Like English-language and Western television shows, Korean dramas are available in a wide variety of genres, too. When many think about Korean dramas, they think of some of the more iconic romance titles, like Crash Landing With You, or even the fantasy shows that weave romance in subtle ways. However, K-dramas are more than just romance shows, and historical dramas are an excellent way not only to get one’s entertainment fix and binge-watch, but also to learn more about Korean history and culture. They may be fictional, but they are often based on real events and people.
Many of these K-dramas are set in the Joseon era, the last Korean dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty ended officially in 1897, when it was replaced by the Korean Empire, which was then annexed by Japan over a decade later. However, Joseon was founded in 1392, and during its centuries-long rule, the foundations of modern Korean culture and language were established. Watching dramas set in Joseon is a portal to both the past and present in Korean history.
These 10 dramas are some of the best set during this period.
12
‘The King’s Affection’ (2021)
Park Eun-bin and Rowoon lead The King’s Affection, which aired on Korean television in 2021. The Crown Princess gives birth to twins, which is a bad sign in Joseon culture. One daughter is sentenced to death, but in dramatic fashion, she is smuggled out of the royal palace and taken somewhere safe. But when she returns as an adult to work as a maid in the palace, her male twin convinces her to switch places, which backfires pretty quickly.
Although Korean dramas have tackled the trope of women disguising themselves as men — and a male character then falling in love with her — many times, The King’s Affection is a refreshing take on this trope. Despite some stumbles throughout its episodes, this is a solid drama with well-done humor and romance.
11
‘Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung’ (2019)
In Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, Shin Se-kyung stars with idol actor Cha Eun-woo in this Joseon Dynasty piece. The drama begins in the 1800s, when the daughter of a noble family becomes a court historian. In a strict Confucian society, she is looked down upon for this, as women were expected to remain inside the home and not be historians. But when she befriends a prince (Cha), everything is about to change.
There are multiple genres crammed into Rookie Historian, but it finds harmony among them. Although the story can be quite lighthearted throughout, it remains captivating, allowing viewers to fall in love with the characters.
10
‘The Crowned Clown’ (2019)
Yeo Jin-goo stars in The Crowned Clown in dual roles, and he absolutely nails this performance. At first, he appears only as a clown, one who, because he looks like King Yi Heon, has been enlisted to pretend to be the king before the court. But when he does this incredibly well, even more so than the king could, it leads to even more problems, as the court wants him to stay.
The Crowned Clown is packed full of drama, and at times, the tension could be cut with a knife. Yeo is an incredible actor to watch, no matter what movie or K-drama he’s starring in, but in this particular series, it’s apparent he was having fun with the dual roles he was playing.
9
‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ (2025)
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty blends historical drama with the pleasures of the culinary world, following a modern-day chef, Yeon Ji-yeong played by Im Yoon-ah, who finds herself transported back to the Joseon era and working in the royal kitchen under King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min). Yeon ends up working carefully under the feared king, but his fascination with her food slowly draws her into the politics of the era through a budding romance.
Although lighter in tone than many Joseon-set dramas, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty won over fans with its playful approach and celebration of food. Notably, the series celebrates the global language of cooking and sharing food, and uses that as a starting point to explore themes like power, class, and politics of the Joseon era.
8
‘100 Days My Prince’ (2018)
Released in 2018, 100 Days My Prince stars idol actor Do Kyung-soo, of the Korean pop group EXO, along with Nam Ji-hyun. He is Lee Yul, a relative of the king who wants to spend his days freely rather than study to work in the court. When he helps children in a village, he befriends a girl named Yi-seo (Nam). He instantly has a crush on her and wants to change because of it, but because the Joseon court is vicious and full of betrayal, things aren’t going to be easy for the two of them.
There are some somber moments throughout 100 Days My Prince, but there are also some shining ones full of hope. This is a K-drama full of ups and downs, but like many other shows, it serves as a reminder of why we keep watching series like these and enjoy the journey to the end.
7
‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)
Kingdom is one of the more unorthodox K-dramas in its Joseon Dynasty setting, as it features zombies. Set in 1500s Joseon, after a war has plagued the dynasty, the Crown Prince discovers his father is ill, and a mysterious illness is spreading across the kingdom. As it brings the dead back to life, he realizes he has a significant problem on his hands.
Kingdom features an all-star cast of heavy hitters in the Korean entertainment world, and it does an excellent job incorporating their talents and giving each of them their moment to shine. With a unique twist on the historical Joseon setting, it’s certainly worth watching at least once, thanks to the seamless way the horror themes and historical elements blend to create something you can’t look away from.
6
‘Love in the Moonlight’ (2016)
Released in 2016, Love in the Moonlight was a major hit when it first came out on Korean television. Starring Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung, this historical drama features Park as Lee Yeong, the Crown Prince of Joseon. The series spotlights his coming of age and how, eventually, he was forced onto the throne at 17 when his father became ill.
Shows like Love in the Moonlight do a spectacular job of highlighting the pressures of being a monarch and being put into a position of power at a young age. With a classic love story woven into the tapestry of this show, it’s a poetic piece that captures the spirit of a young monarch.
5
‘The Red Sleeve’ (2021–2022)
In 2021’s The Red Sleeve, Lee Jun-ho stars as King Jeonjo, the son of the doomed Prince Sado of Joseon history. Grappling with the impact of his father’s mental illness and murder, Jeongjo, first known as Yi San in his boyhood, wants to become a good king. When he meets a court woman he falls in love with, she inspires him even more to become a good person.
Some Korean dramas are tearjerkers, and The Red Sleeve is quite an emotional journey across its 16 episodes. With excellent execution and some cinematic moments, it certainly should be on any casual drama fan’s watchlist in the future.
4
‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’ (2010)
Sungkyunkwan Scandal has become a staple in the Korean television world, and when it aired in 2010, it was one of the dramas that helped Korean entertainment become more popular globally. Park Min-young plays a woman who disguises herself as a man to take on odd jobs, as women couldn’t have jobs in Joseon Korea. When she takes the civil service exam disguised as a man, it creates serious problems after she’s admitted to Sungkyunkwan to be educated.
Some elements of Sungkyunkwan Scandal might seem a little repetitive in the world of K-dramas due to the time that’s passed since its release, but it still holds up all these years later. With an entertaining storyline and solid acting, it was popular when it first came out for a reason.
3
‘The Tale of Lady Ok’ (2024–2025)
Born into slavery, Ok Tae-yeong (Lim Ji-yeon) manages to reinvent herself as a legal expert and hides her past. Yet, when she meets wandering storyteller Cheon Seung-hwi (Choo Young-woo), his growing affection for her threatens to expose everything she has worked so hard to protect.
Darker and more grounded than many romantic historical dramas, it has won over audiences for its focus on social injustice wrapped around an engaging tale of personal survival. The series is also backed by strong performances, with Lim Ji-yeon delivering her best work as the titular OK, who has to navigate a lot of complex and emotional scenarios.
Source link
Add Comment