Hidden Gems: 5 Period K-Dramas That Don’t Lie About History

The South Korean industry seems to be the best at creating shows in literally every genre. The rom-coms they produce are the sweetest and even the most dramatic, and the dystopian shows hit harder than anything.

However, most of the industry focuses on sageuks: that's the name of the special genre of Korean history shows. And many of them are actually quite faithful to real-life events.

Here are 5 of the most accurate old-school period dramas to binge-watch if you're in the mood for some history.

1. Painter of the Wind (2008)

We’ll start with this K-drama, because you have to understand: the accuracy part of any show doesn’t end with the setting or the name of the character. It’s about the general vibe of whatever is happening in the series.

Painter in the Wind fits perfectly in it, as it is a historical drama following the real problem with the fact that women couldn't be painters. The main character of this K-drama is a young woman named Shin Yun-bok who had to pretend to be a man to be able to paint. How did she pull it off?

2. Arang and the Magistrate (2012)

If you want to see for yourself how people lived and what they believed in during the Joseon Dynasty, then this K-drama is the perfect choice. It is actually a mix of genres as it perfectly blends horror, romance and of course historical premise.

The story at the heart of the series is based on the folklore of Arang, who died unjustly and returns as a ghost to reveal the circumstances of her death. When a not-so-friendly government employee named Eun Oh meets her, his life changes.

3. Bridal Mask (2012)

This K-drama revolves around Lee Kang To, an ambitious Korean officer who is employed by the Japanese colonists, which was quite common back then. And of course, his work was disapproved of by his family. But to the main character it means nothing, because all he wants is to stop being poor.

However, as he followed his questionable dreams, there was a man wearing a Bridal Mask who appeared in front of him constantly. What does he want from Kang To? And how will their meeting change the nation’s history?

4. Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)

The events of this K-drama are taking place during the Joseon dynasty, which was the longest-living imperial dynasty in Korea. It is filled with romance, but gives off the so-beloved vibe of a historical drama.

What fans of this period drama love is that the show’s creators put a lot of effort into making sure that the costumes, set, and even cinematography truly reflect the time period it's in.

5. Mr. Sunshine (2018)

One of the most beloved period K-dramas out there is of course Mr. Sunshine. The viewers love it for all the romance it has, and how it handles the love triangle story.

However, the most important part is that the series also uses historical facts correctly, giving the perfect depiction of what life was before the Japanese Annexation of Korea in the late 1800s.

“The acting, production, cinematography, and even the outfits were all amazing. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and their relationships. Unlike other dramas, I like how the focus wasn’t even 50% on the romance of the whole drama,” Redditor bukheeta said.