Top 20 Must-Watch Korean Historical-Romance Dramas of the Past 5 Years That Had Viewers Swooning Through Time
Renowned media outlet Collider recently released a list of the top 20 Korean historical-romance dramas from the past five years, showcasing both critically acclaimed and fan-favorite titles. While the list includes both period and early-modern era settings, it’s dominated by Korean historical series.
1. The Red Sleeve — Lee Jun Ho, Lee Se Young
Released in late 2021, The Red Sleeve tells the heart-wrenching story of King Lee San and his love for court lady Sung Deok Im. Their romance is bittersweet, he dreams of strengthening his kingdom, while she yearns for freedom outside the palace. The drama is adapted from a novel of the same name and is praised for its narrative depth, emotionally charged acting, and visual storytelling.
Starring Lee Jun Ho and Lee Se Young, the series saw phenomenal success with average ratings of 11% and a peak of 17.4%. It earned 7 Baeksang Award nominations, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Drama. Lee Jun Ho won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the MBC Drama Awards, where the show also took home 8 awards from 12 nominations.
2. The King’s Affection – Rowoon, Park Eun Bin
Based on a manhwa, The King’s Affection offers a refreshing twist on traditional palace politics and gender norms. The story follows Dami, a woman forced to disguise herself as her deceased twin brother to become crown prince. In doing so, she carries the burden of leadership while hiding her identity.
Rowoon plays Jung Ji Woon, the spirited and intelligent royal tutor who unknowingly falls in love with the “male” prince. The series explores forbidden love, identity, and the human desire for freedom in a society bound by rules and tradition.
Park Eun Bin’s portrayal of a woman living as a man, balancing emotional vulnerability and regal authority, won her widespread acclaim. The drama’s emotional arcs, political intrigue, and poetic visuals made it a fan and critic favorite alike.
3. Captivating the King – Jo Jung Suk, Shin Se Kyung
A recent addition to the genre, Captivating the King delivers a tale of heartbreak, manipulation, and resilience within the royal court. Jo Jung Suk plays a tormented king struggling with betrayal, loneliness, and power, while Shin Se Kyung portrays a sharp-witted noblewoman who captures both the king’s attention and the audience’s hearts.
The drama stands out for its mature themes, layered characters, and emotionally driven storytelling. It focuses less on light romance and more on the consequences of love in a world ruled by power, offering a dramatic and at times painful look into palace life.
Fans praised the chemistry between the leads and the introspective look at what it means to love someone when your entire identity is a weapon or a secret.
The Full Top 20 Rankings (From 4th To 20th)
- Alchemy of Souls – Lee Jae Wook, Jung So Min, Go Yoon Jung
- Our Blooming Youth – Park Hyung Sik, Jeon So Nee
- River Where the Moon Rises – Na In Woo, Kim So Hyun
- Lovers of the Red Sky – Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Yoo Jung
- Bossam: Steal the Fate – Jung Il Woo, Kwon Yuri
- The Forbidden Marriage – Kim Young Dae, Park Ju Hyun
- Moonshine – Yoo Seung Ho, Hyeri
- Tinted With You – Park Jun Hee, Yoo Hyun Woo
- My Dearest – Nam Goong Min, Ahn Eun Jin
- Mr. Queen – Choi Jin Hyuk, Shin Hye Sun
- The Secret Romantic Guesthouse – Ryeoun, Shin Ye Eun
- Love Song for Illusion – Park Ji Hoon, Hong Ye Ji
- Joseon Attorney – Woo Do Hwan, Bona
- Gyeongseong Creature – Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee
- Secret Royal Inspector & Joy – Ok Taec Yeon, Kim Hye Yoon
- Youth of May – Lee Do Hyun, Go Min Si
- The Matchmaker – Rowoon, Cho Yi Hyun
Korean historical-romance dramas remain a global phenomenon thanks to their blend of emotional storytelling, rich history, and timeless themes. Whether it’s forbidden palace love or rebellion against fate, these dramas connect with audiences across generations and borders.
Collider’s ranking reflects not only viewership and ratings but also cultural impact and storytelling excellence—reminding fans of why K-drama sageuks continue to enchant year after year.
