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Recs please: Historical k-dramas with clever leads and solid romance?

RouteVenus

Hello everyone!

I would like to try some good historical k-dramas (can be fusion, authentic, faction, even fantasy!) but I have a hard time choosing something that would actually hold my attention and that I would love.

So far, the only sageuk I finished was Sungkyunkwan Scandal, but I've seen bits and pieces of several others, mostly from KBS production (Love in the Moonlight, The Princess Man, The King's Face...).

Edit: I also watched time-travel dramas Splash Splash Love and Queen In Hyun's Man.

In general, I am looking for something fast-paced, complex, with clever leads and great romance!

My criteria:

1) Cool and clever leads. I have a hard time rooting for leads who are naive/fooled at every turn by the scheming villains. Plus points for a badass female lead!

2) Solid romance with a good chemistry and happy ending (no Scarlet Heart pls :D). Plus points for real, passionate kisses <3! But happy ending is a must for me!

3) Three-dimensional characters, plot that is not too predictable, fast-paced story, interesting developments.

4) Nothing too...childish? Like, I am sure that both Sunkyunkwan Scandal and Love in the Moonlight have many fans (which is great!), but for me, these shows were almost unbearably naive and slow-paced.

5) Witty/funny dialogues are always a plus for me!

Do such sageuks even exist?


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yasmin77

i would recommend :

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

The king in Love

Empress Ki ( it has 50 episodes, but definitely worth it) 

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Skadi_

Empress Ki, Dong Yi,Splash Splash Love (this one has 2 episodes and imo its super adorable) =)

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Czakhareina

Maybe:

  • Moon That Embraces The Sun - has a very solid leads and romance narratice, despite Han Gain the FL. The main leads are quite compelling despite their predictability. It has its fluffy moments but it is nicely weaves with its more serious narrative. Happy ending with somehow childish and witty banter in th
  • Arang and the nagistrate - this drama hss almost all things you are looking for, especiallly the witty and clever lead. But I am still debating (after years and years) if that ending was acceptable. 
  • Princess Man - one of the best historical romance in their romeo-juliet narrative. The FL does seem like the naive type, but still of strong and three dimensional character. 
  • Others: Dongyi, Damo, Faith
  • And I've been watching so many that i can safely say that I doubt if there are some real passionate kissed in a korean historical drama. Kisses are usually done at super bare minimu, and when they do it ussually is done through with hug, string, handholding. And evem if they do have jusses, it would be a rare fit to have passionate ones on them. 
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tmrose55

Im  New so not going to give a big opinion. But Arang and the Magistrate was the second Drama I watch and I loved it  and I really  loved the ending with the two children.  It was a big surprise to me.I wont say more in case some one has not seen it. :=)

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sailorscout

I don't know if this fits but Hwarang? 

I'll be honest... I wouldn't say the romance is solid but if you're a fan of Park Seo Joon then whatever the romance lacks due to bad writing, he more than makes up for in solid acting. Like there are scenes where you could really feel his emotions so fully. 

Also, he's a really fun lead. He's not 'intelligent' per say, but he's tenacious, hard-working, determined and with street smarts that help him overcome a lot. Plus you should just watch it for the Hwarang bromances <3 So good! So funny!  

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