Putting a love story in a historical setting is a great way to refresh a familiar setup and make it feel completely different from romantic k-dramas set in modern times.
However, such K-dramas often mix the historical setting with fantasy elements, which may not be to everyone's taste.
So if fantasy isn't your thing, here are five historical romance k-dramas that are completely devoid of mystical elements.
The Red Sleeve (2021-2022)
Based on the novel of the same name, this Joseon-era story follows the rise of Seong Deok-im, who went from being a simple court lady to a royal noble consort, conquering the heart of King Jeongjo and eventually giving birth to his son, Crown Prince Munhyo.
My Dearest (2023)
Set in the 17th century in the midst of the Qing invasion of Joseon, the show revolves around Lee Jang-hyun, a mysterious man who suddenly appears in noble circles, keeping up...
However, such K-dramas often mix the historical setting with fantasy elements, which may not be to everyone's taste.
So if fantasy isn't your thing, here are five historical romance k-dramas that are completely devoid of mystical elements.
The Red Sleeve (2021-2022)
Based on the novel of the same name, this Joseon-era story follows the rise of Seong Deok-im, who went from being a simple court lady to a royal noble consort, conquering the heart of King Jeongjo and eventually giving birth to his son, Crown Prince Munhyo.
My Dearest (2023)
Set in the 17th century in the midst of the Qing invasion of Joseon, the show revolves around Lee Jang-hyun, a mysterious man who suddenly appears in noble circles, keeping up...
- 5/2/2024
- by mathias-noris@startefacts.com (Mathias Noris)
- STartefacts.com
Extraordinary Host
Korean actors Lee Je Hoon and Park Eun-bin, star of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” are set as hosts of the opening ceremony at the Busan International Film Festival. The event will take place on the evening of Oct. 4 at the purpose-built Busan Cinema Center.
Park performed as the first cross-dressing queen in a Korean historical drama with “The King’s Affection” in 2021 and cemented her position as the lead of hit contemporary drama series “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.”
Lee emerged as a rising star with his intense performances in films such as “Bleak Night “(2011), “The Front Line” (2011) and “Architecture 101” (2012). Following that, he showcased a broad range of acting skills in various genres, as seen in films “Anarchist From Colony” (2017), “I Can Speak” (2017) and “Time to Hunt.”
The pair previously shared the screen in the 2014 drama series “Secret Door.“
The festival runs Oct. 4-13.
Mix Tape Memories
Binge, the streaming arm of Australian pay-tv group Foxtel,...
Korean actors Lee Je Hoon and Park Eun-bin, star of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” are set as hosts of the opening ceremony at the Busan International Film Festival. The event will take place on the evening of Oct. 4 at the purpose-built Busan Cinema Center.
Park performed as the first cross-dressing queen in a Korean historical drama with “The King’s Affection” in 2021 and cemented her position as the lead of hit contemporary drama series “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.”
Lee emerged as a rising star with his intense performances in films such as “Bleak Night “(2011), “The Front Line” (2011) and “Architecture 101” (2012). Following that, he showcased a broad range of acting skills in various genres, as seen in films “Anarchist From Colony” (2017), “I Can Speak” (2017) and “Time to Hunt.”
The pair previously shared the screen in the 2014 drama series “Secret Door.“
The festival runs Oct. 4-13.
Mix Tape Memories
Binge, the streaming arm of Australian pay-tv group Foxtel,...
- 8/28/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Korean star Park Eun-bin is confirmed to lead Netflix’s upcoming series “Castaway Diva,” set to premiere in late 2023. Park previously starred in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” the hit series that featured in Netflix’s non-English global top ten chart for 21 weeks and reached the top ten titles in 57 countries.
In the new series, Park brings to life the character of Seo Mok-ha, an aspiring singer turned castaway who, after being stranded on a deserted island for 15 years, commences her journey to become a diva.
Joining her are renowned actors Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Cha Hak-yeon, and Kim Joo-hun. Kim Hyo-jin portrays a once-popular singer who is the idol of Seo and who seeks a new lease of life after encountering her fan from the island.
The show is directed by Oh Chung-hwan and written by Park Hye-ryun, the third collaboration between the pair. It will be completed for release by the end of the year.
In the new series, Park brings to life the character of Seo Mok-ha, an aspiring singer turned castaway who, after being stranded on a deserted island for 15 years, commences her journey to become a diva.
Joining her are renowned actors Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Cha Hak-yeon, and Kim Joo-hun. Kim Hyo-jin portrays a once-popular singer who is the idol of Seo and who seeks a new lease of life after encountering her fan from the island.
The show is directed by Oh Chung-hwan and written by Park Hye-ryun, the third collaboration between the pair. It will be completed for release by the end of the year.
- 7/12/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Baeksang Arts Awards are one of the most coveted award shows for Korean on-screen entertainment. The nominees are in for the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards, with some of 2022’s most talked-about K-dramas battling to win. The competition is fierce as The Glory’s Song Hye-kyo is up against Extraordinary Attorney Woo actor Park Eun-bin.
Son Suk-ku and Kim Ji-won were nominated at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for best K-drama actor and actress
Soompi published the complete list of nominees, series, and K-dramas for the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards. One category fans are excited about is the Best Actor and Best Actress categories. My Liberation Notes were among the most nominated K-dramas, with both leading actors Son Suk-ku and Kim Ji-won nominated in their respective categories.
Son is up against Crash Course in Romance star Jung Kyung-ho for Best Actor. The romantic comedy K-drama recently aired on Netflix earlier this year.
Son Suk-ku and Kim Ji-won were nominated at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for best K-drama actor and actress
Soompi published the complete list of nominees, series, and K-dramas for the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards. One category fans are excited about is the Best Actor and Best Actress categories. My Liberation Notes were among the most nominated K-dramas, with both leading actors Son Suk-ku and Kim Ji-won nominated in their respective categories.
Son is up against Crash Course in Romance star Jung Kyung-ho for Best Actor. The romantic comedy K-drama recently aired on Netflix earlier this year.
- 4/7/2023
- by Gabriela Silva
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Historical romance K-dramas encompass many storyline tropes that often make for a good watch. The Royal Crown Prince or king must be riddled with dark omens of dethronement or political chaos within the palace. Amid the darkness, there is a shining light of unsuspecting true love with the female lead. Over the years, historical K-dramas have had some bonuses like gender-bender love like The King’s Affection. Here are some of the best historical romance K-dramas to binge-watch.
Shin Hye-sun in the historical romance K-drama ‘Mr. Queen’ | via tvN 5. ‘Mr. Queen’ has a top male chef travel through time to become a queen
The historical romance K-drama list cannot be without the 2020 drama Mr. Queen. Its storyline captured attention thanks to its unique take on romance. The lead is both male and female. In modern times, Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) is a cocky elite chef for the Blue House who runs into trouble.
Shin Hye-sun in the historical romance K-drama ‘Mr. Queen’ | via tvN 5. ‘Mr. Queen’ has a top male chef travel through time to become a queen
The historical romance K-drama list cannot be without the 2020 drama Mr. Queen. Its storyline captured attention thanks to its unique take on romance. The lead is both male and female. In modern times, Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) is a cocky elite chef for the Blue House who runs into trouble.
- 2/24/2023
- by Gabriela Silva
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A new report into content consumption patterns by premium video users in ten Asia-Pacific countries shows that content from Asia accounts for 75 of viewership. Local and regional programming is key to attracting and retaining subscribers to premium streaming platforms.
The study, “The Rise of Asian Content” produced by Media Partners Asia and its Ampd sub-unit, leans on passively collected data from January-to mid-December 2022, from 40,000 video users in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia.
The top reaching categories in 2022 in terms of monthly reach were Korean dramas and romance; Japanese anime; U.S. science fiction and fantasy; Korean crime and thriller; U.S. crime and thriller; and U.S. comedy.
Korean dramas garnered 30 of total measured premium online video viewership in 2022. Four of the top 15 Korean dramas of 2022 were Netflix originals. All other top titles were also distributed on Netflix, though shared with networks and streamers in Korea.
The study, “The Rise of Asian Content” produced by Media Partners Asia and its Ampd sub-unit, leans on passively collected data from January-to mid-December 2022, from 40,000 video users in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia.
The top reaching categories in 2022 in terms of monthly reach were Korean dramas and romance; Japanese anime; U.S. science fiction and fantasy; Korean crime and thriller; U.S. crime and thriller; and U.S. comedy.
Korean dramas garnered 30 of total measured premium online video viewership in 2022. Four of the top 15 Korean dramas of 2022 were Netflix originals. All other top titles were also distributed on Netflix, though shared with networks and streamers in Korea.
- 12/22/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Sex Education, Dougray Scott and Lou de Laâge were among the winners at the 2022 International Emmy Awards.
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners during Monday’s ceremony in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel.
Sex Education took home the award for best comedy. Other shows awarded include Vigil for drama series, and Love on the Spectrum‘s season 2 for nonscripted entertainment. On the acting side, Scott won for best performance by an actor while De Laâge won in the actress category.
Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of Cj Group, was honored with the International Emmy Directorate Award. She was presented the award by South Korean actor Song Joong-ki.
“I am delighted and proud as a Korean that our content is being recognized, but I share this joy with the greater global community,” Lee said during her acceptance speech.
Sex Education, Dougray Scott and Lou de Laâge were among the winners at the 2022 International Emmy Awards.
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners during Monday’s ceremony in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel.
Sex Education took home the award for best comedy. Other shows awarded include Vigil for drama series, and Love on the Spectrum‘s season 2 for nonscripted entertainment. On the acting side, Scott won for best performance by an actor while De Laâge won in the actress category.
Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of Cj Group, was honored with the International Emmy Directorate Award. She was presented the award by South Korean actor Song Joong-ki.
“I am delighted and proud as a Korean that our content is being recognized, but I share this joy with the greater global community,” Lee said during her acceptance speech.
- 11/22/2022
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The United Kingdom swept the two marquee categories at the 50th anniversary International Emmy Awards, which here handed out Monday night in New York. Vigil took Best Drama Series, and Sex Education took the Comedy Series prize. See the list of winners in all 15 categories below.
The Brits dominated this year’s awards, scoring seven overall. France took two, the only other country with multiple wins. Australia’s Love on the Spectrum won for Non-Scripted Entertainment, and Iraq’s Lost Generation (France) took the Documentary prize.
Related Story 2022-23 Awards Season Calendar – Dates For The Oscars, Golden Globes, Guilds & More Related Story News & Documentary Emmys: National Geographic Laps The Field On Night 2 Related Story Game Shows Moving To Primetime Emmys Competition Under Television Academy
“Television around the world has really come of age,” International Academy President & CEO Bruce Paisner said. “What is especially gratifying on this 50th anniversary is...
The Brits dominated this year’s awards, scoring seven overall. France took two, the only other country with multiple wins. Australia’s Love on the Spectrum won for Non-Scripted Entertainment, and Iraq’s Lost Generation (France) took the Documentary prize.
Related Story 2022-23 Awards Season Calendar – Dates For The Oscars, Golden Globes, Guilds & More Related Story News & Documentary Emmys: National Geographic Laps The Field On Night 2 Related Story Game Shows Moving To Primetime Emmys Competition Under Television Academy
“Television around the world has really come of age,” International Academy President & CEO Bruce Paisner said. “What is especially gratifying on this 50th anniversary is...
- 11/22/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 International Emmy Awards are underway.
23 countries are represented across 15 categories and 60 nominees at the 50th International Emmys, which was hosted by Penn & Teller’s Penn Jillette. The gala took place Monday at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel.
During the show, South Korean actor Song Joong-ki will present the International Emmy Directorate Award to Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of Cj Group, while Ava DuVernay will receive the International Emmy Founders Award from Blair Underwood.
Check out the full list of winners below, which Variety will be updating live throughout the ceremony:
Arts Programming
“Bios: Calamaro”
Buena Vista Original Productions (Disney) / Nat Geo
Argentina
“Charlie Chaplin, Le Génie De La Liberté” [“Charlie Chaplin, The Genius Of Liberty”]
France Télévisions / Kuiv Productions
France
“Freddie Mercury: The Final Act” (Winner)
Rogan Productions
United Kingdom
“Wonderful World: A New York Jazz Story”
Nhk
Japan
Non-Scripted Entertainment
“La Voz Argentina” [“The Voice”] – Season 3
Viacomcbs / Telefe
Argentina
“Lol: Last...
23 countries are represented across 15 categories and 60 nominees at the 50th International Emmys, which was hosted by Penn & Teller’s Penn Jillette. The gala took place Monday at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel.
During the show, South Korean actor Song Joong-ki will present the International Emmy Directorate Award to Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of Cj Group, while Ava DuVernay will receive the International Emmy Founders Award from Blair Underwood.
Check out the full list of winners below, which Variety will be updating live throughout the ceremony:
Arts Programming
“Bios: Calamaro”
Buena Vista Original Productions (Disney) / Nat Geo
Argentina
“Charlie Chaplin, Le Génie De La Liberté” [“Charlie Chaplin, The Genius Of Liberty”]
France Télévisions / Kuiv Productions
France
“Freddie Mercury: The Final Act” (Winner)
Rogan Productions
United Kingdom
“Wonderful World: A New York Jazz Story”
Nhk
Japan
Non-Scripted Entertainment
“La Voz Argentina” [“The Voice”] – Season 3
Viacomcbs / Telefe
Argentina
“Lol: Last...
- 11/22/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
No change at the top of Netflix’s latest most-watched series list.
Money Heist and Lost in Space continue in the top spots of non-English-language and English-language series respectively.
The Spanish drama racked up an impressive 148M hours viewed between December 6 and 12, coming after last week, where it scored 190M hours.
Similarly, the third and final season of the reimagining of the classic 1960s sci-fi series made it two weeks at the top with 36.8M views, down from 47.3M last week. The show’s first season was also in third spot with 23.2M hours viewed and season two had 15.2M hours viewed as the Toby Stephens and Molly Parker-fronted drama continued to find binge viewers.
The third season of Titans crept into second spot with 26M hours viewed.
Elsewhere, on the English-language TV list were the fourth season of Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, which scored 17.4M hours viewed, the...
Money Heist and Lost in Space continue in the top spots of non-English-language and English-language series respectively.
The Spanish drama racked up an impressive 148M hours viewed between December 6 and 12, coming after last week, where it scored 190M hours.
Similarly, the third and final season of the reimagining of the classic 1960s sci-fi series made it two weeks at the top with 36.8M views, down from 47.3M last week. The show’s first season was also in third spot with 23.2M hours viewed and season two had 15.2M hours viewed as the Toby Stephens and Molly Parker-fronted drama continued to find binge viewers.
The third season of Titans crept into second spot with 26M hours viewed.
Elsewhere, on the English-language TV list were the fourth season of Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, which scored 17.4M hours viewed, the...
- 12/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sandra Bullock is back on Netflix, and this time, it isn’t blindfolded in a post-apocalyptic horror (a la 2018’s “Bird Box”). Her latest feature flick on the streamer, “The Unforgivable,” directed by Nora Fingscheidt, debuted at No. 1 globally on Dec. 10 and generated 85.86 million hours of subscriber viewership. In the film, Bullock stars as Ruth Slater, a woman recently released from prison who re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her past or the murder she committed.
Fingscheidt joins a cohort of female directors and showrunners that dominated Netflix’s Top 10 lists for the week of Dec. 6-12, including Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Halle Berry (“Bruised”), Mary Lambert (“A Castle for Christmas”), Clare Knight (“Back to the Outback”), Maria Torres (“Anonymously Yours”), Mar Targarona (“Two”), Molly Smith Metzler (“Maid”) and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (“The Witcher”). Campion’s Western-drama — starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee — took the No.
Fingscheidt joins a cohort of female directors and showrunners that dominated Netflix’s Top 10 lists for the week of Dec. 6-12, including Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Halle Berry (“Bruised”), Mary Lambert (“A Castle for Christmas”), Clare Knight (“Back to the Outback”), Maria Torres (“Anonymously Yours”), Mar Targarona (“Two”), Molly Smith Metzler (“Maid”) and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (“The Witcher”). Campion’s Western-drama — starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee — took the No.
- 12/14/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Arcane and Korean supernatural series Hellbound have jumped to the top of Netflix’s new weekly top ten television list.
The animated series, which is based on the League of Legends videogame, was watched by Netflix subscribers for 38.4M hours between November 15 and 21. But it was outgunned by Netflix’s latest Korean thriller, Hellbound, which was watched a total of 43.5M hours in the same period.
Hellbound, which stars Yoo Ah-in and Kim Hyun-Joo, is about a group of supernatural angels appearing out of nowhere to condemn people to hell.
It was another big week for foreign-language titles on the streamer with the second season of Colombian telenovela The Queen of Flow being watched for 38.6M hours, beating the second season of Tiger King, which with 30M hours watched was the second top English-language title.
The third season of Narcos: Mexico, which topped the first list last week, is third followed by Maid,...
The animated series, which is based on the League of Legends videogame, was watched by Netflix subscribers for 38.4M hours between November 15 and 21. But it was outgunned by Netflix’s latest Korean thriller, Hellbound, which was watched a total of 43.5M hours in the same period.
Hellbound, which stars Yoo Ah-in and Kim Hyun-Joo, is about a group of supernatural angels appearing out of nowhere to condemn people to hell.
It was another big week for foreign-language titles on the streamer with the second season of Colombian telenovela The Queen of Flow being watched for 38.6M hours, beating the second season of Tiger King, which with 30M hours watched was the second top English-language title.
The third season of Narcos: Mexico, which topped the first list last week, is third followed by Maid,...
- 11/23/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has published its first weekly top ten lists spanning series and films with Narcos: Mexico and Squid Game taking the top TV spots.
The streamer revealed at its third quarter financials that it was shaking up the way that it measures and releases ratings data, switching from reporting on the number of households that watch a series or film to reporting on hours viewed.
Today, Netflix firmed up exactly what that will look like with Pablo Perez De Rosso, VP of content strategy, planning & analysis calling it an “important step forward” for the company.
The first tranche of data includes numbers for the week running November 8 – 14. It plans to release data captured from Monday to Sunday the previous week for both original and licensed titles.
On the English-language side, the third season of Narcos: Mexico came out top with 50.3M hours of viewing in the week. The launch of...
The streamer revealed at its third quarter financials that it was shaking up the way that it measures and releases ratings data, switching from reporting on the number of households that watch a series or film to reporting on hours viewed.
Today, Netflix firmed up exactly what that will look like with Pablo Perez De Rosso, VP of content strategy, planning & analysis calling it an “important step forward” for the company.
The first tranche of data includes numbers for the week running November 8 – 14. It plans to release data captured from Monday to Sunday the previous week for both original and licensed titles.
On the English-language side, the third season of Narcos: Mexico came out top with 50.3M hours of viewing in the week. The launch of...
- 11/16/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
There are so many legendary aspects of The Sopranos that it’s hard to pick just one. Between masterful storytelling, deep character development, and uncanny acting, everything comes together to create a show that has been enjoyed for over two decades now. The most artistic aspect of the package, however, may just be the use of music, specifically the unique songs curated personally by creator David Chase that run during each episode’s end credits.
Ranging from oldies, foreign ballads, jazz compositions, and pure instrumentals, the variety is stunning and can keep you exploring the track list of the series for days. We’ve decided to narrow all of the end credit songs down to the best 15 in the series, listed in chronological order of airing. Enjoy!
Season 1 Episode 4: Meadowlands
“Look on Down from the Bridge” by Mazzy Star
The nice father-son moment between Tony and A.J. at...
Ranging from oldies, foreign ballads, jazz compositions, and pure instrumentals, the variety is stunning and can keep you exploring the track list of the series for days. We’ve decided to narrow all of the end credit songs down to the best 15 in the series, listed in chronological order of airing. Enjoy!
Season 1 Episode 4: Meadowlands
“Look on Down from the Bridge” by Mazzy Star
The nice father-son moment between Tony and A.J. at...
- 9/28/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
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