Movies

The Top 15 Fantasy Romance K-Dramas with 'Goblin' Vibes

The Top 15 Fantasy Romance K-Dramas with 'Goblin' Vibes
Image credit: Netflix, tvN, SBS, MBC, JTBC

After watching Goblin, finding another K-drama that mixes fantasy, romance, and those unique feels can seem like a tall order; it's like trying to catch lightning in a bottle again.

But, believe it or not, there are plenty of K-dramas out there that hit the mark, blending magical elements with heart-fluttering romance in stories that draw you in from the first episode.

These shows are the perfect mix of enchanting, supernatural elements and the kind of love stories that keep you up at night, wondering what's going to happen next; they've got everything from time-traveling heroes to modern-day fairy tales, but they might not have been on everyone's radar.

1. Hotel Del Luna (2019)

The owner of a mystical hotel, Jang Man-wol, is bound to serve ghosts due to a sin committed a millennium ago, waiting for someone to free her from her curse; when an elite hotelier, Goo Chan-sung, becomes the hotel's manager, their fates intertwine, uncovering secrets and healing past wounds.

2. Doom at Your Service (2021)

Tak Dong-kyung, living an ordinary life, suddenly faces a terminal diagnosis and unknowingly calls for doom on the world; Myul Mang, a mediator between humans and the divine, offers her a dangerous contract to live her last 100 days as she desires, leading to unexpected love.

3. A Korean Odyssey (2017-2018)

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A modern spin on the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West," featuring Son Oh-gong, a powerful immortal punished to be bound to Seon-mi, a woman who can see spirits; together, they encounter various supernatural beings in their quest for true light in a world full of darkness.

4. While You Were Sleeping (2017)

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A woman with the ability to see unfortunate events in her dreams meets a prosecutor and a police officer, who help her prevent those dreams from coming true; their collaboration leads to solving cases and unravelling a deeper conspiracy.

5. The Tale of the Nine-Tailed (2020)

A mythical nine-tailed fox, or gumiho, Lee Yeon, who once ruled as a mountain spirit, now lives in the city searching for his reincarnated love; he crosses paths with a determined television producer seeking to prove that the supernatural exists.

6. W: Two Worlds Apart (2016)

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A cardiothoracic surgeon gets pulled into the world of a webtoon created by her father, where she meets and falls in love with the main character, leading to a series of events that blur the lines between reality and fiction.

7. My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021)

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A 999-year-old gumiho (nine-tailed fox) accidentally loses his fox bead to a college student, who must live with him to resolve the issue before it causes her death or turns him into a human permanently, leading to romance and mishaps.

8. The Bride of Habaek (2017)

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A powerful water god comes to Earth to find a magical stone crucial for his throne, enlisting the help of a psychiatrist, believed to be his destined servant, leading to conflicts, understanding, and love amidst the struggles of divine beings and humans.

9. Mr. Sunshine (2018)

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Set in the early 20th century, a Korean boy born into slavery escapes to the United States and returns to Korea as an American soldier. He falls in love with an aristocrat's daughter amidst the fight for Korea's sovereignty.

10. Alchemy of Souls (2022)

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In a world where souls can be artificially resurrected through the art of soul alchemy, a noblewoman with a lowly status hires a man with a secret, to help her become a powerful warrior, unraveling mysteries and facing destinies intertwined with magic and ancient curses.

11. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

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A Korean emperor from a parallel universe steps through a portal into modern Korea to catch a devil that has been released into both worlds, crossing paths with a detective, with whom he collaborates to protect people and close the door between their worlds.

12. Legend of the Blue Sea (2016-2017)

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A mermaid from the Joseon era travels to modern-day Seoul to find the reincarnation of her past love, a con artist; their meeting unravels memories and challenges as they navigate love, identity, and enemies.

13. From Now On, Showtime! ( 2022)

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14. My Love From Another Star (2013-2014)

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An alien stranded on Earth for 400 years falls in love with a famous actress; his time on Earth is coming to an end, leading them to face dangers, separation, and the struggle to be together against the odds.

15. Arang and the Magistrate (2012)

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A nobleman becomes a magistrate in a town to uncover the truth about his mother's disappearance; he encounters a ghost seeking to solve the mystery of her own death, leading them on a path of adventure, romance, and unveiling dark secrets of their past.