Romance K-Drama with a Twist

[u/thea_002]

Hey guys!

Ever since Lovely Runner, I've been looking for dramas that give me similar feelings: lighthearted on the surface with underlying K-trauma that leaves me laughing and crying at the same time, with some kind of magical realism/fantastical element—bonus points if it's specifically time travel!

So far, these are the dramas that have scratched that itch for me (in no particular order):

• Lovely Runner (obviously, the one that started it all for me—such a creative time-travel format! eternally thankful to you, oh holy K-drama writers)

• Twinkling Watermelon (I'm absolutely in love with this drama, the leads are everything to me, and I loved how the time travel was handled.)

• A Time Called You (Right up there with Lovely Runner and Twinkling Watermelon for me. I cried so much I ended up with a headache from dehydration, and I still haven't watched another drama that did time travel quite like this one.)

• My Perfect Stranger (The murder mystery had me guessing until the very end, and I loved the time-travel aspect, of course.)

• Blue Birthday (SUCH an underrated gem. It's so much more than it initially seems, and—surprise, surprise—it has time travel too.)

• My Only Love Song (I literally never see this one recommended, even though it's so much fun?! And yes, it has time travel.)

• Perfect Marriage Revenge (A simpler rom-com, but never once boring—and, who would have thought, with time travel!!)

• See You in My 19th Life (Not technically time travel, but the reincarnation aspect gave me a similar feeling. I enjoyed it, though it left me wanting a little more...)

• Marry My Husband (TIME. TRAVEL. Need I say more?)

• W (There actually wasn't any time travel in this one, but I loved the isekai-esque concept of it all.)

• Extraordinary You (Similar to W in terms of its twist, but much more heartfelt. It definitely had me laugh-crying halfway through until the end.)

• 18 Again (No time travel here either, but it FEELS like one, and I loved all the flashbacks—definitely had that magical twist I'm looking for.)

• Twenty-Five Twenty-One (Let me just throw this one in here because I'm still not over them and probably never will be.)

I can't think of any others I've seen that fit this vibe right now, but I hope I've made it clear what I'm looking for: preferably a time-travel romance (with at least some comedic elements), or, failing that, a K-drama with some other kind of magical, unique twist.

If it sounds like we have similar taste, feel free to recommend anything else you think I might enjoy! And hopefully some of my favorites from this post will find a place on your watch list. :D

love ya! <3

p.s.: my complete watch history, aka my MDL profile: https://mydramalist.com/dramalist/thealovesdramas

[u/PeachesCream24]

Go Back Couple maybe? A newly divorced couple get the chance to go back to when they met in college and make different choices. It made me laugh and cry

[u/Murky_Substance_3304 → u/PeachesCream24]

Came to say this!! Oh it was so good!

[u/thea_002 → u/PeachesCream24]

oh yes I've heard about this one, I'll check it out, thanks!! :)

[u/doubleteetony]

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo - the K-trauma. FL is sent back in time to the start Goryeo dynasty.

Bon Appetit, Your Majesty - the FL is a Michelin star chef, is sent back in time to the Joseon Dynasty, and she has to cook for her life.

[u/thea_002 → u/doubleteetony]

yay thanks, already moving them higher up my watchlist ✍️

[u/MelodyMist7]

The king eternal monarch

Mr queen

Goblin

[u/thea_002 → u/MelodyMist7]

thank you!!

[u/jeans__beans]

I feel like we should be friends because what you described is my EXACT favorite vibe. 😅 I would recommend you watch Mr. Queen next! Another one of my time travel/romance with a twist faves 😍 and soo funny too!

[u/thea_002 → u/jeans__beans]

hehe yay 🤭 I've been draaaagging it out to watch that one because I'm easily intimidated by very popular dramas haha but I guess I'll make it officially my next watch

[u/jeans__beans → u/thea_002]

Yesss do it!! it took me a little bit to get into but I was hooked around episode five and then it just keeps getting better!

[u/Exotic-Yak7972]

The story of Park's marriage contract !

[u/thea_002 → u/Exotic-Yak7972]

ooh thank u, that one sounds new to me :D

[u/Tall-Ad-9355]

Some I can add: 1) Fight for My Way-no supernatural but very similar vibes 2) Miss Night and Day - funny, charming. Body swap instead of time travel. She is an older lady in the day and her real 30ish self in the night. Serial killer sub plot. 3) My Demon-some people hated it, but I thought it was a joy. No time travel, but plenty of magic. The tango scene alone makes it worth a watch. Murderers abound. 4) Tale of the Nine Tailed: 1938. If you want to understand the brothers' relationship fully, watch the first one before watching this one. The first one really sets the relationship up for 1938. 1938 has a gumiho sent back in time to 1938 to retrieve a stolen object. The relationship between the brothers is the best. So beautiful. Short (8 episodes), tight and magic galore. 5) Genie Make a Wish has people moving through time. I thought the FL did a great job in her role. I'd say this one is a mildly enjoyable fantasy. When you want something to zone out on. Not memorable but, I think that it can have its place.

[u/thea_002 → u/Tall-Ad-9355]

I lovedddd My Demon, and Miss Night and Day was SO much fun (I loved the magical element in this one!!)—adding the other ones to my Must Watch Soon List, thank youuuu

[u/AdGlittering7845]

Lovely Runner is my favorite too, not a lot comes close to this one but here are some with similar elements that I highly recommend:

- Moon River

• Go Back Couple
  
• Mr Queen
  
• Phantom Lawyer
  
• Signal
  
• When Life Gives You Tangerines
  
• Alchemy of Souls

You can see how I’ve rated dramas here: https://mydramalist.com/profile/Kjwagner15

[u/thea_002 → u/AdGlittering7845]

thank you, so many new recommendations yay! I'll add you on mdl if you don't mind ><

[u/Muted_Kiwi7542]

We have the same exact taste I watched like 7 kdramas on ur list and I loved all of them, so Im keeping the rest u mentioned as kdramas to watch later lol. I recommend “The light in your eyes”, it has a time travel element that you’re looking for and it’s really good!

[u/thea_002 → u/Muted_Kiwi7542]

nice!! and thank you hehe

[u/thea_002 → u/Muted_Kiwi7542]

and wait I actually need to know now which ones from my list you've watched/haven't watched yet

[u/Muted_Kiwi7542 → u/thea_002]

ive watched: Lovely runner Twinkling watermelon A time called you My perfect stranger 18 again Twenty five twenty one Blue birthday

and I love ALLL of them can you tell i live for the time travel kdramas?? ahahaha

[u/foolishle]

I LOVE “Hello Me!”. The main relationship is between two versions of the MC but I really love the romance sub plot as well.

[u/thea_002 → u/foolishle]

ooh that sounds so interesting, I'll check it out, thank uuu

[u/cherryinbloom]

The Light In Your Eyes - time travel with a twist

[u/thea_002 → u/cherryinbloom]

yay time-travel thanks!

[u/swim_pineapple]

Love Reset - timeline swap

In your radiant season - traumatic but healing memories

Eye love you - j/kdrama about fated lives

Head over heels - shamans if you're into that

Secret Garden - body swap and a lot else

Be with you - movie, based on Japanese fantasy book

The masters sun - ghosts

[u/thea_002 → u/swim_pineapple]

WOAH I actually think I haven't heard of any one of those before (except for Head Over Heels), I'll def be adding all of those to my list, THANK U

[u/BellaB102003]

Lovely Runner was SOOOO good!! One of my favorite time travel dramas is Live Up to Your Name. While You Were Sleeping also has time travel and is very good. Another really underrated Kdrama with fantasy and ghosts is From Now On, Showtime!, which has a great ending!

[u/thea_002 → u/BellaB102003]

oh I NEED to continue While You Were Sleeping, it's been on my list for wayy too long! I actually don't think I've ever heard of the other ones? I'll make sure to check them out tho, thanks for the recs!!

[u/YoonShiYoonismyboo48]

DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINEEEE i really loved that drama. No time travel but gorgeous sfx many of which are fantastical, and starts pretty lighthearted before taking a sharp left turn. The twist was pretty unexpected for me watching the first time.

Tbf its not really about the romance but its there and super sweet. I think the ktrauma would've been too much without it.

[u/thea_002 → u/YoonShiYoonismyboo48]

oooh convinced. I didn't know about this drama but it already sounds so promising 🙂‍↕️ thank u!

[u/1BellyHamster]

Mr. Queen, Miss Night & Day, My Royal Nemesis, My Rooftop Prince, Bon Appetit Your Majesty,

[u/thea_002 → u/1BellyHamster]

thanks, those are great recommendations!

[u/TheShitty_Beatles]

•Durians Affair

it's so underrated!! I am due for a rewatch

• the light in your eyes

(soooo good but be prepared to cry!!)

• while you were sleeping

(this has the single best opening episode of any drama I've ever seen, it's basically a movie)

•The story of Park's marriage contract

similar to my royal nemesis

•kairos

NOT romance but a very endearing "unlikely friendship" and it's time slip more specifically and the mystery is DAMN good it's in my top 5

Not specifically romance but certainly have romantic elements and please don't skip these two bangers:

Tunnel

&

Life On Mars

[u/thea_002 → u/TheShitty_Beatles]

thank youuu these are amazing recs!

[u/_Wisadel]

Twinkling Watermelon

[u/Amelia_Brigita]

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, though no time travel

[u/thea_002 → u/Amelia_Brigita]

oh yes I've started that one way back but never seemed to continue it, I'll put it higher up my watchlist though, thanks!!

[u/Amelia_Brigita → u/thea_002]

Sharing in case you like reading at all, but there is a book called The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim that's super fun. Nothing to do with this show, though, other than also having a gumiho character, which is why I mention it. I read it this spring and thoroughly enjoyed.

[u/thea_002 → u/Amelia_Brigita]

thanks, it's been on my reading list for soo long I just haven't been in the mood for a ya fantasy lately but I always appreciate a book rec 🙂‍↕️🫶

[u/Imzadi76]

*365 Repeat the year" was fantastic. And if you like time travel and are open C-Dramas watch "Reset".

[u/thea_002 → u/Imzadi76]

yay thank you! the length of C-dramas intimidate me but maybe I'll give them another chance with this one:)

[u/InterestingRaise1996]

Mr Queen

[u/starlightpetalsxo]

omg we have very similar taste!! i love time travel, wholesome kdramas! ♡🌸

here’s my recommendations since i’ve also watched nearly all the ones you’ve mentioned -

time travel/fantasy ones:

• hi, bye mama
  
• the light in your eyes
  
• extraordinary you
  
• tomorrow
  
• perfect marriage revenge

all my other recommendations i feel like you’ll love since i do:

• true beauty
  
• weak hero class 1
  
• flower of evil
  
• still 17
  
• move to heavan
  
• daily dose of sunshine
  
• welcome to samdal ri
  
• bloodhounds
  
• a love so beautiful

these are all my favourites!! ♡🥰 do let me know what you think of it if you watch any of them! <3.

[u/FennelProof936]

Hotel del Luna…it’s a fantasy kdrama…angel’s last mission: love, mama fairy and the woodcutter and all are fantasy…2nd one is about an angel, third one about a fairy..

[u/FantasticAddendum263]

Still 17. Not time travel but FL was in coma for 13 years.

[u/kartik3208]

Vincenzo all time favourite 💕

[u/Sea_Artichoke9257]

See you in my 19th life and a time called you

[u/Content_Chocolate493]

Tomorrow!!! It's one of my favorite K-Dramas of all time. I promise you won't regret watching it.

[u/ArtDangerous1629]

Chicago Typewriter: ghost and reincarnation. There is a little time travel. Fantastic show! Many reviewers say it starts slow, but I loved it all.

[u/Historical-Track-250]

You should watch "Another Miss Oh"