Three (3) Historical Hidden Gems ~ Old But Gold Korean Dramas

The popularity of Korean drama continues to grow globally. In the USA, ever since all of the popular streaming platforms began to participate, Korean movies and series are released monthly, almost weekly. My complaint used to be that there weren’t enough K-dramas to watch. Now that the floodgates have opened, my complaint is that some of the really good Korean dramas slip under the radar, like the three highlighted below in this article.

PopGeeks has already published a review of “Lee San, Wind of the Palace” (2007 -2008, aka “Yi San”), the love story about King Jeongjo of Joseon and a female artist Song Yeon. If you liked this Korean drama series, you’ll probably want to add these three (3) to your watch list.

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(1) Hwang Jin Yi (2006); 24 episodes

Based on or inspired by the life of Hwang Jin Yi, a famous 16th-century gisaeng (female entertainer), poet, and performer.

• Memorable Quote: “I’ll live as a courtesan, not as a woman. I’ll embrace any man that comes my way… Breaking my love and making me a courtesan will not be a good thing for you.”, (often attributed to Hwang Jin Yi)

Main Character: Hwang Jin-Yi (played by Ha Ji-Won, “Damo: The Legendary Police Woman”, “The Huntresses”, “Curtain Call”, “Empress Ki”)

Plot Summary: 16th-century Joseon, a young woman who is the illegitimate child of a nobleman and a blind gisaeng, becomes one of Joseon’s most celebrated gisaeng, mastering dance, poetry, and music against the constraints of social hierarchy.

NOTE: There is a Korean movie with the same title released in 2007. Hwang Jin-Yi (played by Song Hye-Kyo, “The Glory 1 and 2”, “Descendants of the Sun”)

Where to Watch

TRAILER: ENM, CJ. “HWANG JIN YI Official Int’l Main Trailer.” YouTube, Video, 21 May 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ksm6s7Sno.

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(2) Painter of the Wind (2008); 20 episodes

Based on the bestselling historical fiction novel by Lee Jung-myung, which speculates that the painter Shin Yun-bok (traditionally thought male) may have been a woman in disguise.

• Memorable Quote: “A painter must not only see with the eyes, but feel with the heart. Only then can the brush speak truth.”

Main Character: Shin Yoon-Bok (played by Moon Geun-Young, “Catch the Ghost”, “Cinderella’s Stepsister”, “The Village: Achiara’s Secret”, “Jung-Yi, Goddess of Fire”, “Hellbound 2” )

Plot Summary: In 18th-century Joseon, two court painters were mysteriously murdered, and ten years later, a young female painter disguised herself as a man and entered the royal painting institute (Dohwaseo or Royal Bureau of Painting). The master painter mentors her, but at the same time, she is trying to uncover her father’s murderer.

Where to Watch

TRAILER:  mtaba86. “Painter of the Wind Trailer 1.” YouTube, Video, 27 Nov. 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtDR5zgayrY.

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(3) Jang Youngsil: The Greatest Scientist of Joseon (2016); 24 episodes

A period drama with scientific/biographical emphasis inspired by the real historical figure Jang Yeong-sil, a scientist and inventor in 15th-century Joseon (under King Sejong) who was born to a lower class (slave / nubi) but rose to become a royal engineer and astronomer.

• Memorable Quote: “Even if I was born a slave, my mind is free to explore the heavens.”

Main Character: Jang Yeong-sil (played by Song Il-kook, “Jumong: Prince of Legend”)

Plot Summary:  15th-century Joseon, the story of a man born a slave, but with recognition by King Sejong, he rose to the level of a royal engineer and astronomer. He developed many scientific instruments, such as water clocks, sundials, rain gauges, and innovative devices, and also researched weaponry. He overcame societal class or status, court politics, and the “doubting Thomas-es” or skeptics of his era.  

Where to Watch

TRAILER: OnlyKDrama. “Jang Young Shil 2016 Official Trailer Korean Drama.” YouTube, Video, 11 Apr. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lReZNHiXhPc.

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