Plenty of the K-drama market is filled with romantic comedies. After all, many popular dramas that have pulled viewers into the genre include fan favorites: Boys Over Flowers, Coffee Prince, and She Was Pretty. Romantic comedies simply hold a special place in the hearts of viewers, as they are easy to understand and accessible to everyone.
However, there are other K-dramas that have garnered the attention of international viewers and have earned their place as favorites, including popular fantasies such as Gu Family Book, Master’s Sun, and Queen In-hyun’s Man. These, however, are fantasy K-dramas, some of which can prove difficult to watch if viewers aren’t into fantasy. However, for those who enjoy a bit of fantasy in their K-dramas, there is plenty to watch and love.
10
‘The Bride of the Water God’ (2017)
Directed by Kim Byung-soo
Otherwise known as The Bride of the Habaek, The Bride of the Water God follows water Lord Ha-baek (Nam Joo-hyuk) as he seeks sacred stones. These stones will help him claim the throne in the Divine Realm. He then enlists the help of So-ah (Shin Se-Kyung), a non-believer, and the woman who is fated to be his wife.
The Bride of the Water God, though facing its own criticisms, is based on the manhwa of the same name, written by Yoon Mi-kyung. Despite these criticisms, The Bride of the Water God is a heartwarming K-drama that delves into the hearts of divine beings. Those who are interested in gods and divine beings will definitely fall in love with this K-drama, starring the famous and wonderful Nam Joo-hyuk (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Cheese in the Trap).
Watch on Roku
9
‘Scholar Who Walks the Night’ (2015)
Directed by Lee Sung-joon
Noblewoman Jo Yang-sun (Lee Yu-bi) crossdresses as a male bookseller after tragedy strikes and her family is framed for treason. Kim Sung-yeol (Lee Joon-gi) works in a special office in Joseon, the Hongmungwan, as a scholar, and he meets Yang-sun. However, Sung-yeol is hiding a secret: he is a vampire fighting against evil.
Despite its lack of popularity, The Scholar Who Walks the Night is a very entertaining K-drama that centers on the politics between vampires. Although a somewhat cheesy historical drama, the actors and actresses know how to pull viewers in with their captivating performances, and viewers will love the chemistry between the two leads. Viewers who enjoy shows and films about vampires will undoubtedly fall in love with the great Lee Joon-gi (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Arthdal Chronicles, Lawless Lawyer) as a vampire guardian.
Watch on Kocowa
8
‘Lovers of the Red Sky’ (2021)
Directed by Jang Tae-yoo
Set in the Joseon dynasty, blind Cheon-ki (Kim Yoo-jung) meets Ha-Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop) during a rain ritual, and the two form a friendship with one another. After Ha-Ram is sacrificed, Cheon-ki regains her sight, and Ha-Ram returns to life, though he loses his sight. The two then reunite again nineteen years later, though their love is stalled by the royal court and their destinies.
Lovers of the Red Sky has a very unique premise that viewers will likely not see again in a K-drama. The K-drama focuses on the beautiful relationship that blossoms between two very tragic characters whose destinies force them to turn against one another. Those who enjoy K-dramas with a bittersweet end will love Lovers of the Red Sky, a hidden gem to say the least.
Lovers of the Red Sky
- Release Date
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2021 – 2020
- Network
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SBS
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Kim You-jung
Hong Chun-gi
-
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Gong Myeong
Prince An-pyeong
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Kwak Si-yang
Queen So-hun
Watch on Viki
7
‘Tale of the Nine Tailed’ (2020)
Directed byb Kang Shin-hyo and Jo Nam-hyung
Former gumiho guardian of Baekdu-daegan Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-wook) abandons his post to live in the city where he exists amongst fellow gumiho in a world of humans. He then meets producer Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah), who happens to be a woman he saved in her childhood and the reincarnation of his one and only true love.
The Tale of the Nine Tailed is a beautiful K-drama revisiting the loss of true love and the sacrifices one is willing to make just to have it again. This isn’t the first time Lee Dong-wook has played a mythical creature, nor is it the first time he played one in a tragic story (the Grim Reaper in Goblin), though it seems that in every fantastical rendition, Lee Dong-wook isn’t meant to love. Still, despite this, Lee Dong-wook’s performance as the gumiho guardian in Tale of the Nine Tailed is swoon-worthy, as he plays a calm and collected deity. This, combined with his chemistry with the wonderful Jo Bo-ah, makes the K-drama worth the watch alone, if only to see their on-screen performance.
Watch on Amazon Prime
6
‘Doom at Your Service’ (2021)
Directed by Kwon Young-il
Editor Tak Dong-kyung (Park Bo-young) has many problems, but the biggest one is when she learns that she has only 100 days to live due to glioblastoma. Drunk, she spots a shooting star and wishes for the world to be destroyed. Her wish is then heard by the messenger of destruction, Myul Mang (Seo In-guk), who brings ruin with his existence.
As of the late 2010s, Park Bo-young has starred in plenty of popular and wonderfully-written K-dramas, including but not limited to Strong Girl Bong-soon, Daily Dose of Sunshine, and Oh My Ghost, and Doom at Your Service is no exception. In all of these dramas, she has showcased her versatile acting skills, proving that she could act in any role, from humorous to more serious roles. This, combined with her on-screen chemistry with the cool Seo In-guk, has made this K-drama worth the watch. Prepare to fall in love with the cast and the story.
5
‘W: Two Worlds’ (2016)
Directed by Jung Dae-yoon
One day, cardiothoracic surgeon Oh Yeon-Joo (Han Hyo-Joo) is pulled into the popular webcomic W created by her father, Oh Seong-moo (Kim Eui-sung), There, she meets the protagonist Kang Cheol (Lee Jong-suk), and the two fall in love.
W: Two Worlds is a fantasy-thriller that involves two alternate worlds. As a K-drama, it has everything from fantasy to romance to mystery—the perfect mixture of the perfect K-drama. Although the plot itself sounds simple, viewers will find themselves hooked on the mysteries of an alternate world where fiction exists and won’t be able to stop watching.
Watch on Viki
4
‘My Love from the Star’ (2013-2014)
Directed by Jang Tae-yoo and Oh Chung-hwan
During the Joseon dynasty, alien Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun) saves Seo Yi-hwa (Kim Hyun-soo) from falling, and as a result of his chivalrous act, he ends up stranded on Earth and misses the flight back to his planet. Then, four centuries later, with only three months left until his departure, Min-joon finds himself entangled in his new neighbor’s life: Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun), an actress since childhood.
Nothing beats love stories that entangle the lives of humans and otherworldly beings. There is much more at stake, and shows featuring these types of romances tend to break hearts the most. My Love from the Star includes both, but it also blends comedy, drama, and romance seamlessly. Viewers who love romances that are out of this world will love the chemistry between Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun, both of whom are respectable actors in the romance genre.
My Love From The Star
- Release Date
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2013 – 2016
- Network
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GMA Network
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Jennylyn Mercado
Steffanie Elaine “Steffi” Chavez
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Gil Cuerva
Matteo Domingo
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Gabby Eigenmann
Jackson Libredo
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Christian Bautista
Winston Libredo
Watch on Kocowa
3
‘Arthdal Chronicles’ (2019-2023)
Directed by Kim Won-seok (Season 1) and Kim Kwang-sik (Season 2)
In the land of Arth, a mythical place where the citizens and its people have to grapple with the power struggles of a new society, Eun-seom (Song Joong-ki) is born and fated to bring disaster upon his homeland. In the process, Eun-seom is forced to struggle and grapple with hardships so that he can bring his tribe back to life.
The Arthdal Chronicles is a unique K-drama that viewers will be interested in and intrigued by the very first episode. Because it is a drama based on a fictional setting with fictional people, the beginning of this K-drama includes a lot of worldbuilding, and viewers will find themselves easily immersed in the ancient world of Arthdal. For those who enjoy heavy fantasy, Arthdal Chronicles is worth the watch.
2
‘Goblin’ (2016-2017)
Directed by Lee Eung-book, Kwon Hyuk-chan, and Yoon Jong-ho
Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is a goblin, a creature who helps humanity. He is cursed to live this immortal life due to a curse placed on him for killing so many in the Goryeo dynasty; unbeknownst to any human except his bride, there is a sword that continuously stabs him, and only the Goblin’s bride can remove it. However, Kim Shin does not know who this bride is. Then, one day he meets Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun), a nineteen-year-old girl he saved from the Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) when she was barely born. Due to this interruption of fate and her close encounter with death, she can see ghosts and goblins. As they spend more time together, Kim Shin begins to realize Eun-tak is special, and he falls for her.
Goblin is an incredibly sad K-drama that features glimpses from the past of the four main characters. It speaks on the tragedy that has struck the main cast and continues to follow them through their rebirths. Though an emotional rollercoaster, Goblin will also make viewers laugh at the bantering between the leads. Both beautifully tragic and funny, Goblin is a masterpiece to stream from beginning to end, and then maybe even again.
Goblin
- Release Date
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December 2, 2016
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Jo Hyun-sik
Batch 21 Grim Reaper
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Watch on Viki
1
‘Alchemy of Souls’ (2022-2024)
Directed by Park Joon-hwa
Set in Daeho, a fictional country, elite soldier Nak-su’s (Jung So-min) is trapped in the body of Mu-deok, whose body is weaker than her own. This is due to the forbidden spell, ‘Alchemy of Souls,’ which has allowed the two to switch bodies. Now Jang Uk’s (Lee Jae-wook) servant, Nak-su as Mu-deok takes him on as her apprentice and teaches him her skills. Together, during this process, the two fall in love.
It is rare when a K-drama sees a second season to its name. It has happened more recently in the past few years (Kingdom, Squid Games, Sweet Home, Tale of the Nine Tailed, Arthdal Chronicles), and when it does happen, it simply proves that the drama is magnificent. Alchemy of Souls is that kind of drama, featuring a romance that is addictive to watch. Unlike plenty of K-dramas, Alchemy of Souls is a magical experience, and it is a well-executed period piece. To those who love fantasy, Alchemy of Souls is definitely worth the watch.
