When K-dramas first began making waves internationally in the early 2010s, few could have imagined just how deep the obsession would run. It started with a handful of breakout hits like Secret Garden and Boys Over Flowers, but quickly snowballed into a global phenomenon. Streaming platforms only widened this access, and suddenly, fans everywhere were bingeing their way through romance, revenge, and everything in between. Today, fans are not only discovering new releases but also circling back to beloved classics and building a watchlist that never seems to end.
While romcoms and thrillers often dominate the conversation around K-dramas, one genre that manages to triumph anyway is fantasy. Korean dramas know how to weave a fantastical tale into modern-day haste and make gods, ghosts, and time travelers feel relatable. The best fantasy K-dramas build worlds that linger, characters that stay with you, and plots that twist just enough to keep you invested for 16 to 20 episodes.
From genre-bending hits to underrated gems, here are 10 must-watch fantasy K-dramas.
10
‘The Bride of the Water God’ (2017)
In a modern twist on Korean mythology, The Bride of the Water God tells the story of a centuries-old legend with a contemporary Seoul backdrop. It follows Habaek, the Water God, who arrives on Earth to retrieve stones that will guarantee him the divine throne. But his powers are mysteriously diminished, so he must rely on a psychiatrist named So-ah, who is unknowingly tied to his fate.
Combines Mythology and Romance
The K-drama effortlessly weaves together elements of mythology with enchanting romance, creating a narrative that is both visually stunning and emotionally engaging. The presence of rival deities, ancient grudges, and a love that defies realms subtly hints at the divine without overplaying it. As for performances, Nam Joo-hyuk’s portrayal of Habaek is both regal and vulnerable, while Shin Se-kyung’s So-ah anchors the story with her quiet charm.
9
‘Lovers of the Red Sky’ (2021)
Set in a Joseon-era world where gods, demons, and humans coexist, Lovers of the Red Sky tells the story of Hong Chun-ki, a gifted painter who was born without a vision but miraculously gained sight, and Ha Ram, an astrologer whose body houses a demon. When a celestial ritual goes wrong, their fates collide and their love gets shadowed by cosmic forces.
Fantasy That Paints Its Own Rules
A tender yet tragic romance, Lovers of the Red Sky is adapted from the novel of the same name by Jung Eun Gwol. It stands out mainly for its painterly direction. The visuals are lush, with scenes framed like classical scrolls, and the fantasy elements are woven into the art itself. Kim Yoo-jung and Ahn Hyo-seop bring years of experience to their roles and share a chemistry that ensures the viewers are drawn to the folklore and emotion.
8
‘Tale of the Nine Tailed’ (2020)
A fantasy thriller, Tale of the Nine Tailed centers on Lee Yeon, a once-powerful gumiho (nine-tailed fox) who now roams the city as a supernatural fixer, eliminating rogue spirits while mourning a lost love. Enter Nam Ji-ah, a fearless TV producer who stumbles upon Yeon and ends up unraveling a mystery that spans lifetimes.
Supernatural Intrigue and Captivating Romance
The K-drama dances between timelines, mythical realms, and present-day Seoul, crafting a story layered with love, revenge, and redemption. The direction favors cinematic flair, with moody lighting and crisp pacing that keeps the single-season arc tight yet elaborate. It gained popularity overnight for its fusion of genres and strong performances. Tale of the Nine Tailed also later spawned a prequel series with a historical twist.
7
‘Mr. Queen’ (2020 – 2021)
Mr. Queen remixed history as it pleases. The story kicks off in present-day Seoul, with Jang Bong-hwan, a cocky chef working at the Blue House, suddenly finding himself trapped in the body of Queen Cheorin in the Joseon era. What follows is a riotous blend of palace drama, gender-bending comedy, and unexpected sentiment. Bong-hwan’s modern sensibilities clash with royal customs, but as Queen Cheorin navigates court life with Bong-hwan’s soul inside her, she forms a complicated bond with King Cheoljong.
It’s Both Smart and Silly
A delightful fusion of historical drama, fantasy, and romantic comedy that is sure to have viewers in stitches from start to finish, Mr. Queen stands out for turning a bizarre premise into something truly heartfelt. The soul-swapping across centuries twist is actually played for laughs, but it’s also used to explore agency in clever ways. It stars Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun. The scope is sprawling and intimate, and thanks to its originality, the K-drama is quite popular.
6
‘Twinkling Watermelon’ (2023 – Present)
Twinkling Watermelon begins with Eun-gyeol, a CODA (child of deaf adults) who leads a double life. He is a model student by day and a secret band guitarist by night. After a strange encounter, he is transported back in time to 1995, where he meets his teenage father and creates a band with him. As Eun-gyeol tries to protect his family’s future while navigating the past, the show evolves into a beautiful father-some drama.
Music, Memory, and Time Travel
In this coming-of-age tale with a time-bending twist, every episode feels like a mixtape of nostalgia and discovery. Premiering in 2023, Twinkling Watermelon has a warm and rhythmic tone that echoes musical themes, and if you’re a fan of K-dramas, you know the OSTs always slap. Ryeoun leads with his charming personality and the ensemble cast brings heart to every interaction. Overall, it is a story about art, family, and second chances.
5
‘W: Two Worlds’ (2016)
What if your favorite webtoon became your reality? W: Two Worlds spins that question into a mind-bending romance thriller where fiction and real-life collide, and sometimes, there is violence involved. Oh Yeon-joo, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is pulled into the world of her father’s webtoon, “W,” where she meets Kang Chul, the protagonist, who doesn’t know that he’s a comic book character.
Genre-Bending and Existential Dread
A murder mystery, a collapsing narrative, and a love story that defies logic. That’s what the K-drama banks on. There’s a reason it became one of the most-talked about shows of 2016, and it’s not just the high-concept premise, but also confidently it commits to it. The comic panel transitions and visual cues playfully nod to its source material, while the twists and the fantasy mechanics feel earned.
4
‘A Korean Odyssey’ (2017 – 2018)
Loosely inspired by the Chinese classic Journey to the West, A Korean Odyssey tells the story of Jin Seon-mi, a woman cursed with the ability to see spirits. She accidentally releases Son Oh-gong, a powerful immortal trickster, from his prison, and in exchange, he promises to protect her. But because he’s bound by a magical prophecy that forces him to love her, their relationship becomes a tug-of-war of fate and free will.
As Messy and Magical as Love Itself
Unlike the rest of the K-dramas on the list, this one explores what it means to love when your heart isn’t even your own. It takes place in a world where gods bicker over coffee and zombies run convenience stores, so in a way, it is absurd and eerie, but also oddly tender. Lee Seung-gi’s Son Oh-gong and Oh Yeon-seo’s Seon-mi deliver genuinely amazing turns, making the surreal humor and monster-of-the-week story feel mythic and melancholic at the same time.
3
‘My Love from the Star’ (2013 – 2014)
The main character of My Love from the Star, Do Min-joon, is an alien stranded on Earth for over 400 years, and he’s counting down his dates to his long-awaited departure. But his plans go south when he meets Cheon Song-yi, a top actress whose life is the complete opposite of his. First, they clash. But slowly, their relationship deepens into something far more poignant.
Star-Crossed Lovers
My Love from the Star is one of the most popular fantasy romances in the K-drama landscape. And for good reason. Released in 2013, it features elements like teleportation, time-stopping, and alien physiology. But they are always used effectively to serve the emotional arc, which is a love story that spans centuries and feels present. It’s funny, tragic, and oddly philosophical. So if you’re looking for fantasy that puts you right in the feels, this one’s a must.
2
‘Goblin’ (2016 – 2017)
Goblin, short for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, centers on Kim Shin, a centuries-old immortal cursed to live until he finds his bride, who will be the only person that can end his existence. Just when he’s weary of life, Ji Eun-tak, a high school girl who can see ghosts and claims to be his destined bride, enters the picture. Their bond is complicated but immediate, and their story is tangled in fate and death.
Immortality Wrapped in Pathos
The story moves between eras, from Goryeo battlefields to modern Seoul. There’s a quiet beauty and cinematic elegance to Goblin that not only sets it apart, but also explains its status as a global hit. It received praise for its haunting score, poetic dialogue, and visual scale, as well as fantasy tropes that are rich but never overwhelming. With just one season, it manages to feel epic enough for its legacy to remain alive in K-drama circles almost a decade later.
1
‘Alchemy of Souls’ (2022 – 2024)
In the kingdom of Daeho, magic is the system that operates things, and soul-shifting is both a forbidden art and a political weapon. At the center of it all is Jang Uk, a nobleman born under a cursed fate, and Mu-deok, a mysterious woman who is more than she seems. She is the reincarnated soul of a legendary assassin trapped in a weak body. Together, the two navigate a society built on power struggles, secrets, and ancient spells.
Sorcery, Intrigue, and Forbidden Romance
Across two seasons, Alchemy of Souls builds an amazing fantasy lore that resonates with viewers. The direction is bold, with sweeping landscapes, elemental battles, and a drama-heavy script that only gets better and better with time. Naturally, reception was strong, with fans drawn to its world-building and outstanding performances by Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Go Youn-jung. A rare fantasy that evolved with its characters, Alchemy of Souls is a must-watch.