My picks for entertainment ~ suggested movies, TV shows, music, and books ~ so you can enjoy some quality ME time! (ATTN Korean drama addicts! This blog has lots of K-drama love.)
The 2004 movie titled "The Butterfly Effect" is about how small changes in the past can create massive, unintended consequences in the present. A young man who suffered traumatic childhood blackouts. As an adult, he discovers that by reading his old journals, he can travel back in time and inhabit his younger self during those blackout moments. The problem is that every time he tried to “fix” a painful event — the present changed and the changes were NOT always good. Every time he attempted to repair the past, it only created new tragedies.
(My Takeaway.) For me, the moral of the story is:
There are two things a human can't mess with: TIME and TRUTH.
A troubled teen begins experiencing visions of a mysterious figure who tells him the world will end. The film blends time loops, alternate timelines, and psychological tension — very much in the same emotional and philosophical space as The Butterfly Effect.
A man with short‑term memory loss tries to piece together the truth about his past using notes, tattoos, and fragmented recollections. The nonlinear storytelling and themes of trauma, identity, and unreliable memory make it a perfect match.
A man reflects on multiple possible lives he could have lived, each shaped by small choices that ripple into drastically different futures. It’s philosophical, emotional, and deeply rooted in the “one small change alters everything” concept.
This final collection brings together the heaviest hitters in Korean occult horror — stories where exorcists, shamans, scholars, and ordinary families confront demons that blur the line between faith and fear.
These titles push ritual horror to its peak, weaving possession, curses, grave disturbances, and spiritual deception into narratives that feel both mythic and brutally immediate. If the earlier lists (List 1, and List 2) explored the edges of the supernatural, this one steps directly into the abyss.
A young priest and a seasoned exorcist attempt to save a possessed
girl, uncovering a demonic force far more cunning than they expected.
One of Korea’s most intense and respected exorcism films. IMDb:
6.3/10
A shape-shifting demon infiltrates a family, twisting their
identities and turning their home into a battleground of paranoia and
spiritual terror. IMDb: 5.6/10
A shaman, a priest, and a detective join forces to hunt an ancient
demon that manipulates communities through fear, curses, and
possession. IMDb: 7.9/10
Ritual-controlled revenants are unleashed on the city,
forcing a journalist and a teenage shaman to uncover the dark magic
behind the attacks. IMDb: 5.6/10
A woman becomes possessed by a vengeful spirit tied to shamanic
curses, while a folklore scholar uncovers the ritual origins of the
haunting. IMDb: 8.1/10
A rural cop confronts shamanism, demonic deception, and
psychological collapse as a mysterious outsider triggers a wave of
violent possession. Widely considered the pinnacle of Korean occult
horror. IMDb: 7.4/10
***
This final list brings Korean occult horror to its highest intensity, showcasing stories where exorcists, shamans, scholars, and ordinary people confront forces that twist faith, identity, and reality itself. From demonic deception to ancestral curses, these titles reveal how deeply ritual and belief shape Korea’s most unsettling narratives. Together, they form a powerful finale — a reminder that in the world of occult horror, the most terrifying battles are fought not in the shadows, but in the spaces where tradition and the supernatural collide.
If the first list explored the eerie edges of Korean folklore, this second collection plunges straight into the heart of ritual horror — where shamanism, cults, possession, and theological dread drive the narrative.
List 1 was "mild". These titles push deeper into the occult, blending spiritual traditions with modern fears (cult themes, rituals, possession, stronger horror) to create stories that feel both ancient and unsettlingly current. They can be grouped as "moderate". Whether it’s cursed relics, demon hunts, or time‑warped killers, each entry reveals another facet of Korea’s rich supernatural imagination.
A father searching for his missing daughter discovers a shamanic
underworld filled with trapped child spirits, forcing him to confront
a supernatural realm shaped by trauma and ritual. IMDb:
5.7/10
A pastor who investigates religious cults uncovers a sinister
group tied to occult theology, reincarnation myths, and a mysterious
girl with a dark destiny. IMDb: 6.3/10
A journalist and a teenage shaman expose a corporation using black
magic, possession, and ritual killings to maintain power, unleashing
forces beyond human control. IMDb: 6.7/10
Two women connected through a phone call across time become
entangled in a ritualistic serial killer’s timeline, twisting fate
and reality with every conversation. IMDb: 7.1/10
A cursed Buddha statue triggers mass possession in a small town,
forcing a grieving archaeologist and her ex-husband to confront
an ancient evil. IMDb: 5.9/10
A martial artist marked by stigmata joins a veteran exorcist to
battle demons, blending action horror with Catholic ritual and
supernatural combat. IMDb: 6.1/10
***
This second wave of occult stories dives deeper into Korea’s ritualistic underbelly, where shamanism, cursed relics, and theological dread shape battles between humanity and the unseen. Each title pushes past simple scares, revealing how spiritual traditions, belief systems, and ancient lore continue to haunt modern life. Together, they form a chilling reminder that the most terrifying forces aren’t always monsters — sometimes they’re rituals, faith, and the shadows we inherit.
Below is a quick list of occult Korean dramas. These go in the "mild" grouping, i.e., atmospheric, folk-tinged, low-gore. That means you don't have to watch them with your eyes closed, and it's OK if you turn the lights off for effect.
A wandering piper and his ill son take refuge in a remote village
after the Korean War, only to uncover a dark secret tied to a folk
curse and the villagers’ deceit. The eerie, slow-burn
atmosphere builds toward a grim, folkloric reckoning. IMDb:
6.4/10
A grieving mother encounters the Jangsan Tiger, a creature that
mimics human voices, pulling her family into an unsettling mystery
rooted in Korean folklore. The horror is atmospheric rather than
extreme, leaning on dread over jump scares. IMDb:
5.6/10
A grim reaper inhabits a human body and teams up with a woman who
can foresee death, unraveling a conspiracy that blurs the boundary
between the living and the afterlife. The series mixes supernatural
mythology with crime-driven mystery. IMDb:
7.8/10
A pragmatic exorcist who runs a real estate business purging
haunted properties partners with a con artist medium, uncovering
secrets tied to restless spirits and her own past. Despite the occult
rituals, the tone stays accessible and character-driven. IMDb:
7.6/10
This short-form horror anthology dramatizes modern Korean
urban legends, each episode delivering a quick, eerie encounter with
ghosts, curses, or unexplained phenomena. Creepy atmosphere over
intensity defines the series. IMDb: 5.7/10
A pastor and a detective become entangled in a ritualistic murder
case where prophecy, faith, and occult symbolism collide, pushing
both toward dangerous revelations. (Note: This appears to correspond
to Revelations/Gyesirok.) IMDb: 6.0/10
(2025 listing)
**
From haunted villages and mimic spirits to grim reapers and prophetic visions, these occult K‑dramas reveal how Korean storytelling transforms fear into fascination. Each title invites viewers to explore the unseen — where folklore, faith, and fate intertwine — proving that the supernatural isn’t just about terror, but about uncovering the mysteries that linger between worlds.
Here
is my curated
“10 Best Cozy Mystery Watchlist for the Holidays" and a suggested line-up, i.e., how
to maximize your entertainment (like if you're having a watch party). Grab your cocoa! ☕ 😀
Start
with Jessica Fletcher or Father Brown; add a pinch of Phryne Fisher glamour to your hot chocolate. Save Poirot or Orient Express for
last! By then, your puzzle-solving skills will be sharpened. Many
people have already seen Murder
on the Orient Express”. But there are a bazillion different
adaptations
for film and/or television. There's even a 2015 Japanese TV adaptation — a two-night miniseries version broadcast on Fuji
Television.
1.
Murder,
She Wrote
— “A Christmas Secret” (1992)
This
episode leans into pure Christmas nostalgia—small-town charity
events, long-buried family secrets, and Jessica Fletcher at her
warmest. It’s often cited as the most
beloved holiday episode
of the entire series. The episode avoids a traditional “on-screen
murder,” making it gentler and more emotionally resonant than
usual—perfect for viewers who want maximum
coziness, minimal darkness.
A
snowbound English manor, a tyrannical patriarch, and a locked-room
mystery—this episode feels like a mystery advent calendar in
motion. It’s one of the few
Christie stories written specifically for the holiday market,
and David Suchet considered it one of Poirot’s most psychologically
complex cases.
3.
Father
Brown
— “The Star of Jacob” (2014)
A
jewel theft tied to the Nativity, candlelit churches, and moral
puzzles rather than graphic crime. This episode blends biblical
symbolism with classic whodunit logic, making it feel like a
Christmas sermon disguised as a mystery.
4.
Midsomer
Murders
— “Ghosts of Christmas Past” (2017)
Christmas
in Midsomer means carolers… and corpses. This episode balances
festive décor with sharp wit and eccentric villagers. It was filmed
in real historic English villages decorated by locals, giving it an
unusually authentic holiday atmosphere.
5.
Miss
Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
— “Cocaine Blues” (2012)
While
not explicitly Christmas-themed, its jazz-age glamour, champagne
energy, and warm friendships make it ideal for December indulgence.
Phryne Fisher’s character was intentionally written as a female
fantasy figure of independence, and
the TV adaptation amplified that spirit, turning her into a global
cozy icon.
6.
Agatha
Christie’s Poirot
— “The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding” (1991)
A
lighter, almost playful holiday Poirot episode with country-house
charm and clever misdirection. The episode adapts multiple Christie
short stories into one narrative—making it a puzzle even for
devoted Christie readers.
7.
Aurora
Teagarden Mysteries
— “A Bone to Pick” (2015)
Book
clubs, inherited houses, and amateur sleuthing in a quiet town—this
is modern cozy comfort at its best. The fictional “Real Murders
Club” is inspired by real-life mystery-reading groups that meet
specifically during winter months.
8.
Grantchester
— Christmas Special (any season)
A
vicar solving crimes during the most spiritually reflective time of
year creates a gentle blend of mystery and meaning. Many Christmas
episodes intentionally slow the pace, focusing on grief, forgiveness,
and community—making them ideal for post-holiday viewing.
Sunshine
during winter! Miss Marple solves a murder while on holiday, proving
that coziness doesn’t require snow. This adaptation was filmed in
locations Christie herself visited, giving the episode an unusually
authentic connection to the author’s life.
10.
Murder
on the Orient Express
(2017 Film)
A
luxurious train, winter isolation, and one of the most famous endings
in mystery history—perfect for New Year’s Eve viewing. The film
emphasizes the moral
dilemma
of the ending more strongly than earlier adaptations, making it a
conversation starter rather than just a whodunit.
Set in 17th-century Joseon, three years after the Imjin War, Kingdom reimagines the zombie genre through historical horror. A mysterious plague spreads across the land, turning the dead into flesh-eating monsters. The source is not demonic possession or alien parasites, but a deceptively beautiful “resurrection plant” capable of reanimating corpses. As the outbreak worsens, corrupt ministers conceal the truth because the king himself has been infected. The crown prince, isolated and unsure whom to trust, sets out to uncover the origin of the disease and save the kingdom.
The prequel, Kingdom: Ashin of the North, reveals how the horror began. Ashin, a young girl from a border village, loses her family after Joseon officials betray her father and massacre her people to appease the Jurchens. As the sole survivor, Ashin learns the truth and plots devastating revenge—using the resurrection plant that turns humans into monsters. Her tragedy becomes the catalyst for the kingdom’s collapse.
A modern woman time-travels to the Goryeo era, where palace intrigue, tragic romance, and destiny shape a love that defies time.
In modern-day South Korea, Hae-Soo is questioning the value of her life when she impulsively jumps into a lake to save a drowning stranger. Instead of resurfacing in her own world, she awakens in the Goryeo era, surrounded by royal princes bathing in the palace. Disoriented and vulnerable, Hae-Soo must quickly adapt to a dangerous world governed by rigid hierarchies, political intrigue, and ruthless power struggles.
Her fate becomes intertwined with Prince Wang So, a feared and enigmatic royal who will later rise to the throne through bloodshed and betrayal. As Hae-Soo grows closer to him, she realizes that her knowledge of future events gives her insight—but not control. Though she foresees tragedy, changing history may be impossible. Love blossoms amid violence, betrayal, and forbidden desire, leading to irreversible consequences. The series asks whether fate can be rewritten or must be endured, and whether love can survive in a world where power always comes at a terrible cost.
A Joseon fantasy where ghosts haunt the palace, a fallen dragon possesses a man’s body, and a reluctant shaman holds the key to salvation.
The Haunted Palace blends Joseon-era intrigue with supernatural fantasy. Yeo-Ri, a young woman born with the ability to see ghosts, is the granddaughter of a powerful shaman. Despite her gifts, she longs for a quiet life selling eyeglasses in the countryside. Her childhood friend Yoon Gab, now a palace official, seeks her help to cure the king’s tormented son—but deceives her about the true purpose of her visit.
Tragedy strikes when Yoon Gab is murdered in the forest, and a fallen dragon, Gang Cheol—an imugi who has followed Yeo-Ri for years—possesses his body. Unaware of the possession, Yeo-Ri awakens in the palace amid ghostly attacks and mounting danger. As spirits haunt the royal family, Yeo-Ri must confront her shamanic destiny while struggling with her feelings for Yoon Gab’s body and Gang Cheol’s presence within it. Trust, identity, and love blur as she fights to protect the palace from restless spirits.
A Joseon-era mystery where a cursed crown prince and a fugitive noblewoman uncover conspiracies, false crimes, and a hidden truth from the past.
Set during the Joseon dynasty, Our Blooming Youth follows Crown Prince Lee Hwan, a man haunted by rumors and fear. Whispers claim he murdered his brother to secure his position, and when he receives a mysterious “ghost letter” predicting his downfall, he begins to believe he is truly cursed. A series of frightening incidents only deepens his paranoia and isolation.
Min Jae Yi, a noblewoman with a sharp mind, faces her own nightmare after being falsely accused of murdering her family. Hunted as a fugitive, she remembers her father’s dying words: “Protect the crown prince.” To reach him, she disguises herself as a eunuch named Go Soon Dol. Jae Yi convinces Lee Hwan that the curse and ghostly events are elaborate tricks rooted in science, not superstition. They form an alliance—he will help clear her name if she helps uncover the truth. Their investigation reveals a dark incident from a decade earlier that links both their fates.
A Joseon romantic comedy where a grieving king bans all marriages and a bold con artist pretends to channel his dead queen’s spirit.
Set in the Joseon era, The Forbidden Marriage tells the story of King Lee Heon, who remains devastated seven years after the death of his beloved queen. Declared a suicide, her death left him so traumatized that he refused to remarry—effectively banning marriage throughout the kingdom. Each year, on the anniversary of her death, another young woman is found hanging, reopening the king’s wounds and worsening his fragile mental state.
Ye So-rang, a clever con artist imprisoned for fraud, sees an opportunity for survival. Claiming to be possessed by the spirit of the late crown princess, she convinces the desperate king that she can channel his beloved from the afterlife. In truth, it is all an act. Ye So-rang is a noblewoman presumed dead after her stepmother’s failed murder attempt, now living by her wits alone. Her plan is simple: deceive the king long enough to escape the palace. But as emotions deepen and secrets unravel, the line between deception and healing begins to blur.
A Joseon-era mystery comedy where a brilliant detective investigates vampire rumors, strange deaths, and a sinister quest for immortality.
In Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead, eccentric genius Detective Kim Min and his loyal assistant Seo-pil are summoned by the king to investigate a string of mysterious deaths in a remote village. The victims have been drained of blood, sparking rumors of a vampire—or “living dead”—terrorizing the countryside. As fear spreads, the unlikely duo encounters suspicious villagers and a mysterious woman with possible ties to the undead.
Though this is Detective K’s first brush with the supernatural, he remains firmly grounded in logic and reason. Refusing to believe in vampires, he searches for a scientific explanation behind the horrors. The investigation leads to a hidden laboratory where rogue scientists are experimenting with an immortality potion. As secrets surface, Detective K must determine whether the living dead truly exist—or whether fear itself is being used to disguise darker human crimes.
Follow this 3-part list of nine (9) must-watch historical Korean dramas that weave fantasy and the supernatural into epic tales of love, power, and destiny.
A historical fantasy K-drama set in Daeho, where forbidden soul
shifting, magic, political intrigue, and a dangerous romance collide.
Set in the fictional nation of Daeho, Alchemy of Souls revolves around soul shifting—an illegal form of black magic that nearly everyone secretly practices, including royalty and assassins. Naksu, a legendary and ruthless assassin, is hunted by powerful mages determined to eliminate her. To survive, she performs a last-minute soul shift into the body of a weak, blind servant girl, losing her powerful sword in the process. Though physically fragile, Naksu regains her sight and begins plotting her comeback.
She soon crosses paths with Jang Uk, a nobleman who recognizes her soul-shifted identity by the telltale blue in her eyes. When he realizes who she truly is, they strike a deal: Naksu will train him in her lethal skills, and he will help her recover her sword. As their partnership deepens, they become entangled in palace conspiracies, corrupt rulers, rival mages, and hidden powers tied to Naksu’s borrowed body. Amid political chaos and danger, Naksu and Jang Uk fall in love, complicating everything.
An epic historical fantasy set in Bronze Age Arthdal, where
prophecy, tribal conflict, and hidden identities shape the rise of a
kingdom.
Set in the fictional land of Arthdal during the Bronze Age, Arthdal Chronicles draws inspiration from the legend of Dangun, Korea’s mythical founder. Before Arthdal became a kingdom, it was a land of rival tribes and brutal power struggles. Eunseom, a member of the Wahan Tribe, endures hardship from birth before discovering his true identity: he is a hybrid descended from a mystical race and the child of an ancient prophecy. His existence places him at the center of Arthdal’s fight for power.
Tanya, a noble-hearted priestess and successor of the Wahan Tribe, grows stronger through adversity and becomes a key leader devoted to her people. Together, Eunseom and Tanya oppose Tagon, a ruthless war hero who dreams of ruling Arthdal as king. Tagon claims to be the reincarnation of Aramun Haesulla, the god-like founder of Arthdal, while hiding his own half-breed origins. If his secret is revealed, the fearful populace would likely execute him, destroying his ambitions.
A mythological romance in the Dan Dynasty, blending divine art,
demons, fate, and love amid royal politics and supernatural forces.
Set in the fictional Dan Dynasty, Lovers of the Red Sky blends romance, mythology, and political intrigue. Hong Cheong-Gi and Ha Ram meet as children but are separated by fate. As adults, they reunite and fall in love. Cheong-Gi, once blind, becomes a gifted “divine painter” chosen to restore a royal portrait that once sealed the god of death. When the painting was damaged by fire, the demon escaped, setting dark forces in motion.
Ha Ram, born with the power of water, was nearly sacrificed in a ritual meant to appease the gods. Instead, the demon partially possesses him, leaving him blind yet gifted as an astrologer able to read fate through the stars. On the same day, Cheong-Gi miraculously gains her sight. This exchange was orchestrated by protective spirits who intend to recapture the demon. As red skies signal supernatural upheaval, the lovers are trapped between deadly court politics and an ancient battle between good and evil.
World
Bollywood Day is celebrated every year on September
24
to honor the vibrant world of Hindi-language cinema—its music,
storytelling, dance, and global cultural impact. Though not
officially declared by any government, it's a fan-driven observance
that has gained traction across popular culture calendars and online
communities. This blog has eleven (11) posts highlighting Indian cinema. Enjoy!
(6)
Mr. Queen (2020) A chef from modern-day Seoul falls off a hotel
balcony and into a pool. When he comes out of the water, he is in
the body of a queen during the Joseon Era. It seems that at that
moment a few hundred years ago, she had jumped into a lake because
she was trying to commit suicide. Somehow his soul entered her body.
He was in shock when he looked in the mirror and in even more shock
when he realized he had to sleep with the king! His first thought
was how to avoid the king's bed until he noticed the king didn't seem
to be interested in him … uuuhh? … her. So then he turned his
focus on how to get back to his time period and back in his own body.
Meanwhile
… he had to learn to live as the queen, which meant he was drawn
into all of the palace scheming, conniving, corruption, and
treachery. He had to learn the queen's friends and her enemies, and
how to get along with her father. The fun part of this
time-travel/body-swap misadventure was using his chef skills to
prepare dishes and win over the king’s enemies. Even though the
chef's identity and personality remain in her body, the queen’s
identity and personality gradually become dominant.
The
chef's memories get replaced with the queen's memories and the reason
she tried to commit suicide became clear. But by that time, the
romance between the king and the queen develops because the king also
understands her reason. The king was mistaken about her true
intention and her love for him. He believed she was part of her
family's corrupt plan for power. The queen learned the tragic story
of the king's childhood and that her father had knowledge of how his
family died. They became closer to each other and fell in love.
Their love story is beautiful and triumphant. Best time travel
romantic comedy ever!! [Where
to Watch]
Hong
Cheong-Gi is the main female character and also the name of a real
historical figure who was the only female painter accepted into the
Korean Royal Academy of Painting during the Joseon era. The leading
male character is Ha Ram. She is the divine painter and he is a
divine astrologer. They first meet as children; she is born blind
and he is a child with special power. The children get separated
because Ha Ram is chosen to participate in a rain ritual. On the day
he performs the ritual, he loses his eyesight and is possessed by a
demon. At the same exact
time, the blind girl gains her eyesight. When they grow up, they
meet again, and their bond of friendship is renewed and matures into
romantic love. However, their love and lives are endangered because
they are caught up in two webs: the political power games in the
human world AND the eternal power struggle of good versus evil in the
spirit world. This Viki Original series is a delightful historical
fantasy romance. [Where
to Watch]
(8)
Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist (2022) A royal physician who
works in
the palace and is called upon to treat members of the royal family
has such extraordinary medical skills, he is given the title “Divine
Acupuncturist”. But others hatched a plan to murder the king and
frame him. He is not aware that performing acupuncture would cause
the king's death. Consequently, he is accused of murder and thrown
into prison. The murderers hoped he would receive the death penalty
and their crime would be hidden. But the crown prince set him free
because he believed he was innocent and that he was also the only one
who could prove who had murdered the king.
He went
from working
as a royal physician to working in a village hospital. But he was
so traumatized that he could no longer perform acupuncture. He met a
young woman
and trained her to be an acupuncturist. When
she first saw him she had to talk him out of committing suicide.
When
he met her again, she a trying to commit suicide. Not only did he
have to treat her “heart”, he uncovered that she was a victim.
Her mother-in-law was trying to convince her to commit suicide so her
family would receive the Virtuous Widow
Honor.
The
royal physician who
was
no longer able to perform acupuncture started a new life and
developed a new
skill. The physician changed the way he treated patients by
diagnosing both their physical sickness and determining how to heal
their troubled minds. He became a “heart doctor” and he also
fell in love. This K-drama has 2 seasons. [Where
to Watch]
The
daughter of a nobleman owns
a guesthouse left to her by her father. In addition to being a
guesthouse, there are also secrets and romance. There are three
flower scholars are her guests.
One
is already paying for a room before the other two guests arrive. He
hopes to win the heart of the owner.
The
second guest came to town to take the civil service exam for martial
arts and hopes to become a member of the king's royal guard.
The
third guest has no money but he did try to help a damsel in
distress. Since the damsel is the owner
of the guesthouse, he arrives there and tells her she should repay
the debt by allowing him to stay there.
Two
of the scholars have a secret identity and are on a secret mission.
The owner
also has a secret and tells all of the guests they are not allowed to
go near the guestroom located at the back. It's haunted.
When
the owner was
a young girl, she protected a young boy who ran into her yard and hid
in the dog house. That boy was the crown prince but he did not tell
her his true identity. Thirteen years passed and one of the guests
is that prince and he' gong to fall in love with him. This is
a Viki Original series. [Where
to Watch]
(10)
Missing Crown Prince (2024)
A
royal physician was told that if his daughter married the crown
prince, he would die young and she would become a widow. His plan is
for his daughter to become the future crown princess so he kidnaps
the crown prince. They are both drugged and spend the night
together, lying side by side, technically making them a married
couple. He further plans to eliminate that crown prince and replace
him with another crown prince and get him to marry his daughter.
Before
he was kidnapped the crown prince was investigating her father. He
had information that proved he was having a secret affair with the
Queen Dowager and might be responsible for the death of a court maid
assigned to the queen dowager's palace.
The
best laid plan usually doesn't work out. The daughter wakes up and
helps the prince escape not knowing who he is. He also does not know
that she is the daughter of the royal physician he was investigating.
The other prince the father had hoped his daughter would marry was
very close to the crown prince. They grew up together and had a
strong bond. But that strong bond might be broken because both of
them fell in love with the royal physician's daughter. This K-drama
series is a spin-off of “Bossam:
Steal the Fate”,
another Viki Original which was released in 2021. This
is a Viki Original series. [Where
to Watch]
(1)
Dong Yi (2010) A true story: a real-life love story
between Dong Yi and King Sukjong. A concubine with a heart of gold,
who suggested to the king that there be a law preventing a concubine
from becoming queen (according to the TV series). She saw and
experienced the cruelty of the “palace flowers” toward each other
and the lengths they went to trying to eliminate their “competition”.
In the actual history of Joseon, the
strict Confucian social hierarchy and the established court protocols
did make it difficult for concubines to rise to the status of queen
consort. Dong Yi, who was the king's favorite concubine, was
elevated to the status of Royal Noble Consort Suk-bin and became the
mother of King Yeongjo. [Where
to Watch]
(2)
Shine or Go Crazy (2015)
Set
during the period BEFORE the Joseon Era when the country was called
Goryeo. Wang So is the Prince of Goryeo who is kicked out of the
palace because they believed he is cursed. When his future was read,
it was determined that he was born with both a light and fire,
meaning he will either shine bright like a star OR he'll be a crazy
man. Shin Yool is a princess from Balhae who survived her country's
destruction and is included in a prophecy concerning Wang So. The
prophecy said she would help a prince of Goryeo ascend to the throne
and become king. They met each other in a most unusual way. They
were both in a foreign country and she was trying to escape an
arranged marriage.
Wang So
was a random man she saw on the street and she persuaded him to
participate in a fake marriage. When they met she was living as a
successful businesswoman. She didn't know he was a prince and he
didn't know she was a princess. Separately, he returned to Goryeo
and she came to Goryeo later to do business. She recognizes him when
she sees him but he didn't recognize her. This time, not only did he
not know she was a princess; he didn't even know she was a woman.
Shin Yool disguised herself as a man because her gender would prevent
her from doing business in Goryeo. They met again and would fall in
love, neither realizing that their relationship a part of a prophecy.
“Shine or Go Crazy” is based on a novel of the same name.
[Where
to Watch]
(3)
100
Days My Prince (2018) Yul is a young prince befriends Yi
Seo, a nobleman's daughter and told her that he would marry her when
they grew up. Unfortunately, his weak-minded and wicked father
authorized the slaughter of her family because they were preventing
him from ascending to the throne. He bravely helped her and her
brother escape. His father became king and he became the crown
prince who forced into a loveless marriage because his father-in-law
wanted more power. His father-in-law even tried to assassinate him
because the crown prince was simply getting in the way of his power
plays. The assassination attempt failed but in the process Yul lost
his memories.
Yi Seo
had been adopted and raised by a loyal servant from her father;
household. There was a royal command that all of the spinsters in
the villages had to be married. Since her father knew that Yul had
amnesia, he told him that he a his daughter's fiancé and they were
to be married. Yi Seo was about to be flogged for disobeying the
royal command. Just like that! Yul had inadvertently married his
first love, the young girl he had promised to marry. Only they did
not recognize each other. This series is based on a webtoon. [Where
to Watch]
(4)
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019) During the Joseon era, women
were very limited in activities they could engage in freely. Goo
Hae-ryung's older brother who raised her had decided that it was time
for her to marry. He had out it off long enough. At the same time,
the king decided to authorize the hiring of female historians. It
was a first! There had never been female historians but there was a
critical need. It was not to ensure that history was properly
recorded. It was a way for the king and his corrupt officials to be
able to gain access to the areas in the palace where only women could
go.
The
king and one of his corrupt court officials wanted to snoop on the
queen, the queen dowager, the crown princess, the concubines, and any
and all women in the palace. They wanted a record of people who met
with the “flowers in the palace” and what they discussed.
Hiring female historians was the perfect solution to “their
problem”. Goo Hae-ryung believed being hired as a female historian
was the perfect solution to “her problem”, i.e. avoiding an
arranged marriage and remaining independent free-spirited woman. She
passed the test and became a part of the group of the first female
historians in Joseon. Once inside the palace she met and fell in
love with a prince. Their romantic relationship hit a few
roadblocks. There was no way to avoid the palace intrigue and
treacherous schemes. They had to find a way to overcome them.
[Where
to Watch]
Nok Du
is a prince who thought he was a commoner because his adopted father
kept his true identity a secret from him. Why? Because his own
father, the king, tried to kill him to thwart a shaman's prediction
of his future. Nok Du was content to be a commoner. He had a happy
home with his father and brother on a beautiful island with friendly
villagers. But one day female assassins showed up at his house. He
overpowered them so they tried to escape. Nok Du chased after them
and he was relentless in his pursuit. He followed the assassin into
a widows' village and … they beat him up and kicked him out!
Nok Du
needed to know why assassins showed up at his home and he knew the
assassin was in that village. There was only one way to get inside
that village. He dressed up like a woman and pretended to be a
widow. In the village, he met a young woman, Dong Dong Ju, who
dressed up like a man whenever she left the community. Dong Dong Ju
was not a widow, but the head of the village allowed her to stay
there. It was a safe haven for her because members of her noble
family had been killed. Dong Dong Ju was on a mission of revenge.
She
planned to kill the man responsible for the death of her family
members, i.e. king, Nok Du's father. They end up sharing a room
together in the village, and she learns he is a man. They fall in
love but it's gets complicated. [Where
to Watch]
Treathyl Fox aka Cmoneyspinner – Home Business Entrepreneur. Think. Dream. Focus. Believe in yourself? Hire yourself! Be your own boss! Do it! Self-employed and loving it! ♦ DISCLOSURE: In compliance with FTC rules and guidelines, be advised that some links shared via this websites might contain affiliate referral links which means commissions might be earned if product sales resulted from your click-through to the vendor’s website.
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