The Forgotten Peoples of Northeast Asia

This list focuses on the lesser-known, marginalized, or minor ethnic groups of Northeast Asian kingdoms.

【Manchuria/Korean Peninsula】 Donghu 東胡 (700 BC—150 BC). Buyeo kingdom 부여/扶餘 (2nd century BCE—494 AD). Xianbei Confederation 檀石槐鮮卑部落聯盟 (156—181). Xianbei Khanate 鲜卑汗國 (2nd century—6th century). Yilou 挹婁 (3rd century—6th century). Former Yan 前燕 (337—370). Later Yan 後燕 (384—409). Parhae/Balhae kingdom 발해/渤海 (698—926). Liao dynasty 遼朝 (916—1125). Dongdan kingdom 東丹 (926–936). Chŏng'an/Jeong'an 정안/定安 (938—986). Tamna state 탐라/耽羅 (?—1404 AD). Jin dynasty 金朝 (1115—1234). Later Jin khanate 后金 (1616—1636).

【North China】Later Jin dynasty 后晋 (936—947). Western Yan 西燕 (384—394). Northern Wei 北魏 (386—535). Southern Yan 南燕 (398—410). Northern Yan 北燕 (409—436).

>>>Check out my other lists:
Southern China/Tibet。
Northwest China/Mongolian Plateau 。
Central Asia。
Modern Ethnic Minorities。

kookiejamz Feb 1, 2026

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1. Dae Jo Yeong

Korean Drama - 2006, 134 episodes

Goguryeo + Balhae.
MC is ethnically Mohe.
2. The Legendary Warrior

Chinese Drama - 2006, 32 episodes

Contains fictional kingdom Boliao (渤辽), which is probably based on Goguryeo and Balhae
3. Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty

Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes

Contains minor characters from Balhae and Silla
4. King Gwanggaeto the Great

Korean Drama - 2011, 92 episodes

Parts about Former Yan (Xianbei), Later Yan (Xianbei), Northern Yan (Han)
5. General and I

Chinese Drama - 2017, 62 episodes

Former Yan (Xianbei) + Western Jin (Han)
6. Da Liao Tai Hou

Chinese Movie - 1995

Liao (Khitan)
7. The Legend of Xiao Chuo

Chinese Drama - 2020, 48 episodes

6.5

Major: Liao (Khitan).
Minor: Song + Balhae/Dongdan (Mohe).
Flashbacks: Later Jin (Five Dynasties period) (sinicized Shatuo Turks).
FL is ethnically Khitan. ML is ethnically Han.
8. Everlasting Longing

Chinese Drama - 2025, 30 episodes

Censored adaptation.
Nanyan = Song (Han).
Beixuan = Liao (Khitan).
Xixiang = Western Xia (Tangut).
9. Korea-Khitan War

Korean Drama - 2023, 32 episodes

Goryeo (Korean) + Liao (Khitan)
10. Kang Gam Chan

Korean Drama - 1973, 77 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
11. A Change of Destiny

Hong Kong Drama - 2007, 20 episodes

9.0

Contains several Khitan characters. FL is a Han raised as Khitan.
12. Young Blood

Chinese Drama - 2019, 42 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
13. The Legend of Bao Zheng: Blood Curse

Chinese Movie - 2019

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
14. Battle Between Song and Liao Dynasties

Chinese Movie - 2019

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
15. Zhen Ming Tian Zi

Taiwanese Drama - 1998, 249 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
16. Sakra

Hong Kong Movie - 2023

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
17. The Iron Empress

Korean Drama - 2009, 78 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan)
18. Journey to Western Xia Empire

Chinese Movie - 1997

7.0

Contains Khitan characters
19. Shen Mi De Xi Xia

Chinese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes

10

Bit-part about Liao (Khitan) + Jin (Jurchen)
20. The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

Hong Kong Drama - 1997, 45 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan) + Dali (Bai) + Western Xia (Tangut).
Fantasy version, not real history.
21. Demi Gods & Semi Devils

Chinese Drama - 2003, 40 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan) + Dali (Bai) + Western Xia (Tangut).
Fantasy version, not real history.
22. Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Divine Sword of Six Meridians

Hong Kong Drama - 1982, 30 episodes

Parts about Liao (Khitan) + Dali (Bai) + Western Xia (Tangut).
Fantasy version, not real history.
23. Genghis Khan

Chinese Drama - 2004, 30 episodes

Parts about Jin (Jurchen)
24. Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon

Taiwanese Drama - 1988, 40 episodes

Parts about Jin (Jurchen)
25. The Patriot Yue Fei

Chinese Drama - 2013, 69 episodes

Parts about Jin (Jurchen)
26. First Sword of Wudang

Chinese Drama - 2021, 39 episodes

Parts about Jurchen people
27. The Legend of the Condor Heroes

Chinese Drama - 2017, 52 episodes

Parts about Jurchen people
28. Rule the World

Chinese Drama - 2017, 45 episodes

Later Jin khanate (Jurchen/Manchu)
29. Secret History of the Great Grand King

Chinese Drama - 2005, 46 episodes

Later Jin khanate, Qing dynasty (Jurchen/Manchu)
30. Xiao Zhuang Epic

Chinese Drama - 2003, 38 episodes

Later Jin khanate, Qing dynasty (Jurchen/Manchu + Mongol)