One of the many reasons Koreans are adorable is their love for history. If you are wondering why I have come to this conclusion, then I’ll say, apart from the popular belief that most of their pre-modern records and books are still in existence, the almost accurate portrayal of the pre-modern life in Sageuks is another piece of evidence.

Speaking of the Korean pre-modern eras, what we’re most familiar with is the ‘Joseon dynasty’ because it’s the most common background for Sageuks in Korea. However, another era of Korea we seldom talk about is the Japanese occupation of Korea.

Since we’re committed to entertaining and educating you in the best way we can, we made an article about the Japanese colonization of Korea. But if you’re someone with little or no interest in history, or you want to know more about it, watching these K-dramas that we’ve compiled is the best way for you to learn about the Japanese occupation of Korea in an entertaining way. Freedom Fighter, Lee Hoe-young

This K-drama series is based on a real-life event. It is the story of Lee Hoe-young, who donated all his wealth in a bid to fight against the Japanese invasion of Korea. Although the drama was set in the 20s, it aired in 2010.

Different Dreams

Different Dreams series celebrates the 100th anniversary of the March 1st movement. The story has a double setting in Korea and China. A young surgeon who was raised by a Japanese family becomes a spy for the Korean government. The drama aired in 2019.

Birthday Letter

This series tells the story of two young lovers who were forced apart during the Korean Independence War in 1945. The drama aired in 2019 for 4 episodes.

Pachinko

It is the story of four generations of a Korean family living in Korea under Japanese rule. The series centers on the state of living in Korea and how Korean immigrants were considered outcast in Japanese society.

Tale of the Nine-tailed 1938

Serving as the second season of a 2020 series, the tale of the nine-tailed 1938 aired in 2023. It is the story of Lee Yeon, a nine-tailed fox who was thrown back in time in 1938, which was during the Japanese rule of Korea. Although the time travel centers on a different purpose, a fight with the Japanese soldiers was inevitable.

 Song Of Bandits

Song of Bandits is a 2023 TV series set in the 1920s, during the Japanese occupation of the Korean empire. It is the story of Koreans who gathered in the Gando region to do anything to protect their lives.

Gyeongseong Creature

This 2-season series was released in the fourth quarter of 2023. It tells the story of two young adults. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, they confront a strange creature born out of greed.

BONUS DRAMA
Tomorrow

Although this TV series is not entirely set in the Japanese colonial era, episode 13 of the series mirrors the struggles of young ladies of the Korean empire and what they had to face for survival during the Japanese occupation of Korea.

In a general context, what most of these K-dramas that have their settings in the Japanese occupation of Korea have in common is ‘the struggle for survival’.
All these dramas serve as a window to see how much the people of the pre-modern era suffered during the Japanese occupation.

However, since modern Korea can boast of a success story, we can say the sacrifice of the past people did not go in vain.

Catch up on these TV series and experience the Japanese occupation of Korea yourself.