Great historical dramas that will make you have you at the edge of your seats

Best Historical Dramas

Jang Ok Jung (Kim Tae Hee), a woman of extraordinary beauty and talent in the Joseon Dynasty, defies her humble origins as she works her way up from working as a palace maid to becoming a royal tailor. She eventually catches the eye of King Suk Jong (Yoo Ah In), but their romance is fraught with royal politics due to their different social statuses. Suk Jong is willing to move heaven and earth for their love, growing his power enormously, while Ok Jung’s increasingly improved social standing begins to change her. Will Ok Jung and Suk Jong’s love find a way to defeat the odds, or was it an ill-fated union from the beginning? This drama was based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Choi Jung Mi.

Jang Ok Jung, Living in Love

In 14th-century Goryeo, loyal and fearless general Choi Young (Lee Min Ho) is tasked by King Gongmin (Ryu Deok Hwan) to find a legendary doctor capable of healing the dying queen. Through a mysterious portal, he travels 700 years into the future, landing in modern-day Seoul. There, he encounters Yoo Eun Soo (Kim Hee Sun), a feisty plastic surgeon who initially believes him to be a delusional cosplayer. Kidnapped and brought back to Goryeo, Eun Soo struggles to adapt to the ancient world and its primitive medical practices, all while facing political intrigue and the dangers of a warring kingdom. As she reluctantly treats the royal family and Choi Young protects her fiercely, an unlikely romance blossoms amidst their desperate attempts to find a way for her to return home.

The Great Doctor

The Faith Team

While investigating his wife’s murder, Joseon Dynasty crown prince Yi Gak (Park Yoochun), is mysteriously transported 300 years into the future to 21st-century Seoul! He lands on the rooftop of Park Ha (Han Ji Min), a spirited young woman, along with his three loyal retainers. Believing Park Ha's sister to be his reincarnated princess, Yi Gak endeavors to uncover the truth behind his wife's death and his sudden displacement. In the process, Yi Gak assumes the identity of a missing heir who looks just like him, and inadvertently involves himself in a modern-day conspiracy of his own. As he navigates the bewildering modern world, an unexpected romance blossoms between Park Ha and Yi Gak. But can love truly conquer centuries – and will Yi Gak ever find the answers he seeks?

Rooftop Prince

 The Joseon Power Rangers

In the midst of the Joseon Dynasty, eight-year-old Lee Gyeom was orphaned after witnessing his father’s murder. Haunted by the past, he transforms into a masked vigilante named “Il Ji Mae” (Lee Joon Gi) who steals from corrupt officials to aid the poor, leaving a plum blossom calling card. Driven by vengeance, he seeks the truth behind his family's demise and the killer's identity. His quest intertwines with Eun Chae (Han Hyo Joo), a compassionate woman who eventually falls for Il Ji Mae, and Si Hoo (Park Si Hoo), his adoptive brother-turned-royal guard who seeks to capture Il Ji Mae in the hopes of being promoted to a nobleman. Will Il Ji Mae find the justice he seeks, or will his mission to avenge his family lead him deeper into darkness?

Il Ji Mae

Hunan TV

During the Chinese Northern Qi dynasty, Lu Zhen (Zhao Li Ying) escapes an arranged marriage and enters the palace as an attendant. She meets Prince Gao Zhan (Chen Xiao), and despite their deep love, their social differences seem insurmountable. Using her exceptional pottery skills, Lu Zhen navigates palace politics, facing challenges from Empress Lou and Prince Gao Yan (Qiao Ren Liang). Though Gao Zhan cannot marry her, he supports her rise through the palace ranks, ultimately helping her achieve the unprecedented position of female prime minister. This is a 2013 Chinese historical drama series directed by Li Hui Zhu and Deng Wei En.

Legend of Lu Zhen

The Legendary Team

After a devastating car accident, 25-year-old Zhang Xiao (Liu Shi Shi) is mysteriously transported back to the 18th-century Qing Dynasty, inhabiting the body of 16-year-old Maertai Rouxi, daughter of a Manchu general. Unable to return to her modern life, Rouxi becomes entangled in the imperial court's complex power struggles, particularly the princes' competition for the throne. Her modern knowledge influences her romantic relationships with the Eighth Prince, Yin Si (Kevin Cheng), and Fourth Prince, Yin Zhen (Nicky Wu), while she maintains a close friendship with the 13th prince, Yin Xiang (Yuan Hong). As she navigates the treacherous royal landscape, Rouxi must decide whether to accept her new destiny or continue seeking a way back to her original time. This is a 2011 Chinese historical romance drama based on a novel by Tong Hua, directed by Wu Jin Yuan, Lin Yu Fen, and Deng Wei En.

Scarlet Heart

Bu Bu Jing Xin Team

When Joseon-era mermaid Sim Cheong (Jun Ji Hyun) follows her true love, she finds herself mysteriously transported into modern-day Seoul. Though separated from her true love, she soon crosses paths with his doppelgänger, Heo Joon Jae (Lee Min Ho). With nowhere else to go, Joon Jae takes the stranded mermaid in, though not out of the goodness of his heart. As a con artist, Joon Jae is quick to spot the priceless jade bracelet Sim Cheong wears. Determined to take Sim Cheong for all she’s worth, Joon Jae soon finds himself thinking twice about the mermaid after she helps him evade the lethal plans of his greedy stepmother. As the two draw closer together, will the charms of the ancient mermaid begin to melt the icy heart of a bitter conman? Inspired by a historical folktale, this 2016 South Korean drama series was directed by Jin Hyuk.

The Legend of the Blue Sea

The Blue Sea

JTBC

When Queen Sim (Jang Hee Jin) struggles with infertility, she seeks help from shaman Hong Joo (Yum Jung Ah), whose powerful black magic helps her give birth to twins Soon Hwae (Yeo Hoe Hyun) and Seo Ri (Kim Sae Ron). However, the dark sorcery curses Seo Ri, causing the Queen to abandon her. Rescued by Poong Yeon's (Kwak Si Yang) father, Seo Ri grows up in hiding, learning witchcraft with her friend Poong Yeon and helper Choi Hyun Seo (Lee Sung Jae). When she encounters royal physician Heo Jun (Yoon Shi Yoon), she hopes he can help her break the curse and reclaim her true identity. This is a 2016 South Korean historical fantasy drama directed by Jo Hyun Tak, inspired by the classic medical text "Mirror of Eastern Medicine" from the Joseon Dynasty.

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