Top 5 Korean period pieces on Netflix

Period piece lovers are always on the lookout for new period shows to hit Netflix. For period piece enthusiast who have exhausted all of Hollywood’s great historical shows, the Korean period piece industry can provide a never ending stream of thrilling shows. Korean period piece feature, conspiracies for the throne, sibling rivalries, and even zombie uprisings in the Joseon dynasty.

Below is a list of the best Korean period pieces on Netflix to binge-watch.

1. Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)

Bold and confident Goo Hae-Ryung (Shin Se-Kyung) sets out oto become a historian in the Joseon royal court after she comes across a the news of a government post for female historians. The story takes a romantic turn when she gets involved with Prince Lee Rim. Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung boasts a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating. 

2. Kingdom (2019)

This horror period piece follows Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-Hoon) who is barred from seeing his father by Queen Jo (Kim Hye-Jun) – after the king mysteriously collapsed.

After rumors of the king’s death spread in the kingdom, the King rises from his illness and becomes the source of a mysterious plague that turns the whole kingdom. The Crown Prince then finds himself facing a hundreds and thousands of zombies. 

Kingdom is a critic favorite with 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. Under the Queen's Umbrella (2022)

Queen Hwaryeong (Kim Hye-Soo) is tackling the plotting of her competitors, who plan to snatch the throne from her sons. All the while, she also has to turn her mischievous sons into gentlemen so one of them can become the King. Under the Queen’s Umbrella boasts a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Queen for Seven Days (2017)

Queen for Seven Days is inspired by a true story, it follows Lady Shin Chae-kyung (Park Min-young), the daughter of a politician, as she falls in love with young Prince Lee Yuk (Woo-jin Yeon) of the Joseon dynasty. When the two get married, the prince becomes king, making Chae-kyung the queen.

Only one week into their marriage, different political personalities in the ruling family clash and Shin is dethroned.

Moon Embracing The Sun (2012)

Moon Embracing The Sun is Inspired from Jane Austin’s novel Persuasion which has been adapted into a movie by Netflix starring Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis.

This period piece tells the love story of King of the Joseon Dynasty Lee Hwon (Kim Soo-Hyun) and female shaman Wol (Han Ga-In). Crown princess Wol becomes a shaman after getting trapped and facing execution. The story features an eight year separation of the couple, liek Austin’s novel.