The Red Sleeve

The Red Sleeve is currently streaming in the US on Rakuten Viki, and it rewards the patience it asks of you. Across 1 season, the show has had time to find its rhythm and keep it. 63 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch it for Lee Jun-ho — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Start it on Rakuten Viki whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Red Sleeve earns its spot. The Red Sleeve takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. 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. Lee Jun-ho and Lee Se-young lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 2021–2022. The performances in The Red Sleeve do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with The Red Sleeve. The tonal similarities to Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung are real, though The Red Sleeve carves out its own identity quickly. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Lee Jun-ho is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.

The Red Sleeve wrapped up in 2022, created by Jung Hae-ri — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.