K-dramas come in a variety of genres, and historical K-dramas tell Western audiences stories which are set in exotic and interesting South Korean periods. The historical K-drama is equally as compelling as any present story.
Since the mid-2000s, K-dramas have grown in popularity worldwide, with some receiving high praise. K-dramas are famed for their beautiful, yet occasionally cheesy love stories, which are an integral aspect of a Korean drama.
While romantic comedies are frequently featured in K-dramas, many others fall into the historical drama category. Here are some of the most popular K-dramas for all K-drama fans!
Mr. Queen
In the Korean drama Mr. Queen, a modern-day chef named Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) finds himself in the body of a Korean queen from the Joseon Era. Before he can return to his body and time, he must negotiate the royal court, learning its refined politics and customs while also influencing the King to keep the country out of tragedy.
What makes the show so wonderful is that it’s more than just a body-swap historical K-Drama. The way Bong-hwan drives the king’s goals and becomes involved in the royal court’s power conflicts is exhilarating and exciting. Beyond its unique premise and historical topics, it is not hesitant to use comedy and humor to keep viewers engaged in its plot.
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth
The 2016 historical K-drama is a coming-of-age romance featuring a group of elite young men. The historical Korean drama is set between 57 BC and AD 935, during the Silla Kingdom era. The queen of the Kingdom of Silla sent her son away from the royal walls to keep him safe from their enemies.
However, in the Korean historical drama, he is coming of adulthood and, along with other people, waits for her to step down — but there is trouble brewing. The queen is concerned about powerful nobles who once attempted to capture the kingdom. She plans to build an elite warrior organization known as the Hwarang. They will defeat current power factions and defend the kingdom. The young guys are not aware that their future monarch is among them.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
This historical K-drama is ideal for viewers who enjoy historical romance with a twist of fantasy and time travel. In this body-swap K-drama, a 25-year-old lady is transferred to the year 941 and meets the prince of the Wang family.
The woman falls for one of the kind hearted princes, but she is also drawn to another, who wears a mask. In between loves, she is caught up in perilous royal politics and a throne rivalry. Moon Lovers had its best awards sweep at the SBS Drama Awards, with 12 nominations and won seven. The series has won a total of 11 awards.
Lovers of the Red Sky
Lovers of the Red Sky is set in the Joseon period and follows Cheon-ki (Kim Yoo-jung), who is blinded by birth due to a curse put by Mawang, the God of Death. Samshin, the Goddess of Childbirth, cannot remove Cheon-ki’s blindness, but she can provide a cure for the future: one day, a small boy named Ha-Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop) will assist in breaking the curse set on her. Ha-Ram is born simultaneously. Nine years later, Cheon-ki and Ha-Ram meet and become friends. However, they were unaware that Samshin had intentions for both of them, with Ha-Ram being killed to shut away Mawang and Cheon-ki regaining her sight as a result of Ha-Ram’s loss. Following this encounter, the two met again later.
Lovers of the Red Sky is one of the best historical Korean K-dramas with strong fantasy elements. Gu Family Book, Faith, and Goblin are three Korean historical K-dramas with a fantasy theme. However, this is one of the few that incorporates mythology into the mix, resulting in a very stressful love story, especially given that Cheon-ki got the gift of sight after Ha-Ram lost it. However, this results in a great novel with a lovely relationship between two compatible people. Though the ending is a little sadder and more emotional, it adds to the overall appeal of Lovers of the Red Sky.
The Red Sleeve
After inheriting the throne from his harsh grandfather, Prince Yi-san (Lee Jun-ho) vows to be a kind King who will reform the law. Yi-san, still traumatized by his father’s death, pledges to prioritize his country above all else. Meanwhile, Sung Deok Im (Lee Se-young) is a courtesan who likes her independence. Prince Yi-san falls in love with her, but they are forced apart by their individual beliefs and wants.
The Red Sleeve is a brilliantly created drama that explores the psychological pain of losing a parent while also falling in love with someone who is out of reach. There are many tense times throughout the play owing to the political side, and the overall show is simply charming to watch. The pacing of The Red Sleeve can be slow at times, but it’s one of the best historical dramas for showcasing a lovely yet heartbreaking love tale.
