Movies like The Concubine (2012)
The best movies like The Concubine (2012) are The Face Reader (2013), Untold Scandal (2003) and The Treacherous (2015). If The Concubine hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedFarewell My Concubine (1993)8.1/10 from 772 votes
- NewestThe King's Warden (2026)Released 2026
- In KoreanThe Face Reader (2013)Also in Korean
The Face Reader (2013)
An exceptionally talented face reader becomes entangled in a bloody power struggle between a child king and his uncle who plans to usurp the throne.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUntold Scandal (2003)
In late 1700s Korea, Lady Cho challenges the playboy Lord Jo-won into seducing and sleeping with her husband's coming young, virgin concubine. Lady Cho agrees to sleep with him if he succeeds.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Treacherous (2015)
The story of Joseon's tyrant king Yeonsan who exploits the populace for his own carnal pleasures, his seemingly loyal retainer who controls him and all court dealings, and a woman who seeks vengeance.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe King's Warden (2026)
In a remote mountain village of 15th-century Joseon, humble headman Heung-do hears a rumor that any village hosting an exiled nobleman will be blessed with abundance and fortune. Hoping to bring prosperity to his impoverished community, he eagerly submits a petition to host one—unaware that his guest is none other than the fallen monarch, deposed boy-king Danjong.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
A Frozen Flower (2008)
A despotic king orders his male lover to produce an heir for him with his Queen. But when they instead fall in love, will tragic consequences follow?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEmpire of Lust (2015)
In the turbulent Joseon dynasty, army commander Min-jae watches ambitious Prince Yi Bang-won while becoming entwined with Ga-hee, a vengeful gisaeng. Fate collides as power shifts.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Royal Tailor (2014)
Lee Gong-jin, a young tailor, helps the Queen with her dress and both fall in love with each other. However, his success catches the ire of Jo Dol-seok, the royal tailor, who vows retribution.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
King and the Clown (2005)
Two clowns living in Korea's Chosun Dynasty get arrested for staging a play that satirizes the king. They are dragged to the palace and threatened with execution but are given a chance to save their lives if they can make the king laugh.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMasquerade (2012)
Though it places his own life in danger, a look-alike commoner secretly takes the place of a poisoned king to save his country from falling into chaos.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPortrait of a Beauty (2008)
Yun-jeong, a skilled painter, disguises herself as a man in court to continue her family's legacy. Circumstances become difficult when her relationship with Kang-mu draws jealousy from the others.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Throne (2015)
Ancient Korea, July 4, 1762. The Crown Prince Hyojang, posthumously named Sado, son of King Yeongjo of Joseon, is accused of treason. Thus, the king asks him to commit suicide, but his closest vassals prevent it, so the king orders the prince to get inside a wooden rice chest, where he suffers deprivation of food and water.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Sound of a Flower (2015)
During the Joseon Dynasty, lowborn Chae-sun challenges the rule that states only men allowed to sing while navigating devotion to her teacher and the demands of the king's father.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
The Sword with No Name (2009)
Mu Myeong is a Joseon dynasty headhunter who meets and falls in love with lady Ja Yeong who will become the future Empress Myseongseong. A few years later, Ja Yeong enters the royal palace to marry King Gojong. Mu Myeong still having feelings for Ja Yeong and in an attempt to get closer to her becomes her personal body guard.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Last Princess (2016)
Under the oppressive Japanese colonial rule, Deok-hye, the last Princess of the declining Joseon Dynasty, is forced to move to Japan. She spends her days missing home, while struggling to maintain dignity as a princess. After a series of failed tries, Deok-hye makes her final attempt to return home with help of her childhood sweetheart, Jang-han.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRaise the Red Lantern (1991)
In 1920s China, 19-year-old Songlian becomes a concubine of a powerful lord and is forced to compete with his three wives for the privileges gained.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisEungyo (2012)
A reclusive elderly poet feels the fire of his youth when gamine schoolgirl Eun-gyo enters his life, to the chagrin of the old man's assistant.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe King's Letters (2019)
In the 15th century, despite so many accomplishments he has made for the people, King Sejong, his biggest goal is still remaining; the invention of original letters that can be read and written by all the people. But courtiers who want to dominate the knowledge and the power, are against his will and discourage his belief. Frustrated King Sejong hears about a bonze Sinmi a phonogram expert, and secretly brings him in the palace.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Chunhyang (2000)
Once at a pagoda Mongryong Lee, a scion of a well-to-do family, meets Chunhyang, the young daughter of a courtesan and an aristocrat. Despite her low social standing she is smart and well-educated. The young people fall in love and think about marriage so that they could always be together. Mongryong is soon to go to the capital to take the state civil service exam. They part and in Chunhyang's life there appears the greedy and lustful Byun Hak-do, who tries to seduce her.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLady J (2018)
When a romance between a widow and a notorious libertine takes an unexpected turn, Mademoiselle de Joncquières becomes instrumental to one lover’s plans for revenge.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHwang Jin Yi (2007)
Although born a daughter of an aristocratic family, Jin-yi discovers the secret behind her birth and enters into a life in a brothel as a gisaeng.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
The Servant (2010)
A servant falls in love with a girl whom his master also desires. Although the girl loves the servant, she also longs to improve her station in life.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisLover of the Last Empress (1995)
The story of an innocent girl who is destined to become one of the emperor´s concubines. Initially she suffers from a loss of innocence and the intrigues of the other concubines but over the course of time she becomes less and less scrupulous and finally is impregnated by the emperor and thus becomes his wife - the empress of China. However, her "career" has corrupted her once innocent soul and so, after the emperor dies she rules the land with terror.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Samaritan Girl (2004)
Jae-Young is an amateur prostitute who sleeps with men while her best friend Yeo-Jin "manages" her, fixing dates, taking care of the money, and making sure the coast is clear. When Jae-Young falls in love with one of those men, she suppresses her feelings towards him in respect of her friend who's jealous.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)
An isolated lake, where an old monk lives in a small floating temple. The monk has a young boy living with him, learning to become a monk. We watch as seasons and years pass by.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFarewell My Concubine (1993)
In an epic tale of theater, gender, love and class, two Beijing opera actors navigate political turmoil as their friendship evolves over decades.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisChronicle of a Blood Merchant (2015)
Set in a village right after the Korean War, poor but good-hearted Heo Sam-gwan sets out to win the most beautiful girl in the village, Heo Ok-ran, by selling his blood to earn money. Years later, the two are happily married with three children, but their family undergoes a crisis when Sam-gwan's eldest son doesn't resemble him and rumors spread about the boy's paternity.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
A Tale of Legendary Libido (2008)
A monk gives an impaired man the secret to a strong arousal. The man had been teased and tortured until the travelling man decides to help him out.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Net (2016)
A poor North Korean fisherman finds himself an accidental defector, and is groomed to be a spy by an ambitious South Korean military officer.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Forbidden Legend: Sex & Chopsticks 2 (2009)
Rich and powerful Simon Qing has been schooled in the ways of sex by his virile father, but is still a virgin. That is, until he meets his first love Violetta who has fun with him all over his father’s estate. Their love does not last, so Simon embarks on a journey. Along the way he meets the comely nun Moon whom Simon deflowers and then marries. He then becomes enamored of Golden Lotus but she is married to dwarf Wu Da-Lang.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Taste of Money (2012)
The assistant of a wealthy socialite reveals her husband's salacious affair. The fallout entangles him in a web of sex, love and deceit that could threaten his life and career.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Concubine?
The closest matches to The Concubine are The Face Reader (2013), Untold Scandal (2003) and The Treacherous (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Concubine?
People who watched The Concubine most often go on to The Face Reader (2013), Untold Scandal (2003) and The Treacherous (2015).
What is the highest-rated movie like The Concubine?
Farewell My Concubine (1993), rated 8.1/10 by 772 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Concubine?
The King's Warden (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Korean movies like The Concubine?
Yes: The Face Reader (2013), Untold Scandal (2003) and The Treacherous (2015).
How are movies similar to The Concubine chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Concubine, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.