These Historical K-Dramas Are 10 Years and Older, And They STILL Look Good Today

The South Korean industry is full of shows of all genres: there are horror shows, action thrillers, and numerous romances with all kinds of relationship problems. But we think the most popular genre in South Korea is period drama.

The country's history is so rich, yet so little explored, that it makes sense that showrunners decide to make series about different historical periods in Korea. And while there have been many new ones released in recent years that have proven to be good, let's take a look back and check out these seven old school period K-dramas.

1. Jang Ok-jung (2013)

Before becoming Jang Hee Bin, the famous royal concubine in the Joseon Dynasty who was behind the deposition of Queen In Hyun, the young woman was known as Jang Ok Jung. The K-drama revolves around her time as a royal seamstress. The story focuses on her struggles as a poor woman who wants to earn some money by owning a shop. And her luck changes when she finds out that the royal family has invited her to make clothes.

2. Empress Ki (2013)

The first thing that makes this series different from many other period K-dramas is the fact that it is set during the Goryeo Dynasty, while all the others are mostly set during the Joseon era. The story focuses on Seung Nyang and her journey to become the Empress of Mongolia. And it was very complicated...

However, the series was somewhat criticized for the fact that the personality of the Empress in the series was a bit watered down, while the real-life Seung Nyang was ruthless and powerful.

3. The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)

At the center of the series is a heartbreaking love story between Heo Yeon Woo and the Crown Prince, Lee Hwon. They fell in love as teenagers, and the King was ready to name her Crown Princess, but the angry Queen decided to order her death in an attempt to replace her with her own candidate.

However, the shaman she had ordered to kill the girl didn't actually kill her, but put a spell on her. When she woke up, she remembered nothing of her life. Years later, when she returns to the palace as a shaman herself, she realizes that she was called back there to heal her ex-fiancé, who hasn't been able to forget her since.

4. Arang and the Magistrate (2012)

This K-drama has a touch of fantasy in it, as it often happens. The series revolves around Kim Eun Oh, a government employee who can see and talk to ghosts. One day he meets Ah Rang, a ghost who is still investigating her own death. But it's a difficult task for her because she has forgotten everything about her life as a human. When she realizes that Kim Eun Oh can see her, she asks him to help her. But their journey to reveal the truth will be quite dangerous...

5. The Princess’s Man (2011)

This K-drama follows many real historical figures and in the center of the story there's also a true event, a coup to expose a king. Well, the story is about the two people who accidentally fell in love, without even realizing that they come from mortal enemy families. When the truth comes out, they are both devastated and caught in the crossfire of political intrigue and murderous scandals.

6. Dong Yi (2010)

Dong Yi is a K-drama that follows the story of a young servant girl who, despite her lower class status, becomes a royal consort. The drama is set during the reign of King Suk Jong during the Joseon Dynasty. We witnessed the young maiden's journey from a water girl to the woman who would bear the son of King Sok Jong and the future king of Joseon.

The story sounds like a Cinderella fairytale, but it’s actually based on true events.

7. Dae Jang Geum (2003)

We know that the Joseon Dynasty times were hard for women. It was almost impossible for them to be given a job in a high position because of the undeniable patriarchy at that time.

Nevertheless, exceptions were made sometimes. Seo Jang Geum, who was skilled in treating diseases and caring for patients, was a woman from the lower class. However, she was the first to climb the social ladder, becoming the royal cook, then the royal physician, and finally the king's physician.