Check out the best historical romance dramas to watch right now – we've got something for everyone!

Must-Watch Historical Romances

Ra Yi Eon (Taecyeon), a food-loving young man in the Joseon Dynasty, unexpectedly becomes a secret royal inspector after excelling in the civil service exam. Despite his peers' potential envy, Yi Eon is more interested in his next meal. Kim Joy (Kim Hye Yoon), a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage with a gambler, seeks to break free from societal constraints. When their paths cross, they form an uneasy alliance that hints at potential deeper connections. Together, they navigate the challenges of corruption and social expectations in ultra-conservative Joseon society. This is a 2024 South Korean historical comedy-drama that explores personal freedom and unexpected partnerships.

Secret Royal Inspector & Joy

The Royal Inspectors Team 

Born blind, Hong Cheon Gi (Kim Yoo Jung) is a gifted painter who miraculously regains her sight and earns an unprecedented position at the prestigious royal art school during the Dan dynasty. In contrast, astrologer Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop), despite his ability to see the future, lost his sight in a childhood accident. Fate brings Cheon Gi and Ha Ram together, and they quickly fall in love. However, their budding romance is threatened by political machinations of the royal court. Is their love fated to last or was it doomed from the start? Adapted from the novel of the same name by Jung Eun Gwol, this 2021 South Korean fantasy romance series was directed by Jang Tae Yoo.

Lovers of the Red Sky

For Your Eyes Only 👁‿👁  

Shi Xia (Wu Qian Ying) and her brother have always been each other's sole support. When her brother goes missing, she embarks on a journey that magically transports her into a Xianxia fantasy world. Standing outside the Yu Hua Gate, she discovers her true identity as the sister of the infamous Demon King, Shi Dong (Dai Yun Fan). Unexpectedly, Hou Chi (Zhao Ying Bo), the high priest and her brother's archnemesis, becomes her protector. Caught between her brother and his greatest enemy, Shi Xia must navigate a dangerous world while wrestling with her conflicting emotions. Will her family bonds withstand the unexpected challenges of her new reality? This is a 2021 South Korean fantasy romance drama adapted from the novel "Jia Xiong You Zai Zuo Si" by You Qian and directed by Qiu Yu.

My Dear Brothers

Youku

On the day of Princess Chu Jiu Ling’s (He Hong Shan) forced marriage, she exposes her uncle, the new emperor, for murdering her father to seize the throne. Her assassination attempt fails, and she is thrown into the dungeons. Unbeknownst to all, a divine physician orchestrates a prison break, with his daughter Jun Zhen Zhen (Peng Xiao Ran) sacrificing herself in Jiu Ling’s place. When Jiu Ling awakens, her appearance and voice have been altered to match Zhen Zhen’s. Starting anew as a physician, Jiu Ling is determined to avenge her father. Returning to her home city to expose political corruption, she must navigate complex alliances involving three men: Chen Zhu Zan (Jin Han), a duke's son; Ning Yun Zhao (Wang You Shuo), a nobleman; and her ex-husband, Lu Yun Qi (Du Ya Fei). Adapted from Xi Xing’s web novel, this 2021 historical romance drama is directed by Xie Ze.

Jun Jiu Ling

♡♥ Unraveling a Heart Team ♥♡

KBS02

Joseon Dynasty woman Hong Ra On (Kim You Jung) has lived her entire life disguised as a man, earning a living as a relationship counselor and writing romance novels. However, a love letter she wrote for a client leads her to meet the mischievous Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo Gum), although he’s unaware of her true identity. While their first meeting goes poorly, a bizarre turn of events turns Ra On into a palace eunuch, where she crosses paths with the prince once again. As Ra On navigates the treacherous royal court, an unexpected bond forms between her and Yeong, but their growing affection is complicated by Ra On's secret, the strict social hierarchy, and the political power struggles threatening the throne.

Love in the Moonlight

The Moonlight Lovers

Tencent Video

A scheming prince carries out a bloody coup, taking charge of the Tang Dynasty and killing Li Chang Ge's (Dilraba Dilmurat) family in the process. She escapes, and vows to take revenge on the prince, who places himself on the throne. Chang Ge gathers an army, but her plans take a turn when her forces fall to the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. The victorious General Ashile Sun (Leo Wu) holds her captive, ordering her to become his military strategist as he looks to pursue his own goals. Over time, they form a formidable partnership, and she slowly finds herself falling for her captor while he starts to develop feelings for her as well. Despite this, Chang Ge hasn’t forgotten her quest for vengeance on the usurper. Can she convince Sun to help wipe out her family’s killer? And will she and the general find love on the way? This 2021 Chinese drama series, based on a hit comic by artist Xia Da, was directed by Chu Yui Bun.

The Long Ballad

The Ode to Love Team

CCTV, Tencent

During the Song Dynasty, Qiao Feng (Tony Yang), leader of a powerful beggar clan, is a respected martial arts master who becomes an outcast when rumors of his Khitan ancestry surface. Determined to uncover the truth about his origins, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he encounters Duan Yu (Bai Shu), a peace-loving prince who unexpectedly becomes skilled in martial arts, and Xu Zhu (Zhang Tian Yang), a Shaolin Monk seeking to bring harmony to a turbulent world. As their paths intertwine, these three extraordinary individuals find themselves caught in a complex web of destiny that could potentially reshape the course of history. Adapted from Jin Yong's novel, this is a 2021 action-adventure wuxia drama directed by Ringo Yu that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the unpredictable nature of fate.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

⚔️Martial Arts Team ⚔️

A male chef who works at the South Korean presidential residence is transported from the present day to Korea’s past, where his soul ends up in the body of queen-to-be Kim So Yong (Shin Hae Sun) shortly before her marriage to King Cheol Jong (Kim Jung Hyun)! As Queen So Yong gets acquainted with her new life, she realizes that conspiracy is afoot in the kingdom, as the real Kim So Yong had an mysterious accident before the wedding and a scheming matriarch is trying to take advantage of King Cheol Jong’s kind nature, although he has secrets of his own. Can So Yong help right the wrongs going on in Joseon? This 2020 South Korean period drama series was directed by Yoon Sung Sik and Jang Yang Ho.

Mr. Queen

The Royal Team 👑

After being attacked by a group of female assassins, young swordsman Jeon Nok Du (Jang Dong Yoon) sets out to track down one of his assailants. However, his quest leads him to a village populated entirely by widows. In order to evade detection, Nok Du disguises himself as a woman while he searches for clues. But one of the residents, Dong Dong Ju (Kim So Hyun), learns Nok Du’s secret identity… although she has a secret of her own: she has escaped from an ill-fated gisaeng (courtesan) apprenticeship. Will they succeed in keeping each others’ identities a secret? And what will happen when they begin to fall for each other? This 2019 South Korean drama series was based on the hit webtoon “Nok Du Jeon” by Hye Jin Yang and was directed by Kim Dong Hwi.

The Tale of Nokdu

💞Lovers Secrets Joseon's Team

Under the rule of King Gwanghae, Ba Wu (Jung Il Woo), a scoundrel who makes a living stealing widows through bossam, accidentally kidnaps Su Gyeong (Kwon Yu Ri), the widowed princess. Framed for a crime in his youth and forced into hiding, Ba Wu has survived through gambling and fighting, never intending to marry. Now, unexpectedly stuck with the daughter-in-law of his sworn enemy, he finds his life taking an increasingly complicated turn. As their paths intertwine, Ba Wu must decide whether to return to his old life or embrace an unexpected connection with Su Gyeong.

Bossam - Steal the Fate

Destiny Thieves

In the tumultuous kingdom of Joseon, political unrest threatens the reign of King Lee Hun (Yeo Jin Goo), who faces constant assassination attempts. To protect the monarch, a lookalike clown named Ha Sun (Yeo Jin Goo) is brought to the palace to serve as the king's double. As Ha Sun skillfully impersonates the ruler and navigates the complex royal court, he unexpectedly develops feelings for the elegant Queen Yoo So Woon (Lee Se Young). Adapting the film "Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King," this drama explores the dangerous world of royal deception and unexpected love. This is a 2019 South Korean historical drama directed by Kim Hee Won.

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