Korean drama Lovely Runner is taking the world by storm, with Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon captivating audiences in their fantasy romance. The show’s time-travel twist sparks a question: what if you could magically rewind or fast-forward through life? Imagine being your present self, armed with knowledge and experience, but transported back to a pivotal moment in your past. Sounds freaky, right? But it could also be the ultimate adventure, a chance to right wrongs or make different choices.
Obsessed with Byeon Woo Seok-Kim Hye Yoon starrer Lovely Runner? From Twinkling Watermelon to 18 Again, 10 K-dramas for your time travel fix
A hit already, which premiered in April 2024, Byeon Woo Seok sheds his supporting role image and takes centre stage. This fantasy-romance tells the story of Im Sol (played by Kim Hye Yoon), a young woman heartbroken by the tragic fate of her childhood friend, Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), who also happens to be a popular K-pop idol in the band Eclipse. Miraculously, Sol finds herself transported back in time to 2008, when Sun Jae is still a carefree 19-year-old. Determined to change his future and prevent his misfortune, Sol sets out on a mission to alter fate. However, as she spends time with Sun Jae in the past, their childhood friendship blossoms into a deeper connection.
Lovely Runner is a delightful blend of genres, weaving time travel elements with heartwarming friendship and the potential for a heart-fluttering romance. The series explores themes of destiny, second chances, and the power of love to rewrite one’s future. Currently airing on tvN in South Korea, Lovely Runner is also available for international audiences on streaming platforms like Viu.
1. TWINKLING WATERMELON (2023)
This K-drama blends fantasy, teenage romance, and music. It tells the story of Eun Gyeol (Ryeoun), a high school student with a natural talent for music. After a strange encounter in a music store, he finds himself transported back in time to 1995! There, Eun Gyeol bumps into a shocking sight: his own father, Ha Yi Chan (played by a younger Choi Hyun Wook), as a rebellious teenager. Determined to influence his parents’ past and ensure their future together, Eun Gyeol decides to use his musical abilities to connect with them. He even joins a band called Watermelon Sugar alongside his teenage father! He also meets Se Kyung (Seol In Ah) and a deaf artist Chung Ah (Shin Eun Soo). This drama explores the complexities of family relationships across time. As Eun Gyeol interacts with his parents in the past, he not only helps them but also discovers hidden truths about himself.
Twinkling Watermelon features heartwarming moments, musical performances, and a dash of comedic situations. If you’re looking for a feel-good K-drama with a unique time-travel twist and a sprinkle of musical charm, Twinkling Watermelon is a perfect choice. It aired on tvN from September to November 2023 and is available for streaming on Viu and Viki in selected regions.
Starring Ahn Hyo Seop and Jeon Yeo Bin, the drama follows Jun Hee-woo (Jeon Yeo Bin), a talented singer who discovers a magical ability to travel back in time through her old Walkman. Landing in 1998, she finds herself inhabiting the body of a high school student. There, she encounters Si Heon (Ahn Hyo Seop), the school’s heartthrob, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her boyfriend in the present. Confusion and a touch of deja vu ignite as Hee Woo navigates the challenges of a new life in the past. As she tries to understand this strange twist of fate, she forms a unique bond with Si Heon. But the past isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Hee Woo grapples with the complexities of a bygone era and the limitations her temporary identity imposes. Can she rewrite the course of her present life by altering the past? Or will she find comfort and love in an unexpected place?
A Time Called You is a delightful blend of humour, romance, and suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end. The series was a Netflix original, released in 2023.
This K-drama is a whirlwind of comedy, romance, and palace intrigue. Jang Bong Hwan (Shin Hye Sun), a sassy and modern-day chef with a free spirit, finds himself in the body of Queen Cheorin of the Joseon Dynasty after a freak accident. Hilarity ensues as Bong Hwan, now trapped in the queen’s body, struggles to navigate the strictures of court life with his modern sensibilities. Things get even more complicated when Queen Cheorin’s seemingly meek husband, King Cheol Jong (Kim Jung Hyun), reveals hidden depths and a sharp intellect. As Bong Hwan adjusts to his new life, he uncovers conspiracies within the palace walls and a hidden power struggle.
Mr. Queen offers a delightful blend of humour and intrigue. Shin Hye-sun’s brilliant performance captures the essence of a modern soul trapped in a historical setting. With romance blossoming between the queen and the king, Mr. Queen is a must-watch for fans of historical dramas with a comedic twist. You can find it streaming on Prime Video and VIKI.
Married for 18 years, Choi Ban Do (Son Ho Jun) and Ma Jin Joo (Jang Nara) are at their wit’s end. Constant bickering and dwindling affection leave them contemplating divorce. Suddenly, after a visit to a photo booth, they find themselves inexplicably transported back in time to their college days. Thrilled to be young again, they relive their first loves, academic struggles, and the carefree spirit of youth. But as nostalgia fades, reality sets in. They realize the challenges of navigating social dynamics they’d forgotten. More importantly, they question if they can avoid the path that led them to marital unhappiness.
Go Back Couple is a heartwarming blend of comedy, romance, and second chances. It explores the complexities of marriage, the power of communication, and the enduring strength of young love. Will they rewrite their past and rekindle their spark, or will their journey through time simply solidify their decision to split? Stream it on VIKI to find out!
This romantic comedy-drama is inspired by the American film 17 Again. After nearly two decades of marriage and feeling undervalued, Jung Da Jung (Kim Ha Neul) decides to divorce her husband, Hong Dae Young (Yoon Sang Hyun). Disheartened by his life and filled with regret, Dae Young wishes for a second chance. Miraculously, he wakes up the next day in the body of his 18-year-old self (played by Lee Do Hyun) while retaining his 37-year-old mind. Now living as Ko Woo Young, Dae Young enrolls in the same high school as his children, experiencing high school life from a fresh perspective. He navigates teenage friendships, crushes, and the challenges of fitting in while secretly mentoring his own kids.
The drama explores themes of family dynamics, communication, and second chances. Dae Jung grapples with her estranged husband in a younger form, and Dae Young gets a chance to reconnect with his children and understand their struggles. The story also features a blossoming romance between Woo Young and a classmate, adding a layer of humor and emotional complexity. 18 Again originally aired on JTBC in South Korea and is available for streaming on platforms like Netflix, iQIYI and Viu with subtitles.
Lee Gon (Lee Min Ho), the emperor of the Korean Empire, a world where magic exists, discovers a passage to a parallel universe – a modern-day Republic of Korea. There, he encounters Jung Tae Eul (Kim Go Eun), a fierce detective. A half-uncle with malicious intentions becomes the key to the portals, forcing Lee Gon and Tae Eul to work together. As they fight to close the portals and prevent a demon from destroying both worlds, Lee Gon and Tae Eul develop a strong connection that transcends realities. Their contrasting personalities – a stoic emperor and a headstrong detective – create undeniable chemistry.
The drama delves into the history of the two Koreas, revealing a past event that caused the worlds to split. With the help of a mysterious flute and a prophecy, Lee Gon and Tae Eul race against time to rewrite fate and ensure the safety of both worlds. Stream The King: Eternal Monarch on Netflix.
Yoo So Joon (Lee Je Hoon), a wealthy CEO, discovers he can travel through time by riding the subway on specific days. Initially, he uses this ability for trivial things, like winning bets on sporting events. However, everything changes when he sees a glimpse of his own future – a miserable existence. Determined to alter this fate, So Joon uses his time travel to meet and marry Song Ma Rin (Shin Min Ah), a woman he believes will change his path. While their marriage is initially a business arrangement, a genuine connection begins to develop. So Joon grapples with the weight of knowing the future and the possibility of changing it.
As the story unfolds, Ma Rin’s own life becomes intertwined with So Joon’s time travel abilities. The drama explores themes of fate, destiny, and the power of love to rewrite one’s future. It’s a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and suspense, keeping viewers guessing until the very end. Tomorrow With You is available to stream on Viu.
This fantasy romance follows Lee Yeon (Lee Dong Wook), a nine-tailed fox spirit who has been alive for centuries. He guards the human world while mourning the loss of his first love, Ah Eum. Nam Ji AH (Jo Bo Aah) is a producer for a TV program investigating the supernatural. Their paths cross when Nam starts looking into a case that seems connected to Yeon. As they work together, they uncover a deeper connection between them and Yeon’s past. Adding a layer of complexity is Kim Bum’s portrayal of Lee Rang, Lee Yeon’s mischievous half-human brother. Rang harbours resentment towards humans and enjoys causing trouble for his older brother. The drama follows Lee Yeon as he grapples with his past, hunts down malevolent spirits, and tries to resist his attraction to Ji Ah. As she uncovers the truth about Lee Yeon and the world of the gumiho, a heart-wrenching romance begins to blossom. However, their connection is threatened by supernatural forces and the weight of Yeon’s past. Season 1 explores themes of loss, reincarnation, and the enduring power of love.
Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 offers a chance to understand Lee Yeon’s past motivations and relationships explored in the original series. Both seasons are available on Prime Video
Park Yeon-woo (Lee Se Young) is a strong-willed woman living in the Joseon Dynasty. However, her happiness is short-lived. On her wedding night, her husband, Kang Tae-ha (Bae In Hyuk), tragically dies. To her further shock, she’s then thrown into a well and awakens in modern-day Seoul, 200 years later! Lost and confused, Yeon Woo encounters Kang Tae Ha’s doppelgänger, a modern-day businessman. To survive and find a way back to her own time, Yeon Woo proposes a shocking solution: a contract marriage. Despite their initial reservations, Yeon Woo and the modern Tae Ha enter into a marriage of convenience. As they navigate the complexities of their situation, a genuine connection begins to develop. But their blossoming romance is threatened by the ticking clock of Yeon Woo’s possible return to the past. Yeon Woo grapples with adapting to modern life while holding onto memories of her past. The drama explores themes of fate, destiny, and the enduring power of love across time and is available on VIKI.
While Perfect Marriage Revenge was released in 2023, Marry My Husband arrived in 2024 and interestingly both had similar storylines about time travel and revenge.
Perfect Marriage Revenge is a thrilling K-drama that blends revenge, romance, and a clever twist on the contract marriage trope. Han Yi Joo (Jung Yoo Min) is the naive adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Mistreated and betrayed by her adoptive mother and fiancé, Yi Joo’s world crumbles. However, a tragic accident grants her a second chance. Waking up one year in the past, Yi Joo decides to use this opportunity for revenge. She sets her sights on Seo Do Guk (Sung Hoon), the man her younger sister admires. Yi Joo proposes a contract marriage to Do Guk, a successful businessman with a troubled past. He agrees, on the condition that she gains his grandmother’s approval. As Yi Joo navigates the complexities of her fake marriage and seeks revenge, a genuine connection starts to develop between her and Do Guk. Unravelling the truth about her past becomes intertwined with Yi Joo’s plan. Secrets and hidden motives come to light, adding layers of suspense to the story. It is available on VIKI and Viu.
ALSO READ: Byeon Woo Seok captivates attention with fantasy romance Lovely Runner: 7 K-dramas and movies to fuel your fan fever amid his rising star status
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