Best tv shows like The Empress Ki
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like The Empress Ki (2013):
Similar in 88%
The King's Woman (2017)
Plot Summary:
Gong Sun Li is the grand-daughter and disciple of military commander Gong Sun Yu. Jing Ke and Li have been in love with each other since they were children. While trying to protect Li during an attack, Jing Ke is poisoned. Li’s beauty has seized the interest of the Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng, and Li agrees to marry him in order to save Jing Ke.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 670
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: sentimental, romantic, uplifting, touching, sweet, costume drama, historical romance
Similar in 90%
Iljimae (2008)
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
Similar in 76%
Su Baek-hyang, the King's Daughter (2013)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of Su Baek-hyang, born as the elder daughter of King Mu-ryeong but unable to retain her title of princess due to her ambitious younger sister, Sol-hui. Humble and hard-working, she was taught never to want or to desire beyond what she has, but the fate given to her is one that will affect not only her life and her family's lives, but the entire nation as she struggles to find her place in life and fight for love.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 237
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: romantic, touching, captivating, political, harsh, costume drama
Similar in 75%
The Princess Weiyoung (2016)
Plot Summary:
A princess descended from a ruined noble family disguises herself as the woman who saved her life and embarks on a mission to avenge her loved ones.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, captivating, suspense, costume drama, soap opera
Similar in 76%
Dong Yi (2010)
Plot Summary:
In 1961, there is a young girl named Dong Yi who lives in a slave village. She then decides to work in the palace as a servant. A few years later, she meets King Sukjong and they fall in love with each other. The King later makes her his concubine. But another concubine, Jang Ok Jeong dislikes Dong Yi and tries to frame her a few times. But, in the end, the King and Dong Yi have a son together and he later becomes the new King of Joseon.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, History, Mystery, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sentimental, captivating, sageuk, sincere, romantic, epic, costume drama, touching
Similar in 85%
The Empress of China (2014)
Plot Summary:
Based on events in 7th and 8th-century Tang dynasty and starring producer Fan Bingbing as the titular character Wu Zetian, The Empress of China is the story of the only woman in Chinese history to rule as an emperor.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 429
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: cynical, romantic, touching, captivating, costume drama, sentimental, prehistoric
Similar in 88%
The King 2 Hearts (2012)
Plot Summary:
The King 2 Hearts is a 2012 South Korean television series, starring Ha Ji-won and Lee Seung-gi in the leading roles. It is about a South Korean crown prince who falls in love with a North Korean special agent. It aired on MBC from March 21 to May 24, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 65 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, emotional, romantic, dorama, crying, tense
Similar in 78%
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 86%
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 77%
The Wolf (2020)
Plot Summary:
Towards the end of the Tang Dynasty, Zhu Wen usurped the throne and established the Liang Kingdom. A boy from the wild accidentally falls off a cliff while being pursued for saving wolf pups. He is rescued by Zhu Wen who adopts him as a son, and is renamed Zhu Youwen. Ten years later, the young boy has been conferred the title Prince of Bo and he meets and falls in love with Zhaixing, the daughter of a governor. Zhaixing discovers that Zhu Youwen is kind and righteous in spite of his status and the two become embroiled in a struggle for power.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: China
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, captivating, political, suspenseful
Similar in 84%
The Last Empress (2018)
Plot Summary:
In an alternate-reality South Korea, where a constitutional monarchical system prevails, Oh Sunny, a musical actress, becomes the empress of the country. Thus begins a dispute for power in the royal palace. Nothing is what it seems, and Oh Sunny is ready to fight until the end to uncover a mysterious homicide within the royal palace, fighting to protect those she loves the most and obtain happiness.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 720
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 59 min
Plot tags: suspense, psychological, tense, captivating, suspenseful, disturbing, dorama
Similar in 82%
Empresses In The Palace (2011)
Plot Summary:
The Legend of Zhen Huan, also known as Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan, is a Chinese television series based on the Internet novel of the same name. It first aired in China on 17 November 2011. It was announced in 2013 that the drama will be exported to the U.S and re-edit into six TV movies and broadcast on mainstream TV channels in the U.S.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: historical drama, costume drama, tense, captivating, dorama
Similar in 79%
Story of Yanxi Palace (2018)
Plot Summary:
The smart and witty Wei Yingluo enters the palace as a seamstress to find the truth behind her older sister’s death. Believing the imperial guard Fucha Fuheng to be her sister's killer, Yingluo purposely attracts the attention of his sister the Empress Fucha, and is successfully transferred to Changchun Palace as a maid. Over time, she learns that the Fucha siblings are honest and kind-hearted people, and also develops romantic affections for Fuheng.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, scenic, stylized, costume drama, multicultural, factual
Similar in 87%
The Glamorous Imperial Concubine (2011)
Plot Summary:
The Glamorous Imperial Concubine, also known as Qing Shi Huangfei and Introduction of the Princess is a Chinese television series based on a novel of the same title by writer Murong Yinr. This television series is Lin's producer debut. Filming for the series started on 19 January 2011 in Hengdian and wrapped up on 6 April 2011. It was first aired in China on HBS on 30 September 2011.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 192
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: China
Duration:
Plot tags: romantic, touching, suspenseful, harsh, multicultural, costume drama, exciting
Similar in 77%
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 76%
Memories Of The Sword (2015)
Plot Summary:
While in medieval Korea, a young girl sets out to revenge the betrayal and the death of her mother. But therefore she must face one of the most powerful men and warriors of the Goryo Dynasty.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, captivating, emotional, stylized, colorful, colourful
Similar in 76%
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 77%
Empire of Lust (2015)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1398. Kim Min-Jae (Shin Ha-Kyun) is the supreme commander of the Joseon Dynasty. He falls in love for the first time and for that woman he takes risks. Yi Bang-Won (Jang Hyuk) is the King’s son. He helped his father setup the Joseon Dynasty era, but he was not picked as the Crown Prince. He still holds ambitions of becoming the King one day. Jin (Kang Ha-Neul) is Kim Min-Jae’s son and the King’s son-in-law. Due to his position as the King's son-in-law, he is unable to take part in politics and only seeks out pleasure.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 823
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: erotic, captivating, suspense, exciting, tense, disturbing, romantic, sexy, costume drama
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
Similar in 86%
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 78%
The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)
Plot Summary:
Moon Embracing the Sun is a 2012 South Korean historical television drama series, starring Kim Soo-hyun, Han Ga-in, Jung Il-woo and Kim Min-seo. It aired on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation from January 4 to March 15, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes. The series is adapted from the novel of the same name written by Jung Eun-gwol and directed by Kim Do-hoon and Lee Seong-jun. It tells of a secret, poignant love story between a fictional king of the Joseon Dynasty and a female shaman against the backdrop of Korean traditional palace; and the conflicts and conspiracy of vying political powers. This production marks Han Ga-in's first historial drama and return to television since Bad Guy in 2010. It also marks the second historial drama for Jung Il-woo following The Return of Iljimae in 2009. The series won for Best Drama and Best Actor in the television category at the 2012 Baeksang Arts Awards, and multiple awards at 2012 MBC Drama Awards, including Drama of the Year.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration:
Plot tags: serious, captivating, stylized, emotional, dorama, romantic drama, epic
Similar in 82%
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
Plot Summary:
Every summer, Belly and her family head to the Fishers’ beach house in Cousins. Every summer is the same ... until Belly turns sixteen. Relationships will be tested, painful truths will be revealed, and Belly will be forever changed. It’s a summer of first love, first heartbreak and growing up — it's the summer she turns pretty.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: captivating, romantic, entertaining, disturbing, psychological
Similar in 85%
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 81%
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 75%
The Great Queen Seondeok (2009)
Plot Summary:
Queen Seondeok is a 2009 South Korean historical drama, starring Lee Yo-won, Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Park Ye-jin, Kim Nam-gil and Yoo Seung-ho. It chronicles the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla. It aired on MBC from May 25 to December 22, 2009 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 62 episodes. The viewership ratings for the show topped TV charts almost every week during its run, peaking at 44.7 percent. It swept the 2009 MBC Drama Awards; actress Go Hyun-jung's performance and subsequent grand prize win received near-universal acclaim.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: epic, psychological, captivating, sageuk, tense, atmospheric, costume drama, political drama
Similar in 78%
Jumong (2006)
Plot Summary:
Jumong examines the life of Jumong Taewang, founder of the kingdom of Goguryeo. Few details have been found in the historical record about Jumong, so much of the series is fictionalized. The fantastic elements surrounding the original Jumong legend have been replaced with events more grounded in reality.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: family saga, serious, captivating, suspense, sageuk, gothic, epic, period drama
Similar in 86%
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 81%
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Plot Summary:
Based in Shinmiyangyo, or the U.S. expedition to Korea in the late 19th century, Mr. Sunshine tells the story of a Korean boy born into a family of a house servant running away to board an American warship, later to return to his homeland as a U.S. marine officer. He ironically falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter and discovers the dark scheme to colonize the country that he once ran away from.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: South Korea
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: dorama, sentimental, captivating, sad, factual, romantic, gothic, epic, period piece
Similar in 83%
The Magnificent Century: Kosem (2015)
Plot Summary:
Anastasia a young Greek woman in Ahmed I's harem takes on the name 'Kosem' (leader, pioneer). In a world of men, she rules of the Ottoman Empire through her sons and grandson.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: Turkey
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: emotional, captivating, stylized, historical drama, realistic, period drama
Similar in 78%
The Tudors (2007)
Plot Summary:
The Tudors is a history-based drama series following the young, vibrant King Henry VIII, a competitive and lustful monarch who navigates the intrigues of the English court and the human heart with equal vigor and justifiable suspicion.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 80000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Ireland, Canada, USA, UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: stylized, captivating, serious, historical drama, soap opera, realistic, sexual, costume drama, period piece, sexy