List of K-dramas/movies based on Joseon Kings

This list includes both series and movies ordered in chronological order according to the importance of the kings who appear in the drama. Some dramas have multiple kings appearing in them. I have mentioned which kings are portrayed in them.

(This list is inspired by ciliolindemberg’s Historical C-Drama Chronology sorted by Historical Periods List.)

List of Joseon kings:
Taejo: Yi Seong-gye later Yi Dan (1392–1398)
Jeongjong: Yi Bang-gwa later Yi Gyeong (1398–1400)
Taejong: Yi Bang-won (1400-1418)
Sejong: Yi Do (1418–1450)
Munjong: Yi Hyang (1450-1452)
Danjong: Yi Hong-wi (1452-1455)
Sejo: Yi Yu (1455–1468)
Yejong: Yi Gwang (1468–1469)
Seongjong: Yi Hyeol (1469–1494)
Yeonsangun: Yi Yung (1494-1506)
Jungjong: Yi Yeok (1506–1544)
Injong: Yi Ho (1544–1545)
Myeongjong: Yi Hwan (1545–1567)
Seonjo: Yi Yeon (1567–1608)
Gwanghaegun: Yi Hon (1608–1623)
Injo: Yi Jong: (1623–1649)
Hyojong: Yi Ho (1649–1659)
Hyeongjong: Yi Yeon (1659–1674)
Sukjong: Yi Sun (1674–1720)
Gyeongjong: Yi Yun (1720–1724)
Yeongjo: Yi Geum (1724–1776)
Jeongjo: Yi San (1776–1800)
Sunjo: Yi Gong (1800–1834)
Heonjong: Yi Hwan (1834–1849)
Cheoljong: Yi Byeon (1849–1864)
Gojong: Yi Myeong-bok (1864–1897 (Emperor: 1897–1907) )
Sunjong: Yi Cheok (1907–1910)

Please share things that can be added or need correction in the comments!
If you know a drama/movie set in a certain time during the Joseon Dynasty or mentions a certain Joseon king, please tell me and I'll add it with a note. :)

- Index:
Bold: This king is the main role.
Underline: This king is not the main role, but the story is set mostly in his time or he has a more important character than the other kings.
Nothing: This king is in the cast, but does not seem to have a major role.
Italic: There is no king mentioned in the cast, but the story takes place during the reign of this king. (Italic doesn't seem to work) :(

List of Joseon K-dramas/movies not based on real kings.

movietourist313 7 days ago

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1. Foundation of the Kingdom

Korean Drama - 1983, 49 episodes

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong
2. The King of Chudong Palace

Korean Drama - 1983, 27 episodes

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong, Munjong, Sejo
3. Tears of the Dragon

Korean Drama - 1996, 159 episodes

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong, Sejong
4. Shin Don

Korean Drama - 2005, 61 episodes

Taejo
5. Faith

Korean Drama - 2012, 24 episodes

Taejo
6. The Great Seer

Korean Drama - 2012, 35 episodes

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong
7. Jeong Do Jeon

Korean Drama - 2014, 50 episodes

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong
8. Maids

Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

Taejo, Taejong
9. The Pirates

Korean Movie - 2014

Taejo,Taejong (?)
10. The Pirates 2: The Last Royal Treasure

Korean Movie - 2022

Taejong
11. Empire of Lust

Korean Movie - 2015

Taejo, Taejong
12. Six Flying Dragons

Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes

9.5

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong, Sejong
13. Jang Young Shil

Korean Drama - 2016, 24 episodes

Taejo, Taejong, Sejong, Munjong, Danjong, Sejo
14. My Country: The New Age

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

Taejo, Taejong
15. The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won

Korean Drama - 2021, 32 episodes

Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong, Sejong
16. The Queen Who Crowns

Korean Drama - 2025, 14 episodes

Taejo, Taejong
17. The Great King, Sejong

Korean Drama - 2008, 86 episodes

Jeongjong, Taejong, Sejong, Munjong
18. Tree With Deep Roots

Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes

Taejong, Sejong
19. I Am a King

Korean Movie - 2012

Taejong, Sejong
20. Joseon Exorcist

Korean Drama - 2021, 2 episodes

Taejong, Sejong
21. Yeonji

Korean Drama - 1978, 197 episodes

Taejong, Sejong
22. Tree With Deep Roots

Korean Drama - 1983, 29 episodes

Taejong, Sejong, Danjong
23. The King and the Queen

Korean Drama - 1998, 186 episodes

Sejong, Munjong, Danjong, Sejo, Yejong, Seongjong, Yeonsangun
24. Queen Insoo

Korean Drama - 2011, 60 episodes

Sejong, Munjong, Danjong, Sejo, Yejong, Seongjong, Yeonsangun, Jungjong (?)
Queen Insoo was the wife of Crown Prince Uigyeong and mother of later King Seongjong, grandmother of Yeonsangun.
25. Great King Sejong

Korean Drama - 1973, 199 episodes

Sejong
26. Splash Splash LOVE

Korean Special - 2015, 2 episodes

Sejong
27. The Divine Weapon

Korean Movie - 2008

Sejong, Munjong
28. The King's Letters

Korean Movie - 2019

Sejong, Munjong (?)
29. Forbidden Dream

Korean Movie - 2019

Sejong, Munjong
30. The Princess's Man

Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes

Munjong, Danjong, Sejo
31. The Face Reader

Korean Movie - 2013

Munjong, Danjong, Sejo
32. Grand Prince

Korean Drama - 2018, 20 episodes

8.0

It is loosely based on the true stories of Grand Prince Anpyeong and King Sejo. (check Wikipedia).
Munjong, Danjong, Sejo
33. Great King Sejo

Korean Movie - 1970

Munjong, Danjong, Sejo
34. The Ume Tree in the Midst of the Snow

Korean Drama - 1984, 105 episodes

Danjong, Sejo, Yejong, Seongjong (?)
35. Han Myung Hoe

Korean Drama - 1994, 105 episodes

Sejong, Munjong, Danjong, Sejo, Yejong, Seongjong
36. Lost Love

Korean Drama - 1980, 132 episodes

Danjong, Sejo
37. Six Martyred Ministers

Korean Drama - 2007, 24 episodes

Danjong, Sejo
38. Jesters: The Game Changers

Korean Movie - 2019

Sejo
39. The King’s Case Note

Korean Movie - 2017

Yejong
40. The King and I

Korean Drama - 2007, 63 episodes

Sejo, Yejong, Seongjong, Yeonsangun, Jungjong
41. Eoh Wu Dong

Korean Movie - 1985

Seongjong
42. Lost Flower: Eo Woo Dong

Korean Movie - 2015

Seongjong
43. Joseon Attorney: A Morality

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

Seongjong
44. Behead the King

Korean Movie - 2017

Seongjong
45. Prince Yeon San's Life

Korean Movie - 1988

Seongjong, Yeonsangun, Jungjong
46. Prince Yeon San

Korean Movie - 1987

Seongjong, Yeonsangun
47. Jang Nok Soo

Korean Drama - 1995, 52 episodes

Seongjong, Yeonsangun
48. Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People

Korean Drama - 2017, 30 episodes

Seongjong, Yeonsangun
49. Queen for Seven Days

Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

8.0

Seongjong, Yeonsangun, Jungjong
50. Prince Yeonsan

Korean Movie - 1961

Yeonsangun, Jungjong
(There are more items called Yeonsan... I still have to add them)
51. The King and the Clown

Korean Movie - 2005

Yeonsangun
52. The Treacherous

Korean Movie - 2015

Yeonsangun
53. Tyrant Yeonsan

Korean Movie - 1962

Yeonsangun
54. The Tyrant's Chef

Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

Yeonsangun (?)
55. Am Gwang

Korean Movie - 1925

Yeonsangun?
56. Ladies of the Palace

Korean Drama - 2001, 151 episodes

Yeonsangun, Jungjong, Injong
57. Jewel in the Palace

Korean Drama - 2003, 54 episodes

Yeonsangun, Jungjong
58. Saimdang, Light’s Diary

Korean Drama - 2017, 28 episodes

Jungjong, Injong
59. Hwang Jin Yi

Korean Drama - 2006, 24 episodes

Jungjong
(There are more items about Hwang Jin Yi, I still have to add them)
60. Hwang Jin Yi

Korean Movie - 1957

Jungjong
(Not clear whether a Joseon king is part of the movie, but it is set during Jungjong's reign)
(Inspired by a true story)
61. Monstrum

Korean Movie - 2018

Jungjong
62. Joseon Survival

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

No king is mentioned in the description, but Queen Munjeong is mentioned, she was the third wife and queen consort of Yi Yeok, King Jungjong.
Some other characters are also based on real historical people (check the Wikipedia page of the drama).
63. The Wind Orchid

Korean Drama - 1985, 58 episodes

Jungjong, Injong, Myeongjong (?)
64. Heaven's Order

Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes

Jungjong, Injong, Myeongjong
65. Hometown Legends

Korean Drama - 2008, 8 episodes

Injong
66. Yeonhwa Palace

Korean Drama - 1967, 14 episodes

Injong, Myeongjong (?)
67. The Flower in Prison

Korean Drama - 2016, 51 episodes

Jungjong, Myeongjong, Seonjo (?)
68. The Queen Moon Jung

Korean Movie - 1967

About Queen Munjeong, wife of King Jungjong, mother of King Myeongjong (?).
69. Mirror of the Witch

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

Myeongjong, Seonjo
70. Hur Jun

Korean Drama - 1999, 64 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun (?)
71. Immortal Admiral Yi Sun Shin

Korean Drama - 2004, 104 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
72. The Admiral: Roaring Currents

Korean Movie - 2014

No king is mentioned, but it takes place during king Seonjo's reign.
About Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the story takes place in 1597 and is based on a true story.
[First film of the Yi Sun-sin trilogy, based on the Battle of Myeongnyang (1597).
73. Hansan: Rising Dragon

Korean Movie - 2022

No king is mentioned, but it takes place during king Seonjo's reign.
About Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the story takes place in 1592 and is based on a true story.
[Second film of the Yi Sun-sin trilogy, based on the Battle of Hansan Island (1592).
74. Noryang: Deadly Sea

Korean Movie - 2023

Gwanghaegun is in the cast, but it takes place during king Seonjo's reign.
About Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the story takes place in 1598 and is based on a true story.
[Third film of the Yi Sun-sin trilogy, based on the Battle of Noryang (1598).
75. Blades of Blood

Korean Movie - 2010

Seonjo
76. Live Up to Your Name

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

Seonjo
(A historical time travel fantasy based on Heo Im: a famous Korean acupuncturist during the reign of king Seonjo)
77. The Imjin War

Korean Drama - 1985, 54 episodes

Seonjo, (Gwanghaegun?)
78. Hur Jun, the Original Story

Korean Drama - 2013, 135 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
79. Goddess of Fire

Korean Drama - 2013, 32 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
80. The Jingbirok: A Memoir of Imjin War

Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
81. Uprising

Korean Movie - 2024

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
82. The King's Woman

Korean Drama - 2003, 42 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
83. The King's Face

Korean Drama - 2014, 23 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
84. Warriors of the Dawn

Korean Movie - 2017

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
85. West Palace

Korean Drama - 1995, 52 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun, Injo
86. The Crowned Clown

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

9.5

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun
87. Masquerade

Korean Movie - 2012

Gwanghaegun
88. Hong Gil Dong

Korean Drama - 2008, 24 episodes

Gwanghaegun
(There are more dramas about Hong Gil Dong, add them)
89. The Swordsman

Korean Movie - 2020

Gwanghaegun
90. Ok Nyeo

Korean Drama - 1977, 136 episodes

Gwanghaegun (?)
(Has the tag Gwanghae)
91. Bossam: Steal the Fate

Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

9.5

Gwanghaegun, Injo
92. Splendid Politics

Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes

Seonjo, Gwanghaegun, Injo, Hyojong
93. The Tale of Nokdu

Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

9.0

Gwanghaegun, Injo
94. Tamra, the Island

Korean Drama - 2009, 16 episodes

Gwanghaegun(?), Injo
95. The Showdown

Korean Movie - 2011

Gwanghaegun
The story takes place in 1619 in Manchuria.
96. War of the Arrows

Korean Movie - 2011

No Joseon king is mentioned in the cast, but the story takes place around the Qing invasion of Korea (1636).
Gwanghaegun (deposed king but was still alive at that time), Injo (king)
Dorgon, a prince of Qing-Manchu China, is mentioned in the cast.
97. Great Vocation

Korean Drama - 1981, 50 episodes

Injo, Hyojong, Hyeongjong
98. The Night Owl

Korean Movie - 2022

8.5

Injo
(With: Crown Prince Sohyeon > son of King Injo)
99. Namhan Mountain Castle

Korean Drama - 1986, 22 episodes

Injo
100. The Fortress

Korean Movie - 2017

Injo