By Sara A. Layne:
I will be honest. I don’t really watch historical dramas. I’m not sure why because I have seen some that I truly love but they aren’t something I think of when I want to start a new drama. Perhaps it’s the way they’re dressed and the fact that I am not familiar with Korean history, which makes me shy away from them. I do know, however, that there are enough of them to have their own genre section in Dramafever and for that reason I am shining my spotlight on them.
I will be honest. I don’t really watch historical dramas. I’m not sure why because I have seen some that I truly love but they aren’t something I think of when I want to start a new drama. Perhaps it’s the way they’re dressed and the fact that I am not familiar with Korean history, which makes me shy away from them. I do know, however, that there are enough of them to have their own genre section in Dramafever and for that reason I am shining my spotlight on them.
One of the historical dramas, or sa geuks, that I truly enjoyed was Damo. Damo is about Jang Chae Ok, who is a police woman. It’s not the same as being a police woman in today’s society however. Chae Ok is a slave who has been given the job to investigate upper class women. She is an amazing swordsman from all her years practicing with Hwangbo Yoon. The series follows Chae Ok as she investigates a money counterfeit ring and searches for her mother and brother, with whom she was separated as a child. There is a love triangle but unlike the some of other dramas I’ve watched, I like both male roles. Hwangbo Yoon is Chae Ok’s police commander. They grew up together and trained together when Hwangbo Yoon was learning how to fight with the sword. The other third of the love triangle is Jang Sung Baek, leader of the rebel gang Chae Ok is investigating. She is supposed to bring him down but is starting to get feelings for him.
From the first episode, I was a goner. The action sucked me in and the story line was incredible. I loved watching how they figured out the crime without the help of modern technology. I can barely function when I am without my laptop and wifi, so to see how people lived and worked before any of that is amazing. I knew that the lead actress was the same from Secret Garden but I was so into this series that I never even thought of her as Gil Ra Im.
From the first episode, I was a goner. The action sucked me in and the story line was incredible. I loved watching how they figured out the crime without the help of modern technology. I can barely function when I am without my laptop and wifi, so to see how people lived and worked before any of that is amazing. I knew that the lead actress was the same from Secret Garden but I was so into this series that I never even thought of her as Gil Ra Im.
Another sa geuk that I’ve started watching and have liked so far is Iljimae. Iljimae reminds me of the story Robin Hood with the whole robs the rich to give to the poor. After each theft he leaves a painting of a red plum blossom branch. Even though Iljimae is doing this, he is really looking for the owner of the sword that was used to kill his father when he was a child. Eun Chae meets Iljimae by chance and admires him for what he is doing. Even though she is a government official’s daughter, she feels empathy for the poor. Iljimae did well enough to spawn Iljimae 2 which aired in the beginning of 2009, though I haven’t seen it yet. I will say I absolutely loved the soundtrack for Iljimae.
I watched Sungkyunkwan Scandal because a lot of the reviews I read said that it was considered the Boys Over Flowers of historical drama. Kim Yoon Hee goes to Sungkyunkwan University disguised as a boy after her brother gets sick. When her brother gets worse and her family is almost evicted from their place, she makes friends with the school’s gang (think F4). Now I’ll admit that there were some similarities between this and BoF but it did take me a while to get over the way they were dressed. I did like that Mickey Yoonchun and Park Min Young (Kim Nana from City Hunter *fan girl scream*) were in this drama.
Also why does it seem like every historical drama take place in the Joeseon era? That last question had nothing to do with Sungkyunkwan Scandal, other than the fact that, well, it takes place in the Joeseon era.
Also why does it seem like every historical drama take place in the Joeseon era? That last question had nothing to do with Sungkyunkwan Scandal, other than the fact that, well, it takes place in the Joeseon era.
I’m not giving up on historical dramas. I’ll keep watching them and try to look passed the different style of dress and they way they do things and try to focus on the actual story itself. What are some of your favorite sa geuks and why? Let me know in the comments section and I’ll be sure to check them out.
More Historical Dramas To Enjoy
Damo
Iljimae
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Sara A. Layne contributes to the kpop and kdrama website Blackwomenlovebi. For other entries in Sara’s Spotlight series and more, click here!
Categories: Recaps & Reviews Tags: Damo, Historical, Iljimae, Kdramas, Korea, Korean, sageuk, Sungkyunkwan Scandal
T J February 3rd, 2012 2:21 pm
Sarah. Sarah the dramas you chose to watch are good show, BUT in no. Way are they representative of true historical dramas! As a person who knew nothing about Korea or its culture, historical dramas aroused my interest and made me a true drama addict. Please watch a few more!!!
Sara February 3rd, 2012 2:33 pm
TJ what historical dramas do you suggest I watch?
T J February 3rd, 2012 2:40 pm
Sarah, PLEASE take time, start with Iron Empress, Jumong, Empress Chun Chi, Kingdom of the Sea,even Chuno for a different perspective! ! Thanks for the response! I enjoy reading your biog!!
KrisE February 3rd, 2012 3:07 pm
Sara,
I too have been blah over the historical dramas section lol I think it was the fact all the historical/political talk that went on in like the first 4 or 5 episodes of “Goong” was like zzz for me. Thats when I subconciously decided to stay away from the historical ones; however Goong is awesome so if anyone hasnt seen it do so !
Um but I think I’ve heard of Damo I cant remember if thats the drama SHINee re-enacted a scene from when they did the Noona date show??
Also Sungkyunkwan Scandal I know of because I love the ost song JYJ did for it. But now that you summed up the plots I think I might check one of them out ^_^
Holli February 3rd, 2012 3:55 pm
I second TJ’s comments and recommendations. I would add to the list Queen Seon Duk. As an FYI I put off watching Iron Empress, and now only on the 6 episode, but what I have seen I really like!
lindamacy February 3rd, 2012 4:09 pm
Sara,
Actually got hooked on kdramas from watching The Great Queen Seondeok. This so peaked my interest in Korean history I now do lot’s of research on the time period of the drama and the historical figure. Some of my favorites, YiSan, The Princess Man, Tree With Deep Roots and any historical drama with Song ll Guk.. Hey, ladies there is nothing sexier than seeing your favorite actor in period garb with long hair and a sword in his hand.
JaniUnnie February 3rd, 2012 4:40 pm
I’m halfway through Dong Yi and I’m liking it a lot ^_^ Ji Jin Hee is so good as King Sukjong, and Han Hyo Joo as Dong Yi also. Always makes my day watching these sageuk dramas
aemi February 3rd, 2012 5:28 pm
some of my favorites: Dae Jang Geum (my first kdrama), Dong Yi, Hwang Jin Yi, Queen Seon Deok. As you can see all of them are about women (haha) because I’m a girl and I don’t like those dramas about guys that fight all the time…even though sometimes those are good too.
And I also liked Hong Gil Dong but I’m not sure if I should count that one as a historical drama. it looked more like a parody in the beginning but things became serious after a few episodes.
I am now watching Queen Insoo and I love it -another drama where the main character is a woman…kkk.
Crossfire February 3rd, 2012 6:50 pm
Too bad Dae Jo Young is not available. It’s a great historical drama. Same main actor as Emperor of the Sea. Yi San and Dae Jang Geum are my all time favorites. Jumong and the sequel Kingdom of the Wind are great, too. Love Song Il Gook — what a hunk!
Wispergal-Ivory February 3rd, 2012 8:21 pm
Sara,
I watched Emperor of the Sea , then Dae Jo Young .I adore Choi Su Jung’s acting but love Kim Nam Gil in The Great Queen Seon Deok . I love seeing the same supporting actors in many shows. They are great too. I love the modern shows too but the History ones grab me and never let me go! I think I must have lived in the Joeseon Era ; as I have feeling I am reliving a life I knew before. I am right with lindamacy in l love to see them with long hair and a sword. I adore Eric Moon in anything. He reminds me of my youngest son. So many actors male and female of Korea are the greatest acting I have ever witnessed. Alan Rickman is the only other man I want to watch. I am 70 years old and some of my family think I have lost it, while others are inspired and excited by the culture I tell them about . I am learning about the history and language of another country and not just vegging in front of an America sitcom for the rest of my life. It is great to know I am not alone in how I spend my hours. I have watched about 600 hours and feel I have expanded my heart and mind.
NewKDramaAddict February 3rd, 2012 9:42 pm
I love the sagueks. Whether they are loosely based historical dramas or down-right all history! There is just something about period dramas and movies that I like. Next to The Princess’s Man and Tree with Deep Roots, I loved Sungkyungkwan Scandal! Yi San, I have been watching on/off but they are killing me with the constant conspiracies! Its amazing King Jo Jeong was able to hold the throne for a year (watch Yi San and you will see what I mean)!
Jojo February 3rd, 2012 9:58 pm
I love Sungkyunkwan scandal so far, I’m about half way through. I would like to suggest Dae Jang Geum, although it might seem long, it’s great! Yi San is another good one it’s similar to DJG though.
Sara February 3rd, 2012 10:31 pm
Thanks so much for all of the recommendations! I will definitely try to watch as much as I can
gevurahgirl February 3rd, 2012 11:07 pm
I’ve seen two-thirds of the ones mentioned and loved them, so I guess Damo will be added to my “watch it next” list. Another one I really like is Painter of the Wind. The art alone in that Kdrama is worth watching it for–just beautiful! ^_^
Ivelisse February 4th, 2012 12:23 am
I love Hwang Jin Yi based on one of the most famous gisaeng of the Joseon Dynasty who lived during the reign of King Jungjong. She was noted for her exceptional beauty, charming quick wit, and extraordinary intellect. Her personal life has become almost myth-like, because of her renowned assertive and independent nature.The plot:Born to a gisaeng (a female entertainer) and a father of noble background, Hwang Jiny was left at a temple by her mother, who did not want her to become a gisaeng. Although she led a sheltered life within the temple walls, one day she happened to see some gisaengs in the marketplace. Wanting to learn how to dance, she goes to a gisaeng’s house, where she meets her mother for the first time. Jiny shows outstanding talent for playing the geomungo (a traditional Korean instrument) and for dancing. Meanwhile, she falls in love with Eunho, who is from a powerful noble family. They cannot overcome the fact they are from different social backgrounds, and Eunho dies of a broken heart. Unable to forget her first love Eunho, Jiny lives a miserable life succumbing to alcohol. She drinks day and night and has no desire to dance anymore. While in a state of drunkenness, she decides to kill herself but is saved by Jeonghan. Afterwards, he becomes her new love.Starring Ha Ji Won and my fav korean star Jang Keun Suk.I reccomend that one!
african_beautee February 5th, 2012 9:31 pm
Dae Jo Young is on youtube! Thats where I watched it and I loved it…but yes watch the Dramas that were recommended they are good dramas you will love them
franziga February 5th, 2012 9:39 pm
Check out Dong Yi, The Princess’ Man, A Tree With Deep Roots, and The Moon That Embraces the Sun (which is currently airing but no on Dramafever). The last one isn’t even based on a true story but it’s so addictive! Dong Yi is a bit lengthy at 60 episodes but the others are 20-24 eps each.