Fantasy fiction K-dramas have long been a favourite for many for its out-of-this-world marvels like magic, fairy tales, supernatural powers, reincarnations, and legends. It takes us beyond imagination and into a sphere where the real and the surreal are blurred.
It can be romantic, action-packed, historical, and everything in between, but most of all, these stories allow us to explore different ways of seeing our world, while enchanting us with fantastical sorcery.
Here are 7 fantastical K-dramas you’ll be charmed by:
1. The Sound of Magic
Based on the popular webtoon Annarasumanara by Ha Il-kwon, The Sound of Magic delves into the question of what it means to dream and become a “good” grown-up. The series brings to life a magical tale that follows Yoon Ah-yi (Choi Sung-Eun), a girl who wavers between her childhood dreams and her grim reality, and Na Il-deung (Hwang In-youp) who faces pressure in realising his own destiny. The story takes an unexpected turn when they encounter the mystical magician Ri-eul (Ji Chang-wook) who introduces the joy of magic into their lives. Check out a glimpse of the catchy tunes and beautiful visuals of the series in the Official Trailer HERE.
Prepare to be dazzled by The Sound of Magic when it premieres on Netflix this 6 May.
2. Tomorrow
Tomorrow is a glitzy drama based on a webtoon of the same name by RaMa, and spins a fantasy take on South Korea’s most pressing social issues: suicide. The series follows the story of Choi Jun-woong (Rowoon) who falls into a coma and becomes half-human and half-spirit by accident. He meets grim reaper Ryeon (Kim Hee-seon) and joins the Risk Management Team, a bureau at Jumadeung Soul Management Department where grim reapers in the afterlife are tasked with saving people from suicide.
Tomorrow is the reimagining of the afterlife as a workplace that promises a sci-fi fantasy adventure with a dash of humour, now streaming on Netflix.
3. Abyss
Abyss is a rom-com crime fantasy series set in a world where you can bring someone back to life with a catch — a completely different reincarnated body. The series follows Cha Min (Ahn Hyo-seop) who falls off a building, and Go Se-yeong (Park Bo-young), a woman who was brutally murdered. Both are brought back to life in entirely different bodies thanks to a mysterious, mystical marble called the Abyss. Cha Min looks new and improved — he’s taller and more handsome — but Se-yeong doesn’t share the same fate. However, that doesn’t stop them from falling in love while uncovering a murderer at the same time.
At the heart of it, Abyss is a light murder mystery drama with enough adorable romance to keep you wanting more, now streaming on Netflix.
4. Tale of the Nine Tailed
Tale of the Nine Tailed is a story based on the legend of the gumiho, a mythical fox with 9 tails and supernatural powers and the ability to shapeshift into humans. The series follows Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-wook), a nine-tailed fox who abdicates his position as the guardian mountain spirit of Baekdudaegan to search for the reincarnation of his one true love, Ah-eum. He finally finds her in Documentary TV producer Nam Ji-a (Jo Bo-ah) who specialises in stories about the supernatural.
Find out if nine times the tail means nine times the charm in Tale of the Nine Tailed, now streaming on Netflix.
5. The King: Eternal Monarch
The King: Eternal Monarch takes us into a fantasy world with two parallel universes and one epic love story. This romantic fantasy drama revolves around the relationships of people living in different timelines — the 21st Century Kingdom of Corea ruled by emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) and modern-day Korea where police lieutenant Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun) lives. With the help of a mysterious flute known as the Manpasikjeok, Lee Gon travels through time and space to modern-day Korea and finally meets Jung.
This otherworldly story is full of action, humour and intrigue, but what we’re all here for is most definitely romance. Be charmed by The King: Eternal Monarch, now streaming on Netflix.
6. Memories of the Alhambra
Memories of the Alhambra is an augmented reality-gaming drama inspired by tech billionaire Elon Musk and the Pokémon Go game. The series follows Jin-woo (Hyun-bin), CEO of an investment company that deals with optical devices who goes looking for Se-ju (Park Chan-yeol), a cryptic developer of an innovative AR game about medieval battles in Alhambra, who has gone missing. Desperate to find Se-ju, Jin-woo gives the game a try in the hopes of obtaining clues.
Watch as the lines between the real and AR world built begin to blur in this thrilling sci-fi series, now streaming only on Netflix.
7. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Popular romantic fantasy series Guardian: The Lonely and Great God follows immortal goblin Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), a 939-year-old guardian of souls in his quest for a bride to remove an invisible sword from his chest and break his immortal curse. High school student Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) summons the goblin by accident and their fate begins to entwine. Will she be the goblin bride that will finally release Kim Shin from his eternal misery?
If you haven’t tuned into this iconic K-drama, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God is now streaming on Netflix.
Find all these fantastical K-dramas and more, only on Netflix.
