Korean history movies and TV shows

The list contains the best, new and most relevant korean history movies ordered by relevance. The recommendation service has sorted out captivating, serious, suspense, tense, historical drama and exciting films and TV shows about / with korean history, king, fight, battles, historical figure, joseon dynasty, political unrest, historical event, royalty and political intrigue plots mostly in Drama, History and Action genres shot in South Korea, USA, China and other countries.
korean history
 61
korean history movies
TOP 10 movies tagged as korean history: The Treacherous (2015), Empire of Lust (2015), The Duo (2011), The Great Battle (2018), 1987: When the Day Comes (2017), Emperor Wang Gun (2000), Dream of the Emperor (2012), The Iron Empress (2009), The King of Legend (2010), Emperor of the Sea (2004).

List of korean history movies

Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
The Treacherous (2015)
Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration: 133 min.
Story: The story of Joseon's tyrant king Yeonsan who exploits the populace for his own carnal pleasures, his seemingly loyal retainer who controls him and all court dealings, and a woman who seeks vengeance.
Style: erotic, tense, psychological, suspense, captivating ...
Plot: rape, joseon dynasty, korean history, medieval, palace intrigue, humiliation, revenge, obsession, hopelessness, danger, society, fetish ...
Time: 15th century, 16th century
Place: south korea
Is relevant ?
 6.0
 933
Empire of Lust (2015)
Genre: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 113 min.
Story: Set in 1398. Kim Min-Jae (Shin Ha-Kyun) is the supreme commander of the Joseon Dynasty. He falls in love for the first time and for that woman he takes risks. Yi Bang-Won (Jang Hyuk) is the King’s son. He helped his father setup the Joseon Dynasty ...
Style: erotic, captivating, suspense, disturbing, exciting ...
Plot: joseon dynasty, mistress, unrequited love, revenge, rescue from drowning, suicide attempt, sex scene, love and romance, japanese history, danger, protector, political intrigue ...
Time: 14th century, 15th century
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
 6.5
 41
The Duo (2011)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: In a story of two men switched at birth, noble-born Chun Doong lives as a slave and becomes a heroic outlaw, while beggar-born Gwi Dong lives as a nobleman and police chief; then each falls in love with the same girl, Dong Nyeo.
Style: dramatic, entertaining, captivating, tense, historical drama
Plot: joseon dynasty, love triangle, switched at birth, nobleman, poverty, korean history, criminal, fall in love, heroes, injustice, highwayman, fight for justice ...
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is the remake of Chinese drama Bu Bu Jing Xin that stars IU as a woman who gets time-warped back to the Goryeo dynasty, and becomes involved with a very large family of princes, some of whom are vying for the throne, or her ...
Style: touching, captivating, romantic, dorama, sageuk ...
Plot: sweetheart, love triangle, time travel, palace, broken heart, royal family, mad love, throne, romantic triangle, palace intrigue, rivalry, love ...
Time: 10th century
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
The Great Battle (2018)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea
Duration: 136 min.
Story: Kingdom of Goguryeo, ancient Korea, 645. The ruthless Emperor Taizong of Tang invades the country and leads his armies towards the capital, achieving one victory after another, but on his way is the stronghold of Ansi, protected by General Yang ...
Style: exciting, tense, intense, epic, period drama
Plot: siege, korean history, conquering, fortress, medieval, ancient korea, historical character, tang dynasty, army general, courage, mortal combat, battles ...
Time: 7th century
Place: south korea, korea
Is relevant ?
1987: When the Day Comes (2017)
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration: 129 min.
Story: In 1987 Korea, under an oppressive military regime, a college student gets killed during a police interrogation involving torture. Government of officials are quick to cover up the death and order the body to be cremated. A prosecutor who is ...
Style: suspense, disturbing, psychological, sincere, captivating ...
Audience: boys' night, teens
Plot: democracy, korean history, torture, political corruption, police brutality, protest, historical event, brutality, disorder, police, corruption, death ...
Time: 80s, year 1987
Place: south korea, seoul
Is relevant ?
Emperor Wang Gun (2000)
Genre: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Taejo Wang Geon was a 200-episode Korean drama starring Choi Soo Jong in the title role. It became very successful, reaching very high ratings, around 60%.
Style: suspense, captivating, disturbing, period drama
Plot: historical figure, king, korean history, political unrest, political intrigue, ruler, emperor, politics, empire, political conspiracy, political corruption, dynasty ...
Time: 9th century, 10th century, middle ages
Is relevant ?
Dream of the Emperor (2012)
Genre: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: Kim Chunchu is the grandson of King Jinji, but when his grandfather is overthrown, Chunchu is denied the chance to become a successor to the throne of Silla. He later meets Kim Yushin, and the two men begin a friendship. Chunchu later becomes King ...
Style: captivating, psychological, thrilling, costume drama
Plot: ancient korea, king, royalty, heir to the throne, royal palace, korean history, prince, warlord, kingdom, politics, historical figure, diplomacy
Time: 7th century
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
The Iron Empress (2009)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 65 min.
TV show
Story: Empress Cheonchu is a 2009 South Korean period television series based on the titular character, an actual historical figure and her lifelong struggle to protect the country her ancestors built. The granddaughter of Goryeo Dynasty founder Taejo ...
Style: suspenseful, captivating, exciting, dramatic, serious ...
Plot: historical figure, queen, female warrior, widow, korean history, king, political conflict, royal family, woman, empress, woman with a gun, female protagonist ...
Time: 10th century, 11th century
Is relevant ?
The King of Legend (2010)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: The King of Legend is a 2010 South Korean historic drama based on King Geunchogo of Baekje. Besides than the historic info obtained from Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa, it was also inspired by a novel written by Lee Munyeol, a renowned Korean writer. ...
Style: tense, thrilling, captivating, period drama
Plot: ancient korea, heir to the throne, korean history, conqueror, royalty, king, battles, fight, kingdom, ruler, warrior, biopic ...
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
Emperor of the Sea (2004)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea
Duration: 22 min.
TV show
Story: Emperor of the Sea is a South Korean television drama series directed by Kang Il-soo and Kang Byung-taek and starring Choi Soo-jong, Chae Shi-ra, Song Il-gook and Soo Ae. It aired on KBS2 from November 24, 2004 to May 25, 2005 on Wednesdays and ...
Style: touching, realistic, suspenseful, serious, disturbing ...
Plot: slavery, heroes, enslavement, merchant, historical figure, battles, ship, korean history, slave, medieval, rags to riches, pirate ...
Time: 9th century
Place: china
Is relevant ?
 7.4
 137
Jang Yeong Sil (2016)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: Drama series follows the life Jang Yeong-Sil: a scientist, technician and inventor during the Joseon period. Jang Yeong-Sil was born in the lower class nobi. King Sejong notices his abilities and brings him to the palace. King Sejong grants him a ...
Style: sageuk, philosophical, uplifting, inspirational, historical drama ...
Plot: joseon dynasty, historical figure, scientist, royalty, inventor, court, korean history, talent, inventions and discoveries, buddies, life changing experience, friends ...
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
The King Dae Joyoung (2006)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: This 100-episode epic drama vividly depicts the life of King Dae Jo-yeong and other heroes of the Balhae Kingdom, which dates back 1300 years ago.
Style: realistic, captivating, serious, exciting, costume drama
Plot: ancient korea, rise to power, leader, kingdom, political unrest, battles, ambition, political intrigue, warlord, marriage of convenience, korean history, castle ...
Time: 7th century
Is relevant ?
Immortal Yi Soon-shin (2004)
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin is a South Korean television series based on the life of Yi Sun-sin, starring Kim Myung-min in the title role. It aired on KBS1 from September 4, 2004 to August 28, 2005 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:45 for 104 ...
Style: captivating, thought provoking, tense
Plot: admiral, korean history, soldier, showdown, self sacrifice, life, historical event, battles, historical figure, american history, combat, war ...
Time: 16th century
Place: korea, japan
Is relevant ?
 8.1
 4K
Jumong (2006)
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Jumong  examines the life of Jumong Taewang, founder of the kingdom of Goguryeo. Few details have been found in the historical record about Jumong, so much of the series is fictionalized. The fantastic elements surrounding the original Jumong ...
Style: family saga, sageuk, serious, suspense, captivating ...
Plot: ancient korea, archer, power struggle, rescue mission, redemption, emperor, family secret, love, betrayal, love triangle, marriage, treason ...
Time: 1st century b.c.
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
 8.6
 19
5th Republic (2005)
Genre: History
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: 5th Republic is a controversial political drama about the Fifth Republic of South Korea, one of the most turbulent times in modern Korean history. The 41-episode television series covered the key aspects of the period from President Park ...
Style: political, captivating, exciting, dramatic, serious ...
Plot: politics, korean history, social problems, politician, political leader, asian, political intrigue, political unrest, asian history, political activist
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
The Divine Weapon (2008)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 134 min.
Story: During the reign of King Sejong in the 15th century, the Joseon Dynasty was the embodiment of the perfect state. To the Ming China, the aspiring imperial power, Joseon presented an obstacle to territorial expansion. To protect themselves from war, ...
Style: epic, captivating, tense, suspense, suspenseful ...
Plot: joseon dynasty, medieval, political unrest, battles, soldier, military, inventions and discoveries, weapon system, danger, korean history, state affairs, rivalry ...
Time: 15th century
Place: china, asia, korea
Is relevant ?
Empress Myeongseong (2001)
Genre: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: Based on the life of Empress Myeongseong (1851 - 1895), the first official wife of King Gojong, the 26th king of the Joseon dynasty. She was killed on October 8, 1895 by Japanese assassins.
Style: dramatic, captivating, exciting, serious, period drama
Plot: joseon dynasty, historical figure, empress, king, ancient history, asian history, wife, korean history, dynasty, historical event
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
Korea-Khitan War (2023)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: King Hyeonjong and Kang Kam-chan lead the 26-year-long Korea-Khitan War to victory and begin the era of peace in East Asia and prosperity in Goryeo.
Style: exciting, serious, captivating, historical drama, period piece ...
Plot: korean history, historical event, military history, wartime, storytelling, wartime life, asian history, world history, historical figure, war
Time: 10th century, 11th century
Is relevant ?
 6.3
 191
A Resistance (2019)
Genre: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 105 min.
Story: 17-year-old Yu Gwan-Sun participates in the Korean independence movement. The country is under the rule of Japan, which annexed the country in 1910.
Style: serious, exciting, dramatic, captivating
Plot: independence movement, korean war, japanese occupation of korea, women's prison, japanese occupation, asian, asian woman, occupation, asian history, korean history
Place: south korea, korea
Is relevant ?
Into the Flames (2014)
Genre: Drama
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: Based on the life of Park Tae-joon, founder and honorary chairman of multinational steel-making company POSCO, this is the story of the people who battled poverty and despair after the colonial era and the Korean War with a relentless pursuit of ...
Style: dramatic, captivating, serious, exciting, period drama
Plot: poverty, korean history, relationships, korean war, big business, business, business venture, businessman, fight
Place: korea, south korea
Is relevant ?
The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019)
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea, USA
Duration: 135 min.
Story: In 1920, when Korea is under Japanese rule the Korean Independence Army’s Hae-chul and his subordinates are carrying out the operation to deliver funds to the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai. During the operation Hae-chul is reunited ...
Style: suspense, disturbing, rough, compassionate
Plot: independence movement, fight, japanese occupation of korea, joseon dynasty, battles, militia, historical event, combat, victory, soldier, war, korean history ...
Time: 1910s, 1920s
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
Different Dreams (2019)
Genre: Drama
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: During the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, a Korean surgeon who was raised by a Japanese family becomes a spy for the Korean government.
Style: disturbing, suspense, captivating, sincere
Plot: agent, spy, couple relations, male female relationship, social problems, relationships, korean army, korean history, japanese army, relationship problems, korean war, japanese history ...
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
The Sacrifice (2020)
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Country: China
Duration: 122 min.
Story: In 1953, the Korean War is entering the final stage. The People's Volunteer Army of China has launched the last major battle in Kumsong. In order to arrive at the battleground on time and deliver enough force to the Kumsong front line, the ...
Style: suspense, captivating, tense, philosophical, political
Plot: korean war, war, battles, wartime life, wartime, korean army, fight for supremacy, heroism, military base, struggle for survival, fight, protector ...
Place: china
Is relevant ?
King Sejong the Great (2008)
Genre: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: "The Great King, Sejong" is a full-scale political drama describing how King Sejong and his loyal retainers cooperate and contrive to make his dynasty a better place. While King Sejong was on the throne, the Joseon Dynasty enjoyed ...
Style: sageuk, atmospheric, political, realistic, stylized ...
Plot: historical figure, palace intrigue, king, royalty, joseon dynasty, faithfulness, historical character, family relations, political unrest, historical event, royal family, politics ...
Time: 15th century
Is relevant ?
War of the Arrows (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure
Country: South Korea
Duration: 122 min.
Story: 13 years after the King Injo Revolt, the Chosun Dynasty is attacked by the Chung Dynasty of China. A young man named Na-mi leaves his demolished village to find his young sister, Ja-in, and her finance Su-koon, who were to wed on the very day of the ...
Style: exciting, realistic, serious, captivating, stylized ...
Plot: archery, archer, master warrior, bow and arrow, joseon dynasty, medieval, kidnapping, battles, military, daring rescue, danger, invasion ...
Time: 17th century, year 2011, medieval times
Place: korea, ancient china, asia
Is relevant ?
 6.9
 1K
May 18 (2007)
Genre: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 120 min.
Story: The citizens of Gwangju lead a relatively peaceful life, until one day the military takes over the city, accusing the residents of conspiracy and claiming that they are communist sympathisers preparing a revolution against the current government. ...
Style: serious, realistic, suspenseful, touching, disturbing
Plot: soldier, korean history, losing-it hero, vigilantism, heroes, politics, revolution, political unrest, danger, rivalry, assassination, redemption ...
Time: year 1980, 80s, 21st century
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Set during the Silla dynasty, Sam Maekjong is the son of the fallen king and present queen regent, Jiso, but he has been kept in hiding for protection ever since he was a young boy, when his father was murdered. Over the years the powerful nobles ...
Style: dorama, captivating, disturbing, visually appealing, suspenseful ...
Plot: ancient korea, heir to the throne, brotherhood, warrior, king, unlikely friendships, friendship, assassination plot, heir, fighting the system, friends, korean history ...
Time: 6th century
Place: korea
Is relevant ?
Gye Baek, Warrior’s Fate (2011)
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
TV show
Story: Set in the Baekje kingdom in the mid-7th century, the drama chronicles the life and times of the storied warrior General Gyebaek who is remembered in history for leading Baekje's last stand against the Silla in the Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
Style: captivating, suspenseful, tense, suspense, historical drama
Plot: ancient korea, invasion, historical figure, warlord, royal family, royal palace, king, battles, palace intrigue, twists and turns, korean history
Time: 7th century
Is relevant ?
 7.8
 7K
Masquerade (2012)
Genre: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 131 min.
Story: During the confusing and conspiratorial Joseon Dynasty King Gwang-hae orders his councilor, HEO Kyun, to find him a double in order to avoid the constant threat of assassination. HEO Kyun finds Ha-sun, a jester who looks remarkably like the king, ...
Style: suspenseful, captivating, realistic, stylized, inspirational ...
Plot: joseon dynasty, royal court, throne, hidden identity, treason, medieval, save the kingdom, ruler, political intrigue, dishonesty, head of state, forced into action ...
Time: 17th century, middle ages
Place: korea, south korea, east asia, asia
Is relevant ?
Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie