K-dramas have some of the best fantasy stories of all time hiding in plain sight. Korean television series have been popular for decades, but the most recent spike in popularity came in the late 2010s/early 2020s thanks to bands like Blackpink and BTS, shows like Squid Game and The Glory, and other forms of media rich in East Asian culture. Nowadays, practically every major streaming service has a dedicated K-drama niche, which means fans of the genre are spoiled with options.
Similarly, many modern K-dramas are masterpieces that deserve far more attention. Granted, the genre was built on melodramas and telenovela formulas, but the industry has expanded far and wide to encompass every sub-genre imaginable. While romance is still by far the most popular, the sky is the limit for Korean filmmakers, with terrifying horror K-dramas becoming just as prevalent as witty comedies with slice-of-life elements.
Nevertheless, fantasy is arguably one of the most important markets that seems to be in exponentially higher demand with each passing year. Furthermore, Korean fantasy is a particularly captivating option, as K-dramas can hide some of the most thought-provoking plots beneath an attention-grabbing hook, such as fearsome mythical creatures, intrepid ghost hunters, or a detailed alternate universe that’s as immersive as it is entertaining. In fact, the best fantasy K-dramas are revered far and wide for their invaluable contributions to the genre.
5
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (also known simply as Goblin) is universally recognized as an essential K-drama. Nearly a decade after its 2016 premiere, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God remains a defining series that completely rewrote the rules of K-dramas, from its star-studded cast led by the indomitable Gong Yoo (Kim Shin) to its iconic original soundtrack.
The fantasy rom-com follows the eponymous “Goblin” Kim Shin, a Royal Army General during the Goryeo period who was cursed with immortality. The only way to free himself from the eternal torment is to find his soulmate, the fated Goblin’s bride. Unfortunately for him, his one true love is Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun), a young woman who can see ghosts and summon the Goblin at will. Though they get off to a rough start, their destined romance ends on a note that’s far more sweet than bitter.
Without question, there are certain aspects of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God that haven’t aged well. For instance, the significant age gap between Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak alone is enough to unsettle viewers with 2026 sensibilities. Regardless, for every negative, the drama has at least two positives to make up for it, ranging from the beloved bromance between Goblin and Lee Dong-wook’s Grim Reaper to the perfectly curated costumes. Plus, the series irrefutably raised the bar for all K-dramas to follow with stunning cinematography, instantly quotable lines, and enough charm to spare.
There are plenty of overused tropes that even the staunchest fantasy lovers get tired of seeing so often, which makes the rare, truly unique fantasy story all the more compelling. Case in point: Extraordinary You, a K-drama so special that it will stand in a league of its own for years to come.
The acclaimed coming-of-age romance centers on Eun Dan-oh (Kim Hye-yoon), a terminally ill high school student who suddenly realizes her entire life is a lie, and she’s merely a character in an ongoing comic book. When she learns she’s doomed to die, Dan-oh begins pushing back against the omnipotent author and attempts to rewrite her destiny. Along the way, she falls for a nameless background character she dubs Ha-ru (Rowoon), which throws the entire story off-course.
Beyond being one of the most endearing K-drama couples of all time, there’s true depth to Dan-oh and Ha-ru’s relationship, and each episode of Extraordinary You peels back yet another layer of a grand conspiracy that goes all the way back to ancient Korean history. Sadly, as the main pair learn with brutal clarity, nothing in their world can change without consequences.
3
Doom at Your Service
Similarly, not every romantasy K-drama needs complex magic systems or otherworldly settings. As such, the urban fantasy of Doom at Your Service feels deceptively simple: after web novel editor Tak Dong-kyung (Park Bo-young) is diagnosed with brain cancer, she catches the eye of the personification of Doom (Seo In-guk). Soon after, the godlike figure traps her in what appears to be a lose-lose situation: either she helps him kick-start the apocalypse or the person she loves most will die in 100 days.
Yet, Doom at Your Service makes up for its basic set-up with some of the most stirring storylines in K-drama history. Each character is a fully-fledged human being, while the show’s mythology is just vague enough for the viewer to have the freedom to close the gaps themselves.
Romantic K-dramas are a dime a dozen, but Doom at Your Service is a deeply philosophical treat that forces the audience to reckon with their own mortality, spirituality, and belief systems. Just as Tak Dong-kyung asks her closest friends and family what they would do if the world ended, so too does the viewer have to confront whatever dreams, regrets, or skeletons in the closet they have left.
Frankly, Doom at Your Service is criminally underrated, but it makes sense why. Though the premise may be unassuming at first glance, the 2021 drama is the kind of show that changes you as a person. Whether it inspires you to take action and pursue your forgotten ambition or just offers you food for thought regarding the nature of life, it’s impossible to walk away from the K-drama without a lesson learned or a few tears shed.
2
Hotel del Luna
That being said, Hotel del Luna is the height of classic fantasy. The spooky K-drama follows Gu Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo), a young man who is forced to become the general manager of a hotel for ghosts at the behest of its immortal owner, Jang Man-wol (IU). With a staff full of quirky spirits and a revolving door of guests with unfinished business, Chan-sung and Man-wol must work together to bring peace to the listless souls checking in to Hotel del Luna.
The basic premise is interesting enough on its own, but what sets Hotel del Luna apart is its highly stylized identity. IU’s wardrobe is a whimsigothic daydream, while the set design and special effects underscore the high fantasy undertones of the series. Everything from the background music to the color-grading draws the viewer in to Hotel del Luna‘s world, making for an equally chilling and thrilling binge.
1
Alchemy of Souls
Of course, fantasy K-dramas simply don’t get better than Alchemy of Souls. The Netflix original period drama follows two mages— an estranged noble named Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook) and a skilled assassin named Naksu (Jung So-min and Go Youn-jung)— as they form an unlikely bond as apprentice and mentor, respectively. Despite Jang Uk being ostracized by his family, however, he still poses a threat to his dastardly relatives’ evil schemes, which quickly endangers him and Naksu’s budding romance.
Without a doubt, Alchemy of Souls is one of the best K-dramas of the decade thus far. All 30 episodes paint a beautifully vivid picture of forbidden love, political intrigue, and a gripping magic system that has real stakes— and, in turn, real punishments for anyone who dares to misuse it. To that end, Alchemy of Souls has set a new standard for fantasy K-dramas, and it’s a certified modern classic that will only get better with time.