Watching stories from an alternate universe on our screens can be a fabulously entertaining experience, especially when it’s a K-drama. Fantasy as a genre in K-dramas gives us many reasons to escape our boring lives and enter a world filled with different mythological creatures, supernatural powers, and much more. South Korean rural legends, myths, and folklore have given space for mythical creatures like monsters, dooms, goblins, mermaids, gumiho (a nine-tailed fox), time travellers, and more.
For someone who is new in the K-drama world, these creatures can be quite frightening in reality but K-dramas have re-introduced them in more likeable forms and super-engaging storylines. Over the past few years, fantasy-genre dramas have topped ratings and have audiences clamouring for more. A most recent example, is Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, a sequel to TVN’s 2020 release, of a male gumiho, played by Lee Dong-Wook, which captivated the audience and gathered over 12 million views in the first few days of its airing. The plot revolves around Lee Dong-Wook’s character, who sacrificed his life as a mountain god to resurrect the life of the woman he loved A Eum and now lives in a human form. The show’s immense popularity led to its season revival, which once again is garnering eyeballs and sending the numbers sky rocketing.
So, if fighting and chasing demons is your vibe, here are our top five fantasy K-drama picks for your next binge night:
1. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin)
This K-drama is considered one of the most iconic series because of its engaging plot and visually striking cinematography. The story follows Kim Shin played by Gong Yoo, a decorated military general, during the Goryeo Dynasty who is betrayed by the jealous king he served. When he is faced with death instead of honour after fighting a mighty battle, God turns him into a goblin instead, tasked with protecting certain people from a life of misery. But immortality is wearing down Kim Shin, and he longs to find the prophesied human bride who can set his soul free. After being summoned again he becomes accidental roommates with Wang Yeo played by Lee Dong Wook, a grim reaper who ushers people’s souls into the afterlife.
Where to watch: Voot
2. The Legend of the Blue Sea
There are no sea witches or leg swapping in this story, like the little red-haired mermaid that we are all familiar with. Instead, we have a mermaid played by Jun Ji Hyun, who is a little lost and who entertains us with her antics as a literal fish out of water. We travel with her as she searches for her long-lost love; she eventually meets a very attractive con artist played by Lee Min Ho aka the romance god of K-dramas. This wonderfully filmed K-drama transports us to a time when we still had mermaid dreams and makes everything feel appropriately fairytale-like. And really, having powers—like the ability to erase memories and transform tears into pearls—can be useful, methinks.
Where to watch: WeTv
3. Heavenly Idol
This show is a perfect choice for an audience that loves K-pop and K-dramas. The story revolves around Pontifex Lembrary, who is widely regarded as having the most powerful divine power and is played by Kim Min-Kyu. During a fight against the devil, he gets transferred to a different universe. He finds himself in a small dormitory and in the body of a K-pop idol, Woo Yeon-Woo, who is a member of the unpopular group Wild Animal. This drama is filled with slapstick comedy and a mixture of the harsh reality of the K-entertainment industry, where we get a glimpse of our favourite idols’ real struggle stories.
Where to watch: Viki
4. The King: Eternal Monarch
A warning before starting this drama: don’t blink. The writer has stitched this story together with tiny details that you simply can’t miss. The King: Eternal Monarch takes us on a 360-degree journey, anchored on the parallel universe, which is the connection between the Republic of Korea as we know it and the Kingdom of Corea. In Corea, the King is killed by his uncle, Lee Lim, and the king’s son, Lee Gon, played by Lee Min Ho, faces certain death at the hands of the uncle. Thankfully, a mysterious cloaked figure approaches and saves him from his fate, fighting through the guards and forcing this man to flee. The only thing left behind is an ID card for a woman named Tae-Eul. This series will need all your brain cells to be engaged.
Where to watch: Netflix
5. Alchemy Of Souls
Divided into two seasons, this drama is based in the mythical country of Daeho and follows Jang Uk, a troublemaker, played by Lee Jae-Wook, who comes from the noble Jang family. He holds an unpleasant secret about his birth, which people all around the country talk about. Jang Uk happens to meet Mu-Deok, played by Jung So-Min, an elite warrior, but her soul is trapped in a physically weak body. She later becomes Jang Wook’s slave, but she also secretly teaches him how to fight. The drama is filled with sword fights and heartwarming scenes, so expect to feel a roller coaster of emotions.
Where to watch: Netflix
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