30 Top-Rated Korean Historical Drama Series
Korean TV historical dramas with top nation-wide viewership ratings
Source list compiled in March 2016: https://m.blog.naver.com/eunkyo3370/220668489517
Source list compiled in March 2016: https://m.blog.naver.com/eunkyo3370/220668489517
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21 titles
- StarsJun Kwang-ryulHwang Soo-JungByung-se KimThe life, struggle and ascension of doctor Hur Jun, an exponential medical figure during his times.—1—
Hur Jun / 허준 (1999)
Viewership: 65.6% - StarsChoi Su-jongKim Yeong-cheolKim Hye-riThis drama is about Emperor Wang Gun, the founder of the Goryo Dynasty.—2—
Taejo Wang Geon / 태조 왕건 (2000)
Viewership: 60.2% - StarsLee Yeong-aeHong Ri-naJi Jin-heeA series based on a real person in Korean history, Suh, Jang-geum.—3—
Dae Jang Geum / 대장금 (2003)
Viewership: 57.8% - StarsSong Il-gukHan Hye-jinKim Seung-suAn epic based on the myth of Jumong, founder of the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo in 37 B.C.—4—
Jumong / 주몽 (2006)
Viewership: 51.9%
«The following are missing IMDb entries as of last update»
—5—
Ladies of the Palace / 여인천하 (2001)
Viewership: 49.9%
—6—
Tears of the Dragon / 용의 눈물 (1996)
Viewership: 49.6% - StarsJeong Woong-inKim Jung-hyunRyu DamStory of Queen Seondeok who was born a princess, brought up among commoners and overcame many trials to become the ruler of Silla.—7—
Great Queen Seonduk / 선덕여왕 (2009)
Viewership: 44.9%
«The following are missing IMDb entries as of last update»
—8—
The King and Queen / 왕과 비 (1998)
Viewership: 44.3%
—9—
Jang Hee Bin / 장희빈 (2002)
Viewership: 42.9% - StarsHan Ga-inKim Soo-hyunJung Il-wooSet against the backdrop of a Korean traditional palace, this fantasy drama tells the poignant love story between a king and a female shaman.—10—
The Moon That Embraces the Sun / 해를 품은 달 (2012)
Viewership: 41.3% - StarsJo Yang-jaPark Min-YoungChoi Jin-hyukKorean Ghost Stories is a series of one-act dramas. It is the continuation of a classic series of ghost stories which aired first on KBS between 1977 and 1989 and between 1996 and 1999. This marks the return of the series after nine years.—11—
Korean Ghost Stories / 전설의 고향 (2008)
Viewership: 39.7%
«The following are missing IMDb entries as of last update»
—12—
Ilchul Peak / 일출봉 (1992)
Viewership: 39.2% - StarsChoi Su-jongPark YejinJeong Bo-seokThe drama tells the story of the life of Dae Jo-yeong, also known as the founder of the kingdom of Balhae, from birth to his death.—13—
Dae Jo Yeong / 대조영 (2006)
Viewership: 36.8% - StarsJang HyukOh Ji-hoLee Da-haeDae-gil is the leader of a group of slave hunters that are hired to find a runaway slave named Tae-ha, who was once a great warrior.—14—
The Slave Hunters / 추노 (2010)
Viewership: 35.9% - StarsOh Gwang-RokChoi Min-sooPark Sang-WonA fairy tale about king-Arthur-type main character, story of karma, passions and political ambitions in the ancient kingdom.—15—
The Legend / 태왕사신기 (2007)
Viewership: 35.7% - StarsLee Seo-jinHan Ji-minLee Soon-jaeYi San dramatizes the life of Korea's King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. Jeongjo is remembered in Korean history for his sympathy with the harsh conditions his people had to deal with, in spite of his own pampered upbringing as royalty. He instituted many reforms to improve their conditions. The DVD is 4 volumes long to cover the 77 episodes.—16—
Lee San / 이산 (2007)
Viewership: 35.5%
«The following are missing IMDb entries as of last update»
—17—
Dawn of the Empire / 제국의 아침 (2002)
Viewership: 35.5%
—18—
Im Kkeokjeong / 임꺽정 (1996)
Viewership: 34.0% - StarsKim Kap-suBae Soo-binJeong Ho-geunJang Bo Go (Choi Soo Jong) was a slave from Shilla (a Korean dynasty that lasted from 57 B.C. until 935 A.D.) He was sold in China during the Tang Dynasty, where he was trained as a gladiator-slave. Through hard work and perseverance, he made it back to Shilla and became a successful sea merchant. The sea passage at the time was plagued by pirates and Jang Bo Go went head to head with them in battles and managed to keep the pirates at bay.—19—
Emperor of the Sea / 해신 (2004)
Viewership: 33.8% - StarsJeong Bo-seokKim Hyun-jooLee Jae-ryongBased on The Merchant of Joseon novel by Choi In-ho: the story of Lim Sang Wok, a legendary and wise merchant who lived in the Joseon Dynasty period.—20—
Sangdo / 상도 (2001)
Viewership: 33.1% - StarsHan Hyo-jooLee So-yeonJulia LimStory a simple maid that rises high in the royal harem as a consort and, ultimately, mother of the Korean king.—21—
Dong Yi / 동이 (2010)
Viewership: 33.1% - StarsKim Myung-minChoi Jae-sungLee Jae-ryongIt is late 1598, shortly before the Battle of Noryang, the final confrontation of the Imjin War. The remnants of the Japanese invasion force are desperate to go home but are also driven by the personal motivation to beat their greatest adversary, Admiral Yi Sun Shin, once and for all. Self-serving Ming generals and Joseon officials also fear Yi's growing popularity and its impact on their personal base of power. These incidentally combining ambitions fan King Seon Jo's paranoia and make him eventually fear that Yi might come after his throne, and after a series of what he calls acts of high treason he decides to have Yi arrested. Yi, on the other hand, is determined to teach the Japanese a lesson for the atrocities they committed on the Korean people, and despite orders to remain quiet while the Japanese are to pull out without anymore bloodshed, he rallies his naval force and prepares for the upcoming battle. the battle commences and the Japanese are dealt a crippling blow, but Yi is fatally wounded by an arquebuse bullet. As he lays dying, the plot backtracks important stations of Yi's life, from his boyhood to his military career, his disgrace at the hands of his king and his reinstatement, back to the battle of Noryang, where he succumbs to his wound just as victory is declared.—22—
Immortal Yi Soon-shin / 불멸의 이순신 (2004)
Viewership: 32.3% - StarsYoo Dong-geunSong Jae-hoLee Jae-unThe life of Empress Myeongseong, the first official wife of King Gojong, the 26th king of the Joseon dynasty, who opposed the Japanese expansion overseas.—23—
Empress Myeongseong / 명성황후 (2001)
Viewership: 31.6% - StarsLee Joon-giKim Sung-ryungAhn Kil-kangDuring the Joseon Dynasty, Ryung acted as a hooligan in the marketplace by day but at night he was a thief who robbed corrupted government officials to give to the poor.—24—
Iljimae / 일지매 (2008)
Viewership: 31.0% - StarsYum Ji-YoonKim Il-wooShin Se-KyungAfter Seo-hee's parents die, her relative Cho Jun-gu uses her youth to illegally seize her property. Reaching adulthood, Seo-hee flees to pursue her own fortune and eventually reclaim her rightful property.—25—
Toji / 토지 (2004)
Viewership: 30.5%
«The following are missing IMDb entries as of last update»
—26—
Hong Gil Dong / 홍길동 (1998)
Viewership: 30.0% - StarsJo Sung-haJeon Mi-seonKim Bo-yeonThis story is about the life of Joseon-era dancer, musician and poet, Hwang Jin Yi, who seeks perfection in her art relentlessly and the hardship facing women due to their lowly social status.—27—
Hwang Jin Yi / 황진이 (2006)
Viewership: 29.3% - StarsJo Hyeon-jaeLee Bo-youngKim Young-hoSeodong is just a commoner, a technician who grew up in Baekje's prestigious science and technology institute Taehaksa, but his life is on the brink of extraordinary change. He meets and falls for Princess Seonhwa of the rival kingdom Silla, and his love for her transcends social position. Seodong also carries a secret that could alter the fate of the Baekje kingdom, but his rival Sataek Giru plots with Buyeo Seon to disrupt his plans.[4]—28—
Seodong-yo / 서동요 (2005)
Viewership: 26.7%
«The following are missing IMDb entries as of last update»
—29—
Yeon Gae So Mun / 연개소문 (2006)
Viewership: 25.6% - StarsAhn Suk-hwanYeo Jin-gooLee Soo-hyukA series of murders occurred during the reign of King Sejong. As Kang Chae Yoon who is investigating these cases gets closer to the root of the truth, he finds himself embroiled in a massive conspiracy behind the serial killings which involves a group of geniuses who are willing to risk their lives for their cause/goals, and secret powers who will interfere with the course of his investigations.—30—
Tree with Deep Roots / 뿌리깊은 나무 (2011)
Viewership: 25.4%