Best tv shows like Iljimae
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Iljimae is a 2008 South Korean historical action television drama series, starring Lee Joon-gi in the title role of Iljimae, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Young-ah and Park Si-hoo. It is loosely based on a comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung that was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. It was directed by Lee Yong-suk and produced by Chorokbaem Media. It aired on Seoul Broadcasting System from May 21 to July 24, 2008 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, touching, captivating, suspenseful, sageuk, anime, historical drama, period drama
Best tv shows and movies like Iljimae (2008):
Similar in 83%
Hong Gil Dong, the Hero (2008)
Plot Summary:
Hong Gil-dong is a 2008 South Korean television series starring Kang Ji-hwan in the title role, Sung Yu-ri, Jang Keun-suk and Kim Ri-na. The drama is loosely based on Hong Gil-dong, a fictional book about a Robin Hood during Korea's Joseon Dynasty, but with modern influences and comedic tones. It aired on KBS2 from January 2 to March 26, 2008 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 242
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: light, romantic, captivating, entertaining, sageuk
Similar in 82%
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003)
Plot Summary:
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It was first aired in China on CCTV on 22 December 2003.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 698
Genere: Action
Country: China
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, entertaining
Similar in 83%
The Return of Iljimae (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Return of Iljimae is a 2009 South Korean historical action television series, starring Jung Il-woo in the title role of Iljimae, Yoon Jin-seo, Kim Min-jong and Jung Hye-young. It aired on MBC from January 21 to April 9, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The series is based on comic strip Iljimae, published between 1975 and 1977, by Ko Woo-yung which was based on a Chinese folklore from the Ming dynasty about a masked Robin Hood-esque character during the Joseon era. MBC bought the rights to the comic strip for their adaptation, which was to star Lee Seung-gi in the title role of Iljimae. However he pulled out and was replaced by Jung, which makes him the third Korean actor to play the hero following Jang Dong-gun and Lee Joon-gi for Iljimae.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 115
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, tense, unusual plot structure, captivating, disturbing, visually appealing, period piece
Similar in 78%
7th Grade Civil Servant (2013)
Plot Summary:
Love and espionage collide in this drama of the National Intelligence Service’s rookie agents. Han Gil Ro realizes his dream of becoming an international man of mystery, after a childhood spent pouring over James Bond films. Kim Seo Won spices things up as a goofy, yet determined agent, but it's not all 007 glamor. Both Gil Ro and Seo Won must learn what it takes to uphold their sworn duty, even at the sacrifice of their happiness - and lives.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 156
Genere: Action, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 65 min
Plot tags: psychological, exciting, romantic, touching, emotional
Similar in 89%
Gunman in Joseon (2014)
Plot Summary:
It’s the 19th Century and as western influences spread across Asia, Korea’s Joseon dynasty is experiencing great upheaval and rapid modernization. As the son of the last great swordsman, Park Yoon Kang is caught between two worlds, but the sudden murder of his father and sister catapult him into the new era as he takes up the gun to avenge their deaths. However, it’s not just his family who needs his protection, but his people as well. Is Park Yoon Kang cut out to be the hero of an era?.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 408
Genere: Action, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, suspense, heartbreaking, political, suspenseful, disturbing, period drama
Similar in 87%
The Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015)
Plot Summary:
When Jo Yang Sun is driven out of house and home after her father is framed for a crime, she is forced to crossdress in order to make ends meet as a bookseller, where she meets Kim Sung Yeol, a handsome, but mysterious scholar who is actually a vampire. Meanwhile, an evil presence at the royal palace stops at nothing to keep the Crown Prince from claiming his rightful throne.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: dorama, sageuk, captivating, exciting, tense, sincere
Similar in 81%
100 Days My Prince (2018)
Plot Summary:
Lee Yool falls off a cliff and nearly dies in an attempted assassination. He loses his memory, and wanders for 100 days under a new name and personality. During this period, he meets Hong Sim, head of the first detective agency in Joseon.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Comedy, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: dorama, light, romantic, feel good, sweet, detective, romantic drama
Similar in 83%
The Great Seer (2012)
Plot Summary:
The Great Seer is a 2012 South Korean historical television series, starring Ji Sung, Ji Jin-hee, Song Chang-eui, Kim So-yeon and Lee Yoon-ji. Set during the turbulent decline of Goryeo, it is about practicers of divination and the power that they hold over the fate of the country. It aired on SBS from October 10, 2012 to February 7, 2013 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 35 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 85
Genere: Action, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, tense, touching, family saga, crying
Similar in 89%
Kim Soo Ro (2010)
Plot Summary:
This drama charts the life of Kim Soo Ro, legendary founder of Geumgwan Gaya, the ruling city-state of the Gaya confederacy, which dominated sea trade and iron working during the Three Kingdoms Period. Kim Soo Ro's fiery temperament, charisma and intelligence are his only defense in the extended political struggle, with competition for the throne from his half-brother and lifelong rival, Ijinashi, his former friend Suk Tal Hae, and the dangerous ambitions of Shin Kwi Gan.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 174
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, psychological, atmospheric, family saga, costume drama, period drama
Similar in 85%
Arsenal Military Academy (2019)
Plot Summary:
Xie Xiang disguises herself as a man in order to attend military school, where she and her classmates become embroiled in a series of tale-worthy events. After an academic career that wins her classmates’ and instructors’ respect, Xie sets out for China’s northeast to battle with Japanese forces that have rallied under a newly returned Chamber of Commerce president. As conspiracies and traps mount against her side, Xie will have to prove her valor in battle at last.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 781
Genere: Action, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, dorama, romantic, sweet, romantic drama
Similar in 88%
The Princess' Man (2011)
Plot Summary:
The Princess' Man is a 2011 South Korean television series, starring Park Si-hoo, Moon Chae-won, Kim Yeong-cheol, Song Jong-ho, Hong Soo-hyun, and Lee Soon-jae. It is a period drama about the forbidden romance between the daughter of King Sejo and the son of Sejo's political opponent Kim Jong-seo. It aired on KBS2 from July 20 to October 6, 2011 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 627
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, tense, dorama, sageuk, historical drama
Similar in 88%
Bridal Mask (2012)
Plot Summary:
Bridal Mask is a 2012 KBS2 period drama based on the popular Korean manhwa by Huh Young-man. The setting takes place in Seoul, Korea during the 1930s Japanese colonial era. The plot of the TV drama is slightly modified from the original graphic novel. The story follows a man named Lee Kang-to, a Korean police officer commissioned by the Japanese Police to betray his own country and aid the Japanese in the annihilation of the Korean rebellion. During his mission, he encounters a notorious masked man who dons a traditional Korean bridal mask to fight for Korea's independence by assassinating Japanese key officers. As the detective's hunt for "Gaksital" unravels, his eyes are slowly opened to the treacherous deeds he has committed towards his own countrymen. It stars Joo Won and Jin Se-yeon as the leads and with Shin Hyun-joon as the notorious masked hero of the Korean rebellion and brother to the main character.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 712
Genere: Action, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: dorama, exciting, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 76%
Nirvana in Fire (2015)
Plot Summary:
During the great unrest of 4th-century China, war breaks out between the feudal Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties. General Lin Xie of Liang takes his only 17-year-old son, Lin Shu, into battle and successfully fights off the hostile Wei army. But when a political rival frames General Lin Xie, it causes the deaths of 70,000 Chiyan army soldiers. Lin Shu is able to escape with his life with the help of a loyal subordinate. Twelve years later, Lin Shu establishes the Jiangzuo Alliance and returns to the capital as the Chief Mei Changsu. When the Northern Wei forces mount another attack, to what lengths will Mei Changsu go to protect his own people?.
IMDB Rating: 8.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, tense, suspense, costume drama
Similar in 83%
The Rebel (2017)
Plot Summary:
Drama series depicts the life of Hong Gil-Dong who is the the first revolutionist and dissident activist in Joseon.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 429
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, exciting, captivating, tense, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 88%
Giant (2010)
Plot Summary:
Giant is a 2010 South Korean television series starring Lee Beom-soo, Park Jin-hee, Joo Sang-wook, Hwang Jung-eum, Park Sang-min, and Jeong Bo-seok. It aired on SBS from May 10 to December 7, 2010 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 60 episodes. Giant is a sprawling period drama about three siblings' quest for revenge during the economic boom of 1970-80s Korea. Tragically separated during childhood, the three reunite as adults and set out to avenge their parents' deaths, their fates playing out against a larger tide of power, money, politics, and the growth of a city.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 158
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: suspense, tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 75%
Princess Agents (2017)
Plot Summary:
During the Warring Period, the Western Wei enslaved large numbers of civilians. The slave girl, Chu Qiao, is thrown into a forest along with other slaves and becomes the next hunting target for the rich lords. She is saved by the Prince of Northern Wei, Yan Xun. Afterwards, she is brought into a powerful family of Yuwen and witnesses their bloody power struggle. Seeing this, she swears to take her younger sister and flee from the situation. However, she catches the attention of Yuwen Yue, and undergoes strict training while building a sense of companionship with Yan Xun. Unfortunately, Western Wei goes into battle and Yan Xun’s family is slaughtered. After that incident, Yan Xun grows ambitious and cruel to avenge for the things and the people he lost. He doubts Chu Qiao and takes advantages of her loyalty and love many times, disregarding their relationship as well as the sacrifices he will have to make for power. Disappointed with the man she once loved, Chu Qiao eventually breaks off her relationship with Yan Xun and chooses to fight with Yuwen Yue, destroying Yan Xun’s plans of vengeance. She eventually convinces Yuwen to free the country from slavery, becoming a successful military strategist/female general in the people’s hearts.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: disturbing, suspense, captivating, suspenseful
Similar in 87%
Six Flying Dragons (2015)
Plot Summary:
“Six Flying Dragons” is a Period drama depicts the ambitions and success stories of 6 people around Prince Lee Bang Won. This drama also depicts the ideological and political conflict between Prince Lee Bang Won and Jung Do Jeon who is the man instrumental in helping King Taejo to establish the fledgling Joseon nation. Jung Do Jeon wants a country ruled by ministers, while Lee Bang Won wants absolute power. Prince Lee Bang Won later become King TaeJong who was the third king in the Joseon Dynasty. He helped his father King Taejo to establish the Joseon Dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 8.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, tense, enigmatic, sageuk, disturbing, epic, costume drama, suspense, political drama
Similar in 82%
A Man Called God (2010)
Plot Summary:
Michael King vows to avenge his parents' deaths. He believes that he can use his power as head of an underground drug kingpin to punish those who hurt him. However, his beliefs are shaken when he falls in love with a reporter named Jin Bo Bae.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 242
Genere: Action, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: romantic, tense, semi serious
Similar in 83%
The Empress Ki (2013)
Plot Summary:
The story of the woman that would become Empress Ki, and her struggles as she worked her way through war, political conspiracies, and the imperial palace to become Empress of China. This Korean Drama re-imagines the historical figure as a fierce, independent woman who goes to extreme lengths to protect those she loves.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: suspenseful, romantic, harsh, multicultural, semi serious, captivating, epic, sageuk, political, costume drama
Similar in 75%
City Hunter (2011)
Plot Summary:
City Hunter is a 2011 South Korean television drama series starring Lee Min-ho, Park Min-young, Lee Joon-hyuk, Kim Sang-joong, Kim Sang-ho, Hwang Sun-hee, Goo Ha-ra, Chun Ho-jin and Lee Kwang-soo. It premiered on May 25, 2011 on SBS and finished broadcasting on July 28, 2011. It is based on the Japanese manga series City Hunter written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Romance, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, romantic, dorama, captivating, suspense, disturbing, scenic, detective, anime
Similar in 90%
Faith (2012)
Plot Summary:
Faith is a 2012 South Korean fusion fantasy-historical-medical television series broadcast by SBS from August 13 to October 30, 2012 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. It is about a modern-day plastic surgeon who gets kidnapped and travels back in time to the Goryeo period, 700 years in the past. There, she meets and falls in love with a warrior who is the leader of the royal guard.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: captivating, suspenseful, romantic, semi serious, dorama, anime, medical drama, period drama
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Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Plot Summary:
Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is the remake of Chinese drama Bu Bu Jing Xin that stars IU as a woman who gets time-warped back to the Goryeo dynasty, and becomes involved with a very large family of princes, some of whom are vying for the throne, or her affections, or both.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, romantic, dorama, sageuk, sweet, harsh, gothic, sad, suspenseful
Similar in 75%
Doctor Stranger (2014)
Plot Summary:
As a child, Park Hoon and his dad were kidnapped and taken to North Korea. He grew up there, learning to be a doctor just like his father. When Park Hoon escapes back to South Korea and begins work at a prestigious hospital, he makes it his goal to earn enough money to go back to North Korea to rescue his true love. He'll do anything to find her, but then he meets and falls for a mysterious woman who looks exactly like her.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, exciting, suspense, psychological, disturbing, dorama, medical drama, suspenseful
Similar in 85%
Gu Family Book (2013)
Plot Summary:
Gu Family Book is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Lee Seung-gi and Suzy. The fusion martial arts action historical drama is about a half man-half monster who is searching for a centuries-old book that according to gumiho legend, contains the secret to becoming human. It aired on MBC from April 8 to June 25, 2013, on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, light, humorous, dorama, sageuk, romantic comedy
Similar in 83%
Backstreet Rookie (2020)
Plot Summary:
It tells an unpredictable 24-hour love story of the four-dimensional innocent girl Jung Saet Byeol who was once a troublemaker and the adorkable caring male store manager, Choi Dae Hyun, in the context of a convenience store. They have met each other accidentally 4 years ago, back then Saet Byeol asked Dae Hyun to buy cigarettes for them. Until now, Saet Byeol comes to the convenience store Dae Hyun runs for a part-time job, their hilarious romantic story starts.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: dorama, romantic, captivating, humorous, entertaining
Similar in 78%
My Country: The New Age (2019)
Plot Summary:
Set during the turbulent time of the fall of Goryeo and the founding of Joseon, two former friends face-off against one another over a woman and the future shape of the nation.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, sincere, disturbing, sad, sageuk, historical drama
Similar in 86%
Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)
Plot Summary:
Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a 2010 South Korean fusion historical drama about a girl who disguises herself as a boy while attending Sungkyunkwan, the Joseon Dynasty's highest educational institute, where no women were allowed. Directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Kim Tae-hee based on Jung Eun-gwol's bestselling 2007 novel The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars, it stars Park Min-young, Park Yuchun, Yoo Ah-in, and Song Joong-ki. It aired on KBS2 from August 30 to November 2, 2010 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, exciting, humorous, inspirational, dorama, sageuk, romantic comedy
Similar in 78%
Haechi (2019)
Plot Summary:
Set during the Joseon Dynasty period, the series follows three people from different walks of life who came together to help Prince Lee Geum claim the throne and reform the Saheonbu.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 341
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 35 min
Plot tags: political, dorama, sageuk, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 78%
Helen of Troy (2003)
Plot Summary:
When Paris of Troy abducts the beautiful Helen, wife of Spartan King Menelaus, the trojan war begins.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Country: USA
Duration: 175 min
Plot tags: exciting, semi serious, captivating, tense, fairy tale, romantic, historical drama, surprise ending, epic, period drama