Immerse yourself in South Korea’s rich history with 10 must-watch historical Korean dramas filled with romance and captivating storytelling.
Travel back in time and immerse yourself in South Korea’s rich history through these must-watch historical Korean dramas. From royal courts to battlefields, they offer a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and rich storytelling that will transport you to the past.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable viewing experience, these 10 historical Korean dramas will captivate you from beginning to end.
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1) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Adapted from the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo follows Go Ha Jin (played by Lee Ji Eun/IU), a 21st-century woman who time-travels to the Goryeo Dynasty and wakes up in the body of Hae Soo, a noblewoman.
She becomes entangled with the princes of the Wang family. But her feelings deepen for the mysterious and scarred 4th Prince, Wang So (played by Lee Joon Gi), who hides his face behind a mask and is known as the “wolf dog.”
This is a heartbreaking historical drama that will evoke every emotion, from love and joy to heartbreak and despair.
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2) Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016)
Hwarang is a KBS historical drama set during the Silla Dynasty, starring Park Seo Joon as Moo Myung/Kim Sun Woo, Go Ara as Kim Ah Ro, and Park Hyun Sik as Sammaekjong/King Jin Heung.
This drama weaves friendship and love, blending action, romance, and camaraderie as it follows a group of elite young men trained to protect the throne, called the Hwarang. Among them are the future king and a commoner unaware of his hidden past.
Hwarang is available for online streaming on Viu, iQIYI, and Netflix.
3) Queen Woo (2024)
Queen Woo is a historical drama set during the Goryeo Kingdom. It follows Woo Hee (played by Jeon Jong-seo), who rose from humble beginnings to become the first female prime minister.
Following King Gogukcheon’s unexpected death, she must navigate intense political conflicts. To safeguard her family’s future, she works to establish a new king within a day by leveraging strategic alliances such as levirate marriage.
It is available for online streaming on Viu.
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4) Mr. Queen (2020)
In Mr. Queen, modern-day head chef Jang Bong-hwan (played by Choi Jin Hyuk) faces an unexpected twist of fate. After falling into a pool, he wakes up in the body of Queen Kim So-young (portrayed by Shin Hye-sun) during the Joseon era.
Living as Queen Cheorin, Bong-hwan navigates the royal court while adapting to his new life, blending comedy, drama, and romance. As he falls for King Cheoljong (played by Kim Jung Hyun), he struggles with his responsibilities as a queen and identity.
Watch how he lives as a queen in Joseon, available on both Viu and Netflix.
5) Love in the Moonlight (2016)
Love in the Moonlight (also known as Moonlight Drawn by Clouds) is a historical drama set in the 19th-century Joseon Dynasty. It follows the coming-of-age romance between Crown Prince Lee Yeong (played by Park Bo Gum) and Hong Ra On (portrayed by Kim Yoo Jung). She is a young woman who disguises herself as an eunuch to work in the palace.
This historical drama delves into love, identity, and the challenges of royal life, all while keeping their romance a secret. It is available for streaming on iQIYI, Viu, and Netflix, so you can enjoy it anytime.
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6) The Red Sleeve (2021)
The Red Sleeve is a historical drama set in the Joseon Dynasty, based on a novel by Kang Mi Kang. It portrays the royal romance between King Jeong Jo (played by Lee Jun Ho), who prioritizes his duty to the country over love, and his concubine, Seong Deok Im (portrayed by Lee Se Young), who fights to protect the life she has chosen rather than merely being the king’s concubine.
The drama explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the tension between duty and personal desires. You can watch this series on Viu and Netflix!
7) 100 Days My Prince (2018)
100 Days My Prince is a historical romantic comedy that follows Crown Prince Lee Yool (portrayed by D.O. of EXO), who loses his memory and lives as a commoner named Won Deuk for 100 days. During this time, he meets and falls in love with a strong-willed woman, Hong Shim, played by Nam Ji Hyun.
This historical drama combines romance and comedy to tell a captivating story of fate, self-discovery, and love that transcends societal boundaries. It is available to stream on iQIYI, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
8) Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (2019)
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, set during the Joseon Dynasty, tells the story of Goo Hae Ryung, portrayed by Shin Se Kyung, a young woman who defies societal expectations to become one of the first female historians in the royal court.
Despite the challenges in a male-dominated world, she uncovers historical truths. Eventually, she develops a romance with Prince Yi Rim, portrayed by Cha Eun Woo of ASTRO, who secretly works as a romance novelist. You can watch their story unfold on Netflix anytime, anywhere.
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9) The Tale of Nokdu (2019)
The Tale of Nokdu is a historical romantic comedy-drama set during the Joseon Dynasty. It follows Nokdu (played by Jang Dong Yoon), a young man who disguises himself as a woman to infiltrate a widow village. There, he meets the strong-willed Dong Dong Joo (played by Kim So Hyun), who is training to become a gisaeng.
You can also stream the drama on iQIYI, Viu, and Netflix.
10) The King’s Affection (2021)
The King’s Affection is a historical drama set in the Joseon Dynasty, based on Lee So Young’s manhwa Yeonmo, where a twin daughter, Dam Yi (portrayed by Park Eun Bin), is saved from death and returns to the palace years later as a maid. After her twin brother, Crown Prince Lee Hwi, dies, she takes his place and navigates royal duties while hiding her identity.
As she reconnects with her first love, Jung Ji Woon (played by Ro Woon, a former member of SF9), complications begin to arise. He remains unaware of her true identity. Watch how their story unfolds on Netflix.
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Haven’t seen these shows yet? Now’s the perfect time to dive into 10 historical Korean dramas filled with drama, romance, and unforgettable storytelling. Don’t wait—get ready to experience history like never before!
What’s your favorite historical Korean drama?
Source: MBC, KBS2, tvN, TVING, SBS
