The Forgotten Peoples of Northeast Asia
This list focuses on the lesser-known, marginalized, or minor ethnic groups of Northeast Asian kingdoms.
【Manchuria/Korean Peninsula】 Donghu 東胡 (700 BC—150 BC). Buyeo kingdom 부여/扶餘 (2nd century BCE—494 AD). Xianbei Confederation 檀石槐鮮卑部落聯盟 (156—181). Xianbei Khanate 鲜卑汗國 (2nd century—6th century). Yilou 挹婁 (3rd century—6th century). Former Yan 前燕 (337—370). Later Yan 後燕 (384—409). Parhae/Balhae kingdom 발해/渤海 (698—926). Liao dynasty 遼朝 (916—1125). Dongdan kingdom 東丹 (926–936). Chŏng'an/Jeong'an 정안/定安 (938—986). Tamna state 탐라/耽羅 (?—1404 AD). Jin dynasty 金朝 (1115—1234). Later Jin khanate 后金 (1616—1636).
【North China】Later Jin dynasty 后晋 (936—947). Western Yan 西燕 (384—394). Northern Wei 北魏 (386—535). Southern Yan 南燕 (398—410). Northern Yan 北燕 (409—436).
>>>Check out my other lists:
Southern China/Tibet。
Northwest China/Mongolian Plateau 。
Central Asia。
Modern Ethnic Minorities。
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![Dae Jo Yeong]()
1. Dae Jo Yeong
Korean Drama - 2006, 134 episodes
Goguryeo + Balhae.
MC is ethnically Mohe. -
![The Legendary Warrior]()
2. The Legendary Warrior
Chinese Drama - 2006, 32 episodes
Contains fictional kingdom Boliao (渤辽), which is probably based on Goguryeo and Balhae
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![Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty]()
3. Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
Contains minor characters from Balhae and Silla
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![King Gwanggaeto the Great]()
4. King Gwanggaeto the Great
Korean Drama - 2011, 92 episodes
Parts about Former Yan (Xianbei), Later Yan (Xianbei), Northern Yan (Han)
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![General and I]()
5. General and I
Chinese Drama - 2017, 62 episodes
Former Yan (Xianbei) + Western Jin (Han)
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![Da Liao Tai Hou]()
6. Da Liao Tai Hou
Chinese Movie - 1995
Liao (Khitan)
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![The Legend of Xiao Chuo]()
7. The Legend of Xiao Chuo
Chinese Drama - 2020, 48 episodes
Major: Liao (Khitan).
Minor: Song + Balhae/Dongdan (Mohe).
Flashbacks: Later Jin dynasty 后晋 (Five Dynasties period) (sinicized Shatuo Turks).FL is ethnically Khitan. ML is ethnically Han.
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![Everlasting Longing]()
8. Everlasting Longing
Chinese Drama - 2025, 30 episodes
Censored adaptation.
Nanyan = Song (Han).
Beixuan = Liao (Khitan).
Xixiang = Western Xia (Tangut). -
![Korea-Khitan War]()
9. Korea-Khitan War
Korean Drama - 2023, 32 episodes
Liao (Khitan)
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![Palace of Devotion]()
10. Palace of Devotion
Chinese Drama - 2021, 61 episodes
Liao (Khitan)
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![Kang Gam Chan]()
11. Kang Gam Chan
Korean Drama - 1973, 77 episodes
Liao (Khitan)
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![Battle Between Song and Liao Dynasties]()
12. Battle Between Song and Liao Dynasties
Chinese Movie - 2019
Liao (Khitan)
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![Saving General Yang]()
13. Saving General Yang
Chinese Movie - 2013
Liao (Khitan)
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![The Young Warriors]()
14. The Young Warriors
Chinese Drama - 2006, 43 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![Warriors of the Yang Clan]()
15. Warriors of the Yang Clan
Chinese Drama - 2004, 36 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![Legendary Fighter - Yang's Heroine]()
16. Legendary Fighter - Yang's Heroine
Chinese Drama - 2001, 40 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![The Heroine of the Yangs]()
17. The Heroine of the Yangs
Hong Kong Drama - 1998, 32 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![Heroic Legend of the Yang's Family]()
18. Heroic Legend of the Yang's Family
Hong Kong Drama - 1994, 30 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![The Yang's Saga]()
19. The Yang's Saga
Hong Kong Drama - 1985, 6 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![The Iron Empress]()
20. The Iron Empress
Korean Drama - 2009, 78 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![The Wolf]()
21. The Wolf
Chinese Drama - 2020, 49 episodes
Contains Khitan characters
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![Journey to Western Xia Empire]()
22. Journey to Western Xia Empire
Chinese Movie - 1997
Contains multiple Khitan characters
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![A Change of Destiny]()
23. A Change of Destiny
Hong Kong Drama - 2007, 20 episodes
Contains several Khitan characters. FL is a Han raised as Khitan.
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![Young Blood]()
24. Young Blood
Chinese Drama - 2019, 42 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![Sakra]()
25. Sakra
Hong Kong Movie - 2023
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![The Legend of Bao Zheng: Blood Curse]()
26. The Legend of Bao Zheng: Blood Curse
Chinese Movie - 2019
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![Zhen Ming Tian Zi]()
27. Zhen Ming Tian Zi
Taiwanese Drama - 1998, 249 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan)
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![Shen Mi De Xi Xia]()
28. Shen Mi De Xi Xia
Chinese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes
Bit-part about Liao (Khitan) + Jin (Jurchen)
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![The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils]()
29. The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
Hong Kong Drama - 1997, 45 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan) + Dali (Bai) + Western Xia (Tangut).
Fantasy version, not real history. -
![Demi Gods & Semi Devils]()
30. Demi Gods & Semi Devils
Chinese Drama - 2003, 40 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan) + Dali (Bai) + Western Xia (Tangut).
Fantasy version, not real history. -
![Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Divine Sword of Six Meridians]()
31. Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: Divine Sword of Six Meridians
Hong Kong Drama - 1982, 30 episodes
Parts about Liao (Khitan) + Dali (Bai) + Western Xia (Tangut).
Fantasy version, not real history. -
![Genghis Khan]()
32. Genghis Khan
Chinese Drama - 2004, 30 episodes
Parts about Jin (Jurchen)
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![Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon]()
33. Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon
Taiwanese Drama - 1988, 40 episodes
Parts about Jin (Jurchen)
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![The Patriot Yue Fei]()
34. The Patriot Yue Fei
Chinese Drama - 2013, 69 episodes
Parts about Jin (Jurchen)
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![First Sword of Wudang]()
35. First Sword of Wudang
Chinese Drama - 2021, 39 episodes
Parts about Jurchen people
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![The Legend of the Condor Heroes]()
36. The Legend of the Condor Heroes
Chinese Drama - 2017, 52 episodes
Parts about Jurchen people
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![Rule the World]()
37. Rule the World
Chinese Drama - 2017, 45 episodes
Later Jin khanate (Jurchen/Manchu)
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![Secret History of the Great Grand King]()
38. Secret History of the Great Grand King
Chinese Drama - 2005, 46 episodes
Later Jin khanate, Qing dynasty (Jurchen/Manchu)
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![The Legend of Jasmine]()
39. The Legend of Jasmine
Chinese Drama - 2018, 40 episodes
Later Jin khanate, Qing dynasty (Jurchen/Manchu)
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![The Legend of Xiao Zhuang]()
40. The Legend of Xiao Zhuang
Chinese Drama - 2015, 81 episodes
Later Jin khanate, Qing dynasty (Jurchen/Manchu)
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![Xiao Zhuang Epic]()
41. Xiao Zhuang Epic
Chinese Drama - 2003, 38 episodes
Later Jin khanate, Qing dynasty (Jurchen/Manchu)
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![Untouchable Lovers]()
42. Untouchable Lovers
Chinese Drama - 2018, 54 episodes
Parts about Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![The Princess Wei Young]()
43. The Princess Wei Young
Chinese Drama - 2016, 54 episodes
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Northern Wei Dynasty]()
44. Northern Wei Dynasty
Chinese Drama - 0000, 40 episodes
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![The Legend of the Northern Wei Dynasty]()
45. The Legend of the Northern Wei Dynasty
Chinese Movie - 2016
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Northern Wei Legend]()
46. Northern Wei Legend
Chinese Movie - 2010
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Empress Feng of the Northern Wei Dynasty]()
47. Empress Feng of the Northern Wei Dynasty
Chinese Drama - 2006, 42 episodes
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Mulan]()
48. Mulan
Chinese Movie - 2009
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Hua Mulan]()
49. Hua Mulan
Taiwanese Drama - 1999, 48 episodes
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![A Tough Side of a Lady]()
50. A Tough Side of a Lady
Hong Kong Drama - 1998, 20 episodes
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Heaven and Earth: Hua Mulan]()
51. Heaven and Earth: Hua Mulan
Chinese Drama - 1996, 30 episodes
Northern Wei (Xianbei)
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![Swords into Plowshares]()
52. Swords into Plowshares
Chinese Drama - 2026, 48 episodes
