I started watching K-dramas with the historical dramas. (I'm a major history buff of the west & middle east but don't know much about the "far east") I instantly fell in love with the costumes & the sets. I like the political intrigues and complications of life in the Joseon Dynasty. I realize these are historical fiction and some are fantasy, not "true" history.

I keep looking for new ones to watch and they are becoming harder to find. I'm not into ghosts or zombies or stories with very dark themes. Alchemy of Souls, Bon Appetit Your Majesty, & Crowned Clown are my favorites. I recently saw The Murky Stream which was very good, especially Rowoon (who was barely recognizable). Any suggestions, thoughts, comments?

Maybe (they're rather old as I rarely watch recent Korean dramas):

Jewel in the Palace

Moon Embracing the Sun (fictional history)

The Great Queen Seondeok (half fiction)

The Princess's Man (half fiction)

Under the Queen's Umbrella (fictional history)

One of my favorite Joseon Dynasty dramas is My Dearest. It has everything: romance, history, drama...

Under the Queen's Umbrella is a palace intrigue.

The King's Affection is another palace intrigue.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo starts at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty. It's a melodrama—don't get attached to any character. It's beautiful, but it's bleak.

Earlier than Joseon:

Hwarang (Silla Dynasty) was worth my time watching because I never knew a Pretty Boy Army ever existed!