There
are so many excellent historical Korean drama's to choose from nowadays that
finding a good series can be troublesome. Here is my list of
the 10 best historical Korean drama's.
1. Jumong
Synopsis
Jumong
was the founder of Goguryeo in 37 BC. He was the son of General Hae Mo
Su and Lady Yoo Hwa. He was raised by King Geum Wa, when Hae Mo Su was
believed to have been killed fighting Han Dynasty invasions. So Seo No
was a merchant's daughter who helped Jumong in realizing his dream to
build a new country, and later became his second wife.
Total Episodes: 81
Status: Complete (2006 -2007), Historical Korean
Main Cast Members: Song Il Gook , Han Hye Jin, Kim Seung Soo, Hu Joon Ho and Oh Yun Soo.
2. Soldier/Military Official / God of War
Synopsis
Set
during the Goryeo Dynasty, Kim In-Joon, a former slave, becomes the
most powerful man in the country. He ruled the country for approximately
60 years instead of the emperor.
Total Episodes: 50
Status: Ongoing (2012 - TBA), Historical Korean
Main Cast Members: Kim Joo Hyuk, Kim Kyu Ri, Jung Bo Suk, Park Sang Min and Joo Hyun.
3. King Gwanggaeto the Great
Synopsis
A
drama detailing the life of King Gwanggaeto the Great, who restored the
glory of Goguryeo by wresting power back from Baekje, which had invaded
Goguryeo prior to Gwanggaeto's birth and dominated East Asia under the
rule of King Geunchogo. Under Gwanggaeto's rule Goguryeo controlled
all territory between the Amur and Han Rivers to Eastern Outer Mongolia.
Total Episodes: 92
Status: Completed (2011 - 2012), Historical Korean
Main Cast Members: Lee Tae Gon, Kim Seung Soo, Im Ho and Oh Ji Eun.
4. Emperor Wang Gun
Synopsis
This drama is about the life of Emperor Wang Gun, the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty.
Total Episodes: 200 (Epic)
Status: Completed (2000 - 2002)
Main Cast Members: Choi Soo Jong, Kim Young Chul, Kim Hye Ri, Suh In Suk and Park Sang Ah.
5. King Geunchogo
Synopsis
The
story of King Geunchogo, warrior king of Baekje. Under his reign, the
kingdom experienced its glory days, with military conquests that saw him
controlling most of the Korean peninsula and a subsequent enhancement
of political power that reached its greatest height in Baekje's history.
Total Episodes: 60
Status: Completed (2010 - 2011)
Main Cast Members: Kam Woo Sung, Kim Ji Soo, Lee Jong Won, Lee Ji Hoon and Ahn Jae Mo.
6. Yi San
Synopsis
This
drama details the life of King Jeongjo, Joseon's 22nd monarch and
remembered in Korean history as one of Korea’s greatest kings.
Total Episodes: 77
Status: Completed (2007 - 2008)
Main Cast Members: Lee Seo Jin, Han Ji Min, Park Eun Hye and Lee Jong Soo.
7. Dong Yi
Synopsis
Set
during the reign of King Sukjong in the Joseon dynasty, the story
focuses on Dong Yi, a water maid who gains the trust of Queen Inhyeon
and later the favour of the king when he is moved by her prayers for the
health of the Queen during the court disputes caused by Jang Hee Bin.
Dong Yi becomes a concubine with the rank of sook-bin and bears a son
who will later become the 21st king of Joseon, Yeongjo.
Total Episodes: 60
Status: Completed (2010)
Main Cast Members: Han Hyo Joo, Ji Jin Hee, Bae Soo Bin, Lee So Yeon and Park Ha Sun.
8. Kingdom of the Winds
Synopsis
The
drama about the life of Jumong's grandson, Moo Hyul, who was born with a
curse to kill his parents, siblings, son and destroy his country.
Total Episodes: 36
Status: Completed (2008 - 2009)
Main Cast Members: Song Il Gook, Choi Jung Won, Park Gun Hyung and Jung Jin Young.
9. Queen Seon Duk
Synopsis
Deokman
was born a twin but was abandoned as a baby and sent to a place far
away by her father, King Jinpyeong in order to protect her from being
killed by an influenced royal court lady, Mishil who tries to snatch
away the throne from the royal successor. Deokman was later brought back
to the Silla palace, where she joined forces with her twin sister
Princess Cheonmyong to oppose Mishil. However, Mishil devised sinister
plans to have the two Silla princesses exiled from the kingdom, and in a
secretive battle, Princess Cheonmyong was accidentally killed. But
Princess Deokman shrewdly enlisted the help of General Kim Yusin and
eliminated her archenemy Mishil. She then became Queen Seon Deok, the
first female ruler of the Silla kingdom. This drama is about a story of a
beautiful queen, who has to give up her love to save the people and
thus, leaving behind many brilliant achievements.
Total Episodes: 62
Status: Completed (2009)
Main Cast Members:
Lee Yo Won, Ko Hyun Jung, Uhm Tae Woong and Park Ye Jin.
10. Time Slip Dr. Jin
Synopsis
Jin
Hyuk is a genius neurosurgeon with a cold and severe attitude in his
interactions with other people due to his personal pursuit of
perfection. Through a mysterious power, Jin Hyuk finds himself
transported back in time 150 years. He begins treating people there, but
the lack of necessary implements and rudimentary medical knowledge of
the period forces him to seek new ways to aid the sick. Through this
challenging process, Jin Hyuk eventually becomes a genuine doctor.
Total Episodes: TBA
Status: Ongoing (2012-TBA)
Main Cast Members:
Song Seung Hun, Park Min Young, Kim Jaejoong, Lee Bum Soo and Lee So Yeon.