Best tv shows like Secret Door
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A re-imagining of the legendary tale of the troubled father-son relationship between King Yeongjo and his only son Prince Sado. While his father insists on a strong and centralized government, Crown Prince Sado promotes social justice and equality throughout the kingdom. Throughout eight fateful years, the strain on their relationship — both familial and political — eventually evolves into a total breakdown, ending with one of the most tragic stories in Joseon history.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 117
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Best tv shows and movies like Secret Door (2014):
Similar in 87%
The Four (2008)
Plot Summary:
Using the political decline of Northern Song dynasty as the background, this is the story of the Four Great Constables upholding justice while punishing the wicked.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 22
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 79%
Song of Phoenix (2017)
Plot Summary:
There are some relationships that are doomed from the start. During the Warring States period, Qu Yuan is born into a prominent family and grows up to be a prodigy scholar. But Qu Yuan bucks convention when he falls in love with Mo Chou Nu, a slave. Society forbids such class-breaking relationships, so the lovers decide to elope so that they can be together. Despite their efforts to lead a quiet life, Qu Yuan and Chou Nu become entangled in the political struggles of the power elites within the palace. Can their relationship survive the many obstacles?.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 19
Genere: History
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 86%
The Fugitive of Joseon (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set during the reign of King Injong, the protagonist is a royal physician desperate to cure his ailing daughter. He becomes a fugitive when he gets entangled in an assassination plot to poison the crown prince, and fights to save both his daughter's life and his own.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 106
Genere: Drama, History, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 89%
Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of Ashoka, emperor of the Maurya Empire, from his early struggles to his reign as a ruthless emperor.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 803
Genere: Biography, History
Country: India
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating
Similar in 79%
Gye Baek, Warrior’s Fate (2011)
Plot Summary:
Set in the Baekje kingdom in the mid-7th century, the drama chronicles the life and times of the storied warrior General Gyebaek who is remembered in history for leading Baekje's last stand against the Silla in the Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 214
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, historical drama
Similar in 85%
King Maker: The Change of Destiny (2020)
Plot Summary:
In the late 19th century, the Joseon Dynasty is in peril because the Kim Family abuses power. The king's power has already weakened, and the people are suffering famine and hardship. Choi Chon-joong is Joseon's best fortune teller and physiognomist, who lost people he loves to Kim Family. He swore to overthrow the Kims and reform the country. He read the hunger to power in Lee Ha-eung, a humble-looking member of the royal family, and decides to help him to set his son on the throne. Meanwhile, the Kims also find the heir to the throne, using Bong-ryun's special gift. Bong-ryun, the daughter of the current king, has the power of psychometry. While the royals and powerful politicians are making and breaking alliances to get ahold of the thrones, Chon-joong focuses on kingmaking that can bring Chosun a new era.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 92
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 81%
Dear Compatriots (2021)
Plot Summary:
King Johan has ruled according to all traditions, until a poll in Norways largest newspaper claims that only 48 percent think the royals do a good job. Then the king takes action to try to turn public opinion with the help of his wife.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 252
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Norway
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 75%
The Goddess of Fire (2013)
Plot Summary:
Goddess of Fire is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Moon Geun-young, Lee Sang-yoon, Kim Bum, Park Gun-hyung, Seo Hyun-jin, Jun Kwang-ryul, Jeong Bo-seok, Byun Hee-bong, Han Go-eun, and Lee Kwang-soo. It airs on MBC on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 32 episodes beginning July 1, 2013. The historical drama depicts the life and love of Yoo Jung, who is based on real-life 16th century historical figure Baek Pa-sun, renowned as the first female potter and porcelain artist in the Joseon Dynasty. Baek's glazing skills were so prized, she was appointed as a china maker for the royal family. But her fame also attracted the attention of foreign invaders, and during the Japanese invasion in 1592, she was among the Korean artisans captured and forcibly taken to Japan and made to continue their craft there. Under Toyotomi Hideyoshi's orders to enrich Japanese arts and culture, Baek helped the advancement of many new types of pottery that would be claimed as Japanese works of art. She became well-respected in Japan, and there exists a shrine in the city of Arita dedicated to her.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 130
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, tense, romantic, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 88%
Jackpot (2016)
Plot Summary:
Dae-Gil and King Yeongjo enter a match. Dae-Gil bets his life and King Yeongjo bets the entire Kingdom of Joseon on the outcome. Dae-Gil is the best gambler in the Joseon era. He holds deep resentment inside, but is also cool on the exterior. King Yeongjo is a man who never lower his head without a convincing reason. Meanwhile, Dam-Seo exists solely to take revenge upon king.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 297
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 80%
Ming Dynasty in 1566 (2007)
Plot Summary:
A series based on the events in the reign of the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 9.0
IMDB Votes: 348
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense
Similar in 79%
The King in Love (2017)
Plot Summary:
Set during the Goryeo dynasty, Won, crown prince, has a sweet appearance hiding a lust for conquest. He is best friends with Rin, an elegant man of royal descent and Won's bodyguard. When beautiful San, the sole daughter of the wealthiest man in the nation, enters the lives of the two young men, the three at first become friends but a tragic romance ensues afterwards. Based on the novel of the same name by Kim Yi-Ryung.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 369
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 35 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, romantic, touching, captivating, disturbing, historical drama
Similar in 90%
The Emperor: Owner of the Mask (2017)
Plot Summary:
In the 1700's, Crown Prince Lee Sun fights against Pyunsoo hwe. Pyunsoo hwe is an organization that has accumulated power and wealth through privatizing water all over Joseon. Crown Prince Lee Sun becomes a hope for the people who suffers. Ga-Eun is the woman Crown Prince Lee Sun loves and she helps him grow as a ruler.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 716
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sincere, disturbing, psychological, tense, captivating
Similar in 76%
Amazonia (2007)
Plot Summary:
Based on historical events 'Amazonia' recreates the story of the State of Acre, the latest territory to be annexed in Brazil.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 76
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Brazil
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense
Similar in 87%
The Confidant (2012)
Plot Summary:
"The Confidant" depicts how a group of eunuchs survive in the weakening Qing empire, and closely traces imperial eunuch Li Lianying's early life from the first day he entered the imperial palace to become one of the most powerful political figures in the latter years of the Qing Dynasty. The drama also follows Li's relationship with Empress Dowager Cixi, and how he eventually becomes her closest confidant.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 10
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 90%
Cruel Palace: War of Flowers (2013)
Plot Summary:
There is no power struggle that is more cruel and vicious as among the concubines in a royal palace. Jo So Yong is a beautiful but conniving royal concubine during the Joseon Dynasty who will stop at nothing to win the love and power of King In Jo. Although she is from the lower class, she uses her unparalleled beauty and wit to gain power and control over Joseon, even if it means getting rid of Crown Prince So Hyun so her son can be king. When Lady Jo finally gets the power she wanted, it results in the bloodiest battle.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 44
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, romantic, captivating, political
Similar in 88%
The Palace (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Palace was a British drama television series that aired on ITV in 2008. Produced by Company Pictures for the ITV network, it was created by Tom Grieves and follows a fictional British Royal Family in the aftermath of the death of King James III and the succession of his 24-year-old son, Richard IV, played by Rupert Evans. It also stars Jane Asher and Zoe Telford. The series was filmed on location in Lithuania in 2007 and broadcast from January to March 2008. It was axed after one series due to low viewing figures.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 491
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 86%
The Terrible (2020)
Plot Summary:
Ivan the Terrible is the most discussed Character in the Russian history. At the same time, Ivan is the most unsolved mystery of the Russian Czars. The scale of his political achievements has always overshadowed a living person, and the unparalleled cruelty that entered folklore literally ruled out the possibility of a more complex view of character. The series is an humble attempt to understand the origins of the actions of Ivan IV and look into the dark labyrinth of his soul. Ivan IV of Russia is gradually reborn into the same Ivan the Terrible - a cruel tyrant. And now rumors of his ruthlessness and violent temper are becoming true, and these changes in the character of the king are changing history. Enemies are approaching Russia - will the country be able to survive?.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 98
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration: 52 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, thought provoking, enigmatic, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 75%
The Red Sleeve (2021)
Plot Summary:
Based on a novel of the same name, it tells the record of a royal court romance between the King of Joseon who believes his duty is to his country first above love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing, historical romance, period drama
Similar in 79%
Horse Doctor (2012)
Plot Summary:
The King's Doctor is a 2012 South Korean television series, starring Jo Seung-woo and Lee Yo-won. It aired on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation from October 1, 2012 to March 25, 2013 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 50 episodes. The drama commemorated MBC's 51st anniversary. The historical/period epic was directed by Lee Byung-hoon, known for his previous works Hur Jun, Jewel in the Palace, Yi San and Dong Yi. This marked the first television drama for actor Jo Seung-woo in his 13-year film and stage career.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 184
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: romantic, captivating, suspenseful, semi serious
Similar in 76%
Lee San, Wind of the Palace (2007)
Plot Summary:
Yi San, also known as Wind of the Palace, is a 2007 South Korean historical drama, starring Lee Seo-jin, Han Ji-min, Park Eun-hye, and Lee Jong-soo. It aired on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation from September 17, 2007 to June 16, 2008 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55. The series was produced by Lee Byeong-Hoon, who also produced award-winning television series Dae Jang Geum. It won "Top Excellence Acting Award" for Lee Seo Jin and "Best Actress" for Han Ji-min at MBC's Acting Awards.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 656
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: romantic, touching, captivating, political, harsh, sageuk
Similar in 78%
The Crowned Clown (2019)
Plot Summary:
The story takes place at a time in Joseon history, when upheaval and power struggles surrounding the throne had reached extreme levels. In order to escape those who plan to assassinate him, the king puts a clown, who looks exactly like him, on the throne.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, suspense, realistic, suspenseful, romantic, epic, romantic drama, political
Similar in 76%
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 75%
The Kingdom of the Winds (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Kingdom of The Winds, also known as The Land of The Wind, is a 2008 South Korean historial drama, broadcast on KBS from 10 September 2008 to 15 January 2009. It was directed by Kang Il-soo, written by Choi Wan-gyu, Jung Jin-ok, Park Jin-woo; adapted from manhwa by Kim Jin.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, exciting, serious, captivating, suspenseful
Similar in 79%
King Sejong the Great (2008)
Plot Summary:
"The Great King, Sejong" is a full-scale political drama describing how King Sejong and his loyal retainers cooperate and contrive to make his dynasty a better place. While King Sejong was on the throne, the Joseon Dynasty enjoyed increasing prosperity. The drama shows the dramatic processes of how so many new cultural heritages have been devised. At that time, "Hangul", the native phonemic alphabet system for Korean language was first invented and introduced. Before it was made, Chinese characters had been used for a written communication, which makes it extremely difficult for ordinary people to learn and use. "Hangul" is easy to learn for its simple and scientific principles. Other than "Hangul" itself, there had been so many cultural heritages during his regime including a rain gauge, a sundial, an hourglass to name a few. Also, King Sejong’s pragmatic diplomacy is concentrated in the drama. Then, the Joseon Dynasty was facing a powerful Ming dynasty of China, and King Sejong demonstrates the essence of pragmatism with dignity.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 34
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: sageuk, atmospheric, serious, political, realistic, stylized, historical drama
Similar in 86%
The Royal Tailor (2014)
Plot Summary:
Depicts the love lives, jealousies and desires of those that work within the Sanguiwon during the Joseon Dynasty period. The Sanguiwon are responsible for the attire worn by royalty. Dol-Seok (Han Suk-Kyu) is the best master artisan in charge of royal attire. He views set rules as paramount to his job. Kong-Jin (Ko Soo) is a genius like designer, born with dexterity and an excellent sense. He was brought to the palace by nobleman Pan-Soo (Ma Dong-Seok) who first spotted his talent. The King (Yoo Yeon-Seok) and Queen (Park Shin-Hye) then become embroiled in a critical case because of the royal attire made by Dol-Seok and Kong-Jin.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing, dorama, political, historical romance, period piece
Similar in 83%
Queen Insoo (2011)
Plot Summary:
Queen Insoo focuses on the fierce power struggle among three women in the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 33
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing, period drama
Similar in 89%
The Throne (2015)
Plot Summary:
Ancient Korea, July 4, 1762. The Crown Prince Hyojang, posthumously named Sado, son of King Yeongjo of Joseon, is accused of treason. Thus, the king asks him to commit suicide, but his closest vassals prevent it, so the king orders the prince to get inside a wooden rice chest, where he suffers deprivation of food and water.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, captivating, psychological, serious, political, historical romance, period drama
Similar in 79%
A Vote for the King of the Romans (2016)
Plot Summary:
Czech Television's epic historical film draws on the breathtaking dramatic life of the great of Czech history, King Charles IV.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 54
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Czech Republic
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
The Queen (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Queen was a 2009 British drama-documentary showing Queen Elizabeth II at different points during her life. Broadcast on Channel 4 over five consecutive nights from 29 November 2009, the Queen was portrayed by a different actress in each episode. The Queen was portrayed by Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Susan Jameson, Barbara Flynn and Diana Quick. Katie McGrath played Princess Margaret in the first episode and Lesley Manville played Margaret Thatcher in the third episode.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 150
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 81%
Forbidden Dream (2019)
Plot Summary:
A true historical drama about King Sejong, the greatest ruler in Joseon history who sought to enhance national prosperity and military power through astronomy, and Jang Yeong-sil, the most remarkable scientist.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 410
Genere: History, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, disturbing, period drama