Time travel is a frequent theme in
K-dramas
, making it one of the most beloved formats. The creators frequently draw from this trope, resulting in numerous captivating and unconventional Korean dramas that showcase the elegance of love stories, personal growth, and mystery resolution set against various backdrops and timelines.
Regardless of whether you favor the “destined to meet in each life” or the “battle against time” themes, these Korean dramas fit your preferences.
possess that distinctive quality that will captivate you
Starting from the initial episode, here are ten must-watch time-travel Korean dramas for your weekend, whether you’re solo or sharing the experience with a special person.
‘Kairos’ (2020)
Communication Within a Four-Week Period
Kairos
is
an underrated K-drama
, penned with tightness and meticulous detail;
The opening for interaction across various time periods is quite small.
, making the drama even more intense.
more thrilling and suspenseful
The primary motifs encompass opportunity, luck, and decision-making, as the central figures strive to alter destiny and influence the flow of time through their various selections.
Kairos revolves around Kim Seo-jin.
Shin Sung-rok
) is a dedicated construction firm executive whose daughter gets abducted one day. Opposite him is a woman named Han Ae-ri (
Lee Se-young
), whose mother vanishes while she’s at the hospital. Seo-jin and Ae-ri start talking via short phone conversations and soon discover they were born only a month apart from each other.
They begin collaborating despite the barriers imposed by time.
To stop their loved ones from disappearing.
Kairos
is dark and full of suspense, making it an unconventional K-drama, yet it remains fantastic and sure to captivate your attention completely.
‘Rooftop Prince’ (2012)
A Prince and His Group Leap into the Future
Rooftop Prince
is among the most recognizable K-dramas around.
a historical romance
and a
fantasy/sci-fi
Comedy unfolds instantly; it includes an
mysterious collective leaps forward in time, showcasing the familiar stranger-in-a-strange-land dynamic
The portrayals of the actors depicting individuals from the Joseon era as they admire the contemporary world are noteworthy, particularly those by the main actor.
Park Yoochun
.
“Rooftop Prince” portrays a Joseon Dynasty crown prince named Lee Gak (played by Park), along with three members of his royal staff, as they are mysteriously sent forward through time—specifically 300 years—to arrive in 2012. There, they follow around a single individual: an American-returnee named Park Ha (
Han Ji-min
) and quickly come across individuals who resemble someone they know or make others think of somebody else.
Mistaken identities and maneuvering through today’s world provide plenty of comedic moments.
, yet the series also centers around a mystery, which makes Rooftop Prince a complete K-drama experience.
‘Splash Splash Love’ (2015)
Journeying Via a Mystical Temporal Gateway
Despite
Splash Splash Love
As a two-part special Korean drama, it’s
One of the most crucial time-travel Korean dramas available.
In reality, its restricted release only enhances its appeal.
binge-watch in one day
After which you’ll probably switch to another K-drama from the list.
Splash Splash Love
It’s a delightful and endearing short drama that explores themes of confidence, self-discovery, and naturally, an enchanting cross-time love story.
Splash Splash Love
Follows high school senior Danbi (
Kim Seul-gi
She needs to attend her CSAT examination but feels anxious since mathematics isn’t her strong suit. Deciding to skip it, she finds herself caught in rain. As droplets hit a puddle, they create a rhythmic sound akin to drums playing nearby.
The pool takes her to Joseon, where she encounters a young King Sejong.
(
Yoon Doo-joon
She conceals herself behind the facade of a renowned male scientist until she discovers a way to return home.
It’s also a comedy
, and the group of actors is sure to bring a smile to your face with their performances.
‘Marry My Husband’ (2024)
An Opportunity for a Reboot
Marry My Husband
is a quite contemporary Korean drama, but it’s
has already become an essential one
for fans of K-dramas;
This tale of love involving time travel revolves around opportunities for redemption and achieving the life one truly merits.
, and most importantly, advocating for oneself and what they believe is just.
Park Min-young
The main character begins as someone easily dominated but transforms into a self-assured and secure woman simply by being granted an additional opportunity. Viewers adore Park, and the series received substantial acclaim upon release.
Marry My Husband
is about Kang Ji-won (Park), a woman with a terminal illness who is married to the cruel and hostile Min-hwan (
Lee Yi-kyung
When she finds Min-hwan in bed with her best friend, Su-min,
Song Ha-yoon
When she faces them, they end up killing her. On her journey through the afterlife, Ji-won gets sent back ten years into the past, to a time prior to her marriage with Min-hwan.
She must now opt for alternate decisions and steer clear of her bad luck.
and she accomplishes this with the assistance of her supervisor, Ji-hyuk
Na In-woo
) who journeyed back ten years through time. The story is romantic, often humorous (granted to Lee’s exceptional skills as a comedian), and captures beautiful instances of personal growth and destiny.
‘Tunnel’ (2017)
Leap into the Future to Crack a Terrifying Killing Case
Tunnel
It stands as one of the most recognizable time-travel K-dramas and among the top thrilling shows available. Should you be a enthusiast of South Korean productions and have had the chance to watch it,
Bong Joon-ho
‘s
Memories of Murder
,
Tunnel
will feel familiar;
Both address South Korea’s most horrific and unresolved string of killings.
, known as the
The Hwaseong Murders, which occurred in 1986,
The crime remained unresolved for an extended period—until 2019 when the perpetrator was ultimately apprehended. Prior to this, many television shows and films had alluded to or taken inspiration from the Hwaseong case, including
Tunnel
.
Tunnel
follows Detective Park Gwang-ho from Hwaseong
Choi Jin-hyuk
), who has an outstanding record for solving murders. As he tackles a challenging serial killer case, he chooses to pursue his suspect through a tunnel.
, he finds himself transported 30 years ahead to the year 2016.
There, he teams up with a fresh, youthful, contemporary detective named Kim Seon-jae.
Yoon Hyun-min
), recognizing that the murderer has returned. This situation is thrilling, emotionally charged, and holds significant importance for South Korean viewers.
‘Go Back Couple’ (2017)
Becoming Younger Selves Again
Go Back Couple
, aka
Go Back
, is an emotionally
resonant and relatable story
This is something that could appeal to individuals of various age groups and preferences, making it quite intriguing for many.
It provides its main characters an opportunity for a second chance.
Following an inexplicable leap back to their youthful versions in the past, the series has garnered widespread acclaim and affection. Many viewers see aspects of themselves in the couple portrayed or ponder the decisions they would make under similar circumstances.
Go Back
discusses the discontented spouse Ban-do
Son Ho-jun
) and Jin-joo (
Jang Na-ra
) They have shared their lives for the last eighteen years, but even with all this time, they haven’t escaped the difficulties of coexisting. While Ban-do starts disappearing frequently, Jin-joo grows discontented with her role as a homemaker and mother. One day, Jin-joo contemplates having never crossed paths with Ban-do and considers filing for divorce. The following day,
The pair find themselves waking up in their former college days, inhabiting their younger selves once again.
This provides them an opportunity to reassess their existence and decisions; however, each fresh choice alters the life they have constructed thus far.
Go Back
is both humorous and profoundly touching.
“Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (2016)
Spirit and Corporeal Travel to Ancient Times
When people inquire about which Korean drama they should start with, many seasoned enthusiasts would recommend
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
. This
The grand and spectacularly visual historical drama possesses an epic quality.
heartrending love story at its core
Moreover, it offers an extensive examination of one’s identity via time travel. Numerous viewers were deeply touched and emotionally affected by this narrative, deeming the series legendary when considering every aspect together. It gained both national and global acclaim, successfully captivating significant numbers of foreign audiences and drawing them into the realm of Korean dramas.
Scarlet Heart Ryeo
follows Ha-jin (
IU
), living in the 21st century and enduring a difficult life. One day,
Ha-jin finds herself transferred to 10th-century Korea, specifically the era of the Goryeo Dynasty.
, where she captures the attention of the benevolent 8th Prince, Wang Wook (
Kang Ha-neul
). Nonetheless, Ha-jin, who now goes by Hae-soo, forms a connection with the 4th Prince, Wang So.
Lee Joon-gi
He conceals a large scar on the left side of his face and is regarded as a solitary figure. Be sure to have some tissues handy, as this turns out to be an incredibly moving and tear-jerking drama.
‘Mr. Queen’ (2020)
Spirit Translocation to the Past, Yet with a Comical Spin
Mr. Queen
is among the top K-dramas of the last five years, largely due to the outstanding performance of the leading lady,
Shin Hye-sun
,
Who bears the whole weight of the drama?
On her petite shoulders, she carries immense strength; she’s a dynamo.
raises the narrative to another dimension each time she appears on screen
Although the show attempts to shift focus onto other characters and succeeds in doing so, audiences primarily enjoy the scenes featuring her character, Queen Cheorin. It’s a crucial time-travel series and among the favorites.
the best Korean comedies
out there.
Mr. Queen
Follows the contemporary Blue House chef, Jang Bong-hwan (
Choi Jin-hyuk
), who is smug, rude, and assertive. After getting chased off his balcony and jumping into the pool beneath it, he has a near-death experience. Upon waking up, Jang is in a woman’s body, transported back to the Joseon era to be the legendary Queen Cheorin (Shin). Jang’s thoughts and spirit are in her body, and
The contemporary masculine character conflicts with the actions of an ancient royal female.
; Choi delivers a hilariously comical narration as Shin portrays all of his wild inner thoughts. This series offers a fresh twist on the usual historical time-travel love story, which is quite a cliché in Korean dramas.
‘Nine: Nine Time Travelers’ (2013)
Journey Through Time Using Enchanted Objects
Nine: Nine Time Travels
is famous for its complex and clever storyline, exploring the nuances of time travel with a logical approach. It features
Squid Game
‘s
Lee Jin-wook
, he won an award and received multiple nominations for his role in this production. The story adheres to the convention of
utilizing enchanted objects that enable the main character to journey through time
However, these objects enable him to revert back to just one particular moment; thus, he needs to carefully synchronize their usage and meticulously plan every step. Number nine stands out as quite impressive and brimming with entertaining and intriguing elements.
Nine
follows Park Sun-woo (played by Lee), a renowned news anchor whose life takes a devastating turn due to a personal tragedy. Upon discovering nine incense sticks capable of transporting him two decades into the past, he attempts to alter his family’s destiny. However, altering history leads to unforeseen consequences.
Each journey alters the present significantly, giving rise to notable butterfly effects.
.
Nine
is a thought-provoking yet deeply touching tale centered around family, destiny, and self-sacrifice. The narrative remains unresolved because of its exploration into time travel and its repercussions.
The conclusion is left to the audience.
, more or less.
‘Signal’ (2016)
Solving Crimes With a Buddy From Another Era
One of the most important and
top Korean dramas of all time
is
Signal
,
There’s no question about it. It’s a sci-fi/thriller masterwork featuring a time-travel storyline akin to
Kairos
,
compelling individuals on either end of the communication device to place their trust in one another and believe in the integrity of each other’s actions.
.
Signal
has exceptional writing
and is celebrated for its outstanding performances, with the main group of three actors
Lee Je-hoon
,
Cho Jin-woong
, and
Kim Hye-soo
leading in brilliance.
Signal
was ultimately confirmed for a second season after approximately ten years of anticipation, with all three actors set to come back for it.
Signal
Follows criminal profiler and private detective Park Hae-young (Lee), who encounters a cold-case crime scene where he discovers a walkie-talkie.
On the opposite side, he listens to the detective who has been believed to be deceased for many years.
Lee Jae-han (played by Cho) recognizes that he’s connecting with someone from much later than his own era—Hae-young finds himself many years ahead of Jae-han. Their communication isn’t continuous either; instead, it occurs solely on designated days and precise moments in time. This narrative explores how actions lead to repercussions, examines pivotal decisions people face, contemplates destiny, and also seeks justice for those who were wronged long ago, their unresolved cases now growing colder with each passing year.
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