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Creatively re-telling the “old” never gets old – that’s probably one of the reasons why sageuk’s popularity remains consistent to the general public even to this day. Sageuks are period dramas loosely based on historical real-life historical events and figures or just stories set in ancient Korea, making it one of the most honest and educational themes Korean dramas has to offer. Although they commonly contain more episodes, sageuks successively hold records in terms of viewership ratings among other genres. As a matter of fact, Jumong and Jewel in the Palace would undeniably ring a bell even for non-sageuk fans in Pan-Asia.
Nonetheless, given Korea’s strikingly rich culture, we witness these historical portrayals evolve through the years – with the trendy addition of far-fetched elements like myths and superpowers – all for better entertainment. Even if you’re a newbie to this genre, no need to be a history buff in order to appreciate our list of the top sageuk dramas from 2010 to present!
Biographical Sageuk
Dong Yi (2010)
Starring actress Han Hyo Joo in the title role, Dong Yi tells the story of real-life historical figure Choi Suk Bin and her romantic relationship with King Sukjong during the Joseon dynasty. Aside from swooning over the King and Dong Yi’s cute and playful romance, Dong Yi’s detective skills in the drama is definitely fascinating to watch. Moreover, the discussions on the rotten issues of government corruption as well as the intense rivalry for power is effectively frustrating. However, you’ll root for Dong Yi’s keen intelligence as she eventually rises in status from a mere slave maid.
Empress Ki (2014)
Empress Ki is a period drama set in the Goryeo era about a woman named Ki Seung Nyang (Ha Ji Won) and her journey to becoming an Empress of China’s Yuan dynasty. Along the way, she forms special friendships with the heads of the two opposing nations – the king of Goryeo and the emperor of China – and gets caught up in a love triangle between them. Despite the fact that the characterizations in this drama are highly-fictionalized, Empress Ki still has become widely popular and been deemed by many as one of the most romantic sageuks of all time. This drama is sure to feast your eyes on the glamorous Goryeo setting and the characters’ lavishing costumes. You’ll also get immersed in the flow of the story, with the climactic love-hate relationships taking the center stage until the end.
Coming-of-age Sageuk
Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)
Based on the popular 2007 novel, this star-studded sageuk dates back to when females are not given equal rights as men in pursuing education and government employment. Offering us a fresh concept, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is about a bright and brave girl named Kim Yoon Hee (Park Min Young) who disguises herself as a boy to take the place of her bed-ridden brother to attend school. Even though the drama is filled with Joseon ambience, the storyline feels like your modern romantic comedy, presenting the hilarious and sour moments with youthful vibes while inducing major doses of second-lead-syndrome.
Love in the Moonlight (2016)
Love in the Moonlight is another gender-bender sageuk that took the viewers by storm last year. This web novel-based series circles around the one-of-a-kind love story between a cross-dressing palace eunuch named Hong Ra On (Kim Yoo Jung) and the Joseon Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Park Bo Gum). Ra On and Lee Yeong form a bickering friendship without knowing each other’s true identity at first, eventually evolving into a rather controversial relationship inside the palace. Love in the Moonlight is one of the most lighthearted sageuk there is, and its romance is pure and exciting to watch, which all contributed to its popularity.
Fantasy Sageuk
Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)
An adaptation from a novel of the same name, Moon Embracing the Sun discourses on a fictional love story set in the Joseon dynasty between a king (Kim Soo Hyun) who still haven’t moved on from his first love (whom he presumes to be dead) and a young shaman (Han Ga In) who has lost all her tragic past memories after being resurrected from death due to a mysterious disease. This historical series is one heck of a breathtaking, dramatic journey about reunion of fated love. Though with a more serious and melancholic undertone, the political intrigues in the drama is very heart-pounding, following the King’s fight for his throne and for the woman he loves.
Gu Family Book (2013)
A drama packed with romance, action, and mythical creatures, Gu Family Book talks about the love story between a half-human, half-gumiho Choi Kang Chi (Lee Seung Gi) who initially has no idea about his true nature, and a tomboy named Yeo Wool (Bae Suzy) who rescues Kang Chi after learning all the tragedies that befall on him. Despite Yeo Wool knowing Kang Chi’s half-beast nature, she falls in love with him and even helps him in controlling his gumiho transformations. The special effects in the series are visually stunning, while the shocking twists and turns enveloping the drama will keep you emotionally invested too.
Action-Mystery Sageuk
Tree With Deep Roots (2011)
If you are in search of a sageuk based on the Hangeul creator King Sejong, then Tree With Deep Roots is a great candidate. Being deemed as one of the most wonderfully-written sageuk, everything about this drama is incredibly thrilling and captivating. With the help of main characters Ddol Bok (Jang Hyuk) and Dam (Shin Se Kyung), you will find yourself engrossed in following King Sejong’s (Han Suk Kyu) quest to develop a writing system for his country and his people. The conspiracies and political struggles are especially well-executed, and the crime scene investigations are totally witty and gripping.
Bridal Mask (2012)
Unlike the traditional palace setting in the aforementioned sageuks, Bridal Mask takes place during the 1930s Japanese colonial era and reflects on the political and social conflicts of that time. A pro-Japanese Korean lieutenant Lee Kang To (Joo Won) is an infamous police officer who hankers to suppress rebellion despite the oppression being experienced by his fellow countrymen. However, Kang To’s life takes a sharp turn as he attempts to capture “Bridal Mask”, a revolutionary figure who fights for Korea’s independence by assassinating key Japanese officers. This drama is intensely gripping and filled with an enormous amount of mystery, tackling the frictions involving freedom aspirations and restoration of humanity.
Time-slip Sageuk
Splash Splash Love (2015)
Just like Love in the Moonlight, Splash Splash Love is another eunuch-monarch romance mini-sageuk compressed in just two episodes. But what sets Splash Splash Love apart is the addition of the time travel element, wherein a high school senior Danbi (Kim Seul Gi) inadvertently enters a time portal and gets transported back to the Joseon era. She is mistaken to be a eunuch by King Lee Do (Yoon Du Joon), who takes a liking to her due to her seemingly genius-like modern-day knowledge. This mini-drama is fun-packed, full of life lessons, and with a romance that is hilarious yet touching.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Adapted from a popular Chinese novel, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo has received overseas acclaim due to its star-studded cast and phenomenal storyline. In the story, a 21st century woman named Go Ha Jin (IU) gets “time-warped” to Goryeo dynasty in the body of a court lady Hae Soo. There, she meets the eight handsome princes of Goryeo and gets entangled with their family affairs, power struggles, love lines, and journey to the throne. The drama is shot with beautiful cinematography and the story is so out-of-the-ordinary that you can’t help but become invested in the fates of every character.
Have we missed a sageuk drama that should be on the list? Let’s discuss on the comment section below!
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