Well Korean dramas are not only about Romance and comedy. Thriller, Fantasy, Action and Historical K-dramas are also captivating and loved by the audience. Well for now we will focus on some amazing Historical K-dramas that have received praises and good ratings. Here are 5 fascinating Historical K-Dramas that should be on your watchlist:
1. Dong Yi (2010)
Image Source: imdb
This historical K-drama is set during the reign of King Sukjong in the Joseon dynasty and based on the life of Choi Suk-bin, a real life historical figure and one of the consorts of King Sukjong. This series also centers on the love life between King Sukjong and Royal Noble consort Choi Suk-bin.
Who is the director?
It was directed by Lee Byung-hoon, who is also known for making Historical K-dramas. He is known for directing 500 Years of Joseon (1983-1990), Hur Jun (1999), Dae Jang Geum (2003) and Dong Yi (2010).
Main Cast and their characters
Han Hyo-Joo as Choi Dong Yi/ Choi Suk-bin
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Han Hyo-Joo played the titular role of Dong-Yi, who rises from the humble position of a servant to a court lady inspector and then becomes the Royal Noble Consort Suk of Haeju Choe clan. Han Hyo-joo’s portrayal of Choi Suk-Bin won her many praises and awards.
Ji Jin-Hee as King Sukjong
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Ji Jin Hee played the role of King Sukjong during Joseon era. King Sukjong falls in love with a palace maid and makes her royal concubine (Choi Suk-Bin). He played the role of a King with sincerity and he also spoke about his character, that more than a dignified king, he was an outgoing and adventurous character.
There are other important characters that you will see in the series.
Lee So-Yeon as Jang Ok-Jeong, Bae Soo-bin as Cha Chun-soo, Park Ha-Sun as Queen Inhyeon and Jung Jin-Young as Seo Young-gi are also important cast of the series.
Awards and Nominations
This Historical Korean drama earned many nominations and won many awards. Actress Han Hyo-Joo won Best actress awards at 3rd Korea Drama Awards, 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, 1st Hong Kong Cable Tv Awards and Popularity Actress Award at 2010 MBC Drama Awards. The drama also won Viewers Favorite Drama of the Year at 2010 MBC Drama Awards and Best Drama at 1st Hong Kong Cable Tv Awards. The drama also received several other accolades for their cast’s performances.
Where can you watch it?
This drama is available on Rakuten Viki app and on Amazon Prime Video. The availability will differ, as it is not available in all the regions.
Feedback and Ratings
It received positive feedback from critics and audience. Specifically praising Main actress’ performance in this Historical Korean drama. It was a hit across Asia and also recorded solid viewership ratings in South Korea. It is one of the most popular Historical K-dramas.
Here are the list of ratings drama has received:
Imdb Rating: 8.1/10
Rakuten Viki Rating: 9.6/10
Amazon Prime Video: 8.1/10
2. Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (2019)
Image source: imdb
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung is a Historical Korean drama set in the early 19th Century that revolves around a free spirited female Historian Goo Hae-Ryung and a prince working underground as a romance novelist. Female Historians are looked down upon, yet Goo Hae-Ryung proves her worth and fulfills her duty as a historian.
Who is the director?
Kang Il-soo is the director of this series. He is also known for making Historical K-dramas The Kingdom of The Winds (2008), Emperor of the Sea (2004) and Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (2019).
Main Cast and their characters
Shin Se-Kyung as Goo Hae-Ryung
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Shin Se-Kyung plays the role of a noble lady who becomes one of the four historians in the royal court. She is shown as a woman who believes that women should voice out their opinions and wants to enforce their independence. Shin Se-Kyung received praises from audience and critics for her portrayal of a female historian.
Cha Eun Woo as Yi Rim (Prince Dowon)
Image Source: soompi
He plays the role of Prince Dowon, son of a dethroned King. He secretly works as a romance novelist and becomes Goo Hae-ryung’s friend.
Park Ki Woong as Crown Prince Yi Jin
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Park Ki Woong played the role of Crown Prince Yi Jin and Lee Rim’s brother. He is loyal to his people but faces pressures from his father.
Awards and nominations
Shin Se-Kyung won Top Excellence Award in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama at MBC Drama Awards. Cha Eun Woo won Excellence Award in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama at MBC Drama Awards. The drama was also nominated for Drama of the Year at MBC Drama Awards.
Both Shin Se-Kyung and Cha Eun Woo won Best Couple Award at MBC Drama Awards
Where can you watch it?
You can watch this Historical Korean drama on Netflix and it has total 20 episodes.
Feedback and Ratings
It received positive feedback from audience and critics and became one of the most popular Historical K-dramas.
IMDB rating: 8.2/10
3. Kingdom (2019)
Image Source: kingdom-netflix
Kingdom is political period horror thriller Korean drama. It is set in a fictional but medieval inspired Joseon era. It revolved around a Crown Prince who sets out to find the real cause of a plague that resurrects the dead and has spread in his country.
Who is the Director?
It was directed by Kim Seong Hun. His other notable works includes A Hard Day (2014), South Korean film and The Tunnel (2016), South Korean film.
Main Cast and their characters
Ju Ji-Hoon as Lee Chang
Image Source: kingdom-netflix
Ju Ji Hoon plays the role of Crown Prince Lee Chang. He investigates to uncover the truth behind the dangerous plague that brings death to life.
Ryu Seung-Ryong as Lord Cho Hak-ju
Image Source: koreaportal
Ryu Seung Ryong plays the role of Lord Cho Hak-ju, the Chief State Counsellor of Joseon, a cold and ruthless leader, who is desperate to secure the power of the throne.
Bae Doo-Na as Seo Bi
Image Source: soompi
She plays the role of a physician’s assistant and also among the first to discover the outbreak. She sets out to find the cure of the disease and also finds a book which has crucial information about the plague.
Kim Sang Ho as Mu-Yeong
Image Source: kingdom-netflix
He is Prince Chang’s personal bodyguard who accompanies with the prince to the Southern Provinces to investigate the disease and leaves his pregnant wife in the capital.
Kim Sung Kyu as Yeong-Shin
Image Source: kingdom-netflix
He plays the role of a tiger hunter and also among the first to discover the outbreak of the disease. He is a skilled fighter who helps Lee Chang in leading the fight against the undead.
Awards and Nominations
It was nominated for Best drama at 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. It won Technical award for best visual effects at 2nd Asia Contents Awards. Ju Ji Hoon won Best actor award and Kim Eun-Hee won Best Writer award at 2nd Asia Contents Awards.
Where can you watch it?
This Historical Korean drama is available on Netflix and it has total 2 seasons as of now with total 12 episodes.
Feedback and Ratings
The series received positive feedback and for its plot and casts performances. It received praises for blending of the historical drama, horror genres and political thriller. It is one of the most popular Historical K-dramas.
IMDB rating: 8.4/10
4. The Empress Ki (2013-14)
Image Source: imdb
It is a Historical Korean drama that revolves around Ki Seungnyang, a Goryeo born woman who ascends to power and later marries Emperor of the Mongol Empire, Toghon Temur and becomes an Empress of Yuan Dynasty. It also highlights the love between the Emperor and Ki.
Who is the director?
It was directed by Han Hee. His other notable works includes Dr. Jin (2012) and Goodbye Mr. Black (2016). His most famous work is Empress Ki.
Main Cast and their characters
Ha Ji Won as Ki Seung-nyang/ The Future Empress Ki
Image Source: pinterest
Ha Ji Won played the role of a woman who was born in Goryeo and later on becomes the Empress Ki after marrying Emperor of Yuan Dynasty.
Joo Jin-mo as Wang Yoo, King Choonghye
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Joo Jin Mo plays the role of Wang Yoo who later on becomes the King Choonghye of Later Goryeo and Empress Ki’s first love and fiancée.
Ji Chang-wook as Toghon Temur
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Ji Chang-wook played the role of Toghon Temur, the last Emperor of Yuan Dynasty and Ki Seung-nyang’s later Husband.
Awards and Nominations
Ha Ji-won won Grand Prize award at MBC Drama Awards. Joo Jin Mo and Ji Chang Wook received Top excellence award for actor in a special project and Excellence award for actor in a special project respectively at MBC Drama Awards. Empress Ki won Best series drama award at 9th Seoul International Drama Awards. It was also nominated for Best drama at 7th Korea Drama Awards.
Where can you watch it?
It is available on Netflix with total 51 episodes of 60 minutes each.
Feedback and Ratings
It was a domestic and overseas hit, received several accolades and positive praises for its plot and actors’ performances. It is one of the most popular Historical K-dramas.
Rakuten Viki: 9.4/10
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
5. Mr. Queen (2020)
Image Source: viki
It is a story of a modern age chef Jang Bong-Hwan (Choi Jin Hyuk) who works in the Blue House. He meets with an accident and his soul time travels back in the past in a historical period during Joseon era and then gets trapped in the body of Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-sun). But how he manages in the palace and live according to the traditions but with bad royal etiquettes during that time is so fun to watch.
Who is the director?
Yoon Sung-Sik is the director of the series. His other notable works includes Hwarang (2016), The King’s Face (2014), You are the best (2013) and Bridal Mask (2012).
Main casts and their characters
Shin Hye-Sun as Queen Cheorin
Image source: soompi
Shin Hye Sun plays the role of Queen Cheorin of Joseon who has the soul of a modern man in her body.
Kim Jung Hyun as King Cheoljong
Image Source: soompi
Kim Jung Hyun plays the role of King Cheoljong of Joseon Period with a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ personality.
Na In Woo as Kim Byeong-in
Image source: soompi
Na In Woo plays the role of Kim Byeong-in who is Queen’s adopted cousin and secretly in love with her.
Awards and Nominations
Actress Shin Hye Sun was nominated for Best Actress at 57th Baeksang Arts Awards. Actress Cha Chung Hwa was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Where can you watch it?
This drama is also available on Rakuten Viki with 20 episodes and with extra 2 episodes.
Feedback and Ratings
This drama faced lot of controversies as some claimed they made fun of Joseon period dynasty and insulted King and Queen of the era. Some also demanded to ban the series. Despite these issues faced by the makers, the drama went on to become one of the most watched Historical K-dramas. It is 7th highest rated drama in Korean cable television history.
It still received praises and appreciation from critics and viewers despite some people petitioning against the drama. It is one of the most popular Historical K-dramas.
IMDB RATING: 8.8/10
Rakuten Viki: 9.7/10
Why should you watch these Historical K-dramas?
These are the list of 5 Fascinating Historical K-dramas that should be on your watchlist. All these Historical K-dramas have received positive feedback from both the critics and audience for their unique plot and actors’ performances. Not only they are captivating but very popular Historical K-dramas. Definitely everyone should watch it.
If you want to know top rated Viki original Korean series, so check here the 7 top rated viki original series to find out.