Top 18 Best Korean Historical Dramas of All Time

The Jewel in the Palace is a historical drama produced in 2003 by South Korean television under the direction of director Lee Byung Hoon and the MBC network.

The story revolves around the main character, a orphaned palace kitchen maid who rises to become the first female physician for the king. In a Neo-Confucian society where women play a subordinate role, young Jang Geum tests her skills in cooking and strives to uncover the secrets that make Joseon Dynasty cuisine and traditional Korean medicine unique. She uses her knowledge to heal the king and the royal family. The series is based on the true story of Jang-geum, the first female physician to the king in the Joseon Dynasty. The narrative throughout the series portrays the traditional image of Korean women with perseverance and determination to pursue the goal of creating nourishing and healthy food based on traditional beliefs and preparing traditional medicines.

With a production cost of approximately $15 million, the series achieved a 57% viewership rating in South Korea and earned nearly $40 million in revenue from broadcasts in various countries since 2003.

As a series based on the real-life female physician in Korean history, in a time when male dominance and female subjugation were prevalent, The Jewel in the Palace serves as a wake-up call for women accustomed to cramped kitchens to boldly pursue their dreams. With perseverance, one can achieve remarkable success.

DETAILS:

Director: Kim Keun Hong
Cast: Lee Young Ae, Ji Jin-Hee, Jung Sook Park, Hong Ri-Na

Release Year: 2003

Winter Sonata is a popular and highly acclaimed South Korean television drama that premiered in 2002. It is the second installment in the four-season Love Story series, filmed on Nami Island in Chuncheon. The island later became a famous romantic tourist destination in South Korea.

This drama marked the beginning of South Korean films making a significant impact in the Japanese film market. Set against the backdrop of a romantic snowy winter, featuring an immaculate cast, the melancholic storyline gained warm affection from the audience. Nearly two decades later, the show remains deeply embedded in the hearts of viewers. The charming Bae Yong Joon, who starred in this series, became the most beloved heartthrob among Asian housewives.

DETAILS:

Writers: Kim Yun Hee, Yun Eun Kyung
Director: Yoon Seok-Ho
Cast: Choi Ji Woo, Bae Yong Joon

Release Year: 2002

Legend of Jumong depicts the tumultuous life of the prince named Jumong, also known as Dongmyeongseongwang Cao Chu Mong, the king and hero of Korea who fought against thousands of invaders to establish the glorious nation of Goguryeo. The series not only holds historical significance but also profound human values. In 2007, Jumong became a television phenomenon, achieving record-breaking ratings (peaking at 52.7%) in the land of kimchi. Inspired by historical characters and the territorial disputes of Korea in the early years BCE, Jumong narrates the life of Dongmyeongseongwang Go Jumong, the king who defeated thousands of enemies and founded the powerful nation of Goguryeo on the Korean Peninsula.

The story begins when the kingdom of Gojoseon (2333~108 BCE) falls into the hands of Chinese invaders. The nation loses its home, and the surviving Gojoseon people live under the rule of Chinese authorities through vassal tribes. Amidst that chaotic time, the young hero Haemosu establishes a cavalry force to resist China but suffers a major defeat against the ironclad Cheolgigun (Iron Army). After Haemosu mysteriously disappears, Yuhwa (Oh Yeon-soo), bearing Haemosu's bloodline, becomes the concubine of Emperor Geumwa (Jeon Kwang-ryeol). Growing up, Jumong - the son of Haemosu and Yuhwa - remains convinced that his father is Geumwa, unaware that he is being taught by his biological father. Mysterious identity and sibling rivalry lead Jumong to be expelled from the Buyeo Palace. Despite all adversities, nothing can halt Jumong's journey. He leaves an indelible historical legacy for the Korean people, reclaiming Gojoseon and establishing the Goguryeo dynasty.

DETAILS:

Director: Kang Il Soo

Cast: Song Il Gook, Han Hye Jin, Kim Seung Soo

Release Year: 2006

From its initial episodes, Descendants of the Sun dominated other dramas with a viewership rating soaring to 14.3%. Notably, the climax of episode 9 brought a staggering 30.4% rating. A colossal success in South Korea, the series garnered the highest audience share of 38.8%. It received numerous awards, including the Daesang for television at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards and was honored as the most popular program of the year by the Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation.

Captivating viewers with the love story of army captain Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki) and doctor Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), accompanied by charismatic and attractive supporting characters, the series became a phenomenon in 19 countries across Asia and beyond. Descendants of the Sun earned praise from the President of South Korea, accolades from the Prime Minister of Thailand, and admiration from the entire Chinese military. The series rightfully claims the top spot in this ranking.

DETAILS:

Writers:

Directors: Lee Eung-bok, Baek Sang-hoon

Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won

Release Year: 2016

Descending to You is a drama that rocked the Asian entertainment scene. Centered around the military theme, it features the powerhouse duo of national treasures Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin. With a remarkable 21.7% rating recorded in the final episode, the series dethroned Goblin to become the highest-rated cable TV drama in the history of South Korea's tvN network. It also secured the runner-up position for the highest-rated cable dramas in South Korea's broadcasting history, following Sky Castle (JTBC). Additionally, the show set a record as the most-watched Korean drama online.

Due to an unexpected incident, South Korean heiress Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) is forced to make an emergency landing in North Korea during her private jet trip. The situation takes a hilarious turn when her parachute gets entangled in a tree and she accidentally collides with North Korean soldier Ri Jung Hyeok. From this point, the two gradually develop feelings for each other, leading to sweet and comical situations. Alongside the main couple, the supporting cast of Descending to You adds entertaining moments for viewers.

DETAILS:

Writer: Park Ji-eun
Director: Lee Jung-hyo
Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Ji-hye

Release Year: 2020

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a successful Korean drama that delves into the theme of time travel. The series gained attention for its talented young cast in the Korean film industry. The storyline follows a modern-day girl who travels back to the Goryeo period. In Goryeo, she encounters various princes and indirectly becomes the cause of an intense internal conflict among them. The princes openly vie for her love, leading to a power struggle and fratricidal warfare.

Hae Soo (IU in the lead role) is a contemporary girl. She jumps into the river to save a child but fails to board the boat in time during a solar eclipse, resulting in her time-travel to the Goryeo era. There, she meets princes Wang So (Lee Jun Ki), Wang Wook (Kang Ha Neul), Wang Jung (Ji Soo), and others. Love, friendship, and the quest for power unfold rapidly. The story concludes with tears, staying true to the original work. The drama promises to deliver captivating sword fights while preserving the romantic moments of love.

DETAILS:

Writer: Jo Yoon-young
Director: Kim Kyu-tae
Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Lee Ji-eun, Kang Ha-neul, Hong Jong-hyun, Byun Baek-hyun, Seohyun, Nam Joo-hyuk

Release Year: 2016

In 2014, the drama You Who Came from the Stars was the most sought-after title by television audiences. The show maintained a stable viewership above 20%, reaching 28.1% in the final episode. The drama significantly contributed to boosting tourism in Korea, especially at locations featured in the show, rapidly driving the consumption of fashion products. The series marked the small screen comeback of Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) after 14 years, who previously collaborated with Kim Soo Hyun in the blockbuster film The Thieves.

You Who Came from the Stars is a romantic drama depicting the love story between alien professor Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) and the glamorous actress Chun Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun). The unique storyline captivated viewers' attention. The drama played a pivotal role in elevating Kim Soo Hyun's acting career, making him the most beloved male star in South Korea, China, Singapore, and beyond at that time.

DETAILS:

Writer: Park Ji-Eun
Director: Jang Tae-Yoo
Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Yoo In-na

Release Year: 2014

Love Story in Sungkyunkwan is South Korea's first historical school drama. Set in the highest educational institute of the Chosun Sung Gun Gwan era, the series narrates the love and friendship of four young individuals. With a beautiful cast, the drama garnered a massive fan following. The story unfolds during the reign of King Jeongjo, a period when Korean society prohibited women from studying and holding official positions. Due to her father's early death and her ailing younger brother, Kim Yoon Hee disguises herself as her brother, Kim Yoon Sik, to earn a living for her family. She undertakes various jobs, mainly at the Sechaekbang bookstore, including copying forbidden books (romantic novels, adult literature) and preparing documents for cheating during the Sungkyunkwan entrance exams. In an unexpected turn, owing to a debt of 100 nyang and the risk of being sold to repay it, she agrees to impersonate in the exams—an illegal act. During the Canh Tuat (1790) minor subject exams, Yun Hee is caught red-handed by Lee Sun Jun, who later acknowledges her talent and convinces her to participate in the main subject exams. Consequently, both are admitted to study at Sungkyunkwan (Hall of the Respected Sage) and share the same room.

At Sungkyunkwan, she endures the pranks of senior Gu Yong Ha (Nobleman) and the eccentric personality of her roommate, Mun Jae Sin (Geol Oh). She also faces the animosity of Chief Inspector Ha In Soo, who despises Lee Sun Jun. Yoon Hee must strive to keep her secret hidden, but during a fainting episode, Dr. Jeong Yak Yong discovers it while checking her pulse but decides to help cover it up. Later, she is found out by Moon Jae Sin while secretly bathing at the Listening Inn, but he, too, decides to keep the matter confidential. Gu Yong Ha remains suspicious of her true identity. Meanwhile, Yoon Hee's feelings for Sun Jun intensify, as Sun Jun, unaware of her gender, thinks he is developing romantic feelings for a man. Considering this deviation from social norms and Confucian principles, he decides to engage a girl chosen by the Chief Inspector for marriage. However, he later cancels the engagement and retreats to the mountain library to escape his emotions. Upon learning Yoon Hee's true gender, he returns to Sungkyunkwan, and the two confess their love for each other. The four individuals appointed by the king to search for the Kim Đằng Chi Thư (Royal Library Records) find Yoon Hee. In the end, Yoon Hee's secret as a female is fully exposed, but she is pardoned by the king.

DETAILS:
Directors: Kim Won-seok, Hwang In-hyuk

Lead Cast: Park Min-young, Park Yoochun, Yoo Ah-in, Song Joong-ki
Release Year: 2010

This is the story of Ki Seung Nyang, a Goryeo woman forcibly taken to Yuan as a court lady, who later becomes the most favored concubine and officially ascends to the position of Empress. Alongside this is the love triangle involving Seung Nyang, Wang Yoo (King of Goryeo), and Tahwan (Emperor Huizong - the last emperor of the Yuan dynasty). Empress Ki explores facets of life and love, intertwined with some fiction, about a historical figure from the end of the Goryeo dynasty known as Empress Ki. World history refers to her as Empress Qi. She is best known as the most favored concubine and one of the queens of Emperor Huizong - the 'licentious and unrestrained' emperor, the largest harem owner in the history of the Yuan dynasty. She is also the birth mother of Emperor Gong of Yuan.

Empress Ki was produced in 2013, consisting of 50 episodes, airing on MBC from 28/10/2013, starring Ha Ji-won, Joo Jin Mo, Ji Chang-wook, and Baek Jin Hee in lead roles. This historical drama with the most beautiful cast in Korea quickly captivated audiences and consistently ranks among the top Korean dramas of all time.

DETAILS:

Screenwriters: Jang Yeong-cheol, Jeong Gyeong-sun
Directors: Han Hee
Lead Cast: Ha Ji-won, Joo Jin-mo, Ji Chang-wook

Release Year: 2013

Cyrano Agency is a Dating Center for strangers with the goal of achieving a 100% success rate. It sometimes operates like a set, and sometimes it's like perfectly crafted scenarios, acting as a secret tactical plan to help clients find love. The center's motto is 'Working in the shadow rather than facing the light,' assisting clients in finding love in the most discreet way. Cyrano Dating Center was founded by 4 members of a theater group, with clients being guys who are hopelessly in love. With stage skills, vivid imagination, and modern technical means, Cyrano's 'experts' always succeed in creating romantic situations and polished dialogues that make any girl feel her heart fluttering.

How many fools are there in the world? Let's see the misfortunes and hilarious situations of these matchmakers at the Dating Center. Considered the most skilled and accurate professional with a 100% success rate for every client seeking assistance, Director Byung Hoon never even dreamed he would fall in love with his own client. The witty and touching moments will make you laugh out loud with the beautiful and talented cast of the Dating Center.

DETAILS:

Screenwriter: Shin Jae-won

Director: Kang Kyung-hoon

Cast: Lee Jong-hyuk, Choi Sooyoung, Lee Chun-hee, Hong Jong-hyun, and Cho Yoon-woo

Release Year: 2013

The Moon Embracing the Sun is a romantic yet tearful tale of a secret love between a king and a female shaman. Based on a fictional novel about a king in the Joseon dynasty, The Moon Embracing the Sun is noted as one of the few historical dramas with an exceptional child cast. Additionally, the main actors portraying the characters in their adulthood are also beloved and have achieved significant success.

When talking about The Moon Embracing the Sun, one can never forget the well-invested set scenes and the emotional moments that propelled Kim Soo Hyun into stardom. The storyline revolves around the love between Lee Hwon, the king of the Joseon dynasty, and Han Ga-In, the daughter of the Chief Scholar Hoang Van Quan. Han Ga-In is an intelligent and beautiful girl known for her kindness. Promised to be married to Lee Hwon at the age of 13, she later becomes a victim of a plot, resulting in her being inflicted with a serious illness. Fortunately, she is saved by the head shaman of the Royal Astrology Hall, but she loses her memory and wanders aimlessly. Destiny leads her to reunite with Lee Hwon as a shaman, and Lee Hwon names her Wol.

DETAILS:

Screenwriter: Jeong Eun Gwol (novel)
Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Han Ga In, Jung Il Woo, Kim Min Seo

Release Year: 2012

Released in 2007, The Girl with Multiple Personalities tells the story of the kind-hearted and naive Gu Chang, who is on a quest to find true love and preserve his first kiss for the girl he loves. Despite being ridiculed by his friends for his foolish thoughts, fate smiles upon Gu Chang when he encounters a beautiful girl who returns his lost wallet.

Gu Chang falls in love with Ani, the owner of the wallet, at first sight. However, as time goes on, he discovers a shocking truth that the girl he has long admired is just a second personality of Yuri. Yuri suffers from multiple personality disorder due to the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend. With unexpected and humorous situations, the romantic comedy The Girl with Multiple Personalities is sure to provide you with delightful entertainment.

DETAILS:

Director: Lee Seok-hoon

Cast: Bong Tae-gyu, Jung Ryeo-won

Release Year: 2007