Top 6 Roles That Cemented Lee Jun Ki as the 'Prince of Historical Dramas'

'The Time Between Dog and Wolf' is a rare historical drama set in the transitional period between the feudal and modern eras in Korea. It delves into fierce power struggles, as well as a battle of ideologies between conservatism and reform at the end of the Joseon Dynasty.

Lee Jun Ki plays Park Yoon Kang, the last swordsman of Joseon, who abandons his sword to become a skilled marksman in pursuit of vengeance. His stellar performance and captivating classical aura won over the audience.

'Scholar Who Walks the Night' is a popular fantasy drama from South Korea. Upon its release, it quickly captured the attention of viewers in Korea and across Asia, being adapted from a well-known webtoon.

The story follows Jo Yang Seon (Lee Yu-bi), a young woman from a once-wealthy family now in decline. She disguises herself as a young man selling books to make a living. During one of her book-selling ventures, she meets the vampire scholar Kim Sung Yeol (Lee Jun Ki) and they form a bond of friendship. Kim Sung Yeol is a vampire and a learned scholar, devoted to sacrificing his life to protect Joseon and eliminate the evil Gwi. His mysterious and alluring beauty, straight out of a storybook, leaves the audience entranced.

Adapted from the famous Chinese novel 'Bu Bu Jing Xin' by Tong Hua, 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo' became a massive hit not only in Korea but across all of Asia, including Vietnam, when it aired in 2016. The drama featured a talented and promising young cast, including Lee Jun Ki, Kang Ha Neul, IU, Ji Soo, and Hong Jong-hyun.

The story revolves around power struggles, friendship, and love, with Lee Jun Ki portraying Wang So, a character marked by his mysterious, cold, and brooding personality. His emotionally charged performance captivated viewers in every scene. Many fans found that the intrigue surrounding the Fourth Prince only made him more compelling. The series concluded in tears, staying true to its source material, leaving the audience with lingering feelings of heartache.

One of Lee Jun Ki's most memorable performances was as the clown Gong Gil in the 2005 film 'The King and the Clown', directed by Jun-ik Lee.

The story revolves around a traveling street performance troupe, featuring Gong Gil (Lee Jun Ki), a handsome clown whose beauty resembles that of a woman. When the troupe accidentally performs before the king, they are kept in the royal court. What they think will be a life of comfort soon reveals the palace to be a place rife with betrayal. Lee Jun Ki perfectly embodied a gender-defying beauty with a complex inner world, bringing Gong Gil to life in a compelling way.

'Iljimae' (also known as 'The Legend of Iljimae') is the drama that helped Lee Jun Ki break free from his previous 'pretty boy' image, as he took on the role of Lee Geom, the charming son of a noble family with a free-spirited and adventurous personality.

After his family's tragic downfall—his father’s murder and the separation from his mother and sister—Lee Geom is adopted by a poor couple. With his bold and righteous nature, he becomes a notorious thief, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. After each heist, he leaves behind a painting of a plum blossom branch as a challenge to the corrupt government. As the story unfolds, long-buried secrets from the past come to light, and Lee Geom finally avenges his father’s death by confronting the murderer.

'Arang and the Magistrate' marks the return of historical drama prince Lee Jun Ki to the screen after his military service hiatus.

In the drama, Lee Jun Ki plays Lee Eun Oh, a young and new magistrate. On his first night in office, he accidentally encounters the ghost of the beautiful Arang (played by Shin Min Ah), learning of her tragic death and wrongful fate. This encounter sparks a romantic tale between the living and the dead, blending mystery and love in a captivating storyline.