If you can go back in time, would you change anything? This is a concept behind time-slip shows. And for Koreans, it is something they always seem to enjoy using in their Kdramas. So what are the best time-slip K-Dramas that you need to watch?
One thing you have to know about these shows is that they usually include the Joseon era, a time when the country dealt with political unrest. Let's take a look at the best Kdramas that play around with the concept of time travel.
Familiar Wife (2018)
Familiar Wife is a TV series that aired on tvN in 2018.
The story follows Cha Joo-hyuk (played by Ji Sung(, a bank employee who is unhappy with his life and his marriage to his college sweetheart, Seo Woo-jin (played by Han Ji-min).
One day, he meets a mysterious woman who gives him the chance to travel back in time and change his fate. He takes the opportunity and ends up married to a different woman, while his wife remains single.
However, he soon realizes that his choices have consequences, and he must find a way to make things right and save his marriage.
The series is a romantic fantasy that explores the value of familiarity in relationships and the importance of making the right choices in life.
Mr. Queen (2020)
Mr. Queen is a 2020 series that aired on tvN and Netflix.
The story follows Jang Bong-hwan (played by Choi Jin-hyuk), a chef at the Blue House, who finds himself transported back in time to the Joseon era and into the body of Queen Cheorin (played by Shin Hye-sun).
There, he becomes embroiled in the political intrigue of the court and must navigate his way through palace life while trying to find a way back to the present.
My Perfect Stranger (2023)
My Perfect Stranger is a show that follows Yoon Hae-Joon (played by Kim Dong-wook), a news anchor who travels back in time to 1987 to investigate a murder, and Baek Yoon-Young (played by Jin Ki-joo), a young woman who has her own motives for traveling to the past.
While there, they realize that their objectives are connected, and they work together to find the truth behind the murder case and prevent Yoon-Young's parents from getting married.
The series is a time-traveling mystery that keeps viewers engaged with its plot twists and emotional stakes.
Rooftop Prince (2012)
Rooftop Prince is a romantic comedy with fantasy series that aired on SBS in 2012.
The story follows Crown Prince Lee Gak (played by Park Yoo-chun), who travels 300 years into the future to modern-day Seoul after the death of his wife.
There, he meets Joo Se-na (played by Han Ji-min), a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his dead wife, and he is determined to solve the 300-year-old mystery of her death.
With his own resemblance to the CEO's grandson at the company where Se-na works, Gak assumes the identity of the young man to stay close to her.
Signal (2016)
Signal is a crime drama released in 2016.
The story follows a cold-case profiler in 2015 and a detective in 1989 who work together to solve a series of related murders spanning three decades using a special walkie-talkie that allows them to communicate across time.
The series is based on real-life criminal incidents in Korea, including the Hwaseong serial murders, and it received critical acclaim for its unique premise, strong performances, and emotional depth.
The series stars Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong.
Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
In 2021, Sisyphus: The Myth aired on JTBC and was released internationally on Netflix.
The story follows Han Tae-sul (played by Cho Seung-woo), a genius engineer who discovers dangerous secrets of the world and meets a woman from the future, Gang Seo-hae (played by Park Shin-hye).
Together, they travel through time to prevent a catastrophic event and uncover the truth behind Tae-sul's family's mysterious disappearance. The series is a mix of science fiction, action, and romance genres, and it received mixed reviews for its complex plot, strong performances, and production quality.
The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
The King: Eternal Monarch is a 2020 romantic fantasy that aired on SBS and was picked up by Netflix.
The story follows Lee Gon (played by Lee Min-ho), a modern-day Korean emperor who discovers a parallel universe and meets a police detective, Jung Tae-eul (played by Kim Go-eun).
Together, they try to prevent the evil Lee Lim from taking over both worlds and find a way to reunite with their loved ones.
Tomorrow, With You (2017)
Tomorrow, with You follows the story of Yoo So-joon (played by Lee Je-hoon), a time traveler who can see the future, and his wife, Song Ma-rin (played by Shin Min-a).
Together, they navigate their relationship and try to change the future by altering the present.
The series is a romantic fantasy that explores the themes of fate, love, and the consequences of one's actions.
Tunnel (2017)
Tunnel is a 2017 South Korean TV series that aired on cable network OCN.
The story follows Detective Park Gwang-Ho (played by Choi Jin-hyuk), who chases a serial killer in 1986 and goes through a tunnel, ending up in 2017.
There, he teams up with a new detective and a criminal profiler to solve the case and find a way back to his own time.
The series is a mix of crime, thriller, and time-travel genres, and it received positive reviews for its plot, acting, and production quality.
The other members of the cast include Yoon Hyun-min and Lee Yoo-young.
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