The Tale of Nokdu

On the run from a dangerous past, Jeon Nok-du hatches a risky plan to vanish in plain sight. He lands in a remote village inhabited by widows who guard strict customs and quiet routines. To stay safe, he adopts a female disguise and begins living among them as one of their own. The ruse pulls him into the town’s bubbling gossip, old grudges, and surprising friendships, turning a hidden refuge into a lively classroom of etiquette, humor and loyalty. As shadows from his former life tighten their hold, Nok-du must balance the fear of exposure with a growing sense of belonging, responsibility, and the hard choice between staying hidden and protecting the people he now cares about.

The Tale of Nokdu is the creative work of Hye Jin-yang and debuted in 2019. It stars Jang Dong-yoon as Jeon Nok-du and Kim So-hyun as Dong Dong-ju, with Kang Tae-oh, Jung Jun-ho and Kim Tae-woo in major supporting roles.

Awards: Not widely listed with major nominations or wins. The show earned praise from fans for its performances, witty dialogue, and vivid period setting, which helped bring a historical village to life. While it attracted a solid viewing audience and positive chatter online, it did not appear on most major awards tallies.

Cultural impact: The series stands out for mixing light hearted humor with sharp social observation about gender and tradition. Nok-du's disguise creates memorable scenes that prompt discussion about identity and community, and his evolving relationships with the widows reflect themes of trust, resilience, and the sense of family that forms in unlikely places.

Reception and themes: Viewers gave the show a solid reception, with a vote average around 7.0 out of 10 based on 83 votes. The drama blends romance and political intrigue with humor, exploring identity, loyalty, power, and how communities adapt when unconventional bonds form.