The Last Empress (명성황후) is a Korean original musical based on the life of Queen Myeongseong during the Joseon Dynasty. The story begins with Heungseon Daewongun, King Gojong’s father and regent, arranging the marriage of his son to Min Ja-yeong (later Queen Myeongseong). As King Gojong declares his intent to rule independently, the Daewongun is removed from power.

The narrative explores the challenges faced by Gojong and the queen as they attempt to implement modernization policies amid intensifying political factionalism and public unrest. These struggles are compounded by Japanese interference, leading to widespread discontent. The tension culminates in the Imo Incident, a military rebellion by discontented soldiers. Forced into exile, Queen Myeongseong later returns with support from the Qing Dynasty, frustrating Japan’s plans for dominance in Korea.

As Japanese officials view Queen Myeongseong as an obstacle to their ambitions, they devise an assassination plot under the code name "Fox Hunt." The story captures the queen’s efforts to navigate a turbulent era marked by internal strife and foreign intervention, reflecting the complexities of her time.

The musical debuted in 1995 and was praised for its innovative stage design, including a rotating set symbolizing Korea's shifting fate. It became the first Korean musical to be performed on Broadway in 1997 and has since been staged internationally in cities such as Los Angeles, London, and Toronto. Domestically, it surpassed one million cumulative attendees by 2007 and reached 1,000 performances in 2009, solidifying its status as a landmark production in Korean theater.