Best Historical Korean Dramas
Korean Historical Dramas or Sageuks I watched and thought that are the best! (I will slowly add more titles to this list)
I am very interested in history and usually read a lot about the period described in a drama if I like that drama. (this doesn't mean i like that part of history, but solely means that the drama was good enough to make me want to read about the period) (Seol Min Seok FTW)
* This will mostly include dramas I rated from 7-10. I will try not to include dramas I rated lower.
*Disclaimer* I didn't watch all historicals so this list includes only the ones i watched. I don't like all historicals so this list includes the ones I thought are the best! As usual it's MY drama list :)
But still hope you find it interesting haha :)
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1. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
This drama is just ART!
it's setting is where old jeoson clashes with the new "western" people, new views. Very interesting and VERY BEAUTIFUL. -
2. Six Flying Dragons
Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes
This was absolutely the best Historical Drama I watched! even though i like many but this one was amazing!
And the OST is great :) -
3. The Nokdu Flower
Korean Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
A really well made, interesting drama! about the start of the Righteous Army! All the events here are mostly the ones that happen right before the events in Mr. Sunshine
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4. Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People
Korean Drama - 2017, 30 episodes
Well this drama had absolutely the BEST OST ever! almost fully made by the great Ahn Ye Eun. Incredible!
the story itself was also well made and very interesting! the actors were made for their roles!
One of the best version of Hong Gil Dong (Korean Robin Hood) -
5. The Slave Hunters
Korean Drama - 2010, 24 episodes
Chuno!!! This is also old but oh gosh! this made my cry so much! i was so invested in this and after this drama i started to love Jang Hyuk the most! <3
very interesting drama about slaves and slave hunters! with an iconic OST! -
6. Tree With Deep Roots
Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes
The best story about the creation of Korean Alphabet (Hangeul).
the drama itself can be boring sometimes BUT it's amazing historical wise! many enlightening conversations were here. -
7. Shine or Go Crazy
Korean Drama - 2015, 24 episodes
This drama had a very bad ending!
BUT tbh this was a better version of Wang So's story that was also depicted in Moon Lovers.
Jang Hyuk is the best as always :)
The whole story and the concept about shining or going crazy was amazing!
If only they made a better ending.
Spoiler: But with ending comes the curse of historical dramas, as they are based on historical events sometimes certain characters can't be with their loved ones as they weren't for real. -
8. Empress Ki
Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes
This was one of a drama! Even though i watched it quite late and might have not been able to enjoy it fully because of the old-ness and the cliché-ness of it. But back then i bet all of that wasn't old or cliché!
My mom enjoyed it nevertheless!
Story about a Korean fighting girl becoming the empress of Mongol Ming dynasty in China. -
9. Faith
Korean Drama - 2012, 24 episodes
Well this was the first historical drama i watched!
and i loved it! I think this might be one of the best time travel dramas. And it has Kim Hee Sun! -
10. Gu Family Book
Korean Drama - 2013, 24 episodes
Well this one might be the most light drama in the list. lol Not very historical but in a historical setting. I loved the lovely romance they had.
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11. Warrior Baek Dong Soo
Korean Drama - 2011, 29 episodes
Well I didn't get to finish this one but my mom did and she loved it to the bits!
This is also old and one of the best stories about the Warrior Baek Dong Soo who was a very famous martial artist and martial arts creator in the old days.
(Why i didn't finish it: even though it has one of my favorite characters (Choi Min Soo) And the fight between black and white is amazing, but i hate friends-turned-to-enemies trope, this same trope is used in My Country New Age, and Naruto lol I hate that trope it makes my blood boil of frustration, this is the only reason i stopped watched it, but i almost reached the end and it was still amazing) -
12. The Bridal Mask
Korean Drama - 2012, 28 episodes
Many don't like this drama but to be honest this drama was great at describing that period of time! And that is what made it interesting. The period of Japanese occupation, fighters for freedom and people who become pro-Japanese to survive.
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13. My Country: The New Age
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
It's a nice drama depicting the events that happen in Six Flying Dragons! So one more version of it. well made, great actors. (i prefer the Six Flying Dragons version)
this has the trope i hate the most, which is friends-turned-to-enemies. But unlike Warrior Beak Song Soo they realize it here a little bit sooner. -
14. Arthdal Chronicles Part 3: The Prelude to All Legends
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
All 3 parts of Arthdal Chronicles go into here. But the 3rd part was the best so I just post this one here. If we consider it as a full length drama this will be that it was building up at first and finished with a blast.
BUT it was very overwhelming at the start with too many names and different concept from the usual jeoson/georyo ones.
- this is based on a legend about Dangun and how Korea was created. And that is the most interesting part! how the bronze age just started and how civilization was coming.