Historical K-dramas transport viewers from royal palaces and battlefields to kitchens, villages, and supernatural worlds. Often called sageuk in Korean, they draw upon real periods and figures from Korean history for romance, comedy, fantasy and horror. We've picked 15 good ones to get you started with the genre.
Key Takeaways
- Historical K-dramas range from traditional palace politics and war stories to romance, comedy, fantasy and supernatural horror.
- Mr. Sunshine, The Red Sleeve and My Dearest are strong choices for viewers looking for sweeping historical drama and emotional storytelling.
- Mr. Queen, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty and Love in the Moonlight offer lighter introductions to the genre.
- Viewers who prefer action or darker stories can try Kingdom, Six Flying Dragons or the 2026 supernatural drama The East Palace.
15 of the Best Historical K-Dramas to Watch
We've tried to include a mix of political epics, war stories, comedy, time travel, zombies and supernatural horror alongside more traditional royal dramas. Hopefully, if you're open to historical K-dramas, then you'll find something you'll like. If you have suggestions, let us know in the comments.
Mr. Sunshine (미스터 션샤인) – 2018
Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri and Yoo Yeon-seok
24, approximately 70–90 minutes each
A Korean-born American officer returns to Joseon and meets a noblewoman secretly involved in the resistance. Their lives become entangled amid growing political instability.
Resistance, political conflict, sweeping romance and prestige drama
Why it’s worth watching: Cinematic visuals, a strong ensemble and an unusual early-20th-century setting give this historical epic considerable scale.
The Red Sleeve (옷소매 붉은 끝동) – 2021–2022
Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young and Kang Hoon
17, approximately 70 minutes each⁹
Court lady Seong Deok-im attracts the attention of Yi San, the future King Jeongjo. Their feelings develop within a palace where rank and duty limit personal freedom.
Palace romance, royal duty and emotionally complex relationships
Why it’s worth watching: Strong performances and a thoughtful focus on female autonomy give the royal romance unusual emotional weight.
Sageuk is the Korean term commonly used for historical drama. Traditional sageuk may draw on real dynasties, rulers and events, while fusion sageuk can mix period settings with romance, comedy, fantasy or horror.⁵
My Dearest (연인) – 2023
Namkoong Min, Ahn Eun-jin and Lee Hak-joo
21, approximately 60–90 minutes each
Lee Jang-hyun and Yoo Gil-chae are drawn together as the Qing invasion disrupts life in Joseon. War repeatedly tests their relationship and their ability to survive.
Wartime romance, separation, survival and emotional drama
Why it’s worth watching: High-stakes romance and powerful performances helped My Dearest win Best Drama at the Baeksang Arts Awards, with Namkoong Min also winning Best Actor.¹
Unlike modern romantic dramas, war, politics, and rigid social hierarchies can shape romance in a historical K-drama. The Red Sleeve explores royal duty and personal freedom, while My Dearest places love against invasion, displacement and survival.
Under the Queen's Umbrella (슈룹) – 2022
Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hae-sook and Choi Won-young
16, approximately 65–75 minutes each
Queen Im Hwa-ryeong fights to protect her sons as rival factions compete over the royal succession. Palace education quickly becomes a struggle for survival and power.
Succession battles, formidable female leads and palace politics
Why it’s worth watching: Kim Hye-soo anchors a fast-moving palace drama driven by ambitious women, family loyalties and political manoeuvring.
Mr. Queen (철인왕후) – 2020–2021
Shin Hye-sun, Kim Jung-hyun and Bae Jong-ok
20, approximately 70–90 minutes each
A modern chef wakes up in Joseon inside the body of Queen Cheorin. Surviving palace life gets even harder as political conspiracies surface.
Historical comedy, body-swap fantasy and palace intrigue
Why it’s worth watching: Shin Hye-sun's comic performance makes the body-swap premise work, while genuine political intrigue keeps the story moving.
Kingdom (킹덤) – 2019–2020
Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong and Bae Doona
12 across two seasons, approximately 43–57 minutes each⁸
Crown Prince Lee Chang investigates his father's mysterious illness as a deadly epidemic spreads through Joseon. Meanwhile, powerful court figures fight to control the throne.
Horror, political thrillers, sword-fighting and fast-paced action
Why it’s worth watching: Fast zombie action, political conspiracy and social commentary make this far more than a conventional historical drama.
If Kingdom is the kind of historical drama you enjoy most, it may be worth exploring more thriller K-dramas too. Korean thrillers often combine crime, mystery, political tension and psychological suspense, so there are plenty of options if you who prefer danger and investigation over romance.
Six Flying Dragons (육룡이 나르샤) – 2015–2016
Yoo Ah-in, Kim Myung-min and Shin Se-kyung
50, approximately 60 minutes each
Six figures become caught up in the political upheaval surrounding the fall of Goryeo and the creation of Joseon. Historical and fictional characters collide over competing visions of Korea's future.
Political epics, martial action and the founding of Joseon
Why it’s worth watching: Long-form political plotting, ideological conflict and memorable sword-fighting reward viewers ready for a bigger commitment.
Jewel in the Palace (대장금) – 2003–2004
Lee Young-ae, Ji Jin-hee and Hong Ri-na
54, approximately 60 minutes each
Jang-geum enters the royal palace and works her way through the worlds of court cuisine and medicine. Her intelligence repeatedly challenges the restrictions placed on women of her time.
Classic sageuk, palace life, food, medicine and determined heroines
Why it’s worth watching: This landmark drama helped spread the Korean Wave internationally while introducing audiences to Korean food, medicine and court culture.⁴
at its peak.⁴
The Crowned Clown (왕이 된 남자) – 2019
Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Se-young and Kim Sang-kyung
16, approximately 70 minutes each
A clown who looks identical to the king is secretly placed on the throne when threats against the monarch escalate. The outsider must quickly learn how to survive royal politics.
Secret identities, dangerous court politics and dual-role performances
Why it’s worth watching: Yeo Jin-goo's contrasting dual performance adds tension to a smart story about identity, leadership and power.
The King's Affection (연모) – 2021
Park Eun-bin, Rowoon and Nam Yoon-su
20, approximately 70 minutes each
A young woman assumes her deceased twin brother's identity and grows up inside the palace as crown prince. Her secret becomes harder to protect when an old connection returns as her tutor.
Secret identities, gender disguise, royal duty and romance
Why it’s worth watching: Park Eun-bin carries a compelling identity drama that became the first South Korean programme to win the International Emmy for Telenovela.³
Royal courts are common in sageuk, but some of the strongest dramas focus on people with much less power. Jewel in the Palace follows a woman navigating restricted palace professions, while The Tale of Lady Ok explores servitude, class and the precarious identities available to women outside royalty.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (달의 연인 – 보보경심 려) – 2016
Lee Joon-gi, IU and Kang Ha-neul
20, approximately 60 minutes each
A modern woman wakes up in the Goryeo period as Hae Soo and becomes entangled with members of the royal family. Relationships and succession politics quickly become inseparable.
Goryeo princes, time travel, tragic romance and emotional drama
Why it’s worth watching: Time travel, a large royal ensemble and intense melodrama have given the series an enduring following among K-drama fans.
Love in the Moonlight (구르미 그린 달빛) – 2016
Park Bo-gum, Kim You-jung and Jinyoung
18, approximately 60–70 minutes each
Hong Ra-on disguises herself as a man and unexpectedly enters the palace as a eunuch. There she repeatedly crosses paths with Crown Prince Lee Yeong.
Light historical romance, comedy and first-time sageuk viewers
Why it’s worth watching: Humour, youthful chemistry and lighter palace intrigue make this one of the most accessible introductions to historical K-drama.
The Tale of Lady Ok (옥씨부인전) – 2024–2025
Lim Ji-yeon, Choo Young-woo and Kim Jae-won
16, approximately 70–85 minutes each
A woman born into servitude escapes and assumes the identity of noblewoman Ok Tae-young. Her new life offers freedom but could collapse if her past is discovered.
Class, identity, female survival and life beyond the royal court
Why it’s worth watching: Its focus on class, gender and social power helped earn The Tale of Lady Ok a place among TIME's ten best K-dramas of 2025.²
Historical K-dramas now stretch well beyond traditional palace melodrama. More than 15 historical dramas aired or were released across 2025 alone, with stories involving chefs, detectives, fantasy, romance and social mobility.¹⁰
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (폭군의 셰프) – 2025
Lim Yoon-a, Lee Chae-min and Kang Han-na
12, approximately 75–85 minutes each
A modern chef travels back to Joseon and finds herself cooking for a feared king with an exacting palate. Her culinary skills may be the key to surviving royal life.⁶
Food, time travel, palace comedy and lighter historical romance
Why it’s worth watching: Food, time travel and culture clash give this fusion sageuk a playful alternative to heavier palace dramas.
The East Palace (동궁) – 2026
Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo
8, approximately 46–59 minutes each
A supernatural disturbance inside the royal palace draws in people who can confront spirits and unexplained forces. Their investigation leads towards the secrets of the East Palace.
Folklore, supernatural horror, ghost-slaying and dark historical fantasy
Why it’s worth watching: Korean folklore, supernatural horror and ghost-slaying action give this 2026 release a darker spin on historical fantasy.⁷
Which type of historical K-Drama would you watch next?
References
- Baeksang Arts Awards. “Past Winners.” Baeksang Arts Awards, https://www.baeksangawards.co.kr/en/winners. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Burt, Kayti. “The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2025.” TIME, 18 Dec. 2025, https://time.com/7340988/best-k-dramas-2025/. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “2022 International Emmy® Winners Announced at Gala in New York.” International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, 21 Nov. 2022, https://www.iemmys.tv/2022-international-emmy-winners-announced-at-gala-in-new-york/. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Korea.net. “Dae Jang Geum and the Early Wave of Hallyu (Korean Wave).” Korea.net, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, https://www.korea.net/K-InfoHub/SubMainDetail/view?articleId=4032&headwordCd=55&headwordGroupCd=24&pageIndex=2. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Korea.net. “[Course] Enrollment for the Course ‘The History of Korea through Sageuk K-Dramas’ (2025.1).” Korea.net, Korean Cultural Center in Brazil, https://www.korea.net/Events/Overseas/view?articleId=23352. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Mallikarjuna, Krutika. “Everything to Know About the K-Drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.” Netflix Tudum, 29 Aug. 2025, https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/bon-appetit-your-majesty-release-date-news. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Morin, Natalie, and Troy Pozirekides. “The East Palace Hires a Ghost-Slaying Swordsman to Lift a Terrifying Curse.” Netflix Tudum, 17 July 2026, https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-east-palace-release-date-news. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Netflix. “Kingdom.” Netflix UK, https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80180171. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Rakuten Viki. “The Red Sleeve.” Viki, https://www.viki.com/tv/38101c-the-red-sleeve?locale=en. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
- Soompi. “15+ Historical Dramas of 2025 (K-Drama Masterlist).” Soompi, 26 Jan. 2026, https://www.soompi.com/article/1810905wpp/15-historical-dramas-of-2025-k-drama-masterlist. Accessed 11 Sept. 2026.
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