Sageuk drama (사극)

KOREAN HISTORICAL/PERIOD DRAMAS

WULANDARI ANINDYA KANA (INDY)

Sageuk drama (사극)
KOREAN HISTORICAL/PERIOD DRAMAS

The word 사극 is derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) words, Sa (사/史) meaning “history” and geuk (극/劇)
meaning “drama”.

Sageuk refers to any Korean TV or film drama based on either historical figures, incorporate historical
events, or use a historical backdrop.

Although not limited to a specific time period, the term is generally used to refer to dramas taking place
before the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1897).
Sageuk categories
At first, there were only 2 categories

Authentic sageuk (정통 사극)

A dramatized version of real historical
people or historical events. While authentic
sageuk utilizes a degree of dramatization for
entertainment value, they stay close to real
history.

Golden age: late 1990s to early 2000s

When people thought that authentic sageuk would disappear, came the massive success of the
authentic sageuk Jeong Dojeon (KBS, 2014).
It’s a story of a real-life historical figure (1342-1398) who was one of the most powerful scholars
and politicians of his time and a close supporter of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty.
Sageuk categories
At first, there were only 2 categories

Fusion sageuk (퓨전 사극)

Fusion sageuks are completely fictional dramas
that only use a historical backdrop to tell the story.
Any use of real historical figures is used purely in
a fictional context.
(90% fiction, 10% based on real history)

There are also fusion sageuks that incorporate

elements like time travel, monsters, supernatural
abilities, and vampires.

e.g. Faith (2012, SBS), is a fusion sageuk about a

doctor from the present-day who travels to 12th
century Goryeo
Problems with these 2 categories

With only these two categories proved to be a bit problematic, as this left a lot of sageuks with
strong historical foundations to be thrown into the fusion category if too much artistic license was
taken.

Hence, this dilemma lead to creation of a new sageuk category called ...
Sageuk categories

Faction sageuk (팩션 사극)

Derived from the combination of the English
words fact and fiction. These sageuks have the
framework of an authentic sageuk by focusing on
actual historical figures and events, while taking
varying degrees of artistic liberties to weave in a
fictional story line.

By applying this term correctly, faction sageuks

account for the majority of all sageuks from the
mid-2000’s to the present. They have been huge
rating blockbusters within Korea and have
achieved major international success.
e.g. Jumong (2006-2007, MBC)
List of recent sageuk (historical dramas)
Many of the most popular dramas last year are sageuk

Jang Yeong Sil (Jan-Mar 2016, KBS) Love in the Moonlight (Aug-Oct 2016, KBS2)

Actors: Actors:
Song Il-gook Park Bogum
Kim Yeongcheol Kim Yoojung
Park Sunyoung B1A4 Jinyoung
List of recent sageuk (historical dramas)
Even though these dramas are not really “period dramas”, many portion of the storyline are
considered historical
Legend of the Blue Sea (Nov 2016-Jan 2017, SBS)
Actors: Lee Minho, Jun Jihyun
List of recent sageuk (historical dramas)
Even though these dramas are not really “period dramas”, many portion of the storyline are
considered historical
Goblin (도깨비) (December 2016-Jan 2017, tvN)
Actors: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Doong-wook, Yoo In-na, BtoB Sungjae
List of recent sageuk (historical dramas)
These dramas are anticipated but didn’t live up to its list of very famous and/or good actors.
Ratings turned out bad
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (Aug 2016-Nov 2016, SBS)
Actors: IU, Lee Joon-gi, Kang Haneul, Hong Jonghyun, Nam Joohyuk, Jisoo, EXO Baekhyun
List of recent sageuk (historical dramas)
These dramas are anticipated but didn’t live up to its list of very famous and/or good actors.
Ratings turned out bad
Hwarang (Dec 2016-Feb 2017, KBS2)
Actors: Park Seojoon, Park Hyungsik, Go Ara, SHINee Minho, BTS V
List of recent sageuk (historical dramas)
These dramas are anticipated but didn’t live up to its list of very famous and/or good actors.
Ratings turned out bad
The King in Love (Dec 2016-Feb 2017, KBS2)
Actors: Im Siwan, SNSD Yoona, Hong Jonghyun
Most popular Korean historical dramas
Jumong (2006-2007, MBC)
Actors: Song Il-gook, Han Hye-jin, Kim Seung-soo, Song Ji-Hyo
According to Reuters, Song Il-gook is even considered a superstar in Iran. In Iran, the most
popular episode of this drama attracted 90% viewership.
Fictional rendition of the life of Jumong, the founder of the kingdom of Goguryeo.
Most popular Korean historical dramas
Dae Jang Geum / Jewel in the Palace (2003, MBC)
Actors: Lee Young-ae, Ji Jinhee, Hong Ri-na, Im Ho
International broadcast: The drama was syndicated in over 60 countries around the world.
The tale of an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become the king's first female physician.
Controversies surrounding sageuk
Critiques from historians and literal purists:
Sageuk, while entertaining, is a distortion of Korean history.

Critics believe sageuk adds confusion for viewers as they will only learn the
distorted version of Korean “history”, which isn’t even history, but rather fiction.
Positive values of sageuk
It provides exposure to Korea’s rich cultural past ranging from art, architecture, to
fashion; also social order of Korean society, Confucianism values and gender
relations.

Korea’s own version of history has always been squeezed out by the Chinese and
Japanese versions of Korean history. Sageuk has provided Korea with a voice
to stake her own claim in history.

Sageuk has placed Korean history on the global stage which is an achievement
that neither universities, think tanks, or even the Korean government has been
able to accomplish to the scale and degree sageuks have.
Indonesian historical dramas

Now it is not really popular, recently there hasn’t been any Indonesian historical dramas.

But in the 1990s, there were historical dramas and some of them were really popular. In Indonesia,
we call it ‘drama kolosal’. It might be because those dramas are often a very big production, much
effort goes into its costumes, settings, and many actors. Thus the word ‘colossal’.

The history of Indonesian historical dramas cannot be separated from Indonesian radio dramas.
Radio was the main entertainment source in late 80s until early 90s since most of the population
hadn’t had TV sets yet. Many of the popular radio dramas were historical dramas.

When television started becoming popular and many private TV stations were founded, producers
started adapting those radio dramas into TV dramas.
Indonesian historical dramas

In my opinion, what differs Indonesian historical dramas and Korean ones is Korean historical
dramas mostly follow the stories of palace life, kings, queens, princes, and princesses. Indonesian
historical dramas tend to tell the tales of a charismatic and legendary figure, whether fictional or
not.

Key words in Indonesian historical dramas:

laga (action, fighting, martial arts); mitos (mythical); legenda (legend); mistis (mystical)
Famous Indonesian historical dramas
Misteri dari Gunung Merapi / Mystery of
Mount Merapi (1998-2005, Indosiar)
Setting: 1600s, Central Javanese kingdom of
Mataram under the rule of Sultan Agung

A story of an evil and powerful witch, Mak

Lampir, who tries to spread evil among human
beings. Her efforts are opposed by Sembara, a
questing hero.

Although portrayed as an evil being, the story is

unique among sinetrons (how we call ‘drama’ in
Indonesia) in presenting the immortal Mak
Lampir as a central and a very powerful female
figure.
Famous Indonesian historical dramas
Tutur Tinular
(1997-1999, ANTV; Indosiar)
Setting: Late 1200s, transition between (real!)
kingdoms Singasari and Majapahit

Adapted from a famous radio drama that was

started in 1989 and broadcasted in more than
500 radio stations across Indonesia.

This drama tells of the life journey of a warrior

named Arya Kamandanu.
The storyline even includes historical figures
like Kublai Khan.

Radio drama poster TV drama poster

Famous Indonesian historical dramas
Wiro Sableng
(1997-1997, ANTV; Indosiar)
Setting: Late 1200s, transition between
(real!) kingdoms Singasari and Majapahit

Adapted from a book with the same name.

A story of a man called Wiro that has been

trained since he’s a baby by a famous
teacher in the silat (Indonesian martial
arts) world. Wiro has many supernatural
powers gained during his adventures in
the martial world and from various
teachers.
Book cover A screenshot from the
TV drama