HISTORICAL HOTTIES PT. 1, THE PRINCESSES

Historical dramas are full of some of the most regal, spiteful, and often hottest characters in any era. Here are a few of my picks that caught my eye. So is it disrespectful to rank royalty based entirely on beauty? Probably. Am I going to do it anyway? Do K-dramas make you cry?   

EMPEROR OF THE SEA

BAEK HA-JIN (KIM AH-JOONG)


One the many doomed characters in the historicals, this princess dared to fall for an outlaw, and died in an ambush. She was handy with a sword, but not skilled enough to save herself. She got a raw deal; she announces she's pregnant and gets killed in the same episode! She's hot, follows her heart, and uses a sword well. What's not to like?

THE KING OF LEGEND

BUYEO HWA (Kim Ji Soo)


The warrior king Geunchogo seized most of the Korean peninsula at the height of Baekje's power. Buyeo Hwa, the only daughter of King Buyeo Joon as well as his adviser, falls in love with Geunchogo, complicating matters. How do you remain loyal to your dad and your heart?

SWORD AND FLOWER

SO HEE (Kim Ok Bin)


In the declining years of Goguryeo, the palace is divided between the war hawks and the ones vying for diplomacy and peace. So Hee is the King's daughter with a keen intellect, big heart, and a quick sword. She falls in love with the illegitimate son of General Gaesomun, and that's when this turns to a tale of revenge. I think I have a thing for girls with swords...

HWANG JIN YI

HWANG JIN YI (Ha Ji Won)


Princess Hwang Jin Yi finds out she's illegitimate and opts for the life of a gisaeng. A long-time family servant, whom she slept with, is revealed to be a bandit leader, and that's when she questions where her life is headed. I would have done that before then, but hey...

SHINE OR GO CRAZY

SHIN YOOL (Oh Yeon Seo)

Shin Yool, the last princess of Balhae, falls in love with the exiled prince Wang So. Both of them were forced from their old lives because of prophecy, but aside from all this, they meet and fall quickly in love. Because this is a historical drama, Wang So's half-brother has to show up and makes a bid for power.

THE PRINCESS'S MAN

SE RYUNG (Moon Chae Won)

Fearless and iron-willed, Princess Se Ryung falls in love with Seung Yoo. The romance has problems, though -- both of their fathers are old enemies, each determined to kill the other and gain the throne for himself.

THE MOON THAT EMBRACES THE SUN

YEON WOO (Han Ga In)

In the Joseon dynasty, Lee Hwon is the Crown Prince who falls for a noble's daughter, Heo Yeon Woo. His illegitimate brother also has eyes for the winsome woman, and then this tale truly twists.

GOD OF WAR

CHOI SONG YI (Kim Gyu Ri)


Princess Choi Song Yi is every father's nightmare. She falls in love with a slave, advances him through the ranks in the military, and then announces her intent to marry him -- with the predictable reaction from her father. Not a popular character among the fans, but hot.

KINGDOM OF THE WINDS

PRINCESS YEON (Choi Jung Won)

It's a free-for all as the players in this drama all match up with each other, and some remain unhappy. Prince Muhyul and Princess Yeon are from neighboring kingdoms and in love, but both of them have their romantic rivals to deal with.

So I've given you a few of my faves. What are some of yours? Let me know in the comments!