Cover There’s something endlessly addictive about a great sageuk. One moment you’re caught up in royal court politics, the next you're watching zombies overrun a palace or a modern-day chef trying to survive life as a queen. If you’re ready to escape into the Joseon dynasty, these are the Joseon dynasty K-dramas worth adding to your queue (Photo: IMDb)
There’s something endlessly addictive about a great sageuk. One moment you’re caught up in royal court politics, the next you're watching zombies overrun a palace or a modern-day chef trying to survive life as a queen. If you’re ready to escape into the Joseon dynasty, these are the Joseon dynasty K-dramas worth adding to your queue (Photo: IMDb)
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From palace intrigue to time travel, these Joseon dynasty K-dramas on Netflix deserve a spot on every watchlist
If you’ve ever finished a modern K-drama only to find yourself craving sweeping robes, palace intrigue and impossible royal romances, it's probably time to dive into a Joseon-era series. Historical K-dramas continue to be some of Netflix's biggest crowd-pleasers, transporting viewers to Korea’s longest-ruling dynasty through lavish costumes, breathtaking palaces and stories packed with political scheming, forbidden love and larger-than-life heroes.
Of course, not every sageuk is the same. Some throw zombies into the royal court, while others mix in time travel, body swaps or laugh-out-loud comedy. Whether you’re after pulse-pounding action, heart-fluttering romance or high-concept fantasy, there’s a Joseon K-drama waiting to become your next binge. Here’s a guide to some of the best Joseon dynasty K-dramas currently streaming on Netflix.
Read more: Love supernatural sageuk K-dramas? Watch these before ‘The East Palace’
1. ‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)
Above A deadly zombie outbreak turns the Joseon royal court into a fight for survival
The series that proved zombies and historical dramas are a perfect match. When a mysterious plague transforms the people of Joseon into flesh-eating monsters, Crown Prince Lee Chang races to uncover the truth while battling corruption inside the palace. Equal parts political thriller and survival horror, Kingdom remains one of Netflix's defining Korean originals. Ju Ji-hoon leads the cast alongside Bae Doona and Ryu Seung-ryong. The series streams exclusively on Netflix.
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2. ‘Kingdom: Ashin of the North’ (2021)
Above Discover the tragic origin of the woman who changed the fate of 'Kingdom' forever
This feature-length special expands the Kingdom universe by revealing the tragic story of Ashin and the origins of the mysterious resurrection plant that unleashed the outbreak. It’s essential viewing for fans wanting a deeper look into one of the franchise's most fascinating characters. Jun Ji-hyun takes centre stage as Ashin, with Park Byung-eun reprising his role from the original series.
3. ‘Captivating the King’ (2024)
Above A dangerous game of love, revenge and palace politics unfolds inside the royal court
Politics and romance collide in this royal drama centred on a lonely king and an exceptional Baduk player whose apparent affection hides a carefully planned revenge plot. As trust and betrayal blur together, the pair become caught in a dangerous battle for both power and the heart. Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung headline the series, which is available globally on Netflix.
4. ‘My Country: The New Age’ (2019)
Above Two lifelong friends become enemies as a new kingdom rises from war
Although it begins during the fall of Goryeo and the birth of Joseon, this epic historical drama captures the chaos surrounding Korea's changing political landscape. Two childhood friends find themselves on opposite sides of history, forcing them to choose between loyalty, ambition and survival. Yang Se-jong, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Seol-hyun and Jang Hyuk lead the ensemble cast.
5. ‘The King's Affection’ (2021)
Above A woman secretly rules as Crown Prince while hiding her biggest secret--and her growing love
One of the most beloved modern sageuks, The King’s Affection follows a young woman who secretly assumes the identity of her deceased twin brother, the Crown Prince. Keeping the truth hidden becomes even more complicated when she falls for her royal tutor. Park Eun-bin and Rowoon deliver the series’ memorable central romance. The award-winning drama is available on Netflix.
6. ‘100 Days My Prince’ (2018)
Above An amnesiac Crown Prince finds unexpected love while living life as a commoner
After surviving an assassination attempt, the Crown Prince loses his memory and ends up living as an ordinary villager. What follows is a charming fish-out-of-water romance filled with comedy, heartfelt moments and plenty of palace intrigue as he unknowingly falls into an unexpected marriage. EXO’s Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.) stars opposite Nam Ji-hyun.
7. ‘Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung’ (2019)
Above An aspiring female historian challenges tradition and finds romance in the royal palace
History meets romance in this feel-good drama set in a fictionalised version of the early 19th century inspired by Joseon. It is about an ambitious woman determined to become one of Joseon’s first female historians despite society's expectations. Along the way, she crosses paths with a lonely prince who secretly writes romance novels under a pen name. Shin Se-kyung and ASTRO’s Cha Eun-woo headline this charming coming-of-age romance, which is available on Netflix.
8. ‘Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency’ (2019)
Above Joseon's best matchmakers take on their most impossible royal matchmaking mission yet
Before ascending the throne, a young king hires Joseon’s finest matchmakers to transform his childhood sweetheart into a noblewoman worthy of becoming queen. Naturally, things become much more complicated when love, duty and class differences collide. Kim Min-jae, Gong Seung-yeon, Seo Ji-hoon, Park Ji-hoon and Byeon Woo-seok lead the cast. The drama is currently available to stream on Netflix in select regions.
9. ‘Mr. Queen’ (2020)
Above A modern-day chef wakes up trapped inside the body of a Joseon queen
Few K-dramas are as wildly entertaining as Mr. Queen. After a near-death accident, a modern-day chef wakes up inside the body of Queen Cheorin, creating endless chaos as his twenty-first-century personality clashes with strict Joseon court etiquette. Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun shine in one of the genre’s funniest body-swap stories.
10. ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ (2025)
Above A time-travelling chef wins over a foodie king one royal feast at a time
Food lovers and fantasy fans alike will enjoy this inventive time-slip drama. A French-trained chef is suddenly transported to Joseon during a solar eclipse and finds herself cooking elaborate royal feasts for a notoriously demanding king with an extraordinary appetite. Im Yoon-ah and Lee Chae-min star as the unlikely pair at the centre of this culinary fantasy romance. The drama streams on Netflix.
11. ‘Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist’ (2022)
Above A disgraced royal physician discovers a new purpose by healing both minds and hearts
Blending medicine, mystery and gentle comedy, this drama follows a gifted royal physician whose life is upended by palace conspiracy. After relocating to a quiet village, he begins treating patients’ emotional and psychological wounds, discovering that healing often requires compassion as much as medical expertise. Kim Min-jae, Kim Hyang-gi and Kim Sang-kyung lead the heartfelt series, which is available to watch on Netflix.
12. ‘The East Palace’ (2026)
Above ‘The East Palace’ follows a ghost-slayer and a court lady who hears the dead as they unite to destroy a vengeful spirit targeting the royal bloodline
In The East Palace, available to stream on Netflix, the dark fantasy action series stars Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo. The narrative centers on Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a ghost-slayer capable of entering the spirit world, who is summoned by the King (Cho Seung-woo) to lift a deadly supernatural curse haunting the royal family.Forced to partner with Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady who possesses the rare ability to hear the dead, the pair must navigate palace intrigue and spiritual threats to eliminate a vengeful entity targeting the royal bloodline.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
