For new K-Dramas fans, it is often hard to make a great watchlist from the start. If you are looking for fantasy romance Korean drama recommendations, you are at the right place!
If you are looking for more romance recommendations, you check our previous recommendations best romantic comedy, best romance historical, best action-thriller romance, and best school/college romance.
Fantasy is one of the most popular genres. It includes time travel, supernatural powers, supernatural beings, or fantasy settings.
If you are a K-Drama beginner, you might want to look out for the dramas that suit your taste the most among the ones selected below. For K-Drama addicts, you probably have watched all the dramas listed below, if not, it is time to add to your watchlist.
Note: This list was first published in 2020 and updated in 2024. This is not a ranking.
1. "My Love From the Star"
When: 2013-2014
Cast: Kim SooHyun, Jun JiHyun, Park HaeJin, Yoo InNa
Summary: It tells the romance of an alien that arrived on earth 400 years ago and a blunt top Hallyu actress star.
Why watch?: After that show, you will never see aliens the same way. The adventure of the silent and handsome alien (with special powers) and a loud and funny superstar who are facing a ready-to-kill bad guy is definitely a must-watch. The plot and chemistry are just perfect. It is no wonder the drama has been a hit all across the globe.
2. "Strong Woman BongSoon"
When: 2017
Cast: Park BoYoung, Park HyungSik, Kim JiSoo
Summary: Do BongSoon was born with superhuman strength. Her ideal type is her friend In GukDoo. Thanks to her skills, she got to be the bodyguard of the rich CEO Ahn MinHyuk. Their relationship evolves as a series of kidnapping cases escalate in her neighborhood.
Why watch?: With this drama, you can be sure to laugh a lot and make your heart burst with comedy and cheesy romance. The key character of this drama is Do BongSoon acted by Park BoYoung. She is a cute, petite girl who has superhuman strength and a straightforward personality. She is so strong that she can make humans fly high in the sky and she is also the one who protects Ahn MinHyuk acted by Park HyungSik.
3. "Extraordinary You"
When: 2019
Cast: Kim HyeYoon, RoWoon, Lee JaeWook, NaEun, Kim YoungDae, Jung GunJoo, Lee TaeRi
Summary: It tells the story of a girl who realizes that she is a supporting character inside a romance manga named "Secret". She tries to change the fixed story for her love and life.
Why watch?: The plot of this drama is interesting and the storyline is full of fantasy and mysterious elements that keep the viewers stuck to their screen until the end. The love story is also one of the best with great acting and good chemistry. The surrounding characters also bring entertainment. If you are looking for a cute love story with fantasy, it is a must-watch.
4. "I Can Hear Your Voice"
SBS
When: 2013
Cast: Lee BoYoung, Lee JongSuk, Yoon SangHyun, Lee DaHee
Summary: It tells the story of a snobbish lawyer, a mysterious boy who reads people's minds, and a the story about an incident that happened after meeting a police officer.
Why watch?: In this drama, Lee JongSuk's character gained the special ability to reads people's minds after witnessing his father getting murdered at a young age. The well-written story of this drama touches on justice and his father's murder. The flawless acting, touching love story, and suspense make the drama memorable.
5. "Angel's Last Mission: Love"
KBS
When: 2019
Cast: INFINITE's L (Kim MyungSoo), Shin HaeSun, Lee DongGun
Summary: It tells the unpredictable fantasy romance of a strong ballerina that has no interest in love and a trouble maker angel who claims to be Cupid.
Why watch?: It is the forbidden love story of an angel and a human. The story is emotional and heart-wrenching. The lead female character is also quite unique with her arrogance and cold personality at the difference of the angel who is kind and positive. If you are interested in ballet and fated romance, you might watch to watch it.
6. "The King: Eternal Monarch"
SBS
When: 2020
Cast: Lee MinHo, Kim GoEun, Woo DoHwan, Kim KyungNam, Jung EunChae, Lee JungJin
Summary: It is the fantasy romance drama in which Lee Gon, the Emperor of Corea, and Jung TaeEul a detective from the Republic of Korea try to protect's lives and love through cooperation between the two parallel worlds.
Why watch?: It is one of the hit dramas of 2020 and it is no wonder why. With an exciting and intense plot, beautiful cinematography, interesting characters, and heart-fluttering romantic moments, the drama garners a lot of love. The drama is full of fantasy elements with two parallel worlds, time travel, and other fantastical elements.
7. "While You Were Sleeping"
SBS
When: 2017
Cast: Suzy, Lee JongSuk, Jung HaeIn
Summary: It is three young adults with the ability to see the future through their dreams: a field reporter, a rookie prosecutor, and a police officer. The field reporter sees upcoming accidents and the prosecutor does everything he can to stop them.
Why watch?: With suspense, fantasy, and romance, this drama has gained a lot of fans. The three lead characters have the ability to see the future when they dream and they try their best to stop bad events to happen in a thrilling storyline. The drama is addictive from the beginning to the end with cliffhangers and mystery.
8. "W"
MBC
When: 2016
Cast: Lee JongSuk, Han HyoJoo
Summary: A doctor from the real world got sucked into the hit webtoon "W" and encounters the main character, leading to various events.
Why watch?: The drama "W" is catchy and has an original plot making this drama a must-watch. The fantastical elements of the drama are centered around the webtoon where the lead female is sucked into and where the lead male character lives in. They are traveling in and out of this webtoon and encounter deadly events. This addictive story will keep you on the edge of your seat!
9. "Hotel del Luna"
tvN
When: 2019
Cast: IU, Yeo JinGoo
Summary: It tells the story of an elite hotelier that gets to run the Hotel del Luna by a fateful event. Because of this, he got to run the hotel with the beautiful and aloof but ill-tempered boss. Hotel Del Luna is a hotel in downtown Seoul. It is looking old and shady from the outside but it is a fancy place for wandering ghosts. They are the only one to see the place as amazing.
Why watch?: The universe of "Hotel del Luna" and the lead female character are the main reasons for watching. They are intriguing and original. The fantastical elements of this drama are centered on ghosts, the afterlife, and paying for your previous life's mistakes. The whole drama has perfect cinematography and good special effects. If you are looking for a drama with ghosts (not scary), it is definitely for you.
10. "Goblin" / "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God"
tvN
When: 2016-2017
Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim GoEun, Lee DongWook, Yoo InNa, BTOB's Yook SungJae
Summary: A goblin who needs a human bride to end his immortal life and a grim reaper who can't remember his past start a strange cohabitation. It tells their mysterious romantic tales the happens when the girl who thinks she is "the bride of the goblin" appears.
Why watch?: The two couples Gong Yoo/Kim GoEun and Lee DongWook/Yoo InNa move the heart of the viewers with their intense and fateful romance. The bromance of the drama is also one key element of "Goblin". The drama is full of fantasy with Gong Yoo being a goblin, Lee DongWook a grim reaper, the ghosts, reincarnation stories, and much more grabbing viewers' curiosity.
11. "Alchemy of Souls" S1 & 2
tvN
When: 2022-2023
Cast: Lee JaeWook, Jung SoMin, Hwang MinHyun, Shin SeungHo, Oh My Girlโs Arin, Yoo JunSang, Yoo InSoo, Oh NaRa, Jo JaeYoon
Summary: โAlchemy of Soulsโ is set in a great country that does not exist in history or on maps; a fantasy romance drama in which the protagonist's fates have been twisted due to magic.
For: Viewers looking for a high-quality and unique fantasy drama.
Why watch?: It is a rare pearl if you are looking for a whole package of romance, action, thrills, mystery, magic, politics, martial art, etc. A talented and handsome cast adds to the fun of this unique story and concept for K-Dramas. The high budget and high quality of this production are also spectacular shows for the eyes.
12. "See You in My 19th Life"
tvN
When: 2023
Cast: Shin HaeSun, Ahn BoHyun
Summary: A drama that follows a reckless romance of a woman who remembers her past lives and is living her 19th life.
For: Viewers looking for an emotional fantasy drama.
Why watch?: This drama revolves around themes like past lives, destiny, true love, and healing from trauma, making it a captivating blend of mystery and romance. The two main couples and their touching love stories keep us engaged with a mix of tearful and heartwarming moments.
13. "Destined With You"
tvN
When: 2023
Cast: Cho BoAh, RoWoon
Summary: The drama follows Lee HongJo (Cho BoAh), a ninth-grade civil servant who's overlooked by her co-workers and Jang ShinYoo (RoWoon), a competent yet cold lawyer who becomes the legal advisor for the city government. He is affected by a curse that has plagued his family for centuries. Through an act of fate, they meet and their lives become intertwined.
For: Viewers looking for a fun and romantic show with mysteries.
Why watch?: What makes this drama a must-watch are the charming main couple, cute moments, and memorable lines. It's a delightful and enjoyable show with some unexpected twists and interesting elements. The fantasy aspects are well woven into the story. If you're seeking something both surprising and heartwarming, this is the one for you.
14. "The Story of Parkโs Marriage Contract"
MBC
When: 2023-2024
Cast: Lee SeYoung, Bae InHyuk
Summary: Transcending death, a story of a precious contract marriage between Park YeonWoo (Lee SeYoung), a 19th-century Confucian lady who arrives in South Korea in 2023, and Kang TaeHa (Bae InHyuk), the ultimate emotionless master of the 21st century.
For: Viewers looking for a sweet and captivating drama.
Why watch?: Fantasy, romance, and time travelโdoesn't that sound like the recipe for a hit K-Drama? This drama takes viewers on a fun and mysterious ride, led by two protagonists with incredible chemistry. Despite its intriguing twists, the show remains warm and sweet, thanks to the charm of its main characters. You'll quickly find yourself captivated by their journey and falling in love with them along the way.
15. "My Demon"
SBS
When: 2023-2024
Cast: Kim YouJung, Song Kang
Summary: A fantasy romantic comedy about Do DoHee (Kim YouJung), a "devilish" chaebol heiress, and Gu Won (SongKang), a "devil" who suddenly loses his powers, as they enter into a contract marriage.
For: Viewers looking for a classic K-Drama with top visuals.
Why watch?: A mix of tear-jerking and heart-fluttering moments, along with awe-inspiring scenes featuring the best fashion and visuals (yes, god and goddess-level visuals). With flawless CGI and a spot-on storyline, the drama exudes suspense and fantasy, but we also stayed for the heartwarming couple and their romantic moments. If you're a fan of classic K-Dramas, this is a must-watch!
