updated 2023. This list of the Kings in Korean historical dramas is an ongoing project. It focuses on the the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and related dramas and films. I’ll keep adding to this list as I find more dramas! And a big thank you to everyone who’s sent in titles to add to the list of Kings in Korean historical dramas!
The Joseon period lasted over 500 years and can be divided into three parts. The early (1392-1494), middle (1494-1649), and late period (1649-1897). So I have separated them into three pages.
THE EARLY JOSEON PERIOD (1392-1494)
9 kings
(1) 태조 King TAEJO, Yi Seong-gye (r.1392-1398)
The first king of Joseon. His original portrait is one of only 4 kings that have survived today. See my post on the portraits of Joseon Kings here. He came from Jeonju where his portrait was enshrined.
The sageuk Tears of the Dragon (KBS1 1996-8) depicts this turbulent time at the beginning of the Joseon dynasty. (BTW The fantastic first English translation of The Annals of King T’aejo: Founder of Korea’s Choson Dynasty
Jeong Do Jeon (KBS1 2014) is a political thriller about the most power politician at the time who helped King Taejo create a new Joseon dynasty. Six Flying Dragons (SBS 2015) focuses on the ideological conflict between the politician Jeong Do Jeon and Yi Bang Won who became King Taejong. My Country (JTBC / now on Netflix 2019) is set during the upheaval of changing dynasty from Goryeo to Joseon.
(2) 정종 King JEONGJONG Yi Bang-gwa (r.1398-1400)
There was lots of instability at the beginning of the Joseon period as King Taejo’s sons fought over power. Jeongjong (2nd son) didn’t last long and quickly abdicated to let his fierce brother Yi Bang-won (5th son) take the throne! My Country (JTBC / Netflix 2019) covers this period.
(3) 태종 King TAEJONG, Yi Bang-won (r.1400-1418)
A strong but ruthless ruler who killed anyone who got in his way. He abdicated to let his son Yi Do rule but for a while continued to hold the real power.
We can see an interpretation of the abdicated King’s relationship with the young King Sejong in the first few episodes of Deep Rooted Tree, MBC, 2011. The Great King Sejong (KBS 2008) begins here during his father’s reign. An epic drama of 86 episodes! Six Flying Dragons (SBS 2015/16) stars Yoo Ah In as Lee Bang Won (later King Taejong) while he is Prince. It’s about the ideological and political conflict between the prince and the powerful government officials particularly Jung Do Jeon. Jang Hyuk plays Yi Bang won in My Country (JTBC / Netflix 2019).
(4) 세종 King SEJONG the Great, Yi Do (r.1418-1450)
The most famous Joseon king. He’s been portrayed in several dramas. Celebrated actor Han Suk-kyu has portrayed King Sejong in film and drama more than once.
Deep Rooted Tree is a murder mystery set at the time when King Sejong was creating the Korean characters, hangul. Hangul day is celebrated every year and there’s a statue of King Sejong near the hangul museum in Seoul. Also see the epic The Great King Sejong (KBS 2008). Jang Yeong Sil: The Greatest Scientist of Joseon (KBS1 2016) is about the man who contributed many inventions including the Joseon sundial and water clock. He appears again in Forbidden Dream (2019) a film about the fruitful but ill-fated relationship between King Sejong the Great and the famous scientist.
(5) 문종 King MUNJONG, Yi Hyang (r.1450-1452)
Died of illness after two years.
(6) 단종 King DANJONG, Yi Hong-wi (r.1452-1455)
He was 12 years old when he came to the throne and had little power, so his uncle Yi Yu (a.k.a Grand Prince Suyang) usurped the throne in a coup!
The Princess’ Man (KBS, 2011) is a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ romance set during this time. (The Princess is Grand Prince Suyang’s daughter) Six ministers (two appear in Deep Rooted Tree) tried to restore Danjong to his position but the ministers were murdered by King Sejo.
(7) 세조 King SEJO, Yi Yu (r.1455-1468)
(King Sejong’s son) He usurped the throne from his nephew King Danjong, and then had him killed. Still, he was considered a successful leader of the country.
The King and I (SBS 2007) starts here and follows the life of a loyal eunuch to several kings.
(8) 예종 King YEJONG, Yi Gwang (r.1468-1469)
He was weak and died of illness after only a year on the throne.
The King and I (SBS 2007) about the life of a eunuch.
(9) 성종 King SEONGJONG, Yi Hyeol (r.1469-1494)
(nephew of King Yejong) King Seongjong was only 13 when he came to the throne, so his grandmother Queen Jeonghee ruled in his place along with his mother Queen Insu.
Jewel in the Palace, (MBC, 2003) the story of Jang-geum a royal cook and first female physician to the king, starts here when the king orders the execution by poisoning of his deposed wife Queen Lady Yun (mother of future King Yeonsangun). The King and I (SBS, 2007) is about the life of a court eunuch in love with his childhood sweetheart. It’s also set around this time during King Seongjong and then King Yeonsangun’s reign. Queen Insu (jTBC 2011) follows her story as she rules in place of her grandson.
That’s the end of the early Joseon period! Here are some other posts related to the early Joseon era. click page 2 below to continue to the mid-Joseon period.
Early Joseon kings (1392-1494)
Why do some kings have the title JO and other JONG?
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MID JOSEON KINGS (1494-1649)
7 kings
(10) 연산군 YEONSANGUN, Yi Yung (r.1494-1506)
A tyrant king. He was not given a king’s title after his death so he remains ‘gun’ – prince. He has a modest tomb in Seoul.
In Jewel in the Palace, (a.k.a Dae Jang Geum MBC, 2004) Jang Geum’s father is killed in 1504 when the king orders the execution of people responsible for his mother’s death, (above) in the Literati Purges of 1504. The film The King and the Clown (2005) is about two court entertainers who win over the king with their bawdy performances much to the horror of the ministers! The King and I (SBS 2007) Jong Nok Su (KBS 1995) is about the king’s relationship with his concubine Jong Nok Su.
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(11) 중종 King JUNGJONG, Yi Yeok (r.1506-1544)
Became king after a coup and had a lot of corruption to deal with in the aftermath of the rule of Yeonsangun.
In Jewel in the Palace, (Dae Jang Geum) King Jungjong makes Jang-geum a 6th rank official and appoints her to be his first female personal physician. (see my brief Dae Jang Geum recaps here or my post on how King Jungjong is portrayed in Dae Jang Geum). Dae Jang Geum is Watching (MBC 2018) is a modern comedy drama about the imagined lives of the descendants of Dae Jang Geum!
The story of Hwang Jin Yi is about one of the most famous gisaengs in the Joseon period. The King and I (SBS 2007) Light’s Diary (SBS 2017) is about Shim Saimdang (1501-1551) possibly the most famous woman in Joseon history who was an artist and respected mother of a famous Confucian scholar.
(12) 인종 King INJONG, Yi Ho (r.1544-1545)
Possibly poisoned so that his half-brother could take the throne.
Mandate of Heaven: The Fugitive of Joseon (KBS2 2013) is about a medical practitioner who gets caught up in the plot to poison Crown Prince Yi Ho who eventually became King Injong. (see my review of Mandate of Heaven)
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(13) 명종 King MYEONGJONG, Yi Hwan (r.1545-1567)
Became king at age 12 so Queen Munjeong ruled in his name. He died young without an heir.
He is a young prince in Mandate of Heaven and is used by his ambitious power-hungry mother, Queen Munjeong. (I wrote about how Queen Munjeong is portrayed as a baddie in Mandate of Heaven)
Flower in Prison (MBC 2016) is about a poor woman born in prison who goes on to become a lawyer for the poor. The drama shows the king dominated by his controlling mother Queen Munjeong.
(14) 선조 King SEONJO, Yi Yeon (r.1567-1608)
(half-nephew of King Myeongjong) Ruled through political chaos and Seven-year War (1592-1598) with Japan and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The drama Heojun (MBC, 2000) is the story of the famous physician Heojun (1537-1615) ) and is set during the whole of King Seonjo’s reign. (This is still my all time favourite Sageuk drama) Read about how King Seonjo is portrayed in Heojun. Heojun recaps here. There’s also a daily drama remake Guam Heo Jun (MBC 2013) about the same doctor. The story of the scheming Concubine Kim appears in The King’s Woman (SBS 2003),The Jingbirok: A Memoir of Imjin War (KBS1 2015,) A political/action drama is about Ryu Seong Ryong, a Confucian scholar put in charge of military operations during the Imjin Wars.
(15) 광해 GWANGHAEGUN, Yi Hon (r.1608-1623)
Was an accomplished ruler but due to the political situation at the time he ended up being deposed in a coup and died on Jeju Island. So he remains a prince (gun) and does not have a posthumous title.
Masquerade (2012) is an award winning film starring Lee Byung Hun who plays two roles in the film – the king and the poor bloke who stands in for him when he is threatened with poisoning. A remake of the film was made in a 2019 drama called The Crowned Clown (tvN). The drama Jung Yi, Goddess of Fire (MBC 2013) is the love story of Gwanghaegun and Joseon’s first female potter.
The King’s Woman (SBS 2003) The King’s Face (KBS2 2014) is a thriller about Gwanghaegun’s difficult path to become king. Splendid Politics (MBC, 2015) is a drama about Gwanghae usurping the throne only to be deposed himself later. The historical zombie drama Kingdom (Netflix 2019) is fictional with a fictional crown prince. But it’s set during and after the Imjin wars when Gwanghaegun was on the throne.
(16) 인조 King INJO, Yi Jong (r.1623-1649)
Considered a weak ruler. He reigned through two Manchu invasions. So this was a difficult and unstable period in Joseon history.
Iljimae (SBS 2008) A kind of Robin Hood. Chuno The Slave Hunters (KBS 2010) shows life to be pretty chaotic in Joseon after the Manchu Wars. Many commoners have become slaves and the Chuno slave hunters are hired to bring them back to their owners. (there’s romance too, though!) Cruel Palace – War of Flowers (JTBC 2013) is about the beautiful but evil royal concubine Jo So Yong who tried to use her womanly charms on the king to gain power in Joseon.
The film War of the Arrows (2011) is a beautiful action film about the best archer in Joseon who has to fight the Manchu invaders to save his sister. (quite easy to follow without subtitles and it’s exciting- even if like me you don’t usually like action.) Strongest Chil Woo (KBS2 2008) is an action drama and includes the death / murder of the King’s son Crown Prince Sohyeon. The Three Musketeers (season 1) (TVN 2014) is also about Prince Sohyeon and the men who try to protect him.
That’s the end of the mid-Joseon period! Here are some related posts. Click page 3 below for the late Joseon kings!
Mid Joseon Kings in Sageuk Drama (1494–1649) YEONSANGUN to KING INJO
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LATE JOSEON KINGS (1649-1897)
11 kings
(17) 효종 King HYOJONG, Yi Ho (r.1649-1659)
Spent time as a captive of the Qing Dynasty before becoming King. Then reformed and expanded the military. He sent troops to help the new Qing Dynasty in China defeat Russia and relations with Qing improved.
King Hyojong appears in Horse Doctor (MBC 2012) about the life of a vet who becomes a royal doctor. His elder brother, Crown Prince Sohyeon who died in mysterious circumstances at the palace appears in the first episode. Crown Prince Sohyeon also appears in The Slave Hunters (Chuno, KBS 2010). Chuno Ggun were slave hunters whose job it was to catch runaway slaves, nobi.
(18) 현종 King HYEONJONG, Yi Yeon (r. 1659-1674)
During his reign, there were power struggles between two political factions Westerners (Seoin) and Southerners (Namin)
Horse Doctor (MBC 2012)
(19) 숙종 King SUKJONG, Yi Sun (r.1674-1720)
He had to deal with the continuing fight for power between the Westerners and Southerners. The Westerners won (for a while) but broke into two smaller factions (Soron and Noron).
The political situation is portrayed in Dong Yi (MBC, 2010) – a romance based on the relationship between King Sukjong and Suk Bin (Dong Yi), concubine and mother of King Yeongjo. Dong Yi recaps here. Read about how King Sukjong is portrayed in Dong Yi here. Dong Yi became a top ranking concubine. Read more about the concubine ranking system.
Queen In Hyun’s Man (tvN 2012) is a fusion drama with time travel to modern-day Seoul. Queen In Hyun was King Sukjong’s 2nd Queen and also appears in Dong Yi. Jang Ok Jung, Living by Love (SBS 2013) is also about the life of King Sukjong’s famous concubine Jang Hee Bin. See pics and info about my trip to King Sukjong and Jang Hee Bin’s tombs.
(20) 경종 King GYEONGJONG, Yi Yun (r.1720-1724)
Appears as a child in Dong Yi. He was the sickly son of Sukjong’s concubine Hee Bin and he died young. See King Sukjong and Jang Hee Bin’s tombs here.
(21) 영조 King YEONGJO, Yi Geum (r. 1724-1776)
(half-brother of the previous king) The son of King Sukjong and his concubine Suk Bin. He ruled for 52 years and was the longest ruling monarch of Joseon. Original portraits of him as a prince and as King have survived today.
He appears as a child in the MBC drama Dong Yi. Secret Door (SBS 2014) is a mystery drama about the death of King Yeongjo’s son Crown Prince Sado who was forced to get into a wooden rice chest where he suffocated to death. The Grand Heist (2012) is a comedy film set during the last years of King Yeongjo’s reign. It’s about a group of thieves who try to steal ice from the Royal Storage.
The Royal Tailor (2014) is a film about the rivalry between the tailors responsible for the wardrobe of the royal family. The Throne (2015) is a film about the death of Crown Prince Sado in the rice chest. Haechi (SBS 2019) tells the king’s story before he became King. Jackpot (The Royal Gambler, SBS, 2016) is about a prince who uses his gambling skills to take revenge on the king.
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(22) 정조 King JEONGJO, Yi San (r.1776-1800)
(King Yeongjo’s grandson) Considered to be one of the most successful rulers of Joseon.
Yi San (MBC 2007) (Wind of the Palace) is about the life of the King. The drama Painter of the Wind (SBS 2008) – about famous painter Shin Yun-bok (born 1758) is also set during his reign. Based on the novel, the drama has a twist as it presents the painter as a woman who pretended to be a man. See my post on some of his portraits of gisaengs.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal (KBS2 2010) also set during King Jeongjo’s reign. Eight Days Mystery of Jeongjo (2007) tells the story of assassination attempts on the King during an 8 day period. The martial arts fusion drama Warrior Baek Dong Soo (SBS 2011) centres around the Crown Prince Sado conspiracy. The Fatal Encounter (2014) starring Hyun Bin is a film about the assassination attempt on King Jeongjo’s life.
(23) 순조 King SUNJO, Yi Gong (r.1800-1834)
The Andong clan begin to take over politics and corruption is rife.
Sangdo (Merchant, MBC, 2002) is the story of the legendary merchant Im Sang-ok (1779-1855). In this drama we get to see the life of traders and the relationship with the Qing Dynasty. Love in the Moonlight (KBS2 2016) is a coming-of-age romantic comedy.
(24) 헌종 King HEONJONG, Yi Hwan (r. 1834-1849)
(the grandson of King Sunjo) He died young without an heir.
(25) 철종 King CHEOLJONG, Yi Byeon (r.1849-1863)
A low period in Joseon history with corruption and unrest. The Andong Kim clan had taken over power and many members of the Yi family had fled from the capital and were living in poverty. When he was found and chosen to be king, Yi Byeon was poor and couldn’t even read. He died without an heir. But an original portrait of him remains. Times were difficult for the ordinary people. Kundo: Age of the Rampant is an action film with a Robin Hood-esque story as a band of outlaws steal from the rich to give to the poor.
(26) 고종 King GOJONG, Yi Myeong-bok (r.1863-1897)
King Gojong was the last of the Joseon Kings. He proclaimed the Korean Empire
He severed links with Qing China and became the first emperor of the Korean Empire. But there were many domestic problems and tensions with China and Japan. Famine, poverty, high taxes and corruption led to several peasant revolts. Japan went to war with Qing in the first Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895) and forced Joseon to allow Japan to use its land and natural resources.
In 1895, Empress Myeongseong (there’s a drama about her of the same name, KBS2, 2002) was assassinated by Japanese agents. Emperor Gojong abdicated. An original portrait of him has survived. Dr Jin (MBC 2012) a time travel medical drama, the Korean version of a drama based on a Japanese manga, Gunman in Joseon (KBS2 2014) is about a swordsman who becomes a gunman for revenge. Jejungwon (SBS 2010) is about the first western hospital in Joseon. The Sword with no Name (2009) is a film about the fictional life of Empress Myeongseong.
(27) 순종 Emperor SUNJONG, Yi Cheok (r.1897-1910)
The last Emperor of the Korean Empire
Mr. Sunshine (TvN 2018) is set in the early 1900s and stars Lee Byung-hun. A young boy travels to the United States during the 1871 US expedition to Korea. Shown on Netflix. Mung Bean Flower (a.k.a Nokdu Flower) (SBS 2019) is set during the Donghak. The Last Princess (2016) is a film set in the colonial period when Princess Deokhye is sent to Japan.
That’s the end of the Joseon period and Korean Empire.
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