Korean Dictionary
How to say "Historical Drama" in Korean
“Historical Drama” in Korean is 사극 (pronounced "saguk").
사극
saguk
Usage & Context
A K-drama set in historical Korea, often during royal periods. Historical dramas showcase Korean culture and history. They feature elaborate costumes and palace settings.
Example Sentence
사극을 좋아해!
I like historical dramas!
How to use 사극 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Historical Drama” is 사극, romanized as saguk.
Usage tip
Drama lines are memorable, but some expressions are emotional or exaggerated compared with everyday Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 사극.
Pronunciation Guide
For "사극" (saguk), "사" (sa) sounds like "sa" in "salsa". "극" (guk) is pronounced like "gook" in "gook-bap" (Korean soup with rice), a short, sharp sound. The stress is typically on the first syllable, "사".
More Example Sentences
Expressing a preference for a specific type of drama.
저는 화려한 의상이 나오는 사극을 좋아해요.
I like historical dramas with elaborate costumes.
Sharing information about a drama's historical accuracy.
이 사극은 실제 역사적 사건을 바탕으로 했대요.
They say this historical drama is based on real historical events.
Describing a family member's hobby.
어머니는 주말마다 사극 보는 걸 즐기세요.
My mother enjoys watching historical dramas every weekend.
Cultural Context
"사극" (saguk) is a hugely popular genre in Korea, often depicting periods like the Joseon Dynasty or Goryeo Dynasty. They are known for their intricate costumes, grand palace settings, and often dramatic political intrigues or epic love stories. Many Koreans learn about their history through saguk, though historical accuracy can vary. Famous examples include 'Dae Jang Geum,' 'Moon Embracing the Sun,' and 'Kingdom.'
Editorial note
We review drama-style expressions like 사극 for tone, because lines that sound natural in a scene can feel too emotional or direct in everyday Korean.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
사극 드라마
historical drama
사극 영화
historical movie
사극에 빠지다
to fall for historical dramas
Related Expressions
시대극
sidaeguk
period drama (broader term, can include non-Korean history)
퓨전 사극
pyujeon saguk
fusion historical drama (historical setting with modern elements)
역사 드라마
yeoksa deurama
history drama (more direct translation, but 사극 is more common)
궁중 드라마
gungjung deurama
palace drama (a subgenre of saguk)
More K-Drama Expressions Words
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