History is not always part of the political intrigues and betrayal that are commonly seen in K-dramas set during the past era. Some of the best historical K-drama series can also incorporate history with a good dose of fantasy, romance, time-travel, and even humor. From a story about a person living in the present day traveling back to the Joseon period to one featuring a woman who defies tradition and the king, these K-dramas offer a perfect combination of laughter and touching moments. Below are five historical fusion comedy K-dramas worth watching.
1. My Royal Nemesis
My Royal Nemesis is one of the latest entries to join the ranks of this genre and revolves around a Joseon era antagonist who accidentally wakes up in modern day Seoul with a shot at changing his destiny. Featuring actors Lim Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun in the lead roles, this show blends elements of love and humor along with elements of fantasy and cultural differences.
2. The Great Doctor
The Great Doctor is an interesting Korean series starring Lee Min Ho and Kim Hee Sun. It differs from the common time travel genre because it sends a contemporary plastic surgeon from the present day back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty period.
3. Splash Splash Love
Despite its short runtime of just two episodes, Splash Splash Love is still considered one of the best historical romance fantasy shows out there. In it, the plot revolves around a high school girl that somehow ends up in the Joseon Dynasty and falls in love with a young king. Full of sweet chemistry, laughs, and emotion, it is definitely worth watching!
4. The Forbidden Marriage
For those who enjoy royal romances, The Forbidden Marriage provides a light-hearted combination of comedy and drama. This tale revolves around a king who declares all marriages illegal when he loses his princess, but whose life is soon turned on its head by a scheming conwoman who says she can speak to the dead princess through the spirit of the late queen.
5. Knight Flower
This historical action-comedy is headlined by Lee Ha Nee as a widow who acts meek and submissive during the day but turns out to be an unknown vigilante by night. In the process of taking law into her own hands, while keeping her secret intact, the series combines action, suspense, romance, and humor in its highly entertaining mix. The presence of a strong female protagonist and amusing dual role made it a notable historical drama.
Why Historical Fusion K-Dramas Remain So Popular
The appeal of historical fusion dramas remains intact as it incorporates the charm of historical backdrops with modern storytelling methods. The time traveling, fantasy elements, romances, and comical elements make these kinds of dramas more approachable than historical dramas. These kinds of dramas cater to existing K-drama lovers and newbies alike. Here are five must-watch dramas from Korea’s history with enough laughs in store for you.
Final Take
Should you wish to explore K-dramas set in the past, combining elements of romance, fantasy, and comedy, the following five shows will make great picks. Ranging from the exciting travels through time featured in My Royal Nemesis and Splash Splash Love to the action-packed story of Knight Flower, each K-drama is entertaining and demonstrates that history can be hilarious too.