Best Korean Dramas Based on True Stories

Korean dramas often present emotional fictional stories. However, some titles are actually based on true stories that are inspiring and shocking.

Some of them even reflect dark history, heart-wrenching love, and touching personal struggles. Many also depict the dark side of society.

Interestingly, these stories are presented without losing their entertainment value. Viewers are not only captivated by the plot but also emotionally affected knowing that these stories truly happened.

1. The Red Sleeve

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The drama The Red Sleeve tells the story of the relationship between Crown Prince Yi San and Seong Deok-im, a palace maid. The prince, who would later become King Jeongjo, must choose between love and his responsibilities to the nation.

Meanwhile, Seong Deok-im struggles to maintain her choice as a palace servant despite all the limitations. Although they love each other, their fate does not favor their happiness together.

This story is based on the true story of King Jeongjo and the royal concubine Ui-bin Seong, whose life ended tragically. This complicated love story captivates the audience due to its emotional strength.

2. Hymn of Death

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Hymn of Death highlights the romantic relationship between Kim Woo-jin, a theater scriptwriter, and Yun Sim-deok, Korea's first soprano. Their relationship occurs during the Japanese occupation, when love and freedom were hard to fight for.

Kim Woo-jin is married, but he cannot suppress his feelings for Yun Sim-deok. Together, they face social pressure and ultimately choose to end their lives tragically.

This drama is inspired by the true story of the couple Kim Woo-jin and Yun Sim-deok, whose story is still remembered as the most heart-wrenching love tragedy during Korea's colonial period.

3. Gyeongseong Creature

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Although themed around fantasy and filled with terrifying creatures, "Gyeongseong Creature" weaves a true story into its backdrop. Set in Gyeongseong in 1945, two young people must survive amidst the chaos of Japanese colonization.

This story depicts secret biological experiments conducted on civilians, alluding to the dark facts regarding Unit 731. These horrifying experiments truly occurred in history.

By combining elements of horror and history, this drama presents a captivating story that also raises awareness of past atrocities.

4. The Glory

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Moon Dong-eun is the central figure in The Glory, where she plans her revenge against the bullies who destroyed her teenage years. She devises strategies for years to make them pay for the suffering she endured.

This drama showcases the dark side of school violence, which remains a serious issue in South Korea today. Although not based on a specific event, this drama is a combination of various true stories.

Dong-eun's revenge story feels authentic and poignant as it reflects the real and complex emotional scars of the victims of violence.

5. Crash Landing on You

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Crash Landing on You tells the story of Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean conglomerate heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea while paragliding. There, she meets military officer Ri Jeong-hyeok.

Despite coming from two opposing worlds, they fall in love and try to face the political and military challenges that threaten their relationship.

This story is inspired by a true incident in 2008 when South Korean artist Jung Yang and three others had to be rescued after their boat got lost due to fog and approached North Korean territory.

6. Empress Ki

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Empress Ki tells the story of Ki Seung-nyang, a woman from Goryeo who eventually becomes Empress in the Yuan Dynasty. She must face many conspiracies and political intrigues to maintain her position.

Although her story is largely fictional, the historical background is true. Ki Seung-nyang indeed came from Goryeo and managed to become one of the most powerful women in the Yuan Dynasty.

This drama presents a combination of female strength, struggle, and East Asian history that is rarely explored in depth.

7. Move to Heaven

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Move to Heaven follows the story of Han Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, and his uncle who works as a trauma cleaner. They are tasked with sorting through the belongings of those who have passed away.

Each item carries a story that opens the eyes to life and death. They also help heal the emotional wounds of the families left behind.

This drama is based on the essay Things You Left Behind by Kim Sae Byeol, a real trauma cleaner in South Korea.

8. Queen for Seven Days

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Queen for Seven Days tells the story of Lady Shin who marries Prince Jinsung. When the prince ascends to the throne as King Jungjong, he makes Lady Shin his queen.

However, just seven days after her coronation, the queen is deposed and exiled from the palace due to political conflict.

This drama is based on the true story of Queen Dangyeong, who had the shortest reign in the history of the Joseon Dynasty.

9. Taxi Driver

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In Taxi Driver, Kim Do-gi works for Rainbow Taxi, a secret company that offers revenge services for crime victims who do not receive legal justice.

Each episode presents a new case based on real events such as workplace violence, extortion, and other crimes.

These stories highlight the dark side of society that often remains publicly unspoken, yet leaves scars for the victims.

10. Signal

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Signal tells the story of Park Hae-young, a profiler who discovers a walkie-talkie that allows him to communicate with a detective from the past, Lee Jae-han.

Together, they work to solve cold cases that remain unresolved. This drama combines thrilling and gripping crime elements.

The drama is inspired by the real-life kidnapping case of Park Chorong Bitnari and the Hwaseong serial murders that claimed the lives of ten women in Gyeonggi Province.

(kpl/khs)