7 Historical K-Dramas to Watch While Waiting for My Dearest Part 2 Premiere

South Korean filmmakers have delivered a number of strong period pieces in the last few years. And among them, the recently released K-drama My Dearest certainly stands out, thanks to its deep and well-structured story set during the Qin invasion of Joseon in the 17th century.

If you loved the first half of the series, you may now be looking for similar content to watch while waiting for My Dearest Part 2 to come out in October. Look no further because we've got seven titles to add to your watchlist.

7. Bossam: Steal the Fate (2021)

During the Joseon Dynasty, widows who remarried were condemned by Confucian society, so there was a custom called bossam, which allowed men to 'kidnap' widows by wrapping them in blankets and making them their spouses. The series' main character Ba-woo does just that one night — and then finds out that the woman he kidnapped is actually the king's widowed daughter.

6. Our Blooming Youth (2023)

The story revolves around a young noblewoman who's been framed for the murder of her family. The only person who agrees to help her is the Crown Prince, who wants a favor in return: the woman must help him break a mysterious spell.

5. The Tale of Nokdu (2019)

The Tale of Nokdu follows a man disguised as a woman in an isolated all-female village. There he meets a girl who's destined to become a kisaeng — a courtesan who provides artistic entertainment for upper-class men. However, the young lady is an excellent artisan and has no intention of following her destiny.

4. The King's Affection (2021)

In Joseon times, twins were considered a bad omen, so the protagonist grew up outside the palace while her twin brother was the rightful Crown Prince. But years later, the brother dies and the protagonist is forced to assume his title and role. She then discovers that her new tutor is a young nobleman who was once an acquaintance of hers.

3. Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016)

This K-drama takes us from Joseon to the Silla Kingdom in the sixth century AD. The story centers on the Hwarang, a group of elite young warriors whose goal is to disrupt the rule of the privileged nobility.

2. The Crowned Clown (2019)

Gwanghae was not a respected king. To avoid assassination, he invites a clown who looks almost identical to him to serve as his doppelganger. But surprisingly, the clown turns out to be a far more competent monarch.

1. Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People (2017)

Hong Gil-dong is the Korean equivalent of Robin Hood. Born a slave, Hong Gil-dong won the hearts of the commoners by robbing the rich and helping the poor. His opponent in the show is the king who is unable to gain the trust of his retinue.