The Red Sleeve

The Red Sleeve

Were you swayed by me or was I swayed by you?

Created by Jung Hae-ri

On MBC

2021–20221 season17 episodes74 min7.6 / 10

A historical romance centered on the intimate, conflicted bond between a king and court lady navigating duty against desire, steeped in period beauty and melancholic longing.

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.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is The Red Sleeve sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of series.

  • Does The Red Sleeve leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% of series.

  • Is The Red Sleeve violent? Not especially. Less violent than 59% of series.

  • Is The Red Sleeve easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is The Red Sleeve scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

52/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity75

How unlike any other series this one feels

Surprise37

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love47

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Red Sleeve

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Red Sleeve

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Red Sleeve, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Red Sleeve, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Red Sleeve, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

Share thisXBlueskyReddit