Best Historical Romance Dramas
My most favourite historical romance shows. To end up on this list, a show needs to have a compelling and catching storyline, great acting, convincing romance, ideally some good funny moments and something about the drama stands out from the crowd.
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1. Love in the Moonlight
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
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2. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
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3. Alchemy of Souls
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
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4. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
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5. Mr. Queen
Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
Gender-bending with a modern guy being transported back in time into the body of the crown princess/queen. She/He has to navigate the new life and dealing with the king who is set to kill her. She accidentally gains his affection with her personality and starts falling for him too. They go up against hardships together.
Very funny and comedic but manages serious moments very elegantly as well. The actors did a great job and especially the gender-bending makes up for some very iconic and funny moments.
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6. The Prisoner of Beauty
Chinese Drama - 2025, 36 episodes
The female lead marries the male lead from another clan that her clan has a blood feud with. He wants to kill her and is a bad guy. A lot of distrust in the beginning but they learn to trust each other and she slowly melts his heart. He gets very sweet towards her. Quite some funny moments and both leads are cunning. The world-building is great and there is a lot of power struggle (male lead always stays on top though).
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7. The King's Affection
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
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8. Different Princess
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
Transmigration cdrama where the female lead and author and transported into her own novel. The male lead is a bad guy turned good guy. There are lots of sweet and also very funny moments. The story is also very interesting and you also get invested into the romance of the second couple. Definitely worth watching.
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9. The Forbidden Marriage
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
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10. Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
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11. Our Blooming Youth
Korean Drama - 2023, 20 episodes
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12. Moon Embracing the Sun
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
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13. Story of Kunning Palace
Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
Second-chance cdrama where the female lead wakes up years back, after being killed as power-hungry empress by the male lead. The male lead is a walking red flag and becomes obsessed and does everything for her. The female lead just wants to live in peace after being killed in her first life by the male lead. But she can't escape her entanglement with him. Offers a different kind of story than other costume dramas with an intriguing story. Both male and female lead are cunning and resourceful.