This topic is dedicated to all fan of Korean Historical dramas and movies as well as all fans of Korean history.
Even tho, I'm fully aware of that story showed in the dramas may differ from the historical truth, but still they are based on history and I like to have/read "true historical background" about the people / kings / events which are showed in dramas.

Maybe this little list, will allow you better understand when each drama is happening. :)

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BAEKJE (18 BC ? – 660 AD) - historical page

- Onjo 18 BCE–29 CE
- Daru 29–77
- Giru 77–128
- Gaeru 128–166
- Chogo 166–214
- Gusu 214–234
- Saban 234
- Goi 234–286
- Chaekgye 286–298
- Bunseo 298–304
- Biryu 304–344
- Gye 344–346
- Geunchogo 346–375

- Geungusu 375–384
- Chimnyu 384–385
- Jinsa 385–392
- Asin 392–405
- Jeonji 405–420
- Guisin 420–427
- Biyu 427–455
- Gaero 455–475
- Munju 475–477
- Samgeun 477–479
- Dongseong 479–501
- Muryeong 501–523

- Seong 523–554
- Wideok 554–598
- Hye 598–599
- Beop 599–600
- Mu 600–641

- Uija 641–660

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GOGURYEO (37 BC ? – 668 AD) - historical page

- King Chumo 37-19 BCE

- King Yuri 19 BCE-18 CE
- King Daemusin 18-44

- King Minjung 44-48
- King Mobon 48-53
- Taejo the Great 53-146
- King Chadae 146-165
- King Sindae 165-179
- King Gogukcheon 179-197
- King Sansang 197-227
- King Dongcheon 227-248
- King Jungcheon 248-270
- King Seocheon 270-292
- King Bongsang 292-300
- King Micheon 300-331
- King Gogug-won 331-371
- King Sosurim 371-384
- King Gogug-yang 384-391
- King Gwanggaeto 391-413

- King Jangsu 413-490
- King Munja 491-519
- King Anjang 519-531
- King An-won 531-545
- King Yang-won 545-559
- King Pyeong-won 559-590
- King Yeong-yang 590-618
- King Yeong-nyu 618-642
- King Bojang 642-668

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GEUMGWAN GAYA (43 - 532) - historical page

  • Suro ???
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SILLA (57 BC – 935 AD) - historical page

- Hyeokgeose 57 BCE – 4 CE
- Namhae 4–24
- Yuri 24–57
- Talhae 57–80
- Pasa 80–112
- Jima 112–134
- Ilseong 134–154
- Adalla 154–184
- Beolhyu 184–196
- Naehae 196–230
- Jobun 230–247
- Cheomhae 247–261
- Michu 262–284
- Yurye 284–298
- Girim 298–310
- Heulhae 310–356
- Naemul 356–402
- Silseong 402–417
- Nulji 417–458
- Jabi 458–479
- Soji 479–500
- Jijeung 500–514
- Beopheung 514–540
- Jinheung 540–576
- Jinji 576–579
- Jinpyeong 579–632

- Seondeok 632–647
- Jindeok 647–654
- Muyeol 654–661

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JOSEON (1392–1897) - historical page

- Taejo 1392–1398

- Jeongjong 1398–1400

- Taejong 1400–1418

- Sejong the Great 1418–1450

- Munjong 1450–1452

- Danjong 1452–1455
- Sejo 1455–1468

- Yejong 1468–1469
- Seongjong 1469–1494
- Yeonsangun 1494–1506

- Jungjong 1506–1544

- Injong 1544–1545

- Myeongjong 1545–1567
- Seonjo 1567–1608

- Gwanghaegun 1608–1623

- Injo 1623–1649
(drama order by historical events - Imjin War: Goddess Of Fire, Jeongi, Jing Bi Rock, The Imjin War, The Admiral: Roaring Currents, The Immortal Yi Soon Shin and The King's Face; Manchu invasions: Hwajeong and Cruel Palace - War of Flowers)

- Hyojong 1649–1659

- Hyeonjong 1659–1674
- Sukjong 1674–1720

- Gyeongjong 1720–1724
- Yeongjo 1724–1776

- Jeongjo 1776–1800

- Sunjo 1800–1834

UNIFIED SILLA (668–935) - historical page

- Munmu 661–681
- Sinmun 681–691
- Hyoso 692–702
- Seongdeok 702–737
- Hyoseong 737–742
- Gyeongdeok 742–765
- Hyegong 765–780
- Seondeok 780–785
- Wonseong 785–798
- Soseong 798–800
- Aejang 800–809
- Heondeok 809–826
- Heungdeok 826–836

- Huigang 836–838
- Minae 838–839
- Sinmu 839
- Munseong 839–857
- Heonan 857–861
- Gyeongmun 861–875
- Heongang 875–886
- Jeonggang 886–887
- Jinseong 887–897
- Hyogong 897–912
- Sindeok 913–917
- Gyeongmyeong 917–924
- Gyeongae 924–927
- Gyeongsun 927–935

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BALHAE (698–926) - historical page

- Go 698-719

- Mu 719–737
- Mun 737–793
- Dae Won-ui 793
- Seong 793-794
- Gang 794–809
- Jeong 809-812
- Hui 812–817
- Gan 817–818
- Seon 818–830
- Dae Ijin 831–857
- Dae Geonhwang 857–871
- Dae Hyeonseok 871–894
- Dae Wihae 894–906
- Dae Inseon 906–926

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GORYEO known also as Kory? (918–1392) - historical page

- Taejo 918–943

- Hyejong 943–945

- Jeongjong 945–949
- Gwangjong 949–975

- Gyeongjong 975–981
- Seongjong 981–997
- Mokjong 997–1009

- Hyeonjong 1009–1031
- Deokjong 1031–1034
- Jeongjong II 1034–1046
- Munjong 1046–1083
- Sunjong 1083
- Seonjong 1083–1094
- Heonjong 1094–1095
- Sukjong 1095–1105
- Yejong 1105–1122
- Injong 1122–1146
- Uijong 1146–1170

- Myeongjong 1170–1197
- Sinjong 1197–1204
- Huijong 1204–1211
- Gangjong 1211–1213
- Gojong 1213–1259

- Wonjong 1259–1274
- Chungnyeol 1274–1308
- Chungseon 1308–1313
- Chungsuk 1313–1330 and 1332–1339
- Chunghye 1330–1332 and 1339–1344

  • Empress Ki (Drama) [tho Korean king was changed, it take place in this time]
- Chungmok 1344–1348
- Chungjeong 1348–1351
- Gongmin 1351–1374

- U 1374–1388

- Chang 1388–1389
- Gongyang 1389–1392

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Taking place in Goryo Dynasty time, but it's fictional:

wao nice compilation !!! where does iljimae fall in?
Iljimae is during King Injo reign. edit: added My Drama List links to the shows :)
Wow thanks for the list; I always like to read about the real history when I watch a historical drama so this is really helpful! To add to your list: - The King in Sungkyunkwan Scandal is King Jeongjo - Gye Baek is during Baekje era - Age of Warriors: according to dramawiki it's King Ui Jeong during Goryeo time) - The Moon that embraces the Sun is a fictional drama afaik so it has no real king as historical background^^
Wow thanks for the list; I always like to read about the real history when I watch a historical drama so this is really helpful! To add to your list: - The King in Sungkyunkwan Scandal is King Jeongjo - Gye Baek is during Baekje era - Age of Warriors: according to dramawiki it's King Ui Jeong during Goryeo time) - The Moon that embraces the Sun is a fictional drama afaik so it has no real king as historical background^^
Quite the fascinating info, I've only watched a few historical dramas but I never really thought about what time they belonged to. I should watch Jumong. EDIT: You're also missing A Frozen Flower and Warrior Baek Dong Soo.
I think the action of the drama Damo takes place during the reign of King Sukjong (the one from Dong Yi and Jang Ok Jung);
PS: you should also add Unified Shilla (668-935) and Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) to your list; For example we have Emperor of the sea (http://mydramalist.com/korean-drama/1073/sea-god ) and Soldier ( http://mydramalist.com/search/?q=mushin&t=s&v=1.1 ) placed during the Unified Shilla and The Iron Empress (http://mydramalist.com/search/?q=iron+empress&t=s&v=1.1 ), Faith and The Great Seer placed during Goryeo;
Thank you. This was a great idea for a thread. I've always gotten confused with the chronological order of this stuff.
Nice thread :)
This article is really interesting, somebody shared it in Goddess of Fire's comments: Rulers of the Joseon and Kdrama.
I haven't read it all, but I found:
Cheoljong in the drama Dr Jin, and also Gojong coronation.
I also miss Faith.
Thanks Lorell for this thread informative & useful :) BTW seeing as you are a fan of historical dramas which ones are your favourites?
Thank you so much for this! When I am watching a historical drama I am always looking at what time it took place. And I wanted to watch them from the earliest to the latest historical ones. With this list I can guide myself through the historical dramas! A great idea!!!