K- Drama genres wouldn’t be complete without Historical Korean Dramas. I guess all historical K-Drama addicts would love to see look gorgeous, simple and elegant in their hanbok costumes.
In 2020,only 4 historical dramas were released: “Kingdom 2“, “King Maker: The Change of Destiny“, “Mr. Queen“, and “Royal Secret Agent“. But there are a lot of K-Dramas released last year.
Excited to know the historical dramas released? Here are the 8 historical korean dramas released on 2021 that you should watch.
“Lovers of the Red Sky”
Premiered: From August 30, 2021
Cast: Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Yoo Jung, Gong Myung, Kwak Si Yang.
Plot Synopsis: The setting happened during the Joseon era, Hong Cheon Ki (Kim You Jung) is a female painter with genius like painting talent.
She is picked as the first female painter of the Dohwaseo (Korean Royal Academy of Painting). Hong Cheon Ki also has a beautiful appearance and bright personality. For her, painting is everything.
One day, she meets Ha Ram.Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop) is an officer at the Seowoongwan, an office in charge of astronomy, geography, art of divination, meteorology. When he was young, an accident caused him to become blind.
Hong Cheon Ki falls in love with him and she does not care that he is blind. Hong Cheon-Ki keeps appearing in front of Ha Ram and he finds himself waiting for her.
Why watch it?
It is a must-see historical fantasy romance since SBS has solid historical dramas and the story was written by Jung Eun Kweol who lately wrote the famous novels (who eventually turned into drama) “Sung Kyun Kwan Scandal” and “The Moon that Embraces the Sun” (“Hong Chun Gi” is based on her book).
“River Where The Moon Rises”
Premiered: From Feb 15, 2021
Cast: Kim So Hyun, Na In Woo, Lee Ji Hoon, Choi Yu Hwa
Plot Synopsis: A love story between Pyong Gang and On Dal.
Pyong Gang (Kim So-Hyun) is princess of Goguryeo. She was raised as a soldier for Goguryeo as soon as she was born. She is ambitious enough to dream of becoming the King of Goguryeo. She meets a man named On Dal (Ji Soo).
Why watch it?
You can expect excellent acting and amazing chemistry between the leads. Looking at the teasers and the photographs, the drama promises a lot of action and beautiful scenes and of course a romantic plot and scenes that will make you emotional.
“The Red Sleeve”
Premiered: November 12 on MBC
Cast: 2PM’s Jun Ho, Lee SeYoung
Plot Synopsis: The setting of the drama is during the18th century, “Red Sleeve” tells a love story between King Jeongjo and royal concubine Uibin Sung.Sung Deok Im is a court lady. She gets involved with Crown Prince Yi San and he falls in love with her.
The crown prince eventually becomes King Jeongjo. He now desires Sung Deok Im to become his concubine, but she refuses. Sung Deok Im wants to live her life freely, something that will not be possible as a concubine.
She also knows that life of a royal concubine does not generally bring about happiness. Eventually, Sung Deok Im becomes the concubine of King Jeongjo.
Why watch it?
It is a must-watch love story of a court lady and a king who is torn between his heart and power. Moreover, Jun Ho and Lee Se Young are both talented actors that could capture the hearts of audiences.
“Bossam: Steal the Fate”
Premiered: From May 1, 2021
Cast: Jung Il Woo, Kwon Yu Ri
Plot Synopsis: Ba Woo (Jung Il Woo) is a degenerate man. He gambles, steals, fights and will do bossam (customary remarriage procedure where a widow is kidnapped) for money. He hides his real identity. While performing a bossam, he mistakenly kidnaps Princess Soo Kyung (Kwon Yuri).
She is the daughter of Prince Gwang Hae and the daughter-in-law of his enemy Lee Yi-Cheom. For a secret political agreement, she married the older brother of a man she loved, but, on the day of her wedding, her husband died. She then became a widow.
Why watch it?
Jung Il Woo is skilled in historical dramas and it is undoubtedly that this time too his acting will be perfect. Moreover, the subject of Bossam and the widow’s lives in Joseon is an interesting story to tell.
“The King’s Affection”
Premiered: From October 11, 2021
Cast: Park Eun Bin, SF9’s Rowoon, Nam Yoon Su
Plot Synopsis: The Crown Prince’s wife gave birth to twins, but twins were considered an ominous sign. The twin daughter was supposed to be killed, but her mother begged to save her life. Secretly, the twin daughter is sent out of the palace. A few years later, the twin son Lee Hwi is killed.
The Crown Prince’s wife hides her twin son’s death and brings her twin daughter back to the palace and raises her as Prince Lee Hwi (Park Eun-Bin). Lee Hwi eventually becomes a crown prince, but she is afraid her real identity will be revealed.
Because of her secret, Lee Hwi is unable to have anyone close to her. She hides her emotions from others and she makes biting remarks.Jung Ji Un (Ro Woon) is Lee Hwi’s teacher. Jung Ji Un comes from a noble family. He is handsome, smart and an optimist who enjoys life. Crown Prince Lee Hwi develops feeling for Jung Ji Un.
Why watch it?
From the cast filled with the young and popular cast to the intriguing story, “The King’s Affection” deserve to have a place in everyone’s watchlist. Plus these two lead characters will portray a story that will make us laugh and cry.
“Secret Royal Inspector Joy”
Preniered: November 8, 2021
Cast: 2PM’s Ok Taec Yeon, Kim Hye Yoon
Plot Synopsis: Ra Yi Eon’s (TaecYeon) dream is to buy a small dumpling restaurant and run the business. He wants an easy going life, but he is smart enough to pass the state examination that he has just taken.
He now begins work in the Office of Special Advisors, which is an elite course to succeed as a government officer. He is then appointed a royal secret agent, where he is tasked with secret missions.
It is a great honor for Ra Yi Eon and his family that he is now a royal secret agent. At his home, he still maintains an easy going life and he doesn’t work hard as a royal secret agent. His life changes when he meets Kim Joy (Kim Hye-Yoon).
Why watch it?
Its like a comical and feel good drama. It is exciting to watch Taec Yeon and Kim HyeYoon pair up in this drama.
“Moonshine”
Premiered: December 20, 2021
Cast: Yoo Seung Ho, Hye Ri, Byeon Woo Seok, Kang Mi Na
Plot Synopsis: The setting of this drama is during the late Joseon period, when a strict alcohol prohibition has been enacted.Nam Young (Yoo Seung Ho) works as an officer for the Saheonbu. One of missions at the Saheonbu is to crackdown on people who break the alcohol prohibition.
Nam Young came to Hanyang (old name for Seoul) from his hometown to find success. He has an attractive physical appearance and is a man of principals. He meets Kang Ro Seo (Hyeri) and becomes confused by her.
Why watch it?
Yoo Seung Ho starring in a historical drama is already a must-watch. Paired with Hye Ri, the drama may be funny to watch. Plus the casting of Byeon Woo Seok and Kang Mi Na is exciting to see.
“Kingdom: Ashin of the North”
Premiered: From July 23, 2021
Cast: Jun Ji Hyun, Park Byung Eun
Plot Synopsis: As the southern part of Joseon recovers from a Japanese invasion, the northern border of Joseon has become more vulnerable. Jurchens have gathered in nearby Pajeowi, arousing the suspicions of the Joseon government. 15 dead Jurchen bodies are discovered in a mountain in Joseon.
The Jurchens were hunting for wild ginseng. Fearing a possible invasion by the Pajeowi Jurchens due to the deaths of their people, Min Chi Rok (Park Byung Eun) implements a plan to ward off an invasion. He travels to the boundary village, located in the most northern part of Joseon, where ethnic Jurchens have lived in Joseon.
These people are shunned by both countries. Min Chi Rok orders village leader Ta Hap (Kim Roe Ha) to travel to Pajeowi and spread rumors that a tiger killed the 15 Jurchens.
Why watch it? The 2 Seasons “Kingdom” have received affection worldwide. The expectations for the new sequel can only be higher as the top Hallyu actress Jun Ji Hyun is the lead cast in her first drama since “Legend of the Blue Sea” (2016).
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