Hwarang (2016)

Sinilarities:
- Both are historical dramas with comical elements.
- FL in both dramas is surrounded by multiple MLs with whom she forms a friendship.
- MLs have a hidden past / agenda.
- There is a love triangle in both but in H it's more present than in TSRG

Both offer lots of men in an academy/school environment with a strong female lead nestled within. Sorry no shower scenes provided with In a Class of Her Own.... but the humor and enjoyable story line more than make up for it.

*spoiler*
- both Male leads like the girl and are eligible to become king.
- Male lead come to capital city in search for something from village
- male leads have adoptive brother and expert in martial arts
- there is squad of fighters for justice
- SML kidnaps FL
-SML hangouts near courtesans
- other characters have nice sub story and romance
- SML ends up as king and ML gets the girl

"Empress Ki" and "Hwarang" are both South Korean historical dramas that share several thematic and stylistic elements despite being set in different historical periods and contexts. Here are some of the key similarities:

1. Historical Setting: Both dramas are set in historical periods and involve historical figures and events, though they take creative liberties with historical accuracy. "Empress Ki" is set in the Goryeo and Yuan dynasties, while "Hwarang" is set in the Silla Kingdom.

2. Strong Female Leads: Each series features strong female characters who play pivotal roles in the story. "Empress Ki" follows the life of Ki Seung-nyang, who rises from a lowly status to become an empress. In "Hwarang," the female leads, including Ah Ro, display resilience and influence within the male-dominated setting.

3. Political Intrigue: Both dramas delve deeply into political machinations, court intrigues, and the struggle for power. Characters are often involved in complex plots and schemes to gain or maintain power.

4. Romantic Subplots: Romance is a significant element in both series. In "Empress Ki," the protagonist is involved in complex romantic relationships with both the Emperor of Yuan and the King of Goryeo. "Hwarang" features romantic entanglements among the members of the Hwarang and the female lead, Ah Ro.

5. Formation of Brotherhoods: "Hwarang" focuses on the creation and development of the elite Hwarang warriors, highlighting their camaraderie and brotherhood. Similarly, "Empress Ki" showcases alliances and friendships formed amidst political turbulence.

6. Action and Martial Arts: Both dramas feature a good deal of action, including sword fights, battles, and displays of martial arts skills, contributing to the excitement and intensity of the storylines.

7. Struggles with Identity and Loyalty: Characters in both series grapple with issues of identity, loyalty, and duty. In "Empress Ki," Seung-nyang must navigate her loyalty to her homeland and her new position in the Yuan dynasty. In "Hwarang," the young warriors face challenges related to their noble status, personal loyalties, and duties to their kingdom.

These elements contribute to the rich storytelling and dynamic character development in both "Empress Ki" and "Hwarang," making them compelling dramas for fans of historical and period pieces.

During the Joseon Dynasty, a young woman named Hong Chun Ki is a painter – a true rarity in Joseon Korea, where Confucian values dictate that such pursuits are unsuitable for a woman. She was born blind but somehow managed to acquire a sense of vision. And now she has been accepted to the most prestigious art college in the land. One day, she meets Ha Ram, an astrologer whose fate is the polar opposite of her own: Although he was born sighted, he lost his vision in a childhood accident. Regardless, he is also in possession of an astounding talent that allows him to read the future by tracing the movement of the sky at night despite the fact that he is blind. The duo is sucked into the machinations of the royal court, particularly those involving two princes, the free-spirited Prince Yang Myung and the cruel, scheming Prince Joo Hyang – a man who longs to become the next Joseon king.

Quiet and gentle, Min Jae Yi is everything a good daughter of a prominent family should be. Engaged to the son of the Second State Councillor, Jae Yi knows that the only way to bring herself and her family honor is to accept her fate, which she does with grace and charm. Devoting herself to learning everything she needs to know to become a good wife and mother, Jae Yi dutifully prepares for the future. Sadly, destiny has other plans for her future. Four days before her wedding, Jae Yi’s family is murdered. With no one else to blame for the unexpected tragedy, Jae Yi soon finds herself the object of baseless and horrifying accusations. Blamed for the death of her family, Jae Yi might not have had much of a future at all, if fate hadn’t decided to intervene. Bringing the lonely crown prince, Lee Hwan into her life at just the right moment, Jae Yi is saved from a dismal fate, but her salvation comes at a price. Plagued by a mysterious curse, Lee Hwan agrees to help Jae Yi, but only if she agrees to help him break his curse in return. Unable to refuse such an offer, Jae Yi agrees to the prince’s terms, setting them both on an unexpected path toward love. But what chance does their love have of surviving when one of them is a former murder suspect and the other is a cursed prince?

Both are historical dramas that have a powerful queen pushing her son(s) to the throne, scheming by people in the people, and an heir to the throne who grew up outside the palace unaware of his identity as a child.

The school aspect is similar and the general atmosphere of both dramas as well. Multiple leads in both dramas.

Set in a similar time period. Both are more comedic sageuks but also have a story with some emotional weight. MLs are both scrappy but powerful. Sweet romance in both that is well balanced with the other storylines. My Only Love Song is a bit sillier, but they have similar tones. If you enjoyed one give the other a try!