HIGHLIGHTS
- This article will feature five top historical Korean web series to stream online.
- These web series center on the lives of kings, queens, warriors, and common folks as well.
- Although they are categorized under historical dramas, their storyline also features other subgenres.
Lately, historical Korean web series has captivated audiences worldwide for a large variety of reasons. These series transport viewers to different eras of Korean history, blending historical facts with compelling fictional narratives.
Moreover, these series also provide attention to detail in terms of costumes, sets, and traditions, providing an immersive experience for viewers. Let’s look into five such historical dramas from the Korean industry.
Table of Contents
Korean Historical Web Series
Hur Jun
- Release Date: November 1999.
- Genre: Historical drama.
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10.
- Written By: Choi Wan-gyu.
- Direction by: Lee Byung-hoon.
- Top Cast Includes: Jun Kwang-ryul, Hwang Soo-jung, Lee Soon-jae.
Hur Jun tells the story of the famous Korean doctor Hur Jun from the Joseon Dynasty. It shows how he starts as a poor, struggling young man and eventually becomes a respected physician.
The series also explores Jun’s personal struggles, his passion for medicine, and the difficulties he faces in a society that doesn’t initially value him.
The Forbidden Marriage
- Release Date: December 2022.
- Genre: Historical drama, Romantic comedy.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10.
- Written By: Chun Ji-hye.
- Direction by: Park Sang-woo, Jeong Hoon.
- Top Cast Includes: Park Ju-hyun, Kim Young-dae, Kim Woo-seok.
The Forbidden Marriage is a historical romantic comedy set in a made-up version of Joseon Dynasty Korea. The story is about a con artist named So-rang who pretends to bring back the spirit of the dead crown princess.
She fakes being possessed by the princess to trick people and earn cash. In the process, she even meets King Lee Heon, who had banned marriage since the death of his wife seven years ago.
The Legend
- Release Date: September 2007.
- Genre: Costume Drama, Political Drama, Fantasy.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10.
- Written By: Kyung-soo Park, Ji Na Song.
- Direction by: Jong Hak Kim.
- Top Cast Includes: Oh Gwang-Rok, Choi Min-soo, Park Sang-Won.
The Legend is about Hwanwoong, the king of Goguryeo who is sent from the heavens to improve the world. He falls in love with Sae-oh, who later gives birth to a baby. Jealous of their son, Kajin throws the baby off a cliff.
Believing her child is dead, Sae-oh turns into a destructive creature called the black joojak. And the only one who can stop her is Hwanwoong.
Captivating the King
- Release Date: January 2024.
- Genre: Historical, Romance, Political.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10.
- Written By: Kim Seondeok.
- Direction by: Nam-kook Jo.
- Top Cast Includes: Jo Jung-suk, Shin Se-Kyung, Lee Sin-young.
Captivating the King is a 2024 South Korean historical drama about a dramatic love story between a king and a secret agent. The secret agent initially deceives the king to take revenge on him.
However, destiny had some other plans for both of them as the agent ultimately fell in love with the king. Overall, the series explores themes of love, loyalty, personal and external conflicts, and the strategic game of baduk.
The Emperor: Owner of the Mask
- Release Date: May 2017.
- Genre: Drama, History, Romance.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10.
- Written By: Hye-jin Park.
- Direction by: Hyung-suk Son.
- Top Cast Includes: Yoo Seung-ho, Kim So-hyun, Shin Hyun-soo.
The Emperor: Owner of the Mask is about Crown Prince Lee Sun’s battle against a powerful organization in 18th-century Joseon. This group basically controls the country and tries to take over the nation’s water supply.
The web series explores what truly matters in life. It suggests that some things cannot be bought with money.
