10 Must-Watch Korean Dramas and Films Based on True Events: From Heartfelt Romances to Real-Life Mysteries

Korean dramas based on true events often blend gripping storytelling with real-life historical, cultural, or social elements. Here are ten recommendations that have either been directly inspired by true events or draw heavily from real historical or contemporary contexts:

1. “Nokdu Flower” (2019)

  • Based on: The Donghak Peasant Revolution in 1894
  • Plot: Depicts the story of two brothers on opposite sides during the Donghak Peasant Revolution, exploring family loyalty and socio-political conflict.
  • Themes: Historical, Drama, Socio-political Strife
  • Main Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Yoon Shi-yoon, Han Ye-ri

2. “Hymn of Death” (2018)

  • Based on: The life of Yun Sim-deok, Korea’s first professional soprano
  • Plot: A tragic love story in the 1920s of Yun Sim-deok and Kim Woo-jin, set against Japanese colonial rule.
  • Themes: Romance, Tragedy, Historical, Music
  • Main Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Shin Hye-sun

3. “Signal” (2016)

  • Based on: Real-life unsolved cases in South Korea
  • Plot: A detective in the past and a profiler in the present communicate via a mysterious walkie-talkie to solve cold cases.
  • Themes: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural
  • Main Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, Cho Jin-woong

4. “Bridal Mask” (2012)

  • Based on: The Japanese occupation of Korea
  • Plot: A man becomes a masked hero fighting against Japanese colonialism, intertwining resistance movements and personal struggle.
  • Themes: Action, Historical, Drama, Resistance
  • Main Cast: Joo Won, Jin Se-yeon, Park Ki-woong

5. “Chicago Typewriter” (2017)

  • Based on: Historical events interwoven with fiction
  • Plot: Revolves around three resistance fighters from the 1930s reincarnated in the present day, blending romance, history, and fantasy.
  • Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Mystery
  • Main Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Im Soo-jung, Go Kyung-pyo

6. “The Crowned Clown” (2019)

  • Based on: Inspired by King Gwanghae of the Joseon Dynasty
  • Plot: A king places a clown who resembles him on the throne to escape assassination, drawing from elements of King Gwanghae’s reign.
  • Themes: Historical, Drama, Political
  • Main Cast: Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Se-young, Kim Sang-kyung

7. “Sandglass” (1995)

  • Based on: The tumultuous history of Korea from the 1970s to the 1990s
  • Plot: One of Korea’s most famous dramas, it delves into the lives of three friends set against the backdrop of real historical events like the Gwangju Uprising
  • Themes: Historical, Drama, Romance, Politics
  • Main Cast: Choi Min-soo, Go Hyun-jung, Park Sang-won

8. “Mr. Sunshine” (2018)

  • Based on: The late Joseon Dynasty and emergence of Korean independence movements
  • Plot: The series follows a Korean man who returns to his homeland as an American soldier after running away during the 1871 U.S. expedition to Korea.
  • Themes: Historical, Romance, War, Drama
  • Main Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok

9. “Reply 1988” (2015)

  • Based on: Life in South Korea in the late 1980s
  • Plot: While the story is fictional, the setting and cultural background are authentic, capturing the family dynamics, friendships, and societal changes in 1980s Korea.
  • Themes: Family, Friendship, Coming-of-age, Nostalgia
  • Main Cast: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo

10. “Misaeng: Incomplete Life” (2014)

  • Based on: Real-life corporate culture in South Korea
  • Plot: An insightful look into the life of office workers in Korea, highlighting the challenges in a corporate environment.
  • Themes: Drama, Workplace, Realism, Coming-of-age
  • Main Cast: Im Si-wan, Lee Sung-min, Kang So-ra