Ten notable K-dramas set in the Joseon Dynasty

Movieweb lists 10 K-dramas set in the Joseon Dynasty, noting that historical series can entertain viewers while also offering insight into Korean history and culture.

The piece explains that Joseon was founded in 1392 and ended in 1897 before becoming the Korean Empire, and it says many dramas set in the era are fictional but often draw on real events and people. Examples on the list include The King’s Affection (2021), in which a princess’s hidden fate and a twin switch drive the plot; Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019), about a noblewoman who becomes a court historian; The Crowned Clown (2019), featuring a clown who impersonates the king; Kingdom (2019–2020), a zombie-inflected thriller set in the 1500s; and lighter or more recent entries such as 100 Days My Prince (2018), The Red Sleeve (2021), Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (2025), and The Tale of Lady Ok (2024–2025).

The feature ranks these ten dramas and spans releases from 2010 through 2025, covering tones from romantic and lighthearted to dark and genre-blending; readers seeking episode summaries or fuller descriptions can refer to the original list for more detail.

Key Topics

Culture, Joseon Dynasty, Kingdom, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Korean Drama