A few weeks ago I decided to give a chance to sageuks and I started to watch the most popular ones. But something troubled me -- most of them are actually fusion sageuks and I cringed with the nonsenseness. I mean, bullying for homosexuality in Joseon era? Really? For a bro hug in a male-full university? Cut that shit out. Even when they're not fusion sageuks, generally it still contains a high dose of fiction. By fiction I don't mean gumihos and ghosts (I actually like that, there's a lot of culture to be learned from it), I mean like ridiculously benevolent kings; common peasants who conquer a high position in the palace through their goodness and force of will; things like that. It may have ocurred, but let's get real, what were the chances?
TL;DR - I'm looking for a historical drama with realistic events and accurate relations with the period.
* Preferences:
- Period: It can be from any period really, but I like the Joseon era. Recent times (post Japanese rule) kinda bores me, as well as pre-Goryeo (and oh man, the difficulty to accurately represent ancient times). Either will be gladly accepted with open arms, though.
- Category: I'm longing for romance and I'm particulary fond of major struggles to get together and mild tragedies, but is not a rule. Romance doesn't have to be the main focus, it can appear as a lighthearted backup.
- Protagonist: I'm tired of kings and powerful people, as will almost certainly turn out to be about gaining/maintaining power (while trying not to get assassinated, trustno1). I'm interested in merchants, servants and people with ordinary life in general, like you and me would probably have back then. But, again, I will embrace gisaengs, scholars and bastard sons.
So, any suggestions?
