Best movies & TV Shows like King Maker: The Change of Destiny

Ancient Korea, 17th century. The powerful Khan of the Jurchen tribe of Manchuria, who fights the Ming dinasty to gain China, becomes the first ruler of the Qing dinasty and demands from King In-jo of Joseon to bow before him; but he refuses, being loyal to the Mings. On December 14th, 1636, the Qing horde invades Joseon, so King In-jo and his court shelter in the mountain fortress of Namhan and prepare to defend the kingdom.

Ancient Korea, 1506. The tyrannical King Yeonsan-gun of Joseon is overthrown by his half-brother Jung-jong, whose reign begins with a blood bath. Over the years, traitors plot against him, sinking the kingdom into chaos. In 1528, frightened rumors come to royal palace, regarding a mysterious creature, known as Monstrum by the peasants.

Ancient Korea, July 4, 1762. The Crown Prince Hyojang, posthumously named Sado, son of King Yeongjo of Joseon, is accused of treason. Thus, the king asks him to commit suicide, but his closest vassals prevent it, so the king orders the prince to get inside a wooden rice chest, where he suffers deprivation of food and water.

A noble, high-class scholar starts to write erotic novels in 18th century of Chosun dynasty and falls in love with a king's woman.

An exceptionally talented face reader becomes entangled in a bloody power struggle between a child king and his uncle who plans to usurp the throne.

Set towards the end of the 19th century, when coffee was first introduced to Korea, Russian sharpshooter Illichi and Joseon's first barista Danya are manipulated by Japanese officer Sadako into an elaborate plan to assassinate King Gojong.

Dae-gil is the leader of a group of slave hunters that are hired to find a runaway slave named Tae-ha, who was once a great warrior.

Set during the reign of King Sukjong in the Joseon dynasty, the story focuses on Dong Yi, a water maid who gains the trust of Queen Inhyeon and later the favour of the king when he is moved by her prayers for the health of the Queen during the court disputes caused by Jang Hee Bin. Dong Yi becomes a concubine with the rank of sook-bin and bears a son who will later become the 21st king of Joseon, Yeongjo.

The Princess' Man is a 2011 South Korean television series, starring Park Si-hoo, Moon Chae-won, Kim Yeong-cheol, Song Jong-ho, Hong Soo-hyun, and Lee Soon-jae. It is a period drama about the forbidden romance between the daughter of King Sejo and the son of Sejo's political opponent Kim Jong-seo. It aired on KBS2 from July 20 to October 6, 2011 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes.

The Great Seer is a 2012 South Korean historical television series, starring Ji Sung, Ji Jin-hee, Song Chang-eui, Kim So-yeon and Lee Yoon-ji. Set during the turbulent decline of Goryeo, it is about practicers of divination and the power that they hold over the fate of the country. It aired on SBS from October 10, 2012 to February 7, 2013 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 35 episodes.

A talented doctor travels over 150 years back in time to when the powerful Joseon dynasty ruled over Korea, and uses his skills to save lives in this intriguing fantasy drama. Dr. Jin Hyuk, the 21st century’s best neurosurgeon meets an unidentified patient and passes out while in despair over an accident that his lover Mina has had. As he wakes up, he's suddenly transported to the time of the Joseon Dynasty. When a plague strikes Joseon, Hyuk treats the dying people and makes a new resolution with Yi Ha Eung, who dreams of the reform of Joseon. But Jin Hyuk hesitates to study and practice medicine to out of fear that he might change history forever. Follow the trials and triumphs of this traveling doctor who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Haute couture meets the high court in this drama based on Lady Jang Hui Bin, or Jang Ok Jung, one of the most celebrated royal concubines of the Joseon Dynasty. Lady Jang establishes herself as a coveted fashion designer who quickly finds herself sought after not only by fashionable noblewomen, but by the king himself. Political drama and the catwalk collide in this tale of fashioning dreams into reality!

It’s the 19th Century and as western influences spread across Asia, Korea’s Joseon dynasty is experiencing great upheaval and rapid modernization. As the son of the last great swordsman, Park Yoon Kang is caught between two worlds, but the sudden murder of his father and sister catapult him into the new era as he takes up the gun to avenge their deaths. However, it’s not just his family who needs his protection, but his people as well. Is Park Yoon Kang cut out to be the hero of an era?

Deep Rooted Tree is a 2011 South Korean television series starring Jang Hyuk, Shin Se-kyung and Han Suk-kyu. Based on the novel of the same title by Lee Jeong-myeong, it aired on SBS from October 5 to December 22, 2011 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. Taking its name from the poem Yongbieocheonga that says that trees with deep roots do not sway, the series tells the story of a royal guard investigating a case involving the serial murders of Jiphyeonjeon scholars in Gyeongbok Palace while King Sejong comes to create the Korean written language.

Set during the reign of King Injong, the protagonist is a royal physician desperate to cure his ailing daughter. He becomes a fugitive when he gets entangled in an assassination plot to poison the crown prince, and fights to save both his daughter's life and his own.

A re-imagining of the legendary tale of the troubled father-son relationship between King Yeongjo and his only son Prince Sado. While his father insists on a strong and centralized government, Crown Prince Sado promotes social justice and equality throughout the kingdom. Throughout eight fateful years, the strain on their relationship — both familial and political — eventually evolves into a total breakdown, ending with one of the most tragic stories in Joseon history.

Set between late Koryo Dynasty and early Choson Dynasty period. Jung Do-Jeon plans for the new country of "Choson" and new culture as an influential advisor to King Taejo. Jung Do-Jeon resistance among those that want to keep Koryo.

Since Kwanghae was born from a concubine and only appointed as Crown Prince in a desperate measure, many dissatisfied officials from Northerner faction often plotted for his assassination and dethronement for 16 years. He also often quarreled with his father, King Seonjo, especially regarding Kim Ga Hee. Both son and father will fight against each other in favor of her. However, he eventually managed to overcome the obstacles by the help of Physiognomist, Kim Do Chi and become the next king. Meanwhile, Gwiin Kim is King Seonjo’s royal concubine.

Queen Insoo focuses on the fierce power struggle among three women in the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty.

Drama series follows the life Jang Yeong-Sil: a scientist, technician and inventor during the Joseon period. Jang Yeong-Sil was born in the lower class nobi. King Sejong notices his abilities and brings him to the palace. King Sejong grants him a chance to display his abilities. He invents tools like astronomical instruments, iron printing press and a water clock.

A young Joseon woman who's lived her whole life as a man ends up as a eunuch in the royal palace, where she begins to bond with the crown prince.

Set during the Goryeo dynasty, Won, crown prince, has a sweet appearance hiding a lust for conquest. He is best friends with Rin, an elegant man of royal descent and Won's bodyguard. When beautiful San, the sole daughter of the wealthiest man in the nation, enters the lives of the two young men, the three at first become friends but a tragic romance ensues afterwards. Based on the novel of the same name by Kim Yi-Ryung.

During the period of Joseon Yeonsanjo, Hong Gildong was a hero who helped the unfortunate locals and fought against greedy governors. This legendary rebel, Hong Gildong's journey unveils his battle for love and justice.

In the 1700's, Crown Prince Lee Sun fights against Pyunsoo hwe. Pyunsoo hwe is an organization that has accumulated power and wealth through privatizing water all over Joseon. Crown Prince Lee Sun becomes a hope for the people who suffers. Ga-Eun is the woman Crown Prince Lee Sun loves and she helps him grow as a ruler.

In this zombie thriller set in Korea's medieval Joseon dynasty which has been defeated by corruption and famine, a mysterious rumor of the king’s death spreads, as does a strange plague that renders the infected immune to death and hungry for flesh. The crown prince, fallen victim to a conspiracy, sets out on a journey to unveil the evil scheme and save his people.

The story takes place at a time in Joseon history, when upheaval and power struggles surrounding the throne had reached extreme levels. In order to escape those who plan to assassinate him, the king puts a clown, who looks exactly like him, on the throne.

Set during the Joseon Dynasty period, the series follows three people from different walks of life who came together to help Prince Lee Geum claim the throne and reform the Saheonbu.

Set during the turbulent time of the fall of Goryeo and the founding of Joseon, two former friends face-off against one another over a woman and the future shape of the nation.

In the modern age, Jang Bong-hwan is a chef who works for the country's top politicians at the Blue House. He has a free spirit, but he one day finds himself in the body of Queen Cheorin in the Joseon period.

During the Joseon Dynasty, the Secret Royal Inspectors are the eyes and ears of the king. They travel the provinces undercover and listen to the plight of the common people, investigating abuses and corruption of government officials.

Set during the Joseon era, Hong Cheon Ki is a female painter with a genius like painting talent. She is picked as the first female painter of the Dohwaseo. Hong Cheon Ki also has a beautiful appearance and a bright personality. For her, painting is everything. One day, she meets Ha Ram.

When the crown prince is killed, his twin sister assumes the throne while trying to keep her identity and affection for her first love a royal secret.

Based on a novel of the same name, it tells the record of a royal court romance between the King of Joseon who believes his duty is to his country first above love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen.

A secret royal inspector works as an undercover official who inspects local provinces to expose corruption. He teams up with a lady who is searching for happiness by getting divorced with her current husband. The duo then go on a grand scheme to discover the truth and find corruptions.

A spirited queen tries to rein in her rowdy sons in order to make one of them the next king of Joseon, while her competitors vie to snatch the throne.