5 Most Thrilling Korean War Dramas
Prepare yourself for battle and intrigue.
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about K-dramas is that they all focus on romance and interpersonal relationships, when in fact they cover just as many genres as the Western TV shows and movies we're all used to watching.
Korean history and war dramas are perhaps the most educational genres of all, as they allow you to peek into events of the Korean past that you may never have known about.
So, if you are interested in diving into the past and watching the greatest battle stories, here are 5 K-dramas to start with.
Legend of the Patriots (2010)
While the show depicts the events of the Korean War, it doesn't focus too much on the ideologies of either the South or North Korean armies. Instead, through the stories of 11 characters, it shows the suffering and destruction that any war can cause to ordinary people whose lives were previously far removed from politics.
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
This story has a slower pace, but explores more of the difficult feelings and layers of trauma that people can endure from war. When Eugene Choi, a runaway slave in the past and a U.S. Marine in the present, returns to Joseon with a mission, he doesn't know that he will have to fight for the independence of his motherland. But the reality is even crueler than he imagined.
Song of the Bandits (2023)
The events of the series take place in the 1920s, when Korea was under Japanese occupation. With many people forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in Chinese Gando, not everyone was willing to give up without a fight. Filled with action and stunts, this TV series is dedicated to those who risked their lives for independence.
Korea–Khitan War (2023)
This is the newest drama on the list and is still ongoing, so you can join the viewers and experience the same excitement as you wait between episodes. The show focuses on the efforts of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo to unite the people and lead them to war against the Chinese forces. It is a drama and a history lesson all in one.
Road No. 1 (2010)
A complicated love triangle is the basis of the story, but the show is not your usual romance drama. It tells the story of two honorable soldiers who have to fight side by side in the Korean War, knowing that the hardest battle of their lives, the battle for Soo-yeon, can only happen if they come out alive and victorious.