7 Best Korean Historical Dramas
Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace) (2004)
Dae Jang Geum is the first historical drama that started the first phase of Korean Wave. Starring Ji Jinhee, Lee Young Ae, and Hong Ri Na, Dae Jang Geum or “The Great Jang Geum” it aired from September 15, 2003 to March 23, 2004 on MBC. Dae Jang Geum promoted Korean traditional culture to people around the world thus becoming an all time favorite Korean historical drama. Dae Jang Geum is a drama that tells a story about a girl whose mother worked in the palace’s kitchen and whose father was a royal guard but later she became an orphan. At first, she entered the palace’s kitchen as a cook and later she became the first female royal doctor. There was supposed to be a kissing scene between Jang Geum (Lee Young Ae) and Min Jungho (Ji Jinhee), but Lee Young Ae said there was no need and in the end the scene was removed from the script.
Queen Seondeok (2009)
Queen Seondeok is a historical drama produced by MBC in 2009. It has 62 episodes and was aired from May 25 to December 22 2009. Lee Yowon, Go Hyunjung, Uhm Taewoong, and Park Yejin starred in this high rating drama. This drama is about Silla’s first female ruler, Queen Seondeok. Deokman (later Queen Seondeok) had a twin named Princess Cheonmyeong but due to some circumstances they were separated. Eventually Deokman returned to the palace but disguised as a male and tried to counter Lady Mishil and her ambition to rule Silla by herself. In the end, Deokman became the first female to rule Silla and her name changed to Queen Seondeok. Queen Seondeok was a real Silla queen, but in this drama they changed some historical background regarding to her childhood and MBC put romance in it too. Following the massive popularity that this drama received, it got many awards too, from the main actors to the supporting actors.
Dong Yi (2010)
Again, this drama was produced by a historical drama expert at MBC. Han Hyojoo, Ji Jinhee, Lee Soyeon, and Bae Soobin starred in this 60 episode drama. Dong Yi aired from March 20 to October 12 2010 every Monday and Tuesday at 9:55 PM. This drama not only tells us about the romance between Dong Yi and King Sukjong but also the bloody war to get to the highest position in the kingdom. Dong Yi had to counter Jang Huibin, known as one of the most beautiful women in Joseon, and also one of the most ambitious concubines too. Dong Yi was directed by Lee Byunghoon, the director that previously directed the infamous Dae Jang Geum. On NHK, which is a Japanese network, Dong Yi recorded the highest ratings among other Korean dramas.
Empress Ki (2013)
Empress Ki is a drama produced by MBC that aired from October 28, 2013 to April 29 2014 every Monday and Tuesday at 9:55 PM. The main casts are Ha Jiwon, Ji Changwook, and Joo Jinmo. Empress Ki is a drama about Ki Seungnyang, a woman that was born in Goryeo. She got all the power despite the class system at that time, although in the end she married Toghon Temür, the emperor of the Mongol Empire. She married Toghon Temür and became the Empress of Yuan Dynasty, leaving her first love, Wang Yu. Despite the drama’s popularity, historians were worried that the viewers were not aware that the real Empress Ki was eventually attacked in her own country. But on the other side, Empress Ki got high ratings in Taiwan and become the second highest rated Korean drama after Dae Jang Geum for best foreign programs.
