Historical K-Dramas That Slipped Under the Radar (Pt 2 of 5)

Continuing with the list of historical K-dramas, gems that may have slipped under your radar. This is a 5-part series. In total, once the series is completely published, seasoned K-drama lovers and newbies will have 25 historical Korean dramas to add to their watch list.

• (1) Haechi (2019); 48 episodes
• (2) Jeon Woo-chi (2012); 24 episodes
• (3) Kangchi, the Beginning (aka Gu Family Book) (2013); 24 episodes
• (4) The King’s Face (2014); 23 episodes
• (5) King Maker: The Change of Destiny (2020); 21 episodes

(1) Haechi (2019); 48 episodes

This historical K-drama is set during the Joseon Dynasty period. In Korean culture, Haechi is “a mythical creature that distinguishes what is good and bad, or right and wrong and symbolizes justice. So if a person wears the symbol of the Haechi on their clothing, it means they want to be righteous and do good for the people. It’s their duty and you should know that they are trustworthy.

The Saheonbu is like the Office of Inspector General. It monitored government officials to be sure their official positions were not being used for corruption, malfeasance, or inefficiency. This organization also enforced Confucian customs and public morals. In “Haechi” three (4) individuals from different backgrounds unite to support Yi Geum, Prince Yeoning (later King Yeongjo).

Three people supported Yi Geum: Chun Yeo-ji, a female police detective of the Saheonbu; Bak Mun-su, an investigator for the Saheonbu and a secret operative for Yi Geum; and Dal-moon, he looked like a beggar, but he was an intelligence gatherer and controlled a network of informants and storytellers throughout Joseon’s capital.

King Yeongjo is a real historical figure, He reigned 52 years as the 21st king of the Korean Joseon dynasty. He was discriminated against because of his mother’s humble origins. But ultimately he did become king and in history, he is praised as the “people’s King”.

{NOTE:  The featured image for the article is a photo of a haechi.|

(2) Jeon Woo-chi (2012); 24 episodes

This historical K-drama is so much fun! Clark Kent/Superman in Joseon? YES!! This historical K-drama series is a fantasy set in the fictional utopian nation of Yuldo, This nation was established by the righteous bandit people’s hero Hong Gil-dong, Jeon Woo-Chi (played Cha Tae-Hyun) is a Taoist wizard. He gets his powers by swallowing a gumiho fox bead.

He comes across a man who is dying and the man’s dying plea is for him to look after his sister, Jeon Woo-Chi takes on the identity of this man named Lee Chi, and gets a job working as a Joseon news reporter. (Shades of Clark Kent.) Whenever he needed to use his magical powers, he slipped away to some place from public view and changed over to his true identity. (Shades of Superman.)

He has enemies who are also magicians who come from Yuldo, but they have wicked plans to control the citizens of Joseon. His lover, Princess Hong Moo-Yeon (played by Uee), is the granddaughter of Hong Gil-dong. She is a good wizard however, the two wicked wizards put her under a spell that erases her memory and turns her into a heartless assassin.

Eventually, Lee Chi’s sister crosses paths with Jeon Woo-Chi. He tries to pretend to be her brother but she is suspicious of him. Jeon Woo-chi does his best to conceal his identity as a wizard but ultimately he must fight against the two wicked wizards and thwart their plans. He must also find a way to break the spell and free his beloved from their clutches.

(3) Kangchi, the Beginning (aka Gu Family Book) (2013); 24 episodes

This historical K-drama begins by introducing Koo Wol-Ryung (played by Choi Jin-Hyeok). He is a spirit protector of Jiri Mountain. One day he sees a human woman, Seo-Hwa (played by Lee Yeon-Hee), being mistreated and wants to help. But he is not allowed to get involved in human affairs. Even so, when she tries to escape her oppressors and runs into the forest, he saves her.

They fall in love but she has never seen his true form. When she realizes he is not human she betrays him. But by that time she is already pregnant with his child. She gives birth to the child and places him in a basket in the river, where he is found by a wealthy man who adopts him. The child is Gu Wol-ryung (played by Choi Jin-hyuk). He is a half-man, half-gumiho; and wears a bracelet that helps him control his powers.

When he has grown up, tragedy repeats itself. The same man who brought misery to his birth mother and father also brought misery to the home of his adoptive father. Gu Wol-ryung is admitted to a military training academy where he learns the necessary fighting skills he will need to take revenge. At the academy is a young girl, Dam Yeo-Woo (played by Bae Suzy). They develop a relationship.

Koo Wol-Ryung is reanimated but now he hates humans and is like an angry vengeful spirit. He goes around destroying towns and villages. He is confronted by his own son, Gu Wol-ryung, who tries to stop him. His son finally learns the true story of how he was born.

The most fascinating thing about this fantasy historical K-drama is the episode when the four (4) masters, who have an important role at a military training academy, introduced themselves to the Admiral of the Navy. After they said their names, they mentioned a particular flower.

This flower was a secret code that represented them. If someone received information with a drawing of that particular flower, the recipient knew who was providing the information. The flowers were: apricot blossom, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and orchid.

FUN FACTS:  In Korean Culture:

• Apricot blossoms mark the start of spring and symbolize the prosperity, victory, cooperation, and unity of the people.
• Bamboo is a symbol of righteous living in a disorderly world in Korean culture.
• Chrysanthemums symbolize purity, loyalty, and longevity.
• Orchids symbolize integrity and the spirit of the scholar for generations.

The orchid, along with plum (or apricot?) blossoms, bamboo, and chrysanthemums are referred to as the “Four Gentlemen” (sagunja) quartet.

The only disappointing thing about this series is that it was decided not to continue the story with a Season 2.

(4) The King’s Face (2014); 23 episodes

This historical K-drama series retells historical events such as the Imjin War aka The Seven-Year War aka The Japanese Invasions of Korea. It isn’t bad enough that Joseon is at war, but there is lots of palace intrigue, power struggles, ruthless scheming, backbiting, and conniving. Just in case the war didn’t keep people busy.

Physiognomy is the art of face reading, and in the kingdom of Joseon, this was a desired skill. It meant that you could look at the king’s face and predict if he would be a wise king. Prince Gwanghae (played by Seo In Guk) had a slight problem. It seems that if he was going to become a good king, he needed to fix his face!

He endured all kinds of acupuncture treatments, not to mention being mistreated. His father, the king, mistreated him by sending him off to war, hoping he might die in battle. That didn’t happen. He was an exemplary military leader and when he came back the people praised his bravery. Why wouldn’t he be a great king?

It also did not help that the physiognomist (“face reader”) who worked inside palace was a ruthless man. Of course, according to his side of the story, everything he did was so that the country would be ruled by a good and wise king. Although another character who could also read faces, read his face and summed up the reading with one word: SNAKE!!

Seo In Guk won the 2014 KBS Best New Actor Award for his role.

(5) King Maker: The Change of Destiny (2020); 21 episodes

This historical K-drama is based on the novel “Wind, Clouds and Tombstone”. The story is set during the Joseon era. The main character is Choi Chun-Joong (played by Park Si-Hoo). He is humble, honest and the best face reader in the nation.

He is asked to use his skills to find “king material”, i.e. someone who would make the best king. In other words, he’s a kingmaker. Of course, the person who asked him to use these skills wanted his own son to become king. But he needed a way to justify putting him on the throne.

Additionally, Choi Chun-Joong is in love with Lee Bong-Ryeon (played by Ko Sung-Hee). Not only is she a beautiful princess, the daughter of King Cheoljong, but she too can see the fate of people. She can determine if they will be a blessing or a curse.

Both the princess and Choi Chun-Joong can see the fate of Joseon and they do their best to try to alter the country’s destiny. The End of this series will surprise the viewer. Just exactly who is the ‘best king material’?

♦ Click here to view the list for Part 1.

How to Learn Korean History Through Watching Korean Dramas | kdramadiary

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