, the ML abdicated the throne and decreed that the FL would assist his heir in running the kingdom. The FL was more politically powerful than most empresses.
- The Rise of Phoenixes - Chinese. The FL chooses to end her life rather than marry the ML in order to prevent further blood shed and challenges to the ML's claim to the throne due to her status as an enemy princess. She has political power and agency.
- Story of Yanxi Palace - Chinese. iirc the FL remains a concubine but has the Emperor wrapped around her little finger.
- The Imperial Doctress - Chinese. The ML leaves the palace to find the FL as soon as his son is old enough to take the throne. The FL was not a fighter or politically powerful, but she was clever and talented.
- Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo - Korean. The FL is from modern times. Her soul travels back in time and takes over the body of a noble girl in ancient times. After falling in love with the ML she eventually chooses to leave the palace and marry the ML's brother after the ML becomes power hungry. She gives birth to the ML's daughter in seclusion before dying. Her soul then returns to her body in modern times.
