Some dramas, despite ensemble cast, failed to achieve in viewership ratings. And, want to know the Only drama which achieved a massive rating in the last episode? read on!
Here is the list of Historical Korean Dramas released in 2021.
Exactly Ten dramas were released in historical Genre out of which two dramas “Moonshine” and “The king of tears” are scheduled to be end in 2022 only. The major episodes of the latter are not yet premiered and hence cannot be reviewed.
Considering the 8 dramas released in 2021, Here is the Top 4 Historical Dramas of 2021.
4. The King’s Affection
Starring: Park Eun-bin,Rowoon
No Of Episodes:20
Synopsis: Crown prince wife gave birth to twins that is considered as Ominous sign. To avoid her ultimate death, the mother sends the daughter secretly out and once the son Lee Hwi dies of disease, the daughter is brought back, cross-dressed and raised as the prince. The now crown prince Lee Hwi, who is actually a girl starts developing interest on Jung ji-woon, a teacher.
Average Nationwide Viewership Ratings:7.98%
The first 5 episodes were interesting and later the story flows very slowly in the mid episodes. The drama initially started with very average ratings till the mid -episodes and gained popularity and lead couple chemistry is admired by the audience. The overall storyline is unique and you would never see a female being the prince and has high rankings than the male lead. The historical dramas were sticked to “Male King/prince and maid/Eunuch romance”. The Stereotype was broken in this drama which gives the audience a different view.
3 .Kingdom: Ashin Of The North
Starring: Jun ji-hyun
No Of Episodes:1
Synopsis: The episode acts as a sidequel to the second season of Ju Ji-hoon starrer Kingdom and tells the backstory of Ashin, the mysterious character Lee Chang’s group encountered on their journey towards north in order to discover the origins of the infected.
Average Nationwide Viewership Ratings: NA
Previous seasons of Kingdom are considered as the best show in Netflix and this side-sequel has done justice to its predecessors. It’s a well placed roller-coaster and Jun ji-hyun after years of hiatus has shown her tremendous acting skill in this show. And overall, its awesome and Your 93 minutes will not be wasted for sure.
2.Bossam: Steal the Fate
Starring: Jung Il-woo, Kwon Yu-ri, Shin Hyun-soo and Kim Tae-woo.
No Of Episodes:20
Synopsis: Bossam: Steal the Fate depicts about a particular custom “Bossom” that is being followed in the Joseon period, in which a bachelor wrapped up a widow in a blanket at night and made her his wife. These custom changes the fate of Ba-woo (Jung Il-woo) when he mistakenly kidnaps Yi Su-kyeong (Kwon Yu-ri), the King’s widowed daughter.
Average Nationwide Viewership Ratings:6.042%
On the First episode itself, the drama hit a massive rating and set a new record for an MBN drama premiere which was surpassed by itself in the 11th episode gaining 8% Nationwide Viewership ratings.
1.The Red Sleeve
Released Year: 2021 -2022
No of Episodes: 16
Main Leads: Lee Jun-ho,Lee So-young
Genre: Romance, Historical
Synopsis: The Love story between a Crown prince and his Court Maid!
Average Nationwide Viewership Ratings:11%
The drama is a huge hit. The initial episodes were slow but the chemistry between the leads was well received. Many would believe that the kissing scene between them would one of the most expecting scenes in Korean dramas-2021.
The exact history of King Yi-San is showcased and both Jun-ho and Se-young has done justice to their roles.
The Red Sleeve is the best Historical drama released in 2021.
Achievements and Controversies:
- Red Sleeve drama roles is initially offered to Kim Kyung-nam and Park Hye-su.
- Bossam: Steal the Fate last episode gained average viewership of 9.8% nationwide thereby becoming the highest-rated drama in the network’s history, a record which was previously held by Graceful Family.
- The drama Joseon Exorcist starred Jang Dong-yoon, Park Sung-hoon and Kam Woo-sung was cancelled after 2 episodes being aired. The show faced a severe backlash from the Koreans due to historic inaccuracies and Chinese props shown.
- In River Where the Moon Rises drama, when after six episodes had already aired, the male lead Kim Ji Soo was replaced by Na In-woo after allegations of Sexual Abuse and Bullying scandal.
- In the drama “The King Tears: Lee Bang-won”, during the filming of 7th episode, a horse was severely injured during the shooting and died a week after the incident. The incident generates a public cry as the horse leg has been tied while shooting causing it to land on its neck when it slipped.
Complete List of Historical Korean Dramas 2021:
Unlike last Year which had Only 4 Historical dramas! This Year ,there would be quite more as per the confirmations by the Agencies.
The list of Completed and Ongoing, New Historical Korean Dramas! The kdrama 2021 List will be updated until the end of 2021!The Numbers are just Numbers, not Rankings! Enjoy watching all these Period Time Korean Dramas 2021.
Note: Upcoming Period Dramas 2021 not included in the list as the premiere times are not confirmed!
1.River Where the Moon Rises [COMPLETED]
Starring: Kim So-hyun,Na In-woo,Lee Ji-hoon,Choi Yu-hwa
No Of Episodes: 20
Synopsis: The series shows the love story between Princess Pyeonggang and On Dal from Goryeo Dynasty. Princess Pyeonggang (Kim So-hyun) who was born as a princess but raised as Yeom Ga-jin, an ambitious woman who always dreams to re-establish the status of Goryeo. She uses On Dal’s (Na In-woo) feelings for her to achieve her ambition.
2.Joseon Exorcist[CANCELED]
Starring: Jang Dong-yoon, Park Sung-hoon and Kam Woo-sung.
No Of Episodes: Not Applicable [2 Episodes Aired]
Synopsis: The series follows the fight of royal family to protect the people from evil spirits of undead, who use human fancies to demolish Joseon.
3.Bossam: Steal the Fate[COMPLETED]
Starring: Jung Il-woo, Kwon Yu-ri, Shin Hyun-soo and Kim Tae-woo.
No Of Episodes:20
Synopsis: Bossam: Steal the Fate depicts about a particular custom “Bossom” that is being followed in the Joseon period, in which a bachelor wrapped up a widow in a blanket at night and made her his wife. This custom changes the fate of Ba-woo (Jung Il-woo) when he mistakenly kidnaps Yi Su-kyeong (Kwon Yu-ri), the King’s widowed daughter.
4.Kingdom:Ashin Of The North [COMPLETED]
Starring: Jun ji-hyun
No Of Episodes:1
Synopsis: The episode acts as a sidequel to the second season of Ju Ji-hoon starrer Kingdom and tells the backstory of Ashin, the mysterious character Lee Chang’s group encountered on their journey towards north in order to discover the origins of the infected.
5.Lovers Of the Red Sky[COMPLETED]
Starring: Kim Yoo-jung, Ahn Hyo-seop
No Of Episodes:16
Synopsis: Set in Dan dynasty era, It is a story about lovers who saved the world ! The story revolves around Hong Chun-gi (Kim Yoo-jung), a born blind woman due to the curse of Demon King and Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop), A red eyed man who lost his sight and survived by the power of the Demon King. They attempt to save the world.
6. The King’s Affection [COMPLETED]
Starring: Park Eun-bin,Rowoon
No Of Episodes:20
Synopsis: Crown prince wife gave birth to twins that is considered as Ominous sign. To avoid her ultimate death, the mother sends the daughter secretly out and once the son Lee Hwi dies of disease, the daughter is brought back, cross-dressed and raised as the prince. The now crown prince Lee Hwi, who is actually a girl starts developing interest on Jung ji-woon, a teacher.
7.Secret Royal Inspector & Joy[COMPLETED]
Starring: Ok Taec-yeon,Kim Hye-yoon
No Of Episodes:16
Synopsis: Set in Joseon era, it tells the story of a young gourmet who becomes a royal inspector and a divorced woman, Kim Joy who wishes to find happiness, as they team up to investigate and expose corrupt politicians.
8.The Red Sleeve[COMPLETED]
Released Year: 2021 -2022
No of Episodes: 16
Main Leads: Lee Jun-ho,Lee So-young
Genre: Romance, Historical
Synopsis: The Love story between a Crown prince and his Court Maid!
9.Moonshine[Completed]
Released Year: 2021 – 2022
No of Episodes: 16
Main Leads: Yoo Seung-ho ,Lee Hye-ri ,Byeon Woo-seok
Genre: Romance, Historical
Synopsis: Set during Joseon Period, Moonshine Depicts the story of Kang Ro-Seo, the sole breadwinner of the family who starts brewing alcohol against the prohibition for the sake of her family’s wellbeing and to clear the debt. She encounters Nam Young , an officer who is in place to check the illegal Alcohol Brewing. Things get complication when they both meets the rebellious crown prince who often causes nuisance to the kingdom by not adhering to the Alcohol Prohibition Law.
10. The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won[completed]
Released Year: 2021 -2022
No of Episodes: 32
Main Leads: Joo Sang-wook, Park jin-hee, Kim Yooung-chul
Genre: Political, Historical
Synopsis: Also called Taejong Yi Bang-won, sheds new light on leader Yi Bang-won, who took the initiative to establish the Empire of Joseon when Goryeo dynasty was about to end.