Viki Original Kdramas Like “The Haunted Palace” (Pt 1 of 2)
Rakuten Viki recognizes the growing international popularity of Korean dramas and particularly the competitive edge the streaming platform has when it provides exclusive or original content. Historical dramas resonate with audiences. Viewers enjoy the storytelling but also like learning about Korean culture and history. Investing in K-dramas has enhanced their brand and strengthened their position in the global streaming market.
- Viki is a GO TO platform for fans of historical K-dramas, especially Viki Originals. There is a lot of excitement and buzz about Viki’s latest original historical Korean drama, “The Haunted Palace”, released April 2025. If you like this series then you’ll probably enjoy the 11 saguek dramas presented in this two-part list.
♦
(1) Bossam – Steal the Fate (2021)
During the Joseon period, widows were not allowed to remarry, which is why “bossam” was a booming business. Bossam is when a widow gets kidnapped, on purpose. Kidnappers get paid to kidnap the woman and then take them to the man who wants to marry them. They run off somewhere and start a new life. One night, the kidnapper accidentally kidnapped a princess. He was going to return her, but found out that her father-in-law had declared her dead. Furthermore, since her father-in-law told a lie, he intended to find her and kill her. What else could he do? He had already told the king, her father, that she was dead. What could the kidnapper do? Not only is the princess in danger, but the kidnapper and his young son are in danger too!
TRAILER/TEASER:
Hakeem Grima. “Bossam Steal The Fate – OFFICIAL TRAILER.” YouTube, 20 Apr. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_U5UpFHTts.
♦
(2) Check in Hanyang (2024)
Four apprentices get jobs working at Joseon’s largest inn. One of the apprentices is a young woman disguised as a man. She has been living as a male since she was a little girl. Her father cut her hair and told her to run for her life. His best friend had betrayed him and meant to kill her too. She went to work at the inn because she believed she had tracked down her father’s murderer and intended to get revenge. Her father had given her a key, and two people wanted that key: the king and the owner of the inn. The key unlocked a ledger that could reveal secrets that neither of them wanted exposed. The apprentices all became good friends, and the other three apprentices eventually learned that she was a female. There must be an important reason why she needed to live as a man. They did their best to keep her secret.
TRAILER/TEASER:
Kd Talky. “Check in Hanyang.” YouTube, 14 Nov. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVfvQj492ck.
♦
(3) The King Loves (2017)
Set during the Goryeo Dynasty historical period. It’s the story of a prince who will become king. His best friend could also claim the throne if he desired the power. But he doesn’t. What they do both desire is the heart of a young woman. But whose heart does she desire?
TRAILER/TEASER:
MBCdrama. “[NEW] ‘The King in Love’ 1st Ep Preview.” YouTube, 11 July 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-FLlKyjNVg.
♦
(4) Love Song for Illusion (2024)
This Korean drama series is based on the webtoon of the same name. Set in the nation of Asatae, a crown prince suffers from a split personality. He falls in love with a woman who wants to kill his father. Why? Because his father killed her father to take the throne. The crown prince witnessed his father’s bloodshed, and it was so traumatic that he developed a psychological disorder. She falls in love with the crown prince, but both personalities want to win her heart. The relationship gets complicated. It is even more complicated because of the palace intrigue. The crown prince has a half-brother who wants to take the throne away from him. The crown prince has to fight his other personality for the woman he loves, AND fight his half-brother for the throne.
TRAILER/TEASER:
Kdrama Zone. “Love Song for Illusion (2024) Trailer.” YouTube, 3 Dec. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EphayDZB9IY.
♦
(5) Lovers of the Red Sky (2021)
This series is based on the novel of the same name. Set during the Dan dynasty, this is a love story between a female artist, called the “divine painter”, and a blind astrologer who can read the stars and predict the future. During a water ritual, a wicked demon took control of the astrologer, and sometimes the astrologer suffers from blackouts. During the blackout, the demon has taken full control and manifested itself. There are protective good spirits who help humans fight this demon, and there are also good and bad shamans and a goblin who likes to steal paintings. The lovers are caught up in two vicious webs: the human politics and power games, AND the eternal power struggle of good versus evil within the supernatural spirit world. What will be their fate?
TRAILER/TEASER:
Viki Global TV. “Lovers of the Red Sky – OFFICIAL TRAILER.” YouTube, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5fV0iz-uqI.
♦
