Historical Dramas (Rated Order + Comments)
These are my personal favourite historical dramas. The list will include not only Korean dramas and will not be limited to a time frame.
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1. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
I have waited for far too long to watch this drama. But I regret not knowing how great it was. It is one of the best dramas out there! Absolutely amazing!
I wouldn't say everyone will like it, but I did and I still come back to this drama! I love it that much! -
2. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
Incredible! Amazing! Sensational! A must-watch!
This drama is the best in the historical fiction ganre and BL! Although, it's made as a bromance due to China's BL ban, you can actually feel the love Wei Ying and Lan Zhan had for each other. Yibo and Xiao Zhan did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life.
It is my favourite drama, but it's more of a fantasy and that's the reason it didn't get the first place. -
3. The Princess's Man
Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes
A "Romeo and Juliet" kind of romance with two rivaling families. To be quite frank, I have watched this drama years ago and my memory is a little blurry, but I remember I loved it!
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4. Moon Embracing the Sun
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
Amazing drama! A must-watch!
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5. Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People
Korean Drama - 2017, 30 episodes
Such an amazing drama! It kept me on the edge of my seat. I've never seen such despicable characters, but here there are some that you'd just wanna hang. Watch it, you won't be dissapointed.
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6. Empress Ki
Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes
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7. Iljimae
Korean Drama - 2008, 20 episodes
Honestly, I watched this drama maybe 10 years ago, so the rating might not be correct by today's standards, but it's still a classic and has LJG in it (my favourite Korean actor that does no wrong)!
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8. Eternal Love
Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes
Beautiful drama with a great world building.
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9. Arthdal Chronicles Part 3: The Prelude to All Legends
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
I put the whole first season of AC on the Number 9 spot. But since it has 3 parts, I had to position them somehow. The 3rd part is the most intense and intriguing, as it is the prelude to the next season. The pace is just right and the cliffhanger is just WOW! Watch it, you will not be dissapointed.
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10. Arthdal Chronicles Part 2: The Sky Turning Inside Out, Rising Land
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
In this second part, the pace started to change. It got more dynamic and intense. There are some perfectly executed scenes that made me get goosebumps. Especially, spoiler alert, the way Tanya found the bell! Wow, just wow!
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11. Arthdal Chronicles Part 1: The Children of Prophecy
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
The first part can be a little confusing, since there are many new terms and structures, races and state positions that people might find hard to understand at first. This drama has a great world building, but people need to be a little patient in order to understand it. Just like the first season of GOT, you couldn't understand the whole plot at first. Give it a few episodes and it will all be cleared out. These TV series are just magnificent!
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12. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
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13. Splash Splash LOVE
Korean Special - 2015, 2 episodes
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14. Kingdom
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
"The Kingdom" is an interesting case. While the storyline is compelling and intriguing, I just couldn't adore this drama. My main problem is the zombie theme - I never liked things with zombies and found them to be boring. However, if you like zombies, this might become your favoutite Korean historical drama ever. Give it a try.
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15. Mr. Queen
Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
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16. The Legend
Korean Drama - 2007, 24 episodes
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17. The Tale of Nokdu
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
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18. The King's Woman
Chinese Drama - 2017, 48 episodes
This drama could've been so much better, if it was focused on politics and wars, rather than love. "The King's Woman" tells the story of Emperor Qin Shi Huang - the first emperor of unified China and founder of the Qin dynasty. The drama has a lot of historical inaccuracies and while the characters (some of them) are historical figures, you could totally consider the drama a fiction.
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19. Faith
Korean Drama - 2012, 24 episodes
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20. The Return of Iljimae
Korean Drama - 2009, 24 episodes