Period dramas, No fantasy
Period Dramas that are set in that period. Maybe dreams, reborn(Kunning Palace) or narratives(Joy of Life), but set strictly in the period and no magic.
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![Fated Hearts]()
1. Fated Hearts
Chinese Drama - 2025, 38 episodes
Fiction, period political intrigue.
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![Flourished Peony]()
2. Flourished Peony
Chinese Drama - 2025, 32 episodes
Sequel/Slowburn romance/ Satisfying political intrigue.
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![In the Name of Blossom]()
3. In the Name of Blossom
Chinese Drama - 2025, 24 episodes
Sequel/Slowburn romance/ Satisfying political intrigue.
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![Joy of Life]()
4. Joy of Life
Chinese Drama - 2019, 46 episodes
Sequel. A narrative created by a modern storyteller that revolves around a time-travel character, but almost all of it is just plain period drama.
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![Joy of Life Season 2]()
5. Joy of Life Season 2
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
Sequel. A narrative created by a modern storyteller that revolves around a time-travel character, but almost all of it is just plain period drama.
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![Joy of Life Season 3]()
6. Joy of Life Season 3
Chinese Drama - 0000
Sequel. A narrative created by a modern storyteller that revolves around a time-travel character, but almost all of it is just plain period drama.
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![Love in the Moonlight]()
7. Love in the Moonlight
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
A Korean palace inrigue thats not confusing the period of romance, but a few ideas added for fun.
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![Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1]()
8. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1
Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes
Sequel/romance/ Satisfying political intrigue.
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![Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2]()
9. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2
Chinese Drama - 2022, 29 episodes
Sequel/romance/ Satisfying political intrigue.
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![Pursuit of Jade]()
10. Pursuit of Jade
Chinese Drama - 2026, 40 episodes
Superb storytelling, period act with excellent intrigue and deeply satisfying romance.
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![Reborn Rich]()
11. Reborn Rich
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
No romance, rewind 20th century period drama that's fun to watch.
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![Six Flying Dragons]()
12. Six Flying Dragons
Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes
Historical with story modification here and there. It depicts the successful founding of the Joseon dynasty, focusing on Yi Bang-won’s consolidation of power as he kills his rival, Jeong Do-jeon. It explores the tragedy of ruined friendships, Mu-hyul's loyalty conflict, and ties into the sequel, Tree with Deep Roots.
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![Story of Kunning Palace]()
13. Story of Kunning Palace
Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
Rewind time travel, palace intrigue, and explosive romance.
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![Story of Yanxi Palace]()
14. Story of Yanxi Palace
Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
Emperor Chianlong and Lady Wei story from 19th-century China. beautifully set in period and a remarkable and satisfactory palace intrigue.
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![The Double]()
15. The Double
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
Sequel/revenge/ Satisfying political intrigue.
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![The Prisoner of Beauty]()
16. The Prisoner of Beauty
Chinese Drama - 2025, 36 episodes
Warring factions, ancient China intrigue, and lovely romance.
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![The Red Sleeve]()
17. The Red Sleeve
Korean Drama - 2021, 17 episodes
Palace intrigue, and explosive romance. Sad Ending.
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![The Story of Ming Lan]()
18. The Story of Ming Lan
Chinese Drama - 2018, 78 episodes
12th Century China story. No beating around the bush. No fantasy elements.
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![Tree with Deep Roots]()
19. Tree with Deep Roots
Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes
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![Under the Queen's Umbrella]()
20. Under the Queen's Umbrella
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Beautiful period piece, No romance, very satisfactory.
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![Wonderland of Love]()
21. Wonderland of Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
Love, War, conspiracy, no fantasy or magic. Sad for the casualties amongst the characters, but a happy ending for the main leads.
