Ever since the mid-2000s, K-dramas have exploded in popularity globally, with some earning great praise, such asBoys Over Flowers,Goblin,Crash Landing on You, andFull 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 beingScarlet Heart Ryeo: Moon Lovers,Queen and I, andThe 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 Matchmakershas a unique premise with an intriguing plot.
The Matchmakershas 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 Matchmakersis 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.
The Matchmakers
Watch on Viki
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 Maytakes 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, andit explores a love that blossoms in such an immensely dark time. Beautiful and powerful, thisK-drama will undoubtedly bring viewers to tears.
Youth Of May
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 Joyis 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 Joyis a one-of-a-kind drama.
Watch on Netflix
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 Creatureis more terrifying than anything else. With impressive CGI, this Korean drama is the perfect blend of horror, comedy, and romancethat 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.
Gyeongseong Creature
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 Attorneydoes 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.
Joseon Attorney
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.
Both intriguing and romantic,Love Song for Illusiontells a fantastic tale of love between people who have dark pasts.
Based on a webtoonof the same name,Love Song for Illusionis a thrilling K-drama that will hook viewers upon the first episode. Both intriguing and romantic,Love Song for Illusiontells 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 Illusionis a ride from start to finish, and most viewers will find themselves satisfied with the finale.
Love Song for Illusion
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-ranking 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 Guesthouseis 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 Guesthouseis the watch that wants to uncover a mystery.
The Secret Romantic Guesthouse
13’Mr. Queen' (2020–2021)
Directed by Yoon Sung-sik and Yoo Hyun-ki
Inthe K-dramaMr. 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 thatit’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 to keep the viewers invested in its story.
12’My Dearest' (2023)
Directed by Choi Hyeong-hun and Kim Sang-hwi
My Dearestis 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 makesthe K-drama worth the watch is its historical accuracy and enchanting love story. Everything aboutMy Dearestfeels 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
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 Youis a BL K-drama based on a web drama calledNobleman Ryu’s Wedding. Reminiscent of thetime travel K-dramaSplash, Splash, Love, where the female lead travels back in time and is discovered by the Crown Prince,Tinted With Youplays 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.
