20 Best Historical Romance K-Dramas of the Last 5 Years, Ranked

Ever since the mid-2000s, K-dramas have exploded in popularity globally, with some earning great praise, such as Boys Over Flowers, Goblin, Crash Landing on You, and Full House. K-dramas are known for their romantic, and sometimes cheesy, love stories, which are an important factor within a Korean drama.

While romantic comedies are often seen in K-dramas, many others fall into the historical drama category, with some of the most popular being Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Moon Lovers, Queen and I, and The Moon Embracing the Sun. After all, nothing describes a K-drama more than a romantic comedy that takes place in a historical context. Not to mention all the cheesy and corny tropes that made viewers fall in love with K-dramas in the first place.

20

‘The Matchmakers’ (2023)

Directed by Hwang Seung-gil and Kim Soo-jin

Young widower Shim Jung-woo (Rowoon) was once married to a young princess who had died unexpectedly. Most notably, before he married, he was the youngest man to place in and pass the state civil service examination. Though he is not allowed to remarry, he then meets and falls for Jung Soon-deok (Cho Yi-hyun), a young woman who is also a widow. However, Soon-deok carries a secret: She is the matchmaker Yeoju-daek. Together, she and Jung-woo work as matchmakers.

The Matchmakers has a unique premise with an intriguing plot. Two widows who cannot remarry for political reasons, yet it seems as though fate has other plans for them. Filled to the brim with suspense, The Matchmakers is a beautifully crafted tale of love between two unlikely people who help others find love. Though the story seems straightforward based on the premise, a lot is left to be uncovered, and viewers will find themselves pleasantly surprised.

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19

‘Youth of May’ (2021)

Directed by Song Min-yeob

Taking place during the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, medical student Hee-tae (Lee Do-hyun) has decided to postpone his graduation. When a factory worker is injured while protesting, Hee-tae helps transport this worker to his hometown. In exchange for assistance from his father, Hee-tae goes to meet a potential marriage partner, Myung-hee (Go Min-si). Myung-hee is a headstrong nurse, and the two begin to fall for one another.

A more recent historical K-drama, Youth of May takes place during the Gwangju Uprising, a time when South Koreans protested against the South Korean government. Though the Gwangju Uprising is rich with Korean history, the drama doesn’t necessarily focus on it. Rather, this Korean drama focuses on how the Gwangju Uprising affected citizens, and it explores a love that blossoms in such an immensely dark time. Beautiful and powerful, this K-drama will undoubtedly bring viewers to tears.

Youth Of May

Release Date

May 3, 2021

Creator(s)

Song Min-yeop
, Lee Kang

Cast

Lee Do-Hyun
, Go Min-si
, Lee Sang-yi
, Geum Sae-rok
, Oh Man-seok
, Kim Won-hae
, Uhm Hyo-seop
, Hwang Young-hee
, Sim Yi-young
, Park Cheol-min
, Lee Hwang-eui
, Heo Jeong-do
, Kim Bo-jeong
, Jung Wook-jin
, Rho Sang-bo
, Kim Eun-soo
, Lee Kyu-sung
, Joo Bo-young
, Kwon Ji-woo
, Park Se-hyun
, Kim Yi-kyeong
, Jang Won-hyuk

Seasons

1

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18

‘Secret Royal Inspector & Joy’ (2021)

Directed by Yoo Jong-seon

Ra Ian’s (Taec-yeon) life is anything but difficult. That’s just how he likes it: easygoing. Wanting to one day open a dumpling restaurant, Ra Ian lives a moderately easy life. At least, until he becomes a secret royal inspector, where runs into Kim Joy (Kim Hye-yoon), a curious young woman and idealist who wants to divorce her husband who is a gambler.

Secret Royal Inspector and Joy is a sweet Korean drama full of lighthearted moments shared between the two leads. While the chemistry between the two leads is worth swooning over, a lot of props go to the rest of the cast for creating such a fun Korean drama that viewers will want to keep coming back to. Full of romance and troublemaking, Secret Royal Inspector and Joy is a one-of-a-kind drama.

Secret Royal Inspector Joy

Release Date

November 8, 2021

Cast

Taecyeon
, Kim Hye-yoon
, Chae Won-Bin
, Jung Soon-won
, Jeong Bo-seok
, Lee Jae-kyoon
, Park Choong-seon
, Nam Mi-Jung
, Park Young-soo
, Kwon Ban-suk
, Baek In-kwon
, Hong Dong-Yeong
, Jo Ji-hyun
, Myung Seok-Geun

Seasons

1

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17

‘Gyeongseong Creature’ (2023)

Directed by Chung Dong-yoon & Roh Young-sub (S1); Jo Yeong-min (S2)

During the Japanese occupation of Gyeongseong—which later became known as Seoul—in 1945, pawnshop owner Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon) meets Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee), a woman tracking her mother. The two of them then encounter a terrifying creature born from experimentation in Ongseong Hospital.

Another historical Korean drama that takes place in more modern times, Gyeongseong Creature is more terrifying than anything else. With impressive CGI, this Korean drama is the perfect blend of horror, comedy, and romance that explores an era of Korea under Japanese colonialism. Though the romance is a small part of the drama, it is still an excellent watch that viewers will find themselves binge-watching.

Release Date

December 22, 2023

Creator(s)

Kang Eun-kyung
, Chung Dong-yoon

Cast

Park Seo-joon
, Han So-hee
, Soo Hyun Kim
, Kim Hae-sook

Seasons

2

16

‘Joseon Attorney’ (2023)

Directed by Kim Seung-ho and Lee Han-joon

Joseon attorney Kang Han-soo (Woo Do-hwan) seeks revenge on those who murdered his parents. All the while, Han-soo delivers justice to people who need it the most. While working as an attorney in the Joseon era, he finds himself involved with Princess Lee Yeon-Joo (Bona).

Revenge dramas just scratch an itch; as a genre, it is often overlooked in place of comedies and romances when it comes to historical dramas. However, Joseon Attorney does well at making revenge the forefront of the story and its central theme. The story contains a beautifully orchestrated romance, but this isn’t the central theme of the story, and viewers will find themselves rooting for Do-hwan as Han-soo every step of the way.

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15

‘Love Song for Illusion’ (2024)

Directed by Lee Jung-seop

Crown Prince Sajo Hyun (Park Ji-hoon) has two personalities. The first personality Sajo Hyun works as a boutique as a fashion designer. His other personality is Ak-hee who is instinctively charming; however, one drawback is that he is cursed to feel pain when touching another. Meanwhile, Yeon Wol (Hong Ye-ji) suffers the loss of her family after they are executed due to treason. In the future, she attempts to kill the king; however, instead of that, the next morning she wakes up with no memory of her past as Prince Sajo Hyun’s concubine.

Based on a webtoon of the same name, Love Song for Illusion is a thrilling K-drama that will hook viewers upon the first episode. Both intriguing and romantic, Love Song for Illusion tells a fantastic tale of love between people who have dark pasts. Though this drama may touch on heavy and dark topics, it is still a great watch for those who enjoy romance. Love Song for Illusion is a ride from start to finish, and most viewers will find themselves satisfied with the finale.

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14

‘The Secret Romantic Guesthouse’ (2023)

Directed by Kim Jung-min

Yoon Dan-oh (Shin Ye-Eun) owns Ihwawon Inn, a guesthouse that hosts various scholars who plan to take an exam to become a high-rank official. Unfortunately for Dan-oh, a debt is left to her by her deceased father, and she risks losing her guesthouse. However, one day, Dan-oh receives an offer: if she can find Prince Lee Seol, her debt will be relieved.

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse is such a fun drama, it’s full of mysteries that keep viewers guessing. The unpredictability of the show and the suspense will keep fans on their feet the entire time, making for a thrilling ride. Not to mention, the romance and comedy to top it off creates an enjoyable experience that will keep viewers wanting more. The Secret Romantic Guesthouse is the watch that wants to uncover a mystery.

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13

‘Mr. Queen’ (2020–2021)

Directed by Yoon Sung-sik and Yoo Hyun-ki

In the K-drama Mr. Queen, a chef named Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) from today’s time finds himself in the body of a Korean queen in the Joseon Era. Before he can return to his body and time, he must navigate the royal court, learning its intricate politics and customs, as well as influencing the King to prevent the country from chaos.

What’s great about the show is that it’s not just a simple body-swap historical K-drama. The way the Bong-hwan steers the goals of the king and finds himself intertwined with the royal court’s power struggles is thrilling and exciting. Beyond its unique premise and historical themes, it’s not afraid to lean into comedy and humor in order to keep the viewers invested in its story.

Mr. Queen

Release Date

December 12, 2020

Creator(s)

Park Kye-ok
, Choi A-il

Cast

Shin Hye-sun
, Kim Jung-hyun
, Bae Jong-ok
, Kim Tae-woo
, Seol In-a

Seasons

1

12

‘My Dearest’ (2023)

Directed by Choi Hyeong-hun and Kim Sang-hwi

My Dearest is a historical Korean K-drama that’s set in the backdrop of the Quing invasion of Joseon. In the show, Lee Jang-hyun, is a man who is known for his anti-marriage stance. However, he changes his mind once she meets the charming and beautiful noblewoman Yoo Gil-chae. The show focuses on how the couple’s love story blooms despite the invasion that threatens their village.

What makes the K-drama worth the watch is its historical accuracy and enchanting love story. Everything about My Dearest feels authentic — from the romance and chemistry between the two main characters as well as the details of the era the show is based on. There are also a lot of values and lessons to be taken from the show as it features the societal issues and challenges faced by the protagonists in their little town.

My Dearest

Release Date

August 4, 2023

Cast

Namkoong Min
, Ahn Eun-jin
, Lee Hak-ju
, Lee Da-in
, Kim Yoon-woo

Seasons

1

11

‘Tinted With You’ (2021–2022)

Directed by Kim Dae-hyun

This K-drama follows present-day student Eun Ho as he is transported into the painting of the past. There he meets the crown prince, Lee Heon (Hyun Woo Yoo), who is on the edge of death, both literally and mentally, as he has been exiled by his brother. Prince Heon decides to use Eun Ho to do his bidding. In the process, the two begin falling in love with one another, creating a sweet love story.

Tinted With You is a BL K-drama based on a web drama called Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding. Reminiscent of the time travel K-drama Splash, Splash, Love, where the female lead travels back in time and is discovered by the Crown Prince, Tinted With You plays out similarly, also being relatively short at 10 minutes per episode. Although quick, not to mention, being as short and condensed as it is, it allowed for the plot to get to the point, proving that the chemistry between the Crown Prince and Eun Ho is very real and easy to root for.

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10

‘Moonshine’ (2021–2022)

Directed by Kim Tae-hun and Hong Seok-joo

Prohibition has been going on for 10 years in the capital city of Hanyang. Kang Ro-seo is a poor girl living to make ends meet by doing all sorts of odd jobs, and she won’t let anyone have their way with her. Nam Young is a young scholar who remains honorable and reserved with a sense of humility. Lee Pyo (Wook Seok), the crown prince, is much more trouble than he is sometimes worth, as he sneaks out of the palace and goes to drink alcohol, even when prohibition is going on.

Moonshine is a hilarious K-drama that has a bold start with a fierce female lead. The series starts off strong, with Ro-seo proving that she is not a woman to be messed with. While many female characters in K-dramas often try to prove their toughness – Jan Di from Boys Over Flowers comes to mind, sometimes – they are more on the frail side. Ro-seo, however, is one of the first of many female leads to really show her toughness through and through. As a result, her idealism often clashes with that of Inspector Nam Young’s, creating an entertaining rivalry that turns into good romantic chemistry. Despite its uniqueness, it can be a little confusing due to the large number of characters appearing in the show. Still, this show is a rather refreshing watch for viewers who get sick and tired of a lack of representation of strong women in the genre.

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9

‘The Forbidden Marriage’ (2022)

Directed by Kim Sang-hwi and Yoon Sung-sik

The Forbidden Marriage is set in the Joseon dynasty, following the marriage ban enacted by King Lee Heon after losing his wife to suicide, though he believes her to have been murdered. Despite this ban, scammer Ye So-rang (Park Ju-hyun) runs a marriage compatibility business. King Lee Heon’s attendants try to get the King to produce an heir, but unfortunately, due to Lee Heon’s fear and infatuation with the previous queen, it proves to be an impossible task. After being jailed, So-rang decides to pretend to be possessed by the King’s deceased wife, which leads to Lee Heon being convinced and keeping So-rang by his side.

The Forbidden Marriage is a fun K-drama full of silliness and laughter. The premise itself is almost preposterous, as it tells the love story of a king who is stricken with grief and a woman who makes a mockery of his ban. However, this concept is what makes the show funny to begin with, especially with Park Ju-hyun’s acting, making So-rang as a character stand out. Although it is rather short, there’s never a single boring moment within the show.

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8

‘Bossam: Steal the Fate’ (2021)

Directed by Kwon Seok-jang

Taking place during the Joseon dynasty, bossams occurred under the rule of Gwanghaegun. Ba-woo (Jung Il-woo) takes part in a bossam, which is the act of kidnapping or stealing a widow and forcing her to marry the kidnapper. Except, unlike most bossams, Ba-woo mistakenly kidnaps Princess Su-kyeong (Kwon Yuri), the wrong widow. As a result, the hunt to find the King’s missing daughter begins, though her father-in-law tries to resolve her disappearance on his own.

Bossam: Steal the Fate is another South Korean historical rom-com with an air of mystery and intrigue. It examines an interesting and unexplored concept of bossaming, which then develops into an interesting plot of what happens when someone kidnaps the wrong person. Plot aside, the characters were also very compelling, with the male lead, Ba-woo, having a good amount of depth to his character. Likewise, the politics in the show helped pick up the pace.

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7

‘Lovers of the Red Sky’ (2021)

Directed by Jang Tae-yoo and Park Soo-jin

Set in the Joseon dynasty, Lovers of the Red Sky follows Cheon-ki (Kim Yoo-jung) who is blinded as a baby as a result of a curse placed by Mawang, the God of Death. Samshin, the Goddess of childbirth, cannot take away Cheon-ki’s blindness, but she can offer a solution in the future: one day, a young boy named Ha-Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop) will help break the curse placed on her. Simultaneously, Ha-Ram is born. Nine years later, Cheon-ki and Ha-Ram meet, forming a friendship with one another. However, little did they know that Samshin had plans for both of them, with Ha-Ram being sacrificed to seal away Mawang, and with Cheon-ki gaining her sight back through the loss of Ha-Ram’s. After this incident, the two meet again later on.

Lovers of the Red Sky is one of the best historical Korean K-dramas that is rooted deeply in the fantasy genre. Some fantasy-driven Korean historical K-dramas include Gu Family Book, Faith, and Goblin. However, this is one of few that introduces mythology into the mix, creating a somewhat tense love story, especially knowing that Cheon-ki received the gift of sight due to Ha-Ram losing it. However, at the same time, this creates a beautiful story with a lovely romance between two compatible characters. Though the ending may be a bit on the sadder and more emotional side, it makes Lovers of the Red Sky all the more worth the watch.

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6

‘River Where the Moon Rises’ (2021)

Directed by Yoon Sang-ho

Soldier Pyong Gang (Kim So-Hyun) was born a princess, and upon learning the truth about her birth, she decides to take her country back by becoming the first queen of Goryeo. To do so, she plans to assassinate the king. Meanwhile, On Dal (Na In-woo) does everything in his power to protect the princess—even if it means going against his own pacifist nature.

Based on a novel called Princess Pyeonggang, River Where the Moon Rises is an exciting story that follows the dream of a strong-willed and determined warrior. The most interesting part about this drama is that the princess plans to rule Goryeo and be the first to do it, which is not seen in a lot of K-dramas (if any at all). The premise alone makes this drama stand out and worth the watch for its uniqueness. But also, a lot can be said about the romance itself: their attraction to one another is beautiful, the chemistry between them is incredibly powerful that it can be felt in the smallest of moments, and the two leads play off each other extremely well. Though the show had complications early on, involving the scandal of the previous lead for On Dal (Ji Soo), River Where the Moon Rises made the best decision to replace him with On Dal, as he played the role perfectly.

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5

‘Our Blooming Youth’ (2023)

Directed by Kim Sang-hwi and Yoon Sung-sik

Crown Prince Lee Hwan’s (Park Hyung-sik) older brother died due to mysterious circumstances. Although Lee Hwan is under some suspicion, a bigger problem lies at hand for the new Prince: his arm has been injured by a poisoned arrow, and unless he can heal his arm, he has to abdicate the throne. Another issue lies at hand: three years prior to the present day, Lee Hwan received a haunting letter of blackmail, declaring that he would be betrayed and lose all use of his limbs. Meanwhile, Min Jae-yi’s (Jeon So-nee) family is murdered, and she is framed for it. With both of them being involved in their own troubles, they agree to help each other out.

While Our Blooming Youth could be considered more of a thriller than a historical K-drama, there is still a love story between the two leads as they develop a deeper connection with one another due to their insinuating circumstances. Additionally, even though it does tend to have a much slower pace than other K-dramas on this list, the slow pace is easily forgiven thanks to the intriguing mystery and political drama that Our Blooming Youth develops to be.

Our Blooming Youth

Release Date

February 6, 2023

Seasons

1

Number of Episodes

20

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4

‘Alchemy of Souls’ (2022)

Directed by Park Joon-hwa

In the fictional world of Daeho, elite soldier Nak-su (Go Youn-jung) has her soul trapped in Mu-deok’s (Jung So-min) weaker body. Now as Jang Uk’s (Lee Jae-wook) servant, Mu-deok takes him on as her apprentice and teaches him the skills and spells she knows, all while falling for him.

Alchemy of Souls is a captivating drama with a magical love story that viewers will find themselves entranced by. At the same time, viewers need to be ready for the emotional intensity and heartache that Alchemy of Souls is known for. Beautiful and breathtaking, this K-drama is worth several rewatches.

Alchemy of Souls

Release Date

June 18, 2022

Cast

Lee Jae-wook
, Hwang Min-hyun
, Yoo Joon-sang
, Oh Na-ra
, Yoo In-soo
, Jo Jae-yoon
, Lee Do-kyung
, Victoria Grace

Seasons

2

3

‘Captivating the King’ (2024)

Directed by Cho Nam-guk

Yi In (Jo Jung-suk) is a king who is wrapped in both royal and political conflict, leaving him little room to trust others. Kang Hee-soo (Shin Se-kyung) wishes to take revenge on him and acts as a spy to deceive him. Then, both begin to fall in love with one another.

Captivating the King is a unique historical K-drama that involves a beautiful love story. It examines the vulnerability two people share when in love, creating something beautiful between both leads who were absolutely brilliant with their roles. Not to mention, the supporting cast deserves a round of applause, as they helped immerse viewers into the world established. Captivating the King is definitely worth the watch for those who love historical romances.

Captivating the King

Release Date

January 21, 2024

Cast

Jo Jung-Suk
, Shin Se-kyung
, Jung Suk-yong
, Lee Sin-young
, Choi Dae-hoon
, Jo Sung-ha
, Son Hyeon-ju
, Han Dong-hee

Seasons

1

2

‘The King’s Affection’ (2021)

Directed by Song Hyun-wook

A princess bears twins one night, but according to superstition, a prince who shares the womb with a girl is an abomination. The crown prince is forced to discard the princess, along with anyone who witnessed the birth. The princess is whisked away, leaving the royal family to believe that only the prince remains.

The King’s Affection starts off extremely dark, littered with death. Interestingly enough, later on in the show, the dark and gloomy colors that introduced the show turn into much brighter ones, creating a surprisingly colorful and bright show that lightens the atmosphere at times. Apart from the atmosphere, what makes The King’s Affection intriguing is the plot, as (spoiler alert) eventually, years down the road, the prince passes away after being disguised as Dam-i (who was the one meant to be murdered), and his sister, Dam-i (Park Eun-bin) must take his place. This isn’t the first time that a K-drama has done a gender-swap plot, but this is one of the few times when it is done believably well, following a somewhat sad premise. Not to mention, the chemistry is worth swooning over.

The King’s Affection

Creator(s)

Lee So-Young

Cast

Park Eun-Bin
, Kim Ro-Woon
, Nam Yoon-Su
, Byungchan
, Bae Yoon-kyoung
, Jung Chae-yeon
, Choi Myung-bin
, Hao Feng

Seasons

1

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1

‘The Red Sleeve’ (2021–2022)

Directed by Jung Ji-hyun and Yoon Sang-ho

Prince Yi-san (Lee Jun-ho) is determined to become a benevolent King who will reform the law after taking the throne from his ruthless grandfather. Yi-san, still traumatized by his father’s death, resolves to put his country at the forefront of everything else. Meanwhile, Sung Deok Im (Lee Se-young) is a court woman who enjoys her freedom. Prince Yi-san falls in love with her, but the two are torn by their own resolves and desires.

The Red Sleeve is a beautifully written drama that deals with the emotional trauma of losing one’s parent, combined with falling in love with someone who is out of your reach. There are plenty of tense moments throughout the show due to the political aspect, and the show in its entirety is simply a charming watch. Sometimes, The Red Sleeve can be a bit on the slower side in regard to pace, but it’s one of the better historical dramas to showcase a beautiful yet bittersweet love story.

The Red Sleeve

Release Date

November 12, 2021

Creator(s)

Jung Hae-ri

Cast

Lee Jun-ho
, Lee Se-young
, Kang Hoon
, Lee Duck-hwa
, Park Ji-young
, Jang Hee-jin
, Jang Hye-jin
, Jo Hee-bong
, Seo Hyo-rim
, Kang Mal-Geum
, Oh Dae-hwan
, Lee Min-ji
, Ha Yul-Ri
, Lee Eun-saem
, Bae Je-gi
, Kim Kang-min
, Kwon Hyun-bin
, Kim Byung-choon
, Lee Joo-won
, Do Sang-woo
, Lee Soon-jae

Seasons

1

Main Genre

Drama

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