# The greatest Korean historical dramas (sageuk) by ratings

The historical dramas that gathered whole families in front of the TV: from Hur Jun, with a peak rating of 63.7%, to The King's Dream, Dae Jang Geum and Jumong, Korea's sageuk classics ranked by ratings.

- 29 votes · 15 items
- Mar 29, 2025 · 임민수
- https://even.best/en/l/4223/the-greatest-korean-historical-dramas-sageuk-by-ratings

## Top 15

1. **Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace) (MBC, 2003-2004)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Jang-geum, from palace cook to royal physician; a worldwide Hallyu hit.
2. **Tears of the Dragon (KBS, 1996-1998)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — The founding of Joseon and King Taejong; praised for its historical accuracy.
3. **Queen Seondeok (MBC, 2009)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Silla's first queen and her rivalry with Mishil.
4. **Hur Jun (MBC, 1999-2000)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — The life of Joseon's great physician Heo Jun; peak rating of 63.7%.
5. **Taejo Wang Geon (KBS, 2000-2002)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Wang Geon and the founding of Goryeo during the Later Three Kingdoms.
6. **Ladies of the Palace (SBS, 2001-2002)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Power struggles among the women of King Jungjong's court.
7. **The King and the Queen (KBS, 1998-2000)** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — King Sejo, Queen Insu and the court around the 1453 coup.
8. **The Moon Embracing the Sun (MBC, 2012)** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — A fictional Joseon king and the girl who became a shaman.
9. **The Slave Hunters (KBS, 2010)** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Dae-gil, a hunter of runaway slaves.
10. **Dae Jo-yeong (KBS, 2006-2007)** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — The founder of Balhae after the fall of Goguryeo.
11. **Yi San (MBC, 2007-2008)** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Director Lee Byung-hoon's drama on the life of King Jeongjo.
12. **Emperor of the Sea (KBS, 2004-2005)** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Jang Bogo, the Unified Silla merchant who ruled the seas.
13. **Jumong (MBC, 2006-2007)** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — The founding epic of Goguryeo's first king.
14. **Jang Hee-bin (SBS, 1995)** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — The rise and fall of King Sukjong's royal consort Jang.
15. **The Legend (MBC, 2007)** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — A fantasy sageuk with Bae Yong-joon as King Gwanggaeto.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.