Time travel serves as a compelling narrative device, widely embraced by Hollywood films, anime series, and acclaimed K-dramas. In the realm of Korean dramas, the historical backdrop frequently unfolds in the Joseon era, marked by political upheaval and gripping drama. Some K-dramas take an inventive approach, employing time travel to address historical crimes, unraveling heinous murders with clues spanning across different eras. Alternatively, time travel becomes the driving force behind epic romantic tales, weaving together the stories of lovers separated by centuries.
Predictably, numerous top-tier K-dramas leverage time travel to enhance romantic narratives, infusing a sci-fi or fantasy element. However, this recurring theme has garnered consensus among K-drama enthusiasts as an overused plot device. Despite this, whether the focus is on romance, detective work, or historical events, there are numerous K-dramas that skillfully employ time travel to sustain captivating storylines. The finest time travel K-dramas, in particular, utilize this trope innovatively, delivering some of the most distinctive narratives on the small screen.
Let’s go!
1) My Perfect Stranger (2023)
In a departure from the typical, “My Perfect Stranger” takes a bold step by featuring both main characters as time travelers. Hae Jun, a journalist investigating a serial murder case, intentionally utilizes a discovered time machine to pursue his investigation. In contrast, Yoon Young, discovering her mother’s death and subsequently being struck by a car, unexpectedly wakes up in the same time period that Hae Jun traveled to. As their paths converge, they begin to explore the intriguing possibility that their time travels and lives are intricately connected.
2) Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
This 2021 Netflix K-drama exudes serious Terminator vibes, yet it’s infused with humor, vibrant visuals, and gripping drama. Han Tae-Sul, a skilled engineer portrayed by Cho Seung-woo, is resolute in uncovering the true motive behind his older brother’s murder. Adding a futuristic twist, the plot introduces Gang Seo-Hae (Park Shin-Hye), a warrior from a world dominated by gangs and military cliques. Seo-Hae time-travels to Tae-Sul’s present to aid him in his perilous quest after obtaining crucial evidence about his brother’s death.
3) The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
“The King: Eternal Monarch” not only boasts an exceptional female lead in Jeong Tae-eul, played by Kim Go-eun, but it also offers riveting action, a distinctive narrative involving parallel worlds, and stands out as a unique time travel K-drama on Netflix. The storyline unfolds across two intertwined realities: present-day South Korea and the Kingdom of Corea. The young king, having witnessed his father’s murder by his uncle, discovers a portal to the parallel world. Utilizing this gateway, he strives to prevent his uncle from amassing an army. In the process, he unravels the identity of the mysterious figure that saved him as a child. However, maintaining the timeline’s integrity requires him to travel back to that pivotal moment in time.
4) Mr Queen (2020)
In “Mr. Queen,” a skilled male chef finds himself unexpectedly thrust into the Joseon era, occupying the body of Queen Cheorin, portrayed by Shin Hye-sun. This twist unveils the mystery surrounding the queen’s supposed suicide attempt. As he navigates the challenges of adapting to the Joseon era as a woman, he becomes entangled in the kingdom’s political unrest. Contrary to assumptions, the king is not the comical and underestimated ruler; instead, he is shrewd, enigmatic, and determined to uncover those plotting against him. Shin Hye-sun’s compelling performance as Queen Cheorin contributes significantly to why “Mr. Queen” is widely acclaimed as one of the best time travel K-dramas.
5) Life On Mars (2018)
Among the best time travel K-dramas, “Life on Mars” distinguishes itself with its unpredictability, deviating from the common time anomalies in crime stories. Adapted from a British drama, the series follows cop Han Tae-Joo (Jung Kyoung-Ho), initially investigating a seemingly ordinary murder case in 2018. However, a twist occurs as he wakes up in 1987. To return to 2018, he must solve a murder in the past. Despite its straightforward premise, “Life on Mars” captivates with its humorous script, brisk-paced mysteries, and captivating reveals, making it a well-rounded series suitable for both newcomers and seasoned K-drama enthusiasts.
6) Live Up To Your Name (2017)
“Live Up To Your Name” stands out among the best K-dramas by skillfully building on traditional tropes to create a compelling, inspiring, and relatable story. In this series, the greatest male acupuncturist from the Joseon era time-travels 400 years into the future, engaging in a tense and occasionally conflicting romance with a brilliant and stunning female doctor from 2017. True to its title, the drama intertwines romance and fantasy to deliver the ultimate comedic time travel medical K-drama, exploring themes of destiny.
7) Tomorrow With You (2017)
“Tomorrow With You” sets itself apart from typical time travel K-dramas by introducing a unique concept for time travel. In contrast to accidental time-travel scenarios, the main character, Yoo So-Joon (Lee Je-Hoon), has the ability to decide when to travel through time. Moreover, the time-traveling process occurs during subway journeys, diverging from the conventional methods involving portals or life-threatening incidents. Yoo So-Joon embarks on these time-traveling adventures when he learns of a tragic accident involving Ma-Rin (Shin Min-A), sparking an intriguing connection between them.
In the realm of Korean dramas, the fascination with time travel has birthed a captivating array of narratives, and the seven highlighted here stand out as the cream of the crop. From the gripping suspense of “My Perfect Stranger” with its dual protagonists navigating through time, to the vibrant world of “The King: Eternal Monarch” featuring parallel realities, and the unexpected twists in “Mr. Queen” where a male chef inhabits the body of a Joseon queen, each series brings its own unique flavor to the time travel genre. “Life on Mars” adds a dash of unpredictability to crime stories, while “Live Up To Your Name” crafts a compelling story blending romance and fantasy. “Tomorrow With You” innovatively allows its characters to control time travel during subway rides.
These dramas not only entertain but also showcase the versatility and creativity embedded in the Korean drama landscape, leaving viewers immersed in the enchanting possibilities of time-bending storytelling.
