There are a million blog posts on the best period dramas– I myself have written several. However, most of us tend to focus on Western dramas, more specifically British dramas. (Be they about British/ English/ Scottish history or a British production about elsewhere.) There are some incredible period dramas from around the world though, and they deserve more attention. (Yes, there are subtitles and some are dubbed- you do not need to know several languages to enjoy!)
Today I’m going to share the best period Kdramas (in my opinion). Korean dramas tend to have anywhere from 12-16 episodes, though you will occasionally see 20 or more. They have different rhythms and “shorthands” than we are used in Western dramas, but that should not stop you from watching them.* There is some fantastic storytelling, a rich history to draw on, and incredible costumes and sets!
* Kdramas also fantastically have two episodes a week.
The show synopses here are from My Drama List, a fantastic resource Asian television shows! It includes the synopsis, cast lists, airing schedule, ratings, and more. I’ve linked each show’s page there individually.
The Best Period KDramas
Snowdrop (2021-2022)
In 1987, a bloody man jumps into a women’s university dormitory in Seoul. Young Ro, a female university student who falls in love with him at first sight on a group blind date, takes care of him despite the strict surveillance and dangerous situation. However, Young Ro is shocked to learn his secret. Despite heartbreakingly watching over his first love Young Ro, Soo Ho has no choice but to move according to the command in order to save his teammates and to go back to his home country where his sibling awaits. Young Ro rejects the will of her father and works hand in hand with Soo Ho to save her beloved man and her friends. What will happen to their fate?
Why You Should Watch It…
The other dramas I’ve included are set in the Joseon period (the period where the Joseon dynasty ruled from 1392 to 1897) but Snowdrop is the exception. If you have heard any of these shows, I will guess it would be Snowdrop. This was one of Disney’s first big KDramas, and features one of the members of BlackPink, Jisoo.
This is a fairly recently set period drama (1987) but definitely takes you to the past. For many of us, North Korea is a faceless entity with a few high-ranking government officials that make our news. However, there are so many stories to tell of those who live in and work for the North Korean government. This is an intriguing and entertaining drama, and you won’t be able to stop watching it!
Under The Queen’s Umbrella (2022)
Within the palace exist troublemaking princes who cause nothing but headaches for the royal family and are about to be turned into proper crown princes. Their mother, Im Hwa Ryeong, is the wife of a great king. But instead of having an aura of elegance and grace, she is a prickly, sensitive, and hot-tempered queen. Once more serene, she changed since people kept pushing her buttons. She is a queen who sometimes abandons her pride and is even known to swear! Every day of her life is full of trials, but she withstands them all, for the sake of her children.
Why You Should Watch It…
As of the time of publishing, this is the only drama on this list that is still in progress. I’ve been very impatient waiting for new episodes to go up, as this show has been perfect so far. Queen Im Hwa-ryeong has to get her five sons into line to become actual princes, and she is far from the graceful image that we expect from a queen. (Quite frankly, if these were my sons, I would be swearing more than she is…)
There is comedy and romance if you like lighter shows, but there is also quite a bit of politics and palace intrigue. Under the Queen’s Umbrella is certainly one of those shows that has something for everyone.
100 Days My Prince (2018)
Lee Yul, Crown Prince of Joseon, is a perfectionist who disregards most royal palace nobles. His cold and demanding demeanor masks deeply-rooted loneliness. He comes to pass a law stating that Korean citizens of marriageable age must wed before the age of 28.
Hong Shim is a strong, intelligent woman who supports herself and her father. After an attempt on his life, Crown Prince Lee Yul is severely injured and finds himself under the care of the Hong household. He’s experiencing temporary amnesia, and now unaware of his identity, he is free to wander at will as a commoner.
Due to the law, he himself passed, Hong Shim, now the oldest unmarried woman in her village, must marry or face punishment from officials. Lee Yul proposes to Hong Shim that they ought to marry.
Can their budding romance withstand Lee Yul’s eventual recovery, with his memory fully intact?
Why You Should Watch It…
This is one of the highest rated shows on the list and it is easy to see why. It does have a fairly strong comedic streak running through the show but it never feels like it is over the top.
Another favourite piece for me? Hong Shim! One element that seems to be more prominent in period Kdramas is the strong female. While that character-type does appear in Western dramas, women are often assigned a more passive role- yes, it is often dictated by society or their family, but a lot of Western dramas portray women as bound by the circumstances.
There is a lot of growth for both the female lead and male lead, which always makes for an interesting watch. I also loved the supporting characters in this drama, and I can say I watched for them as much as the leads!
My Sassy Girl (2017)
A respected scholar inadvertently becomes the protector of a mischievous princess. Gyeon Woo enjoys the fame of “Joseon’s National Treasure” as a renowned scholar of his generation. When the king asks him to properly educate his sassy daughter, Princess Hye Myung, Gyeon Woo has his work cut out for him.
But when rebels come after Hye Myung and challenge her future reign, Gyeon Woo inadvertently becomes her protector. Gyeon Woo’s job becomes something that he didn’t anticipate, but can he save Hye Myung from a terrible fate and keep her throne?
Why You Should Watch It…
There is nothing like a trouble-making princess to entertain you. We are used to rule-breaking females in period dramas being punished. (See: Mary, Queen of Scots, Marie Antoinette, and Elisabeth of Austria in recent period dramas…) It is far more entertaining to see a light-hearted period drama where the rule-breaker still gets to have some fun.
This is another case of the female lead and male lead balancing each other well. While the princess is often-times ridiculous and over-the-top, her scholar certainly keeps his cards close to the vest. This is one that is currently on my re-watch list!
The King’s Affection (2021)
The story is set during the Joseon Dynasty, at a time when twins were considered an ominous sign. As a result, when the Crown Princess Consort gives birth to twins, an order is sent to kill the daughter. To save her, she is secretly sent out of the palace.
A few years later, the twin daughter Dam Yi returns to the palace to work as a maid. When the male twin, Lee Hwi, loses his life through a case of mistaken identity, their mother, having recognised her daughter as court maid Dam Yi, persuades her to take Lee Hwi’s place. Although she distances herself from everybody, Dam Yi starts developing feelings for Jung Ji Woon, her original first love and later teacher who comes from a noble family.
Why You Should Watch It…
If you know of any recent Kdramas, I am going to guess it is Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the hit of the summer that followed a lawyer on the autistic spectrum. The King’s Affection shares the same lead actress, Park Eun Bin. And her talent shines through in both shows!
Set in the fifteenth century, we follow Dam Yi as she attempts to take her brother’s spot on the throne while balancing her romantic interest in her teacher. I expected this show to be quite a bit more comedic than it is, but the more serious tone does work well.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (2019)
The story takes place at the beginning of the 19th century. Goo Hae Ryung is an intern to become a palace historian. However, it was not acceptable for women to write historical records at that time. She takes one step at a time to create her own destiny in Joseon, where Confucian ideas are deeply rooted.
She wants to fulfill her duties as a historian and prove to the world that everyone is equal. Along with the fight of the female palace historians, the drama will tell about her romance with Prince Yi Rim who has a secret of his own.
Why You Should Watch It…
This is one of my favourite shows ever, period drama or otherwise. A female historian at the palace? SIGN. ME. UP. I am endlessly fascinated by the role of the historian at the Joseon court- while historians are often seen as superfluous now, they were an integral part of the Joseon court. And Hae Ryung is definitely the woman for the job. (She makes me want to start reading more about everything– she is literally the definition of knowledge is power.)
While it sounds like it would be a serious drama, much of Rookie Historian is a comedy! The prince who also happens to be a secret romance novelist is one of the funniest male leads I’ve come across. I’ve watched this twice already, and will never say no to a re-watch!
I hope you have enjoyed my choices for the best period Kdramas- happy watching!
Cheers,
The Historian
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