Top 9 in Top 10 Korean Movies with Sad Endings You Should Not Miss.
Trailer: The Red Sleeve (2021)
The Red Sleeve is set in the Josen dynasty in the 18th century, and tells the story of King Lee San (Lee Jun-ho) and Concubine Seong Deok Im (Lee Se-young), a palace girl who is filled with a desire for freedom and the pursuit of happiness. As a child, Deok Im accidentally meets Lee San and saves him from being punished by the Patriarch for sneaking a visit. He then searches to see her again, but unaware that the two are still growing up in the same Eastern Palace. After meeting again because they do not want to reveal their identities, they pretend not to know, but then gradually develop feelings and bond with each other. However, because the film closely follows the historical setting, it is impossible to get the full love of the king, so they have to be separated leading to a tragic end.
Directors: Jung Ji-in, Song Yeon-hwa
Cast: Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, Kang Hoon
Genre: Romance, Historical Drama
Runtime: 17 episodes