Dong Yi (2010)

Both are easily watchable long historical dramas
with female leads that climb up the social status
within the walls of the palace
where you learn a lot about Joseon's culture, customs and traditions
inside an interesting plot
with a troubled childhood/ family that they have to hide their origins
directed by the same director

A different side of Jang Ok Jung but the main character is of course, Dong Yi a palace maiden who has stolen the king's love.

Both dramas tell the story of King Sukjong and his wives from totally different sides/perspectives. Royal Consort Choi's side is told on Dong Yi while Royal Consort Jang's side is told in Jang Ok Jung.

This drama is mainly focused on Choi Suk Bin, but it potrays Jang Ok Jung too, but as the villain here

This drama could be considered an introduction to King Yeongjo of Joseon, grandfather of Yi San. This prelude can explain many of the turbulences that are depicted in The Red Sleeve, King Sukjong effected many changes that impacted Yi San's rule

Yeah, Shining Inheritance, I mean it :XD: Your eye doesnt fool you.

-Same gorgeous Han Hyo Joo with same pure-nearly goddess character
-Same cinderella - like story
-Same Bae Soo Bin with the same typecast/role
-These two make huge success in Korea and paving the Han Hyo Joo's way to stardom

Both drama tells about a woman who serve as servant in the palace become a consort.
both drama tells about strong female main lead.
Both drama tells about dirty scheme in the palace .

They have the same actress. Both of these has made me cried a lot, very touching. Their meanings are very different, but I still recommended this because both of the storylines, to me, are very good and meaningful. Even though Dong Yi is a long drama, once you watch it, it will keep you asking for what's going to happen next and you'll keep watching it until you'll know it ended. I like Dong Yi more than Iljimae, because Dong Yi is such a inspirational drama to me.

Yi San is about Dong Yi's great-grandson. The old king in Yi San is the same character as Dong Yi's young son. The main romance plot is also quite similar. Both kings in the drama have a queen who can't give him a child. The king's main love interest is a humble ordinary young woman with a special talent in arts (Dong Yi plays haegeum while Song Yeon from Yi San loves to paint). (Something funny for me is that the actresses for the female leads, Han Hyo Joo and Han Ji Min, looks similar). The main female love interest also has a warrior brother like who has a one sided love for her. You could also notice the similar directing style of both dramas, both were directed by director Lee Byung Hoon (not the same person as actor Lee Byung Hun) who also directed Jewel in the Palace. They also have the same writers (Jewel in the Palace writer is different though, writer for Jewel in the Palace is the one who wrote Queen Seon Deok).

Both deal with smart (as in, really, really smart), capable females that start out as slaves and rise in power, winning the king's/emperor's love along the way. Both also deal with palace politics and power play. In general, EK is more intense and has more fight scenes, but I thought the pace was good in both (little to no filler) for longish dramas.

Historical dramas with never ending excitement
The main characters are both very lovely.
Although low-born,
continuously discriminated,
and fall in love with someone in higher status,
but they slowly climb their way
using their skills and efforts.
Both are by the same director, writer and network that produces those amazing long historical dramas

Different lengths and for that reason cinematography is more pleasing in one than the other. Both have a similar feel to it. There is interesting palace intrigue, rising of the commoners, struggles of power between king and whatnot other officials, poor/slave girl personally helping the king, and somehow Dong Yi's main police officer reminds me of DRT's king best swordsman.

I recommend Dong Yi for The Throne fans since it gives character to the mother of King Yeongjo, the woman who was only mentioned as a lowly concubine in The Throne. Dong Yi is the love story of Yeong Jo's parents as well as the political happenings during Yeongjo's father King Sukjong's era. Dong Yi also shows the rivalry between concubines including Dong Yi (Yeong Jo's mother) and Jang Ok Jung (mother of Yeong Jo's brother, who was the king before him as mentioned in the drama). Through watching Dong Yi, the audience will understand why some people in The Throne think King Yeong Jo killed his brother for the throne as well as how Dowager Queen Inwon was Queen Dowager despite her not being King Yeong Jo's mom.
For Dong Yi fans, The Throne movie shows one tragic aspect in the long reign of Dong Yi's son Yeoning aka Yeong Jo: the events that lead Yeong Jo to put his son Sado in a box which led to his son's death.

This is the parent story of this drama. Watching Dong Yi first will make you understand the plot of Haechi a little better. Haechi was still good on its own though and the plot was definitely different from Dong Yi.

I mace this rec because both characters have to cross a lot of barriers because of their birth.
Both must face obstacles related to others with power trying to bring them down.
They hide in plain sight, in their own way, from enemies but the manner and method is different.
Both are intelligent but overlooked.
Both experienced loss that impact the choices they make.
The similarity ends there. I think Dong Yi is more dramatic (and it is subtle for a Kdrama) and this show is much more subtle and as grounded in reality as a period piece can be. Dong Yi is after all a palace drama. This drama is not campy at all. There is no fluff, in my opinion. No filler.