While most K-dramas are works of pure fiction, some of the most gripping K-dramas are based on true stories. There’s something uniquely compelling about watching a dramatised version of a true story unfold on screen. Whether drawing from harrowing crimes, historical legacies, personal stories, or the quiet struggles of daily life, these dramas gain their emotional power from truth and stay in our minds long after the credits roll.
The following K-dramas draw inspiration from real-life events and individuals, bringing authenticity and emotional depth to the screen.
Fight for My Way
The inspiration behind the lead characters of ‘Fight for My Way’ are mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Choo Sung Hoon and his wife Yano Shiho. The drama follows the underdog journey of a former taekwondo star-turned-MMA fighter and his longtime friend as they chase their dreams and fall in love in the process.
The Glory
Starring Song Hye Ko, ‘The Glory’ is partially based on the harrowing 2006 Cheongju middle school bullying case, where a group of bullies extorted money from their classmate for about a month, repeatedly beating and burning her using objects. The drama captures the lifelong trauma of a bullying victim who returns years later to exact revenge on her abusers.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Netflix’s latest global hit, ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ is drawing inspiration from the life of a Jeju woman, Hong Kyun Ja. In the first episode of the drama, there’s even a hidden tribute to her, with her name inscribed on a tewak, a traditional floating device used by Jeju haenyeo. Like the drama, Hong also lost her mother at five and had to become a provider for her younger siblings.
The Red Sleeve
A fictionalised account of the lives of King Jeongjo of the Joseon dynasty and his beloved royal noble consort Ui, ‘The Red Sleeve’ is a historical romance that portrays the emotional depth behind palace walls. The drama is told from Ui’s viewpoint and focuses on the personal sacrifices of a woman in the royal palace of Joseon.
Juvenile Justice
The cases featured in the legal drama ‘Juvenile Justice’ are inspired by real-life cases. Through hard-hitting courtroom narratives and emotionally charged verdicts, the series examines the moral dilemmas and systemic challenges faced by the juvenile justice system.
The Hymn of Death
Starring Lee Jong Suk and Shin Hye Sun, ‘The Hymn of Death’ tells the true story of Joseon’s first soprano, Yun Sim-deok, and her doomed romance with genius playwright Kim U-jin. Set during the Japanese occupation, it paints a sorrowful yet poetic portrait of two artists whose love could not survive societal constraints and personal despair.
Signal
‘Signal’ is a crime thriller partially inspired by real-life cold cases in Korea, most notably the infamous Hwaseong serial murders that shocked the nation in the late 1980s. The show follows a fictional detective who communicates with a cold-case investigator from the past via a mysterious walkie-talkie, creating a tense, time-bending narrative.
Move to Heaven
This heartfelt drama is based on the non-fiction essay titled “Things Left Behind” by Kim Sae Byul, a former trauma cleaner who recounted a few incidents from his life. ‘Move to Heaven’ tells the story of a young man with Asperger’s syndrome and his ex-convict uncle who run a business cleaning out the possessions of the deceased.
Taxi Driver
Based on the webtoon ‘The Deluxe Taxi,’ the story of ‘Taxi Driver’ is inspired by true crimes. It features a shadowy taxi service that helps victims take revenge when the law fails. Episodes borrow from disturbing real cases like the “Nth Room” digital sex crime case and various instances of corporate and domestic abuse.
Empress Ki
‘Empress Ki,’ starring Han Ji-won and Ji Chang-wook, is a fictionalised account of the life of the infamous Empress Ki. The drama follows Empress Ki, a Goryeo-born woman who became an empress of the Yuan dynasty. The series explores her political rise, emotional battles, and the historical tensions between Goryeo and the Mongol Empire.
From modern social issues like bullying and juvenile crime to historical romances and unsolved mysteries, these K-dramas don’t just entertain, they educate, provoke conversation, and offer a window into the past and present.
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