A Look at Korean History (Historical K-Dramas)

A list of historical Korean dramas. I've listed these chronologically in regards to time/era they are set in. 

Briefly, modern day South Korea has rich history with a number of confederated kingdoms developed under different monarchs. This list starts from the Three Kingdoms period - Baekje, Goguryeo and Silla before moving onto a more unified Korean nation era with Goryeo and eventually ending with the Joseon Dynasty, which is much more well known. This is such a simple explanation of the development of the country and its kingdoms, the complexities are super intriguing and well worth looking into if history is your forte.

 Let me know if I'm missing any other dramas!

frommelbtoseoul Abr 11, 2020
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  • A Filha do Rei, Soo Baek Hyang

    1. A Filha do Rei, Soo Baek Hyang

    Korean Drama - 2013, 108 episodes

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Baekje Kingdom. 

    This is an 108 episode drama that recounts the life of Soo Baek-Hyang, the secret daughter of King Muryeong of Baekje. 

  • Gye Baek

    2. Gye Baek

    Korean Drama - 2011, 36 episodes

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Baekje Kingdom; mid 7th century

    Gye Baek follows the life of General Gyebaek, eventually leading to the moment that he is remembered for, the last stand against the Silla Kingdom. 

  • O Livro dos Três Han: O Capítulo de Jumong!

    3. O Livro dos Três Han: O Capítulo de Jumong!

    Korean Drama - 2006, 81 episodes

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Gorguryeo Kingdom; approx 58BCE-19BCE

    Jumong (King Dongmyeong) is the founder of the Goguryeo Kingdom, and this drama depicts his life however, quite fictionalised due to the limited resources available to capture the reality of the time. 

  • The Kingdom of the Winds

    4. The Kingdom of the Winds

    Korean Drama - 2008, 36 episodes

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Gorguryeo Kingdom

    Follows the story of Jumong's grandson, Moo Hyul, and the fate that awaits him as he grows up,

  • A Princesa Real Ja Myung Go

    5. A Princesa Real Ja Myung Go

    Korean Drama - 2009, 39 episodes

    8.0

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Gorguryeo Kingdom

    Ja Myung Go is an adaptation of a Korean folk tale revolving around Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang (a super interesting read as well). Prince Hodong was the son of King Daemusin.

  • Queen Seon Duk

    6. Queen Seon Duk

    Korean Drama - 2009, 62 episodes

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Silla Period; approx 576-64

    Queen Seondeok is the famous drama that covers the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla, from when she was a child until she became the first reigning Queen of the kingdom.

  • Hwarang

    7. Hwarang

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    The Three Kingdoms Period - Silla Period

    Hwarang is leans more towards being light-hearted, instead of being politically fuelled. It revolves around an group of young men who call themselves "Hwarang". It is a coming of age story set during a particularly unstable period of Silla.

  • Dae Jo Yeong

    8. Dae Jo Yeong

    Korean Drama - 2006, 134 episodes

    Balhae Kingdom

    Dae Joyeong is the founder of the Balhae Kingdom (following the fall of Goguryeo) and this details his life as he grows up and finds himself as king of a new kingdom.

  • Amantes da Lua

    9. Amantes da Lua

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    Goryeo Kingdom; 941 AD

    Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is not historically accurate. In fact, it draws on fantasy elements to fulfil the plot line and is a Korean adaptation of a Chinese drama. However, what it does make up in is the storytelling of how King Gwangjong inherited his throne (as he was 4th in line).

  • Brilhe ou Enlouqueça

    10. Brilhe ou Enlouqueça

    Korean Drama - 2015, 24 episodes

    Goryeo Kingdom

    Shine or Be Mad is a romance set during the historical period of Goryeo, following the love story between Wang So, the prince of Goryeo, and Shin Yool, the princess of Later Balhae.

  • O Rei Apaixonado

    11. O Rei Apaixonado

    Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes

    Goryeo Kingdom; approx - 1285-1300

    The King in Love is based on a novel in which the Crown Prince and his personal bodyguard falls in love with the daughter of a rich merchant they fatefully meet when they were younger. It is still a great depiction of the era and the political struggles in securing a nation and how the Crown Prince eventually became King Chungseon.

  • Imperatriz Ki

    12. Imperatriz Ki

    Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes

    Goryeo Kingdom; approx 1330-1350

    The protagonist, Gi Seungyang, rises through the ranks to become empress to Toghon Temur of the Yuan dynasty, despite being of Goryeo nationality. She faces the difficulty in choosing between the Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty and the King of Goryeo (a fictional character in this drama that is loosely based off of King Chunghye).

  • Seis Dragões Voadores

    13. Seis Dragões Voadores

    Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes

    Goryeo Kingdom - Joseon Dynasty; this focuses on the foundation of Joseon Dynasty

    Six Flying Dragons actually loosely serves as a prequel to Tree With Deep Roots (listed below), detailing how King Taejong rose to become king and establishing the Joseon Dynasty, thus ending the Goryeo era. 

  • Tree With Deep Roots

    14. Tree With Deep Roots

    Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes

    Joseon Dynasty; approx 1410-1440

    Also known as Deep Rooted Tree, this is another novel-based drama that follows the story of a royal guard during King Sejong's reign. King Sejong was the creator of Hangul, which is now Korea's alphabet/writing system.

  • A Joia no Palácio

    15. A Joia no Palácio

    Korean Drama - 2003, 54 episodes

    10

    Joseon Dynasty; 1457 - 1545

    Also known as Dae Jang Geum, Jewel in the Palace is set during the Joseon Dynasty and spans across the reigns of King Seongjong, King Yeonsan and King Jungjong.  It depicts the story of a young girl and how she grows up to be the first female physician in the Royal Palace. 

  • O Homem da Princesa

    16. O Homem da Princesa

    Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes

    Joseon Dynasty; approx 1460-1465

    The Princess' Man is set in a historical period, but is much more of a romance, depicting the forbidden love story between King Sejo's daughter and the son of his political opponent, Kim Jong-Seo, who is a real life historical figure.

  • Rebelde: Ladrão que Roubou o Povo

    17. Rebelde: Ladrão que Roubou o Povo

    Korean Drama - 2017, 30 episodes

    Joseon Dynasty; approx 1500

    Based on the real life historical figure, Hong Gil Dong, The Thief recounts how Gil-Dong ends up becoming an outlaw during King Yeonsangun's reign,  by stealing from the rich to help the poor (yes, very Robin Hood, but apparently happened in real life).

  • Rainha por Sete Dias

    18. Rainha por Sete Dias

    Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

    Joseon Dynasty; approx 1505-1506

    Based on the love story of King Jungjong and Queen Danyeong, who was enthroned and dethroned within a week due to political upheaval and power struggles. 

  • Joia da Coroa

    19. Joia da Coroa

    Korean Drama - 2010, 60 episodes

    Joseon Dynasty; approx. 1670-1700

    Dong Yi recounts the story of Choi Suk-Bin, a real life historical figure who became well-known for being King Sukjong's royal concubine.

  • Jang Ok Jeong, Vive de Amor

    20. Jang Ok Jeong, Vive de Amor

    Korean Drama - 2013, 24 episodes

    5.0

    Joseon Dynasty; approx 1660-1700

    Jang Ok Jung was adapted from a novel, detailing the life of Royal Noble Consort Jang Hui-bin under King Sukjong's reign.

  • Yi San

    21. Yi San

    Korean Drama - 2007, 77 episodes

    Joseon Dynasty; approx 1780-1790

    Also known as Lee San, Wind of the Palace. This drama focuses on the life of King Jeongjo as he grows up and inherits the throne. 

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