Korean history seen through k-dramas (under construction)
Historical Korean dramas and movies (sageuk) in order of historical periods from Gojoseon to the 20th century. Feel free to tell me in the comments if I made a mistake!
Historical periods
You can click on each historical period for more information, and I also indicated the period in which the drama takes place in the notes of each drama along with some details about the story.
B.C. : Before Christ
C.E. : Common era
c. : circa (approximately)
r. : reign
aka : also known as
Sources
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1. Arthdal Chronicles Part 1: The Children of Prophecy
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
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2. Arthdal Chronicles Part 2: The Sky Turning Inside Out, Rising Land
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
Gojoseon I 2333 B.C. — 108 B.C.
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3. Arthdal Chronicles Part 3: The Prelude to All Legends
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
Gojoseon I 2333 B.C. — 108 B.C.
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4. Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Gojoseon I 2333 B.C. — 108 B.C.
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5. Jumong
Korean Drama - 2006, 81 episodes
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6. The Land of Wind
Korean Drama - 2008, 36 episodes
Three Kingdoms of Korea I 57 B.C. – 668 C.E.
Story of Jumong's grandson, Moo Hyul, who was born with a curse to kill his parent, siblings, son and destroy Goguryeo.
Adapted from the manhwa "Baramui Nara" (바람의 나라) by Kim Jin (김진).
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7. Princess Ja Myung
Korean Drama - 2009, 39 episodes
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8. The Legend
Korean Drama - 2007, 24 episodes
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9. Kim Soo Ro
Korean Drama - 2010, 32 episodes
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10. King Geun Cho Go
Korean Drama - 2010, 60 episodes
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11. King Gwanggaeto the Great
Korean Drama - 2011, 92 episodes
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12. The King's Daughter, Soo Baek Hyang
Korean Drama - 2013, 108 episodes
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13. River Where the Moon Rises
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
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14. My Only Love Song
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
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15. Hwarang
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
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16. Ballad of Seo Dong
Korean Drama - 2005, 55 episodes
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17. The Great Queen Seondeok
Korean Drama - 2009, 62 episodes
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18. Yeon Gae Somun
Korean Drama - 2006, 100 episodes
Three Kingdoms of Korea I 57 B.C. – 668 C.E.
Based on the life of Yeon Gae So Mun (594 – 666 C.E.), the general who killed the penultimate King of Goguryeo, Yeong Nyu, in 642 C.E.
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19. Gye Baek
Korean Drama - 2011, 36 episodes
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20. Once Upon A Time In A Battlefield
Korean Movie - 2003
Three Kingdoms of Korea I 57 B.C. – 668 C.E.
Satiric comedy about the Battle of Hwangsanbeol (660 C.E.).
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21. Battlefield Heroes
Korean Movie - 2011
Three Kingdoms of Korea I 57 B.C. – 668 C.E.
Satiric comedy about the Silla–Tang War.
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22. Sword and Flower
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
Three Kingdoms of Korea I 57 B.C. – 668 C.E.
The story of how Moo Seol, the [fictional] daughter of King Youngnyu (? – 642 C.E.), falls in love with Yeon Choong, the [fictional] child Yeon Gaesomun had with a concubine. But Moo Young debates whether she should have her revenge, as Yeon Gaesomun (594 – 666 C.E.) is the man who killed her father.
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23. The Great King's Dream
Korean Drama - 2012, 70 episodes
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24. Dae Jo Yeong
Korean Drama - 2006, 134 episodes
Unified Silla Kingdom (688 – 935) & Balhae (698 – 926)
Based on the life of Dae Jo Yeong (? – 719, r. 698 – 719), the founder of the kingdom of Balhae.
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25. Emperor of the Sea
Korean Drama - 2004, 51 episodes
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26. Emperor Wang Gun
Korean Drama - 2000, 200 episodes
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27. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Goryeo Dynasty I 918 – 1392
[Time travel] When a total eclipse of the sun takes place, Go Ha Jin is transported back in time to the start of the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea during King Taejo's rule.
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28. Shine or Be Mad
Korean Drama - 2015, 24 episodes
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29. Dawn of the Empire
Korean Drama - 2002, 94 episodes
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30. The Iron Empress
Korean Drama - 2009, 78 episodes
Goryeo Dynasty I 918 – 1392
Based on the life on Queen Heonae (964 – 1029).
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31. Korea-Khitan War
Korean Drama - 2023, 32 episodes
Goryeo Dynasty I 918 – 1392
About the second and third periods of the Goryeo-Khitan War. King Hyeon Jong of Goryeo and his political teacher, Commander-in-Chief Kang Gam Chan, united the people of Goryeo and led a war against Khitan.
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32. Age of Warriors
Korean Drama - 2003, 158 episodes
Goryeo Dynasty I 918 – 1392































