Fantasy K-drama is a genre that has a whole universe of possibilities. From melodrama to romance and even action, they can give everything and more! The latest addition to this collection, “The First Night with the Duke,” brought to life the wonderful story of Cha Sun Chaek (Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun), a common college student who suddenly finds herself inside her favorite romance novel. In the process of finding her place in this new reality, she inevitably falls in love with the male lead, Prince Yi Beon (2PM’s Taecyeon), turning herself into the new heroine and rewriting the story in her own way. If you fell in love with these sort of stories that involve transmigration, merging of different worlds, and a lot of touching romance, then these K-dramas are perfect for you!
1. “Splash Splash Love”
If you are craving a short, light-hearted show, then this mini-drama is the one you were looking for! After failing her college entrance exam, Dan Bi (Kim Seul Gi) is magically transported to the Joseon era, where she meets the young mathematics expert, King Lee Do (Yoon Doojoon). While Dan Bi tries to find her way back home, she ends up taking an important role amidst the devastating drought that is affecting the kingdom. On the other hand, impressed by her fresh and uncommon personality, Lee Do can’t help but develop strong feelings for her, even after finding out she isn’t exactly who he thought she was.
This special two-episode K-drama is probably one of the most beloved shows among this type of genre. It not only includes the typical touch of fantasy, but it also adds the consequences of two different eras colliding in a funny yet interesting way. It also gives the endearing sense of hope that comes along with youth and friendship. Finally, the chemistry between the main leads makes this story an unforgettable one, so much so that both Kim Seul Gi and Yoon Doojoon are getting ready to star in an upcoming show. If you haven’t watched this show yet, this is the perfect time to do so!
Watch “Splash Splash Love” here:
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2. “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract”
While “The First Time with the Duke” takes a modern girl to the ancient age, “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract” does the contrary, bringing Park Yeon Woo (Lee Se Young) from the Joseon era to the twenty-first century. Unaware of a secret conspiracy that involves her marriage, she escapes death miraculously and is sent to current modern-day South Korea. In order to survive in an unknown world, she enters a contract marriage with Kang Tae Ha (Baek In Hyuk), who is the spitting image of her late first husband. Despite both series having a lot of common ground, each one has a unique charm of its own.
While Cha Sun Chaek was almost a genius using all of her knowledge as a modern girl, Yeon Woo is more like a newborn baby girl who constantly gets amazed by the world she lives in. Another similar but at the same time different thing about these fantasy K-dramas is their love stories. On one hand, you get a new, unpredictable romance that is created through the sheer force of the heroine, while Yeon Woo and Tae Ha have to fight with their predetermined destiny and the ill-fated union that has brought them once again from one era to another. If you are curious about this fantastic and intense story, this is your chance to tune in now!
Watch “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract” here:
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3. “Mr. Queen”
Most fantasy K-dramas include some type of romance along the way. It somehow inspires us to believe in the magic and the power of love. However, “Mr. Queen” breaks away from those stereotypes with a crazy, funny, and unique story. Jang Bong Hwan (Choi Jin Hyuk), the presumable male lead, gets into an accident and wakes up in ancient Korea; however he does it in the body of the newlywed Queen Kim So Yong (Shin Hae Sun). Dumbfounded about his circumstances, he has to learn not only to be a woman but also to be in the middle of the political struggles of the time.
Although this show greatly distances itself from the typical romance, it still showcases a great chemistry between Kim So Yong and the King Cheol Jong (Kim Jung Hyun). In the first half of the show, you will laugh out loud because of their constant banter and awkwardness. During the second half, you will slowly realize the deep bond they share as they face risky situations once the King decides to truly step up and fight for his rightful place. If this seems interesting to you, then don’t wait any longer and binge-watch it now!
Watch “Mr. Queen” here:
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4. “W”
When talking about shows related to transmigration and webcomics, “W” can’t be missing from this list! For a long time, Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hyo Joo), a not-so-successful but pretty surgeon, has been a fan of Kang Cheol (Lee Jong Suk), a millionaire and strikingly handsome former gold-medalist shooter. The problem? He is only a character in the acclaimed web comic that was created by her father. That is, until one day, she is transported to this fictional world where she saves Kang Cheol from dying, turning her into the key to his life.
Although this K-drama isn’t set in ancient Korea, the distinction between the worlds inside and outside the comic, intertwining more as Yeon Joo and Kang Cheol become more involved, makes it equally interesting. At some point, it isn’t only about whether they love each other anymore but how their actions could alter their worlds forever. This 2016 K-drama might be one of the best of its time and a classic jewel to watch over and over again, even after almost a decade of its first airing!
Watch “W” here:
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Hey Soompiers! Have you watched any of these K-dramas? What other title would you add to this list? Let us know all about it in the comments below!
Andy zar is an avid drama watcher, from K-dramas to C-dramas, she believes any weekend is a good weekend to enjoy 12 hours of binge-watching dramas. She loves romance, web comics, and K-pop. Her favorite groups are EXO, TWICE, Red Velvet, and BOL4.
Currently watching: “Law and The City”
Plans to watch: “Our Generation”
