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I like watching historical Korean dramas, especially if they have a happy ending, and these are the top 10 historical Korean dramas with a happy ending.
Frequently Asked Questions About Historical K-Drama
Why do I like historical K-Drama?
I love watching historical Asian dramas and historical Korean dramas (K-Drama) are one of those. I like Korean period dramas (sageuk) because I find them richer in terms of plot, characterizations, and settings. I find the old-world backdrop more interesting and intriguing and provide more opportunities to create greater dramatic moments.
What Makes A Drama Romantic?
Not all Korean historical dramas with romance are created equal, though. Some are just more beautiful than others. What I consider beautiful are:
- with good development, not half-baked;
- believable;
- where the main leads have sizzling chemistry;
- show their closeness;
- make you feel their love and devotion;
- would have you rooting for them to be together and get their happily ever after (HEA).
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Situations that would test their love are good too as long as they aren’t dragged out and our couple get their happy ending. This leads me to the last requirement, which is: a happy ending. I like my dramas, sageuk not being an exception, neatly and happily tied up at the end, so yes, a happy ending is a must. And if they add a sweet epilogue where we get to see how our two main leads live their HEA in the future, then all the better.
Of course, it also needs to have all the other aspects that make a good historical like a great overall plot, good cinematography, lovely costumes, etc. Combine those with my “romance must-haves” checklist above and I’m good.
Which historical K-Drama has a happy ending?
All of these historical K-Dramas have a happy ending. Some even have the best happy endings you can find because they are wrapped up so well and so satisfyingly.
The Most Romantic Korean Historical Drama
Listed below are Korean historical dramas that I consider to have met most, if not all, of the requirements. All were set during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. I arranged them from my least favorite to most favorite. The last two are both my number 1 favorites, though, since I believe I do love them both equally.
Anyhow, if you’re someone with the same taste, then check them out for maybe—just maybe—you’ll find your next favorite among them.
9. My Sassy Girl
My Sassy Girl is a light Korean historical drama about a sassy princess and a reserved scholar.
Mini Plot
Gyun Woo is a scholar known as “Joseon’s National Treasure” for his brilliance, while Hye Myung is a princess who is strong and gutsy. They fell in love amidst problems of palace politics, corruption, disapproving parents, and jealous third parties.
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Why I Like It
If you want a light sageuk that isn’t taxing on your emotions, then this drama is the way to go. I particularly love it for the pretty colors in the scenes, the comedy, the fantastic music, and the cute love story. Gyun Woo and Hye Kyung share great chemistry and they make a great couple. Also, it’s entertaining how modern elements like cafés and a manicure salon were incorporated into the drama, which added a unique flavor to it. Get the DVD here.
8. The Tale of Nokdu
The Tale of Nokdu is an easy, calming watch despite how the funny in the earlier episodes turned into something serious in the later ones. It’s well made with good cinematography, acting, and music.
Mini Plot
Nok Du, a young man from an island village, goes on a journey to find out why assassins tried to harm his family. Along the way, he meets Dong Joo, a girl training to be a kisaeng (courtesan) who harbors secrets of her own. Their paths keep crossing, including meeting at a kisaeng house where Nok Du has to dress up as a woman to continue his quest. Big secrets await these two.
Why I Like It
It was funny and entertaining especially the parts when Nok Du had to pretend to be a woman. He was believable in that aspect and his escapades as such provided a lot of laughs. Despite the later half of the drama getting serious, the mystery surrounding the identities of both Nok Du and Dong Joo is more than enough to keep you watching.
As to the romance aspect, the leads have a good, easy chemistry. Their support of each other was heartwarming. They shared a good amount of sweet moments that culminated in a satisfying, happy ending. Get the DVD here.
7. 100 Days My Prince
One great thing about 100 Days My Prince is the wonderful cinematography. Most scenes were beautifully shot. The romance is fun, too.
Mini Plot
Lee Yool is the Crown Prince of Joseon, while Hong Shim lives with her father in a small village and holds many secrets. A conspiracy to kill Lee Yool left him wounded and suffering from amnesia. He ended up living in Hong Shim’s household and found himself marrying her because of a decree he issued earlier that mandated people of certain ages to marry. They, of course, fell in love amidst all the truths not yet uncovered.
Why I Like It
You can’t help but like this lovely story. As with other historical dramas, there are palace politics and conspiracies to contend with, but the easy, funny and sweet interactions between Lee Yool and Hong Shim will have you enjoying this drama.
It doesn’t hurt that it has a wonderful cast of supporting characters that add more comedic relief and charm. Get the DVD here.
6. Queen: Love and War
Queen: Love and War is intriguing as it is deeply romantic.
Mini Plot
Here we have a Joseon King, Lee Gyung, and a noblewoman, Gang Eun Bo, who fell in love with each other when they were kids but got separated. Years later, Lee Gyung met a girl whom he mistook as Eun Bo, but who was actually the latter’s twin sister. This twin was, however, murdered prompting Eun Bo to assume her identity and join as a candidate in the selection for a Queen to exact revenge.
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Why I Like It
The plot was riveting as you can’t wait for everything to be revealed and see the King and Eun Bo finally get reunited. It was also good that the pacing of the story didn’t drag.
Most importantly, the devotion of the King to Eun Bo was so moving and romantic. He would always go out of his way to protect her, which is such boyfriend goals.
5. Mr. Queen
Mr. Queen was such a treat to watch. It was well-made, had a clever plot, and was funny from the start until the end.
Mini Plot
It follows the adventure of a modern-day male chef who got transported into the Joseon era and woke up in the body of a newly minted Queen. As if finding himself in a female body wasn’t bad enough, he also got caught in a web of palace intrigues and deception, as well as getting toe-to-toe with a king for a husband who not only doesn’t love her but detests her so.
Why Like It
Mr. Queen is by no means perfect, but it was close. Except for one plot hole, everything else was just amazing. It has great acting, good cast chemistry, exceptional fighting scenes, excellent cinematography, and good pacing. It catches your interest from the get-go and never lets go.
The romance between the King and the Queen was a slow burn that developed beautifully. You see how they turned from opponents to friends and then to lovers, and all were shown wonderfully through heartfelt and funny scenes. When they became a couple, their support of each other was incredible. This pair is one of the best in the K-Drama world.
4. Moon Embracing the Sun
Moon Embracing the Sun is one of the most romantic Korean historical dramas. It’s also one of the most dramatic with its twists and turns.
Mini Plot
Lee Hwon, King of Joseon, met Heo Yeon Woo, when he was still a young crown prince. The two fell in love and Yeon Woo was chosen as Queen. Jealous factions, however, conspired to have Yeon Woo murdered. Yeon Woo survived, though, but people thought she was dead. Years later, she came back with a different identity and worked for Lee Hwon.
Why I Like It
The love and devotion of Lee Hwon for Yeon Woo were epic. Even after years of thinking her dead, he still loved only her and refused to be with other women. The thrilling ride of waiting for them to reunite and finally uncover the truth would have you glued to your seats. The bit of magic and plenty of suspense in the story added to its binge-worthiness as well. The ending was a treat, too—cute and satisfying. Get the DVD here.
3. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Even as early as the first few minutes of the first episode of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, I already predicted that I was going to love this drama. And boy, was I correct!
Mini Plot
It tells the story of a bright girl, Yoon Hee, who posed as a man to be able to study at the prestigious all-boys school, Sungkyunkwan. There she meets Sun Joon, a brilliant man from a noble family, who became her friend and with whom she later fell in love with. She also made friends with two other guys. Keeping her identity a secret and falling in love with Sun Joon proved to be challenging. Added to that were school bullies and political problems that made her stay more difficult.
Why I Like It
The romantic tension between Yoon Hee and Sun Joon in the early part of the series was intense and beautifully portrayed. Their friendship and support of each other were fantastic, too. The friendship they shared with their two other friends was heartwarming and fun. All four had each other’s back. The ending was great, too: unique, funny and sweet—one of my favorite endings. Get the DVD here.
2. The Princess Man
The Princess Man is quite an epic tale that has a Romeo and Juliet vibe to it. Some parts were based on real events.
Mini Plot
Lee Se Ryung, the daughter of a prince, and Kim Seung Yoo, a scholar from a noble family, fell in love with each other, but their families later became bitter enemies. Seung Yoo’s family was murdered by Se Ryung’s father, which made him (Seung Yoo) seek revenge. Can their love survive such a tragedy?
Why I Like It
This drama is almost perfect for me. It has an excellent tight plot, great acting, good pacing, and powerful music. It didn’t drag and every episode was packed with either action or momentous dramatic moments.
What I most love about it, though, is the beautiful love between Se Ryung and Seung Yoo that transcended family rivalry and other outside forces. Se Ryung was strong and unwavering in her love for, and devotion to, Seung Yoo, and this was excellently portrayed by actress Moon Chae-won. The pair didn’t have that many sweet moments together, but what few there were were beautiful and heartfelt that you could feel their love for one another. This drama is highly recommended! Get the DVD here.
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1. Grand Prince
Grand Prince is one of my number one favorite romantic Korean historical dramas that I still go back to every now and then. The romance in this drama is one of the best there is.
Mini Plot
Sung Ja Hyun, a young woman from a noble family, and Lee Hwi, a prince, met and fell in love. Lee Hwi’s covetous brother, Lee Kang, however, also falls in love with Ja Hyun and creates problems for the couple. On top of that, Lee Kang had designs to usurp the throne prompting Lee Hwi to protect it.
Why I Like It
The romance in Grand Prince is outstanding. It had a thorough development: from their first many accidental meetings to their courtship to becoming a couple, and then to fighting together for their love and country. All were shown through beautiful, (sometimes) funny, and (occasionally) heartbreaking scenes.
What I love the most was their unwavering love that withstood disappearance and even death, and how they constantly had each other’s back. They would go through missions together where they would protect each other.
Drama makers should also borrow a page from Grand Prince on how to create the most satisfying ending in a drama because this has the most satisfying and amazing ending ever. It was thorough and happy, and everything was tied up so that no questions were left unanswered by the end. It was also cute and sweet that I was so sad to see this drama end.
1. Love in the Moonlight / Moonlight Drawn by Clouds
Love in the Moonlight or Moonlight Drawn by Clouds is also one of the most excellent romantic Korean historical dramas ever made. This drama readily shares with Grand Prince the number one spot in my heart.
Mini Plot
Hong Ra On is a girl who has always dressed as a man because of some secret. Being mistaken as such, she was sold to become a eunuch to work in the palace. Through a series of unfortunate (or more like fortunate?) events, she eventually became a eunuch to the Crown Prince, Lee Young. The two fell in love amidst many obstacles to their love.
Why I Like It
This drama is just awesome: excellent direction, stunning cinematography, gorgeous costumes, beautiful OSTs (original soundtrack), great plot—truly amazing. You can tell that it had a good budget with just the main actors’ costumes alone. They were not something you see in other historical dramas since they were differently pretty and stylish.
What I love the most about this drama, however, is the deep love and devotion that Lee Young had for Ra On. He was the perfect boyfriend. He was caring and protective, and he placed her above all else, even country and responsibilities. You can feel his love for her through his actions, his words, and even with his gaze. It (love) was there too with how he fought to have her by his side always. All of these were amazingly portrayed by actor Park Bo-Gum.
Another thing I liked was the development of the romance. It wasn’t love at first sight but developed at a good, steady pace. We see them start from being antagonistic towards each other, to being friends, then falling in love (the drama devoted a lot of screen time to these, which was great). Their banter and bickering at the start were funny, their slowly falling in love was heartwarming, and watching them embrace and give in to their feelings was heart-fluttering.
And lastly, I love how that sweet love turned into something epic. There were many obstacles to their love, but how they fought against it and withstood all the tests that came and then come out on the other side still together was incredible.
All in all, the romance–and, practically, everything else–was just a big WOW. Highly recommended! Get the DVD here.
Also, here’s a music video I made of them.
Wrap Up
So that’s about it. We hope you’ll enjoy watching these romantic Korean historical dramas and love them as much as I did. Happy watching!
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This is Great! Thanks for the list. I will certainly be checking several of these out! 🙂
Thank you and you’re welcome. Hope you enjoy watching them. 🙂