Background
Öljei Khutuk, the Mongolian name by which she came to be known, was born to Gi Jao (hanja: 奇子敖 ) in Haengju (hanja: 幸州, modern Goyang) in Goryeo.
奇皇后
Öljei Khutuk, the Mongolian name by which she came to be known, was born to Gi Jao (hanja: 奇子敖 ) in Haengju (hanja: 幸州, modern Goyang) in Goryeo.
She was from a Korean aristocratic family. She had an elder brother named Gi Cheol (hanja: 奇轍, Mongolian: Bayn Bukha). She became a concubine of Toghon Temür and was the mother of Ayushiridara.
However Bayan of the Merkid, who held real power, opposed lieutenant
When Bayan was purged, Öljei Khutuk became the secondary empress in 1340 (the primary empress was Bayan Khutugh of the Khongirad). Her son Ayushiridara was designated Crown Prince in 1353.
However her intentions became known to the emperor and he grew apart from her. Gongmin of Goryeo exterminated the Gi family in a coup in 1356.
Öljei Khutuk responded by selecting Tash Temür as the new king of Goryeo and dispatched troops to Goryeo.
The Mongol troops were defeated by the army of Goryeo while attempting to cross the Yalu River. Within the Mongol capital an internal strife was fought between supporters and opponents of the Crown Prince. An opposition leader, Bolud Temür, finally occupied the capital in 1364.
Ayushiridara fled to Köke Temür who supported him, but Öljei Khutuk was imprisoned by Bolud Temür.
Bolud Temür was overthrown by Köke Temür the next year. After Bayan Khutugh died, Öljei Khutuk was elevated to the primary empress.
The collapse of the Mongol rule of China in 1368 forced her to flee to Yingchang. In 1370, Toghon Temür died and Ayushiridara ascended to the throne.
Empress Gi became Empress Dowager, but soon after that went missing.
Portrayed by Kim Hye-ri in 2005 television series Shin Don. Portrayed by Ha Ji-won in 2013 television series Empress Ki.