Loved The Crown? Check Out These 5 Period K-Dramas Packed With Palace Politics
These shows will make you think twice about admiring the past.
Although many people claim to have been born in the wrong century, the reality of the past is always far worse than the history books tell us.
While there were some geniuses and nobles whose company would have been a privilege in itself, there were just as many duplicitous traitors.
To immerse yourself in the twisted lives of Korean emperors and anyone else who got close to royalty in one way or another, stream one of the period K-dramas below. Just remember, all stories are fictional and hardly count as education.
Six Flying Dragons (2015)
Although the show is fictional, it centers on a real historical figure, Yi Bang Won, the third king of the Joseon Dynasty. Surrounded by various characters, both fictional and real, Yi Bang Won is faced with the challenging task of establishing the dynasty without resorting to senseless violence. But when it comes to power, it's not as easy as it seems.
Warrior Baek Dong Soo (2011)
Legendary warrior Baek Dong Soo, who was the first man to create a martial arts guide in Joseon, finds himself pitted against the assassin group. To prove his loyalty and fulfill his duty, Baek Dong Soo must fight his way out of the situation while unraveling the conspiracy and saving King Jeong Jo.
Jewel in the Palace (2003)
The fight against prejudice is nothing new. In fact, centuries ago, people like Jang Geum, who managed to become the first female royal physician, were the first in a long line of their successors who tried to make the world a fairer place. The story of one girl's dedication and resilience against a patriarchal system is well worth watching.
Empress Ki (2013)
Some people are made for greatness, and they always find their way to power. Although Ki Seung-nyang was born into poverty, she managed to break all norms on her way to power and success, eventually marrying Toghon Temür, the Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and gaining the privileges she had only dreamed of before.
Mr. Queen (2020)
Jang Bong Hwan's life was already full of politics, working as a chef for South Korea's top politicians. However, it was topped off when one day he woke up in the body of Kim So Yong, a Joseon queen. With all the intrigue going on in the palace, body-swapping has become the least of Jang Bong Hwan's problems.