How many episodes does The Red Sleeve have?

It has 17 episodes, which aired on MBC in late 2021 and early 2022.

Is The Red Sleeve based on a true story?

It is a fictionalized account of the historical romance between King Jeongjo and his royal concubine Uibin Sung, adapted from a novel by Kang Mi-kang.

Does The Red Sleeve have a happy ending?

It is bittersweet — faithful to history, the romance is profound but ends in loss rather than a fairy-tale union.

Where can I watch The Red Sleeve with English subtitles?

It streams on Viki with English subtitles in many regions.

★ 7.6completed

The Red Sleeve

Name: The Red Sleeve
Genre: Drama
Cast: Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, Kang Hoon, Lee Duck-hwa, Park Ji-young

옷소매 붉은 끝동

Year2021Episodes17NetworkMBC

“A palace Romeo and Juliet rooted in real Joseon history”

Based on a novel of the same name, it tells the record of a royal court romance between the King of Joseon who believes his duty is to his country first above love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen.

Romance Historical

Lee Jun-ho

as Yi San / King Jeongjo · LEAD

Lee Jun-ho

Yi San / King Jeongjo

Lee Se-young

as Sung Deok-im · LEAD

Lee Se-young

Sung Deok-im

Kang Hoon

as Hong Deok-ro · SUPPORTING

Kang Hoon

Hong Deok-ro

Lee Duck-hwa

as King Youngjo · SUPPORTING

Lee Duck-hwa

King Youngjo

Park Ji-young

as Head Court Lady Jo · SUPPORTING

Park Ji-young

Head Court Lady Jo

Jang Hee-jin

as Queen Jeong-sun · SUPPORTING

Jang Hee-jin

Queen Jeong-sun

Ahn Se-min

as Seong Guk-min · SUPPORTING

Ahn Se-min

Seong Guk-min

Jang Hye-jin

as Court Lady Seo · SUPPORTING

Jang Hye-jin

Court Lady Seo

Streaming

Where to watch

Viki

Availability varies by region · Data by JustWatch via TMDB

Quick verdict

Should you watch?

A beautifully restrained sageuk romance that revived MBC's fortunes.

Story

9.0

Acting

9.2

OST

8.4

Pacing

8.0

8.5+

7–8.4

✓Fans of historical romance, slow-burn devotion, and richly produced sageuk

✗You prefer happy endings — the real history makes this bittersweet

Story

What is it really about

A self-possessed court maid who guards her independence and the crown prince who falls for her navigate a love hemmed in by rank and duty. A historical romance drawn from the real bond between King Jeongjo and his concubine.

Sageuk romanceSlow-burnBittersweetCourt intrigueRestrained

Did you know