10 most captivating time travel K-dramas that played with the clock brilliantly

Scenes from Mr. Queen | Image Via: tvN
Scenes from Mr. Queen | Image Via: tvN

Time travel in K-drama is an intriguing concept. Many of us have wished to go back in time to change something or maybe peek into the future to see what’s coming. Time travel has captivated viewers for many years.

Many have tried to create entertaining concepts with it, yet many have failed. However, these K-dramas have taken the concept of time travel and pushed it to the next level altogether.

Through these dramas, we are able to see the complexities and consequences that come with time travel and tampering with it. These Korean dramas explore the past and the way it shapes the present and can even alter the future. So, let’s dive right into the world of time-travel K-dramas.


10 most captivating time travel K-dramas that played with the clock brilliantly

1) Lovely Runner

Lovely Runner | Image Via: tvN
Lovely Runner | Image Via: tvN

It cannot be denied that Lovely Runner is one of the most intriguing time-travel Korean dramas of recent times. Sol tries her best to change the future and save Sun-jae from danger. Yet no matter how many times she tried, she was unable to change the future.

Each and every time, Sun-jae's fate ended up with the same outcome. However, Sun-jae slowly understood his emotions for Sol. Even though Sol had erased herself from Sun-jae’s memories by changing the past so that they don’t meet, Sun-jae does not forget her.

Even in the future, Sun-jae finds his way back to Sol. The storyline is truly an intriguing and unique one. The viewers have loved and enjoyed this drama. It is not easy to incorporate the aspect of time travel in any series. It is a difficult genre that can easily get ruined. However, Lovely Runner has properly fulfilled this storyline.


2) Twinkling Watermelon

Twinkling Watermelon | Image Via: tvN
Twinkling Watermelon | Image Via: tvN

Twinkling Watermelon is yet another interesting K-drama that showcases the theme of time travel. It beautifully blends music and time travel in a unique manner. It has left a lasting impact on the minds of the viewers. This drama is not just about changing the past but so much more.

It shows us the themes of family and destiny. The power of music is also depicted in a nuanced manner. The humor in this drama is truly remarkable.

Eun-gyeol learns about his parents’ youth, their struggles, and their dreams. It is a journey of self-discovery. He understands his responsibilities and the joy of pursuing his passion.


3) Familiar Wife

Familiar Wife | Image Via: tvN
Familiar Wife | Image Via: tvN

Familiar Wife gives us a unique take on time travel. Cha Joo-hyuk’s life takes an unexpected turn when he finds out that he has traveled back in time. This K-drama dives into the what-ifs of everyday life. Before traveling back in time, Joo-hyuk had a seemingly ordinary life.

He felt trapped and miserable in his life. He bickered with his wife and struggled. Even though Joo-hyuk became successful in the new life after he time-traveled, he slowly understands that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Familiar Wife is about saving the marriage and understanding the nuances of love. This drama is a compelling reminder that true happiness often lies in appreciating and working on the present.


4) Go Back Couple

Go Back Couple | Image Via: KBS2
Go Back Couple | Image Via: KBS2

Yet another K-drama that explores the relatable struggles of a married couple through the canvas of time travel. The storyline of this drama is not only intriguing but also leaves the viewers with a thought-provoking message. Ban-do and Jin-joo are struggling in their marriage.

Apart from the struggles in their marriage, Ban-do is struggling with his job as a pharmaceutical salesman. Jin-joo is also struggling with the mental toll of managing the household alone. However, their life takes an unexpected turn when both of them travel back in time.

They find themselves as their 20-year-old selves. This time, they decide to do things right and not to make the choices that will eventually ruin their life. Their story is emotionally resonant and genuinely worth watching.


5) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo | Image Via: SBS TV
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo | Image Via: SBS TV

Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo is an intriguing time-travel K-drama. This drama gives us a deep dive into the world of politics, emotional turmoil, and heartbreak back in the Goryeo dynasty.

We see Ha-jin unexpectedly travel back in time. She finds herself stuck in the Goryeo Dynasty. She understands that she has been transported into the body of a woman named Hae-soo. She initially struggles to adapt to the new surroundings. Slowly, she gets accustomed to it.

This K-drama excels in not just the time-travel aspect but also has numerous other intriguing aspects. From destiny to sacrifice to the enduring power of human connection and an all-star cast, this K-drama has it all.


6) Mr. Queen

Mr. Queen | Image Via: tvN
Mr. Queen | Image Via: tvN

Mr. Queen is a super fun and unique K-drama that takes the idea of time travel and body swapping to the next level. Instead of the typical damsel in distress, here we have a male chef travel back in time and finding himself in the body of a queen of the Joseon era.

Bong-hwan is a confident man with a 21st-century mindset, hence, the Joseon era rules and regulations completely surprise him. This K-drama sets the stage for the incredible comedic moments as we see him navigate through this era as a woman.

To see a modern person get stuck in a completely different world is truly baffling and hilarious at the same time.


7) Nine: Nine Time Travels

Nine: Nine Time Travels | Image Via: tvN
Nine: Nine Time Travels | Image Via: tvN

As we know, time travel can be a tricky storyline to incorporate in a show. It requires a proper storyline, as it often gets overly used. Nine: Nine Times Travels, however, has done the time-traveling aspect in a unique and in-depth manner. It is not just about going back in time.

It has serious concepts of changing the past, which ultimately have a massive impact on the future. Sun-woo receives a mysterious bundle of nine incense sticks. He finds out that every time he lit that stick, he would go back in time.

As he travels back in time, he tries to sort out the things that would eventually impact his future. At its core, this K-drama showcases the butterfly effect.

Though Sun-woo tries to fix the problems, he creates new problems in its place. This K-drama keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats throughout.


8) Splash Splash Love

Splash Splash Love | Image Via: MBC
Splash Splash Love | Image Via: MBC

This K-drama does not fall short in explaining the intriguing world of time travel. The lead of this K-drama, Danbi, suddenly gets transported to the Joseon era.

Now, Danbi has a dislike towards mathematics, but she finds that her skills in mathematics are extremely valuable to the people of the Joseon era. Danbi comes across King Lee, and they fall in love. Their dynamic is pure gold. There are funny misunderstandings between them along with genuine care.

Through her time in the Joseon era, Danbi learns a lot of things. She learns to trust and open up. Her journey in this K-drama is filled with heartwarming moments and the theme of self-discovery.


9) Tomorrow, with You

Tomorrow, with You | Image Via: tvN
Tomorrow, with You | Image Via: tvN

Yet another compelling K-drama with a unique premise that captures the attention of the viewers right from the very first episode. In this K-drama, So-joon has the ability to travel through time. Intriguing right? With his ability, he can see how things turn out in the future.

However, the future he sees is not something that he was looking for. So, to make things right and even better, he decides to marry Ma-rin. He tries to avoid his fate with her help.

Though he had married her for his own convenience, he starts to develop true feelings for her. The way So-joon battles with his impending future is truly remarkable. He desperately attempts to alter the future as much as he can. Beyond the aspect of time travel, this K-drama is also a compelling love story.


10) The Light in Your Eyes

The Light in Your Eyes | Image Via: JTBC
The Light in Your Eyes | Image Via: JTBC

Joon-ha and Hye-ja’s story goes beyond the typical time travel romance K-drama. Hye-ja tries her best to prevent her father’s brutal fate. For this, she has travelled back in time several times with the watch she found.

However, traveling back in time came at a cost for her. Each time she went back in time, she grew older and older. She wakes up to find that she has become an elderly woman. Joon-ha, on the other hand, is struggling with life.

He comes across Hye-ja at an elderly care center and immediately bonds with her. The exploration of the idea that even though time may slip away, love and connection remain is truly remarkable. This K-drama has resonated deeply with the viewers.


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Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala