From Fight For My Way To The Glory, K-dramas You Didn’t Know Were Inspired By Real Life Events

Did you know these K-dramas were based on real life people?

By Anadya Narain Updated June 17, 2025 3:48 PM

One thing about Korean dramas is that they cannot be contained in a box. They come in various genres and premises and have something for everybody. While most of these shows and stories are fictional, some of them are also inspired by and based on real-life events. They tell gripping stories about historical figures, personal accounts of renowned figures, and the emotional struggles of real-life people. Here are the best K-dramas based on real-life events.

Fight For My Way

The beloved romance comedy K-drama is based on the real-life couple Choo Sang Hoon and his wife Yano Siho. Choo Sung Ho is an MMA fighter, and Fight For My Way follows the story of a former taekwondo star-turned-MMA fighter. The fighter struggles to make his name in the industry and eventually finds success with the help of his childhood friend.

The Glory

Song Hye Kyo’s famous revenge K-drama, The Glory, is partially based on the 2006 Cheongju middle school bullying case. In this case, multiple high school students were accused of bullying and extorting money from a fellow student. They also repeatedly burned her skin with cigarettes and objects like an iron.

The Red Sleeve

This historical K-drama is based on the life of the Joseon dynasty monarch, King Jeongjo. It is a fictionalised account of the king and his beloved royal consort Ui. The drama does a brilliant job of showcasing the lives of the royal consorts. It depicts how much of their lives these women sacrificed for the royal family.

The Hymn Of Death

The Hymn Of Death follows the real-life heartbreaking story of the first Joseon era soprano, Yun Sim-deok and her heartbreaking romance with a Korean playwright, Kim U-jin. The drama is set during the Japanese occupation and portrays the struggles and sorrows of people trying to make a living during that era.

Move To Heaven

Move To Heaven tear-jerker K-drama, is based on the non-fiction essay written by Kim Sae Byul titled ‘Things Left Behind.’ The essay is about a former trauma cleaner who recounts his experiences of cleaning the homes of people who recently died.

Also Read: 5 K-Drama Friendships That Are Bestie Goals!