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Entertainment • TV Series

The Red Sleeve

The Red Sleeve is a South Korean historical television series that aired on MBC TV from November 12, 2021, to January 1, 2022.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Red Sleeve is a South Korean historical television series that aired on MBC TV from November 12, 2021, to January 1, 2022. Starring Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, and Kang Hoon, it is a fictionalised account of the relationship between King Jeongjo and Consort Ui-bin Seong. The series is based on a novel by Kang Mi-kang.

Premise

The series follows a royal court romance between a crown prince-turned-king and a court lady who values her independence. Its narrative combines romance with palace politics and the duties of monarchy.

Production and broadcast

The Red Sleeve aired on MBC TV from November 12, 2021, to January 1, 2022. It was produced as a Korean historical television drama with 17 episodes.

Historical basis

Although fictionalised, the series draws on the lives of King Jeongjo and his consort Ui-bin Seong. It presents their relationship through a dramatic interpretation rather than a strict historical retelling.

Source material

The series is based on the novel The Red Sleeve Cuff by Kang Mi-kang. The adaptation keeps the core romance premise while expanding it into a television drama format.

Key facts

  • The Red Sleeve is a South Korean historical romance drama set in the Joseon period.
  • The series portrays a fictionalised version of King Jeongjo and his court consort Ui-bin Seong.
  • Lee Jun-ho plays Yi San, while Lee Se-young plays Sung Deok-im.
  • It was broadcast on MBC TV in a Friday-Saturday evening slot.
  • The story is adapted from a novel by Kang Mi-kang.
  • The series has 17 episodes.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers may know the series through international streaming platforms and global interest in Korean historical dramas.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Red Sleeve?
The Red Sleeve is a South Korean historical television series about a royal court romance in the Joseon era.
When did The Red Sleeve air?
It aired on MBC TV from November 12, 2021, to January 1, 2022.
How many episodes does The Red Sleeve have?
The series has 17 episodes.
Who stars in The Red Sleeve?
The main cast includes Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, and Kang Hoon.
Is The Red Sleeve based on a true story?
It is a fictionalised account inspired by the lives of King Jeongjo and Consort Ui-bin Seong.
What is The Red Sleeve based on?
It is based on the novel The Red Sleeve Cuff by Kang Mi-kang.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Sleeve
    Supports: Series title, cast, premise, Korean title, and original broadcast dates
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14687200/
    Supports: Release date, premise, and cast
  3. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/fr/show/the-red-sleeve/umc.cmc.3avx6yj59qzhnii66tp39ssv5?l=en
    Supports: Premise, historical basis, director, and original air dates
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/tl/title/81588190
    Supports: Series description, cast, creators, and genre
  5. AsianWiki — https://asianwiki.com/The_Red_Sleeve
    Supports: Episode count, network, dates, plot synopsis, and adaptation from the novel