If you are deeply immersed in the Hallyu wave, you must know that Kdramas are nothing but dreamy, fictional, and filled with slow-burn romances. But you will be surprised to learn that some of the most famous Korean shows are based on true stories.
From notorious criminal cases and groundbreaking investigations to tragic romances, these Kdramas take inspiration from real-life characters and events. Here are 7 must-watch Kdramas based on real-life events, people, and experiences, along with the true stories that inspired them.
Kdramas Based On Real Life Stories
1. Through The Darkness (2022)
Starring: Kim Nam-gil, Jin Sun-kyu, Kim So-jin
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
OTT Platform: Netflix
Story: Set in late 1990s South Korea, the drama follows Song Ha-young, a detective who later becomes renowned as one of the country’s first criminal profilers.
The series follows investigators as they use psychology and criminal behaviour analysis to pursue violent offenders.
Real-Life Incident: Through My Darkness is an adaptation of Those Who Read Hearts of Evil, the 2018 memoir by Kwon Il-yong, South Korea’s first criminal profiler. Kwon documented his experiences investigating violent criminals and helping establish criminal behavioural analysis within Korean law enforcement.
2. Signal (2016)
Starring: Kim Hye-soo, Lee Je-hoon, Cho Jin-woong, and Jang Hyun-sung
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
OTT Platform: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
Story: A mysterious walkie-talkie connects a detective from the present with a police officer from the past. Together, they decide to solve the cases that have remained unsolved for years.
Real-Life Incident: Between 1986 and April 1991, a series of murders happened in Gyeonggi Province. Ten women and girls were sexually assaulted and murdered during the crime spree, which became one of the most notorious unsolved cases in South Korean criminal history.
Signal uses the case as the basis for its early storyline, but the supernatural communication device, characters, and alternate-history consequences are fictional.
The Signal film (Image Credit: Instagram@primevideo)
3. Taxi Driver (2021-2025)
Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, and Jang Hyeok-jin
Genre: Action, Drama, Crime
OTT Platform: Netflix
Story: Rainbow Taxi Company and the taxi driver offer an unconventional service: seeking revenge on criminals who justice system has failed to punish.
A pursuing prosecutor named Kang Ha-na investigates the illegal activities of Rainbow Taxi, forcing characters and viewers to question what true justice means.
Real-Life Incident: Taxi Driver is not a direct adaptation of one true story. Instead, the series draws on real cases to construct individual revenge missions.
Taxi Driver series (Image Credit: Instagram @netflix_in)
4. Hymn of Death (2018)
Starring: Lee Jong-suk, Shin Hae-sun, Kim Myeong-su, and Park Seon-im
Genre: Romantic, Sentimental, Drama
OTT Platform: YouTube
Story: During Japanese colonial rule, married playwright Kim Woo-jin falls in love with soprano Yun Sim-deok. Their relationship unfolds against the constraints of marriage, art, and a society undergoing profound political change.
Real-Life Incident: The drama is based on the tragic lives of Yun Sim-deok and Kim Woo-jin, two real figures from Korea's cultural history who were romantically involved. The couple died after jumping from a passenger ship travelling from Japan toward Korea.
Yun had also recorded Hymn of Death, known in Korean as Saimui Chanmi, shortly before her death. The recording became a landmark in Korean popular music. KBS World notes that it sold more than 100,000 copies.
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5. Fight For My Way (2017)
Starring: Park Seo-joon, Kim Ji-won, Ahn Jae-hong, and Song Ha-yoon
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Sports
OTT Platform: Netflix
Story: Former taekwondo athlete Ko Dong-man struggles to rebuild his career as an MMA fighter, while his longtime friend Choi Ae-ra fights her own battles in pursuit of a career in broadcasting. Their friendship gradually develops into something more complicated.
Real-Life Incident: Fight For My Way is inspired by Choo Sung-hoon, also known as Yoshihiro Akiyama, a celebrated mixed martial arts fighter. His wife, Yano Shiho, is a Japanese fashion model.
The inspiration reportedly came from watching Yano's emotional reactions while her husband fought. Writer Im Sang-choon became interested in the lives of martial arts fighters and, particularly, the anxiety experienced by their families.
6. Empress Ki (2013)
Starring: Ha Ji-won, Joo Jin-mo, Ji Chang-wook, Baek Jin-hee, and Kim Seo-hyung
Genre: Romantic, Political, Action, Period Places
OTT Platform: Netflix
Story: A woman born in Goryeo rises through the Yuan imperial court and eventually becomes one of the most powerful women in the Mongol Empire. The series combines palace politics, warfare, romance, and the struggle between Goryeo and Yuan interests.
Real-Life Incident: The drama is inspired by the historical Lady Gi, a woman from Goryeo who became Empress Ki of the Yuan dynasty. She eventually became a favoured consort of Emperor Toghon Temür and gave birth to his son Ayushiridara.
In 1340, she was elevated to secondary empress, and after the death of the first empress in 1365, she became the Yuan dynasty's primary empress.
Empress Ki series (Image Credit: Instagram @viki)
7. Queen For Seven Days
Starring: Park Min-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun, and Jang Hyun-sung
Genre: Romantic, Political, Drama, Korean, Period Pieces
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video and Viki
Story: Shin Chae-kyung marries Prince Jinseong, unaware that palace politics will eventually place their marriage at the centre of a power struggle. When Jinseong becomes King Jungjong, Chae-kyung becomes Queen Dangyeong, but her reign lasts only seven days.
Real-Life Incident: The drama is based on the historical Queen Dangyeong. She was born Shin Chae-kyung and married Prince Jinseong, the future King Jungjong, at the age of 13.
In 1506, Prince Jinseong became king after a coup removed his half-brother, the notorious King Yeonsan. Chae-kyung consequently became queen.
According to Yonhap's account of the historical background, the officials persuaded King Jungjong to remove her from the palace. She was formally deposed after only seven days, making her one of the most tragic figures in Joseon royal history.
Queen For Seven Days series (Image Credit: Instagram @primevideo)
These Kdramas prove that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones rooted in reality. Which of these true-story-inspired K-dramas are already on your watchlist, and which one will you be watching next?
FAQ
Q1. Is there a Kdrama movie based on a true story?
A1. Yes, there are many acclaimed South Korean dramas based on true stories, ranging from historical events to gripping true crime incidents.
Q2. Are there romantic Korean dramas based on real stories?
A2. The Hymn of Death (2018) is a tragic romantic K-drama based on the real-life love affair between Korea's first professional soprano, Yun Shim-deok, and Kim Woo-jin.