Over the past couple of years, Korean dramas have evolved to incorporate a variety of genres, including romance, thriller, time travel, and more. Currently, one of the most popular genres is the historical K-dramas. Many writers set original historical events as the backdrop of these dramas, and some even experiment with a fictional story set in historic Korea. In the recent past, Joseon Era K-dramas have gained significant popularity among viewers.
Joseon dynastic is a period between the late 14th century to the late 19th century, spanning over 500 years. The Joseon era was a time of great transformation in Korea. The kingdom was founded by General Yi Song-Gye, who overthrew the Goryeo dynasty and founded a new dynasty, Joseon. It was a time of great cultural, social, and technological inflow, including the creation of the Korean alphabet (Hangul) by King Sejong in 1446. Development of foreign relations and grassroots culture also took priority.
Many K-dramas seek influence from these factors of the dynasty. Check out some of our interesting recommendations for Joseon Era K-dramas.
Mr. Queen
Mr. Queen is a popular tvN drama, which premiered on December 12, 2020. The series follows the story of a young male chef (Choi Jin-Hyuk), who suddenly finds himself in the body of a Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-Sun) of the Joseon period. Moreover, he also uncovers many secrets that lay within the halls of the royal palace. The drama is available to stream on Viki.
The King’s Affection
The King’s Affection follows the story of a Crown Prince’s Wife, who gives birth to twins. With the threat of the twin daughter being killed, she secretly sends the daughter away. Years later when the twin son dies, she brings back her daughter (Park Eun-Bin) to live as the son, Crown Prince Lee Hwi. The daughter eventually falls in love with her teacher (Rowoon). The story is set in the Joseon dynasty when twins were considered ominous. The drama premiered on October 11, 2021, and is available to stream on Netflix.
The Moon Embracing the Sun
The Moon Embracing the Sun is a popular K-drama that premiered on January 4, 2012. The series follows the story of the King of Joseon, Lee-Hwon (Kim So-Hyun), who falls in love with a female shaman named Wol (Kim Yoo-Jung). However, after the latter’s life is in danger, they separate. Years later, when the two meet, Wol has no recollection of her past. The drama is available to stream on Viki.
Under the Queen’s Umbrella
Under the Queen’s Umbrella is set in the Joseon dynasty. Queen Im Hwa-Ryeong (Kim Hye-Soon) is on a mission to transform her mischievous sons into educated and decent princes. She does everything in her power to instill royal values and ethics in her sons while navigating her duties in the royal palace amidst political tension. The drama premiered on October 15, 2022, and is available to stream on Netflix.
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency aired on September 16, 2019, and followed the story of an ordinary blacksmith turned King of Joseon Lee-Soo (Seo Ji-Hoon). He is in love with Gae-ttong (Gong Seung-Yeon). However, it is not possible to marry her anymore because he is a King, and his royal duties forbid him. He hires the best matchmaking agency in Joseon, the Flower Crew, to help Gae-Ttong turn into a noblewoman. The series is available to stream on Viki.
The Joseon dynasty is a prominent time period that is often considered during the making of historical K-dramas. Fans can look for many dynasty influences in these dramas. Viewers can watch many other Joseon Era dramas available on other streaming platforms.
