13 Dramas Like The Forbidden Marriage That You Can Watch Now

The 2022 historical rom-com The Forbidden Marriage, starring Park Ju-hyun, Kim Young-dae, and Kim Woo-seok, was fictional. The drama revolves around King Lee Heon, who banned marriage in the Joseon dynasty after his wife died.

It’s been seven years since the ban was implemented, and things haven’t been easy for the people living in the dynasty. The ban surely upset the people, but they’d rather suffer than voice their true feelings.

So-rang, a scammer by profession, uses this opportunity and claims that the late crown princess’s spirit can possess her. She had started scamming people to make a living, but little did she know that her work would lead her to the king.

Will the king learn the truth about the swindler before it’s too late? Or will he end up getting scammed himself?

With only 12 episodes, the show was a fun, romantic watch with a refreshing story. All the show’s episodes are available to stream on Prime Video if you are still hung up on these two characters!

If you enjoyed this show, here are some of the best shows in the same genre that we recommend you watch.

Hwarang

Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, or Hwarang as popularly known, is a 2016 historical drama. The show follows Queen Jiso, who has ruled Silla since her father’s death while protecting her son from the enemies.

Her son, Sammaekjong, has grown up, and people are eagerly waiting for her to step down. However, she is worried about the consequences if she yields her power.

To make sure nobody hurts her son as well as the throne, Jiso creates a new elite group of young men known as Hwarang.

As the men in this new group grow accustomed to each other and their lives devoted to protecting the kingdom, they are also unaware of the true identity of the two members. It’s only a matter of time before their secrets come out.

• Release Date: 19 December 2016 – 21 February 2017
• Episodes: 20
• Duration: 60min
• Original Network: KBS2
• Where To Watch: Netflix, Viki

Love In The Moonlight

Set during the 19th-century Joseon Dynasty, this coming-of-age drama follows two individuals who fall in love with each other under pretenses.

Hong Ra-on, a young lady, disguises herself as a man to protect herself and her loved ones. As a man, she counsels men on dating by ghostwriting and giving relationship advice.

When a love letter she writes for a client brings her in contact with Lee Young, she is unaware that he’s the Crown Prince. Due to some misfortunate events, she gets sold into the Royal palace as a eunuch.

There, Lee Young is fighting to claim his place when he meets Ra-on, who he believes is a man. As they grow closer, their feelings bloom, but the Crown Prince still doesn’t know that the person he’s in love with might be a woman. Will they survive in the palace while sorting out their feelings for each other?

• Release Date: 22 August 2016 – 18 October 2016
• Episodes: 18
• Duration: 59min
• Original Network: KBS2
• Where To Watch: Netflix, Viki

Lovers Of The Red Sky

The drama Lovers of the Red Sky, set during the Dan dynasty, revolves around a female painter and a blind astrologer. In an era when ghosts, demons, and even gods were involved in human life, we get to see how these superpowers played an important role in the lives of these two young people.

Hong Chun Gi, the painter, meets Ha Ram, an astrologer, one day during a rainmaking ritual. Years later, their paths collide again, but under dangerous circumstances.

As they try to figure out their special connection, they must also look after themselves and those they hold dear to their heart. What connects them could easily destroy them, too.

• Release Date: 30 August 2021 – 26 October 2021
• Episodes: 16
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Original Network: SBS Viki ViuTV
• Where To Watch: Viki

May I Help You?

An interesting fantasy rom-com, May I Help You, follows Butler Kim and Baek Dong-ju, whose fates keep bringing them together and a past that might be buried deeper than either knows.

Kim works as a man for hire and can easily be hired for odd jobs for as little as 100 won. Dong-Ju, a former professional ping pong athlete, begins a new job as a funeral director. However, on the first day of work, she discovers she has a unique gift, a curse.

She can resurrect people and grant them their last wishes before they can find peace. Scared out of her wits, Dong-ju quits her job, but a streak of bad luck forces her to return to her job. Their jobs might put them in each other’s path, but what happens next is all up to Kim and Dong-Ju.

• Release Date: 19 October 2022 – 22 December 2022
• Episodes: 16
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Original Network: Amazon Prime MBC
• Where To Watch: Prime Video

Mr. Queen

What happens when a modern man finds himself in another body, in another period: chaos! That’s what happens in this drama called Mr. Queen.

Jang Bong-hwan is a head chef in the present day who ends up in the body of Kim So-yong as Queen Cheorin in the Joseon period. Confused and frustrated with his situation, Bong-hwan needs to find his way back as soon as humanly possible. However, that becomes difficult to execute when he is wrapped up in a drama from years ago.

The meek king isn’t who he seems, and the Queen ruling the realm has ulterior motives. There are secrets and suspicious people around our Mr. Queen; he must figure it out before his time runs out.

• Release Date: 12 December 2020 – 14 February 2021
• Episodes: 20
• Duration: 1hr 15min
• Original Network: tvN
• Where To Watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, Hulu

Queen: Love And War

Instead of the matters of hearts, love becomes a game of politics in this romance drama titled Queen: Love and War. When Kang Eun-bo’s twin sister is murdered, she decides to find the killer and punish them.

Eun-bo will need power only if she becomes the Queen to avenge her sister’s death and bring justice to the wronged ones.

King Lee Kyung is tired of fruitless endeavors and only wants to bring peace to his realm. However, when he realizes he recognizes Eun-bo, he can’t help but get closer to her. As they get to know each other and love blooms between the two, will they succeed in their private missions?

• Release Date: 14 December 2019 – 9 February 2020
• Episodes: 16
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Original Network: TV Chosun Viki
• Where To Watch: Viki, iQIYI

River Where The Moon Rises

Pyeong Gang, a princess raised as a soldier, has always been an ambitious girl with big dreams for her life who will stop at nothing. She is determined to become the first Empress of Goguryeo and will see that she succeeds in her goal. On Dal, a peace-loving man lives a calm life and is also opposite from her.

The day they unexpectedly meet, calm and chaos collide, affecting each other’s lives. Dal never wanted to break his rules, but after meeting Pyeong Gang, that becomes difficult.

He wants to keep her safe, and she wants to follow her dreams, even if they lead her to dangerous realms. Can she give her everything for her goals, and can On Dal keep her safe when she only wants more danger?

• Release Date: 15 February 2021 – 20 April 2021
• Episodes: 20
• Duration: 1hr 5min
• Original Network: KBS2 Viki ViuTV
• Where To Watch: Viki

Strangers Again

Leaving your lover is easy, but forgetting them and those old grievances is a different challenge altogether.

In this legal drama, Strangers Again, we see Oh Ha Ra, an exceptional divorce lawyer known as the goddess of litigation. Goo Eun Beom, another talented lawyer who used to be together, proves how difficult it can be.

Living as strangers after their divorce, Oh Ha Ra and Eun Beom are forced to see each other in the law courts, complicating everyone’s lives.

Two lawyers who used to be together now work in law courts; the atmosphere is as tense as possible. Who will lose their temper first and win at playing it cool until the end?

• Release Date: 18 January 2023 – 23 February 2023
• Episodes: 12
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Original Network: ENA Genie TV Viki
• Where To Watch: TVING, Viki

The Golden Spoon

In this fantasy drama, we meet Lee Seung-cheon, a high school student born into a poor but good family. His life changes drastically when he accidentally discovers a golden spoon one day. It’s a magical spoon that allows him to switch his life.

Without much thought, he swaps his life with his rich best friend’s life, but this spoon also comes with a price, as with all good things.

Desperate to change his destiny, Seung-cheon has only three chances to change his mind, and with these three chances, he must decide which of the two possible futures he thinks is worth living. But if he fails, he must pay the price for playing with his fate.

• Release Date: 23 September 2022 – 12 November 2022
• Episodes: 16
• Duration: 1hr 20min
• Original Network: MBC
• Where To Watch: Disney+, Hulu, Disney+ Hotstar

The King’s Affection

Set in the Joseon dynasty, the show The King’s Affection tells the story of twins born at a time when twins were considered an ominous sign. When the Crown Princess Consort gives birth to twins, she has to quickly decide to save her children.

An order has been sent to kill her daughter, and the only way she can ensure her girl survives is by sending her away from the palace.

The little girl Dam Yi returns to the palace years later and is persuaded to take her brother’s identity. Although she chooses to stay aloof and hide her truth, Dam Yi can’t stop her feelings from developing when she meets Jung Ji-un, her first love and later teacher.

• Release Date: 11 October 2021 – 14 December 2021
• Episodes: 20
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Original Network: KBS2 Netflix
• Where To Watch: Netflix

The King’s Face

The King’s Face follows the heartfelt story of an illegitimate kid, Prince Gwang Hae. As a crown prince, he has received countless threats, but his broken relationship with his father makes it worse for him.

His father has always been indifferent toward him, even as a kid. But, with all the negative feelings he’s been hiding inside him, it takes a toll on him.

During this hard time, he meets an old friend, Kim Ga Hee. With the entire burden on his shoulders, Prince Gwang Hae must act wisely and save the future of Joseon using his face-reading skills.

• Release Date: 19 November 2014 – 5 February 2015
• Episodes: 23
• Duration: 60min
• Original Network: KBS2
• Where To Watch: Viki

The Secret Romantic Guesthouse

This period drama revolves around mysteries and secrets that people hide. Yoon Dan Oh, the beloved youngest daughter of her family, has lived a comfortable life, but things have changed. As the family’s breadwinner, she runs the Ihwawon Inn, where her current guests are all scholars.

When she meets her guests, Kang San, Kim Si Yeol, and Jeong Yoo Ha, all four talk and soon begin to investigate the disappearance of Lee Seol. It’s been 13 years since Lee disappeared without a trace, but can these four find one person? Or has it already been too late to learn what happened?  

• Release Date: 20 March 2023 – 16 May 2023
• Episodes: 18
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Original Network: SBS ViuTV
• Where To Watch: Viki, Prime Video

The Tale Of Nokdu

Set in the Joseon period, Jeon Nok-du is a smart and talented swordsman who lives on an island with his father and older brother. On one fine day, a group of female assassins attack his father and brother. When he chases after the assassins, he comes across Dong Dong Ju, who wants to shoot the king with her arrow.

Later, during his chase, he disguises himself as a woman to enter a widowed village. He meets Dong Ju again and learns she is an apprentice to become a gisaeng. Both of them have separate missions to keep their minds on, but their chance encounter can perhaps be fate stepping in in their lives to set things right.

• Release Date: 30 September 2019 – 25 November 2019
• Episodes: 32
• Duration: 33min
• Original Network: KBS2
• Where To Watch: Netflix, Viki, iQIYI

For those who love romances and period dramas, we’d suggest you give these 13 shows a try! We are certain you’ll enjoy them.