Top 10 Best Historical Romance Adaptations

When discussing the top 10 historical romance adaptations, one cannot overlook the series 'The Scroll of Empress Wei' – adapted from the novel of the same name by Donghua. It narrates the love story of a modern girl who suddenly travels back in time, becoming a palace maid named Nyuo Hy, entangled in a poignant romance with the character, Prince Ung Chin.

The series was so successful that the producers decided to create a sequel to give a proper ending to the main characters. Despite its release in 2011, 'The Scroll of Empress Wei' still captivates audiences worldwide, with many countries acquiring its broadcasting rights and it's currently in production for future airings.

Main Cast:

• Liu Thi Thi - Ma Yee Tai Nyuo Hy / Chuang Hieu
• Wu Ki Long - Afta Darn Charn - Ung Chin
• Trinh Gia Dinh - Baat Afta Darn Tuh
• Liu Tung Nan - Emperor Kang Hie

Ranking third among the top 10 historical romance adaptations is the blockbuster 'Celestial Bones'. Since the beginning of filming, the series has garnered attention with two famous actors, Hoa Kien Hoa and Trieu Le Dinh, joining the cast. The master-disciple relationship between Senior Immortal White Tu Hoa and his disciple Flower Celestial Bones, forbidden by their immortal status from having emotions like humans, let alone between master and disciple.

White Tu Hoa and Flower Celestial Bones had to endure many trials and tribulations to be together. Despite featuring famous actors and stunning visuals with high anticipation from fans, the final plot twist deviated from the original novel, leaving die-hard fans unsatisfied.

Main Cast:

• Hoắc Kiến Hoa - Senior Immortal White Tu Hoa
• Triệu Lệ Dĩnh - Flower Celestial Bones

The famous novel by author Đường Thất Công tử, ''Flower's Guiding Light'', consists of 48 episodes aired in 2015, telling four sad love stories. A princess loses her country on her wedding day, as the nation she's marrying into is in turmoil.

A general, misunderstood and thus stubborn, cold, and cruel to his kind-hearted wife. The four stories in the film are all intertwined with the fate of a country in chaos during wartime. When men must choose their duty over protecting the ones they love.

Main Cast:

• Lâm Nguyên - Diệp Trăn
• Trịnh Gia Dĩnh – Tô Dự
• Tưởng Hân – Tống Ngưng
• Viên Hoằng – Thầm Ngạn

The most popular film on the Mainland's screen in 2012 must be included in the top 10 adaptations from ancient romance novels. This is also an adaptation of a novel by the relatively unknown writer Liu Liem Tu. Set in the Qing Dynasty era, the film also has historical elements as it tells the life of Empress Sung Khanh.

Also revolving around the theme of palace intrigue, ''Palace: The Legend of True Love'' shows us a process from love to hatred, from an innocent girl to a schemer in the palace of True Love over 76 episodes. Everyone who watches it feels sympathetic to her: loving Ung Chinh, being hated and plotted against by other concubines. She struggles to assert herself in the palace. Only to realize that the emperor loves her because she resembles the deceased queen.

From then on, her heart grows cold, she loves another man, she must overcome all obstacles to become the empress, she must triumph over this ruthless palace.

Main Cast:

• Tôn Lệ - True Love
• Trần Kiến Bân - Ung Chính

Although Mo Dung Yen Nhi is not a well-known writer in Vietnam like Duong Thap Cong Tu or Dong Hoa, the film ''The Empress'' adapted from her novel has surprisingly gained popularity among audiences, making it into the top ten best adaptations from romance novels, even ranking high.

Although the actors in the film are not young, they are all reputable and talented: Lam Tam Nu, Huo Jianhua, and Nghiem Khoan. Living through the reigns of three kings, Phuc Nha has never ascended to the throne but remained only a concubine. She experiences a complex love triangle but is deeply moved by the two kings of two nations: Liu Lien Thanh of Northern Han and Manh Ky Huu of Shu Kingdom. With the familiar theme of palace intrigue, the film helped Lam Tam Nu assert her production capabilities as this was the first film she produced.

Main Cast:

• Lam Tam Nu - Ma Phuc Nha
• Huo Jianhua - Liu Lien Thanh
• Nghiem Ngoan - Manh Ky Huu

''House of Scholars'' is also a film adapted from the novel by the emerging young novelist Hai Yen. Despite the theme of internal court struggles, the film brings a fresh perspective by focusing on the battles among men rather than between concubines. It is considered one of the most unique and engaging palace intrigue films among the top 10 adaptations from ancient romance novels...

The intense battle for the throne among the princes is fierce. While appearing harmonious on the surface, each prince has a strategist behind the scenes to plot and scheme, shifting blame onto one another to gain favor with the king. Even their mother – the queen consort – and the concubines devise schemes to manipulate the king in favor of their sons. At the helm of the House of Scholars is Mai Truong To, who decides to serve as strategist for Tran Vuong to help him conquer the realm.

Main Cast:

• Ho Ca - Jiang Ta Ming
• Luu Dai - Southern District Princess
• Vuong Khai - Tran Vuong Tieu Canh Diem

''The Great Wilderness Blade'' is the famous adaptation of Dong Hoa's novel, part of the series ''Great Han's Fate''. A young girl named Ngoc Can was raised by a pack of wolves, then later cared for by the Huns. Her life was supposed to be tied to the Great Wilderness, but when the Huns faced turmoil, she was taken to Truong An.

Here, she meets Ninth Master – the man who made her heart flutter for the first time, always sacrificing and helping her. She also encounters Hoac Ky Benh, the arrogant, proud, and fierce general who always made her uncomfortable. Ultimately, who will Ngoc Can end up with? The film is among the top ten adaptations from romance novels that is worth watching to find the answer to this question.

Main Cast:

• Luu Thi Thi - Can Du
• Banh Vu Yen - Ve Vo Ki
• Ho Ca - Mac Tuan

Finally, there's a film on the list of top 10 adaptations from romance novels that doesn't feature a queen from history as the female lead. The film portrays the historical figure of the female physician Dam Doan Hien from the Ming dynasty – the first female doctor in Chinese history, bringing a fresh breeze to the period drama genre, attracting viewers.

Moreover, with a talented cast including Hoac Kien Hoa and Luu Thi Thi, the film contributed to its brilliant success after its release.

Main Cast:

• Hoac Kien Hoa - Minh Anh Tong
• Luu Thi Thi - Dam Doan Hien

Once again, a film adapted from the works of author Dong Hoa, this is considered the sequel to ''Great Desert Blade''. A beautiful girl from the Western Plains of Van Ca coincidentally saves a Han boy.

Later, the boy returns home, and Van Ca, missing him, travels to Truong Ca to find him. But the one she loves turns out to be Han Emperor (Luc Nghi), the king of a large nation, with a harem of over 3000 people. Van Ca enters the palace, going through power struggles, gradually losing her innocence, becoming smart and lively. Unlike the character Chan Hoan in ''Legend of the Female Physician'', Van Ca has no ambition to become the queen. After all, the weary girl returns to her beloved Great Desert.

Main Cast:

• Angelababy - Hoac Van Ca
• Luc Nghi - Luu Phat Lang
• Do Thuan - Manh Giac

Although adapted from a game, ''Swords of Destiny 3'' has such an extraordinary storyline that it has been published as a separate novel and adapted into a movie. This allowed players to better understand the plot and gameplay.

It was a stepping stone for stars like Lưu Thi Thi, Hồ Ca, Hoắc Kiến Hoa, Dương Mịch, and Đường Yên to become more famous with the audience when they starred in this film at a very young age. The film's depiction of the enduring love between characters across many lifetimes, culminating in a tearful conclusion, left the audience deeply moved.

Main Cast:

• Hồ Ca - Cảnh Thiên
• Dương Mịch - Đường Tuyết Kiến
• Lưu Thi Thi - Long Quỳ
• Hoắc Kiến Hoa - Từ Trường Khanh
• Đường Yên - Tử Huyên