Cover ‘Shōgun’ (photo: IMDB)
‘Shōgun’ (photo: IMDB)
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Do you love epics set in medieval Europe? You might enjoy the lavish productions of Asian period dramas even more
While Western audiences readily consume corset dramas and Tudor intrigue, the sweeping sagas of Asia’s dynasties, warlords, and revolutionaries remain in the shadows. Lavish, intricate, and heavy on history, Asian period dramas are a feast for the senses. From the poetic tragedies of Chinese wuxia epics to the regal court dramas of Korea’s Joseon era and the feudal clashes of Japanese jidaigeki, these series deliver spectacle with substance, as meticulously detailed costumes front grand political machinations and stories with philosophical nuance.
Also read: Oscars 2025: Asian stars and creatives in Oscar-nominated films, from ‘Wicked’ to ‘Emilia Pérez’
If you haven’t yet ventured into this world, here are the must-watch Asian period dramas that deserve a place on your radar.
1. ‘The Story of Minglan’ (China, 2018)
Above ‘The Story of Minglan’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘The Story of Minglan’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Viki
Set during the Northern Song Dynasty, The Story of Minglan follows Sheng Minglan, the overlooked daughter of a concubine in a prestigious family. Raised in a household rife with favouritism and political manoeuvring, she learns to hide her intelligence while carefully navigating the treacherous waters of family hierarchy.
As she gets older, Minglan’s quiet resilience and strategic mind furthers her in society and she marries the powerful yet unconventional Gu Tingye. Together, they face court politics, betrayals, and personal hardships, proving that survival in a world dictated by power and tradition requires intellect and heart.
2. ‘Shōgun’ (Japan, 2024)
Above ‘Shōgun’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Shōgun’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Disney+, Hulu
Set in the early 1600s, Shōgun chronicles the collision of cultures as English sailor John Blackthorne is shipwrecked in feudal Japan. Taken under the protection of Lord Toranaga, a powerful daimyō vying for control of the shogunate, Blackthorne becomes a pawn in a larger struggle for power. As he learns the ways of the samurai, he finds himself drawn into political intrigue, dangerous rivalries, and a forbidden romance that threatens his survival.
In case you missed it: Shōgun makes history by winning 18 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama
3. ‘Ilustrado’ (Philippines, 2014)
Above ‘Ilustrado’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Ilustrado’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: GMA, YouTube
This late 19th-century Filipino drama follows the life of José Rizal, the Filipino nationalist and writer whose works ignited the revolution against Spanish colonial rule. From his privileged upbringing to his time studying in Europe, Rizal’s journey is marked by intellectual awakening, personal sacrifices, and the burden of inspiring a nation yearning for freedom. As he faces exile and persecution, his words become his most powerful weapon against tyranny.
4. ‘Mr. Queen’ (South Korea, 2020)
Above ‘Mr. Queen’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Mr. Queen’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Netflix, Viu
A modern-day chef finds himself trapped in the body of Queen Cheorin during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. He struggles to navigate palace life and political intrigue while hiding his true identity. Then, he unexpectedly becomes entangled in the power struggles of the royal court. With a reluctant king, scheming ministers, and unexpected romance, his journey is both comedic and perilous as he attempts to find a way back to his own time.
5. ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’ (South Korea, 2012)
Above ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Netflix, Viu
This Joseon-era drama follows the tragic romance between Crown Prince Lee Hwon and a noblewoman, Yeon-woo, whose love is torn apart by political conspiracies. After Yeon-woo is seemingly killed by dark sorcery, she reemerges years later as a shaman with no memory of her past. As fate draws them back together, Lee Hwon must unravel the secrets of court intrigue, betrayal, and supernatural forces that conspire to keep them apart.
6. ‘Jin’ (Japan, 2009)
Above ‘Jin’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Jin’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Netflix
In this TV adaptation of a popular manga, a modern neurosurgeon is mysteriously transported back to Japan’s late Edo period. Straining to adjust to the time's primitive medical practices, he uses his knowledge of modern medicine to save lives and influence history. As he becomes embroiled in the political turbulence of the Bakumatsu era, he must balance his desire to return home with his growing responsibility to the people of the past.
7. ‘Yoidore Kotoji’ (Japan, 2013)
Above ‘Yoidore Kotoji’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Yoidore Kotoji’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: DailyMotion
Set in Japan’s Edo period, Yoidore Kotoji follows a drunken, washed-up samurai who finds redemption through an unexpected journey. Formerly disgraced, he is drawn back into the world of duty and honour as he reluctantly takes on a cause greater than himself. With both swordplay and introspection, he must confront his past and rediscover the warrior he once was.
8. ‘Scarlet Heart’ (China, 2016)
Above ‘Scarlet Heart’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Scarlet Heart’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: iFlix
A 21st-century woman is transported back to China’s Qing Dynasty, finding herself in the body of a young noblewoman amidst the court of Emperor Kangxi. As she becomes entangled in a deadly succession fight between the emperor’s sons, her knowledge of history makes her both an asset and a target. Torn between love and survival, she must navigate the treacherous world of palace intrigue, knowing that history cannot be easily rewritten. This drama is something billed as Moon Lovers' Scarlet Heart.
9. ‘Gadis Kretek’ (Indonesia, 2023)
Above ‘Gadis Kretek’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Gadis Kretek’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Netflix
This is a bit more contemporary, but it is a period piece. Set in mid-20th century Indonesia, Gadis Kretek delves into the world of the kretek (clove cigarette) industry, where a young woman’s talent for blending tobacco makes her a key figure in a male-dominated business. As political tensions and familial conflicts rise, her journey takes her from rural Java to the heart of Indonesia’s modernisation, where love, ambition, and tradition clash in a rapidly changing era.
10. ‘The Longest Day in Chang’an’ (China, 2019)
Above ‘The Longest Day in Chang’an’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘The Longest Day in Chang’an’ (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Stream on: Amazon Prime Video
Set during the height of the Tang Dynasty, The Longest Day in Chang’an follows a former imperial officer who has just 24 hours to prevent a devastating terrorist attack on the capital city. As he races through Chang’an’s bustling and labyrinthine streets, he must decipher cryptic messages, outmanoeuvre assassins, and uncover a plot that extends the highest levels of power. The drama blends intense action with intricate political scheming, capturing the grandeur and tension of one of China’s most storied dynasties.
