time travel medical drama

The 35 Best Korean Time Travel Dramas

Korean dramas have captured the hearts of viewers worldwide with their unique storytelling and captivating narratives.

One particular theme that has always had immense popularity is time travel.

These dramas skillfully weave together the complexities of the past, present, and future, inviting viewers on a thrilling journey through time.

The allure of time travel lies not only in the imaginative plotlines but also in the emotional depth it adds to the narratives.

Characters find themselves facing extraordinary circumstances as they grapple with the consequences of altering the course of history or attempting to rectify past mistakes.

This exploration of the human condition, accompanied by a touch of fantasy, creates a profound and thought-provoking viewing experience.

Moreover, K-dramas often infuse time travel narratives with elements of romance, heightening the emotional stakes and adding a layer of the dramatics that we’ve all come to know and love with K-dramas.

The intricate relationships that develop between characters across different time periods lend an air of mystery and longing, making these dramas all the more captivating.

In this article, we will delve into the world of K-dramas that feature time travel! So fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a thrilling journey through time and discover the enchanting realm of Korean dramas about time travel.

Mr. Queen, tvN (2020 – 2021)

Mr. Queen is a historical fantasy drama series that tells the story of Jang Bong-hwan, a womanizing, free-spirited chef working in the Blue House who gets transported back in time and finds himself inhabiting the body of Queen Cheorin in the Joseon dynasty.

Jang Bong-hwan must negotiate the complicated world of the royal court, where political intrigue and power struggles are common while coping with the confusion of being in a woman’s body.

In his role as Queen Cheorin, he is forced to rely on his resourcefulness and uncanny partnerships to survive after becoming embroiled in a plot to depose the king.

Queen and I, tvN (2012)

Queen and I is a fantasy romantic comedy-drama that revolves around Kim Bung-do, a scholar in the Joseon dynasty.

He is also one of the supporters of the rightful Queen In-Hyun, who had previously been deposed by a royal concubine.

A magical talisman somehow transports Bung-do to the present where he encounters the famous Queen In-hyun – who happens to just be a character in a new K-drama – and ends up falling in love with the actress who plays her, Choi Hee-jin.

However, their romance faces numerous challenges and Bong-gu must navigate the complexities of the unknown future, all while striving to find a way back to the past.

Splash Splash Love, MBC (2015)

Splash Splash Love is a Korean time-travel romantic drama that follows the story of Danbi, a high school student who, in a bid to escape a major mathematics exam, uses her time-travel abilities to transport herself to the Joseon era during a rainstorm.

Despite hating math in her own timeline, she becomes known as the smartest in this kingdom!

She and the King inexplicably fall in love, but Danbi makes the hard choice to return to her own time.

King Lee Do swears that he will find her again and once again during a rainstorm, the two are reunited through Lee’s reincarnation.

The King: Eternal Monarch, SBS TV (2020)

The King: Eternal Monarch is a fantasy romance drama that follows the parallel worlds of the modern-day Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Corea.

Emperor Lee Gon of Corea discovers a portal connecting the two worlds and crosses over to find detective Jung Tae-eul, who is a familiar face associated with his father’s murder.

As they navigate their differences and the political tensions in both worlds, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy and strive to protect their loved ones.

Love blossoms between them, but they face immense challenges, including a power-hungry villain who seeks to exploit the portal for his own gain.

Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, tvN (2023)

One of the most recently aired series on the list is Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 , which actually just recently wrapped up its 12th and final episode.

It serves as the second season of the popular supernatural fantasy drama Tale of the Nine Tailed , but the storyline is also somewhat of a prequel.

Following the events with Nam Ji-ah in the original series, protagonist Lee Yeon is transported back in time to 1938 and the then Japanese occupation of Korea.

Dr. Jin, MBC (2012)

Dr. Jin is a historical medical drama that follows the story of Jin Hyuk, a brilliant neurosurgeon in the present day who, because of his highly analytical mind, can sometimes be cold and indifferent.

After suffering from a personal tragedy involving his girlfriend, he gets transported back in time to the Joseon dynasty.

Struggling to adapt to the primitive medical practices of the era, Jin Hyuk uses his modern knowledge to save lives and make advancements in medicine and even medical devices.

He meets people who help him, but his actions soon start interfering with the course of history.

Rooftop Prince, SBS (2012)

In a complex story of intersecting fates and (possible) reincarnations across timelines and generations, Rooftop Prince weaves romance into comical misunderstandings and heartwarming moments.

Crown Prince Lee Gak and his three loyal servants time-travel from the Joseon era to present-day Seoul in a bid to solve the mysterious death of his beloved Crown Princess.

He poses as the lost grandson of a wealthy CEO – who he happens to resemble exactly – and encounters a woman who also looks exactly like his late wife.

Getting closer to her might help solve the mystery of her death back in their timeline, but he may end up hurting someone else along the way.

Live Up to Your Name, tvN (2017)

In the historical medical drama Live Up to Your Name , Heo Im is a respected doctor and acupuncturist in the Joseon era, tending to the poor by day and the nobles by night.

However, he is mistakenly charged with treason and supposedly killed. Instead he wakes up in present-day Seoul!

In the modern era, he meets and forms an unlikely partnership with Choi Yeon-kyung, a pragmatic and ambitious cardiothoracic surgeon.

Together, they navigate the clash between traditional and modern medical practices while overcoming personal obstacles and gradually developing a deep bond.

Faith, SBS TV (2012)

Also known as The Great Doctor , Faith begins in a historical setting where the King’s wife is fatally injured in an accident.

He orders his Captain of the Royal Guard, Choi Young, to enter a portal to retrieve the “Heaven’s Doctor” that they heard of in their legends.

Choi Young travels to modern-day Seoul and brings back Eunsoo, an actual doctor, who then saves the queen.

He had promised to bring her back once her duty was done, but they both soon get embroiled in schemes to keep Eunsoo in the past as more and more people become selfishly interested in her medical prowess.

Life on Mars, OCN (2018)

In a slightly different theme from the previous shows on the list, Life on Mars is a crime thriller series that follows a talented forensic scientist who also leads a crime investigation team.

After an accident, Taejoo awakens to find himself transported back to 1988 with no idea how he got there or why.

Now a detective in the past, he works with his current team to solve a serial murder case with the antiquated technology and methods of the era in order to also solve the mystery behind his time travel.

Signal, tvN (2016)

Signal is yet another crime thriller series that is less about actual physical time travel and more about a mysterious connection between past and present that stems from a seemingly innocuous object: a walkie-talkie.

Park Hae-young is a young criminal profiler from the present day who stumbles upon a mysterious walkie-talkie that helps him solve a murder cold case through its ability to connect him to a detective from the past, Lee Jae-han.

Through the walkie-talkie, they collaborate to solve cold cases and prevent crimes from happening, but consequences soon follow.

Times, OCN (2021)

Similar to Signal , OCN’s political thriller series Times connects the past and present, but this time through a phone and between two journalists : Jinwoo in 2015 and Jungin in 2020.

They work together at first to prevent the murder of Jungin’s father, who is the current president of South Korea.

Along the way, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving political corruption and manipulation of time and work together to fight against the forces that seek to control the future so they can preserve their nation’s tomorrow.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, SBS TV (2016)

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a historical drama series based on a Chinese novel.

Like many of the previous shows on this list, the series features the protagonist (named Hajin) traveling way back in time but this time, to the Goryeo dynasty to the year 941.

On top of that, she finds herself in the body of Haesoo, one of the many male princes of the current ruling family who are all fighting for the crown.

As she navigates political rivalries and intense love triangles, Ha-jin discovers her own destiny and the tragic fate that awaits those around her.

Chicago Typewriter, tvN (2017)

In the popular fantasy drama series Chicago Typewriter , viewers will meet three central characters whose stories unfold over the course of time – specifically, two different timelines.

There’s Sejoo, a handsome and renowned writer with many fans who suffers from depression; Seol, a veterinarian and fan of Sejoo; and Jinoh, a talented ghostwriter.

As their paths converge, a mysterious typewriter helps them discover how their past lives were connected during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1930s , and how their friendship then crossed decades into the present.

Manhole, KBS2 (2017)

If we could time travel, we’d always be tempted to go back in time to prevent the things that we don’t want to happen.

In Manhole , Bongpil does just that when he discovers a manhole that allows him to travel back in time.

What does he do when he gets to the past? Well, anything to stop his dream girl’s wedding from happening!

However, his efforts often lead to hilarious and chaotic consequences.

Alongside his loyal friends, he navigates the challenges of altering the past and learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of living in the present.

Hit the Top, KBS2 (2017)

Hit the Top is a combination of humor and nostalgia, and takes place primarily in the constantly evolving world of K-pop.

Back in the early 1990s, popular K-pop idol Hyunjae accidentally time travels to 2017, where he soon discovers that he had been in the news for mysteriously disappearing and subsequently presumed dead.

As he adjusts to his vastly different life in the future, he tries to investigate the cause of his time travel.

At the same time, an aspiring K-pop trainee crosses his path – one who he is more connected with than either of them expected.

My First Love, OCN (2018)

The South Korean romantic fantasy drama My First Love centers on Kang Shinwoo, a man in his 30s who goes back in time to his high school years.

Shin-woo runs into his younger self and his first love, Han Jisoo, when he travels back in time. Shin-woo makes an effort to rewrite their fate and win Jisoo’s affection in an effort to alter the tragic course of their history.

At the same time, Shinwoo discovers important lessons about love, regret, and the value of honoring the present as he wrestles with the repercussions of changing the past.

Tomorrow, with You, tvN (2017)

Tomorrow, with You is a romance series that follows the story of Yoo Sojoon, a time-traveling CEO of a real estate agency who can foresee his future through subway rides, and his wife Marin, a cheerful and optimistic amateur photographer.

To change his impending tragic fate that he accidentally glimpses, he marries Marin and together, they navigate the complexities of marriage while battling against their own personal struggles.

Eventually, Sojourn learns to truly love her amidst the consequences of altering destiny.

Marry Him If You Dare, KBS (2013)

Yet another romance drama on the list is KBS’ Marry Him If You Dare , which is set in the world of television broadcasting.

It follows the story of Na Mirae, a young woman who receives a mysterious opportunity to travel back in time to change her future.

The present Mirae is married to news anchor Kim Shin but travels to visit her 32-year-old self to prevent that from happening.

This causes her to go down a completely different path to really pursue the dreams she had always wanted.

Familiar Wife, tvN (2018)

The decisions we make impact the road our lives go down; one different decision could catapult things in a direction we never would have expected.

That’s what happens in Familiar Wife , a romantic fantasy drama that tells the story of Joohyuk, a married man who regrets the choices he made in his life.

One day, he encounters a mysterious opportunity to travel back in time and change his past.

In the blink of an eye, the life he knew with his wife Woojin and best friend Joonghoo is gone and his first love Hyewon comes back into the picture.

Go Back Couple, KBS2 (2017)

It’s complicated enough when a person goes back in time to change their previous decisions, but what happens when two people time travel together? Especially when these two people have a life together in the present?

Go Back Couple follows married couple Bando and Jinjoo, who are parents to a young boy and have become deeply unsatisfied with their lives – family, career, and relationship-wise.

Suddenly, the couple is transported 18 years back to when they were university students, where they make different choices and learn the enduring power of love.

The Light in Your Eyes, JTBC (2019)

The Light In Your Eyes is also known as Dazzling  and emphasizes the importance of valuing the people who cause the lights in our eyes to shine throughout our lives.

In the drama series, we meet a young woman named Hyeja who possesses a special watch that allows her to manipulate time. However, using the watch causes her to age rapidly.

After having used it one too many times, Hyeja is now passing the time at an elderly care center where she meets Joonha, an employee who looks like the young Hyeja’s husband.

Nine: Nine Time Travels, tvN (2013)

A news anchor named Park Sunwoo finds nine magical incense items that enables him to travel 20 years back in time in the fantasy thriller drama entitled Nine: Nine Time Travels .

Sunwoo makes numerous trips to the past in an effort to change the tragic events that have occurred in his life, changing both his decisions and the course of history.

He soon learns, though, that every change has unintended consequences both for himself and those he loves around him, and he is forced to deal with the moral dilemmas that follow.

Sisyphus: The Myth, JTBC (2021)

In the dystopian science fiction series Sisyphus: The Myth , engineer and brilliant quantum physicist Taesul crosses paths with a mysterious woman from the future named Seohae.

In Seohae’s present, she explores a war-torn Korea and travels back in time to both prevent Taesul’s death and his invention of the time travel device she used.

Meanwhile, Taesul is trying to investigate the strange circumstances around his brother’s death and a time-travel conspiracy where he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game where past, present, and future collide.

Tunnel, OCN (2017)

Some crimes can span decades, with the case passing through the hands of several teams and detectives without ever getting resolved.

In the crime thriller Tunnel , we begin the story in 1986 when Detective Park Gwangho is hot on the tail of a serial killer.

He chases the perpetrator through a tunnel and ends up in 2016 where the same killer is still on the loose and just beginning to continue his murder spree.

Gwangho teams up with Detective Kim Seonjae and criminal profiler Shin Jaeyi to race against time and apprehend the killer before they can commit further crimes.

Alice, SBS TV (2020)

Science fiction drama series Alice weaves a complex tale of love, fate, and the consequences of tampering with time.

The title is a reference to the time-traveling agency in 2050 that sends clients to the past in order to find peace and closure with dead loved ones and also makes sure these trips are done properly.

Viewers meet Alice agents Taeyi and Minhyuk as they travel almost 60 years to the past on a mission, but their personal lives get intertwined and affect the present – 2020.

My Perfect Stranger, KBS2 (2023)

My Perfect Stranger is one of the newest shows on this list, having just finished airing in June of this year!

The romance mystery tells a beautiful story of two strangers who time travel back to 1987.

Haejun is a seemingly aloof newscaster who is trying to seek the truth behind a serial killing case; Yoonyoung is an editor at a publishing company who wants to prevent the marriage of her parents.

They find themselves in the past and also discover that their goals are more intertwined than they think.

Kairos, MBC TV (2020)

Kairos is similar to a few other shows as the time travel occurs in parallel timelines that connect characters instead of actually traveling through time.

However, it is also a rare one as the timelines are only one month apart!

Seojin is a company executive whose daughter suddenly goes missing while Aeri is a young woman living one month behind and whose mother also disappears.

When Seojin and Aeri meet through a phone call, he asks the latter to help find his daughter while helping to find her mother in his future timeline.

God’s Gift: 14 Days, SBS (2014)

God’s Gift: 14 Days tells the story of Kim Soohyun, a distraught mother whose daughter is abducted and killed, who miraculously gets the chance to travel back to the two weeks prior to the tragedy.

Soohyun is in a race against time to find the kidnapper and stop terrible things from happening because she is determined to change the outcome.

She discovers that the truth is much more complicated and perilous than she had anticipated as she digs deeper into the murky secrets surrounding her daughter’s death.

365: Repeat The Year, MBC TV (2020)

If you could repeat the last year of your life, would you?

In the mystery thriller 365: Repeat The Year , 10 people are given the opportunity to reset their lives by going back one year in time.

They participate in a time-traveling experiment, hoping to change their fates and undo their regrets.

However, they soon realize that altering the past has dire consequences, and they must unravel the mystery behind the experiment to save their lives.

Reunited Worlds, SBS (2017)

In Reunited Worlds , a man named Sung Haesung mysteriously reappears 12 years after his untimely death.

While he hasn’t aged, he finds that everyone around him has changed and gone on with their lives.

Haesung reconnects with his childhood friends, including his first love Jung Jungwon, as he navigates the difficulties of his new reality.

Together, they learn the truth about his time travel and work to mend relationships, sever old wounds, and find happiness in the present.

See You in My 19th Life, tvN (2023)

See You in My 19th Life is based on the webtoon of the same name that was published on Naver.

It tells the story of Jieum, who has lived out several lifetimes through reincarnation and has the supernatural ability to remember all of her past lives.

Her 18th life is tragically cut short due to an accident, and as she lives out her 19th, she knowingly heads down a path that will lead her to reconnect with a man from her previous life.

A Time Called You, Netflix (2023 – present)

Then there is the romance drama A Time Called You , which premiered on Netflix relatively recently – on September 8th, 2023.

It is an adaptation of a Taiwanese series and follows Junhee, who continues to mourn her boyfriend Yeonjun’s death one year later.

Somehow, she finds herself transported back to 1998 and in the body of an 18-year-old named Minju, who meets Siheon, a boy who looks like her deceased partner.

Marry My Husband, tvN (2024 – present)

The newest series on this list is Marry My Husband , which premiered on tvN on January 1st, 2024.

Marry My Husband follows Jiwon, described as a “time-limited woman” who has the opportunity to go back ten years.

In her new present, she dreams of exacting revenge on her cheating, murderous husband who killed her after having an affair with her best friend.

The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract, MBC (2023 – present)

Finally, we come to the last show in this countdown – The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract .

The fantasy romance series tells the story of Park Yeonwoo, a beautiful woman from the Joseon dynasty who loses her husband on the first night of their marriage.

She suddenly finds herself transported to the 21st century and under a modern marriage contract with Kang Taeha, who looks exactly like her husband.

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Hi, thanks for the list. There is also “Perfect marriage revenge” 2023

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29 Binge-worthy Time Travel Kdramas

Looking for time travel kdramas you’ve come to the right place.

Time travel Korean dramas have become increasingly popular in Korean television, as viewers are drawn to the unique storylines and characters that come with this genre.

The use of time-traveling plots has allowed producers to explore different eras, cultures, and perspectives while also creating amazing stories that keep viewers hooked.

With a wide range of genres from fantasy, mystery, romance, and even horror available for exploration through time travel Kdramas, it’s no wonder why they’ve become so beloved by fans all over the world.

From classic hits like Queen In Hyun’s Man to recent fan favorites such as When I Was Most Beautiful , these shows have captivated audiences with their intriguing plotlines and captivating visuals.

Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or an emotional journey through time, you’ll find something binge-worthy with these fascinating Korean dramas!

Let’s jump in!

Many time travel kdramas are easily accessible from anywhere in the world. But there may be certain platforms that will only work with a VPN (i.e. US Netflix or Singapore VIU).

Sign Up for a VPN: ExpressVPN

Time travel kdramas, 1. again my life (2022).

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Mystery, Drama, Law, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on Viu

Kim Hee Woo is a public prosecutor who has worked hard to get where he is. During the course of his investigations, he must conduct a probe into a politician suspected of corruption.

Suddenly, Kim Hee Woo finds himself killed by an unknown man. However, he soon comes back to life and discovers that he must return to university and complete his academic journey again in order to find out what happened to him.

With the help of Kim Hee Ah, an exceptionally intelligent young woman from a wealthy family, he embarks on his investigation. Will they be able to uncover the truth about what happened? Find out by watching Again My Life now!

2. Reborn Rich (2022)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Business, Drama, Political, Time Travel | Watch on Viki

Reborn Rich is a Korean drama that follows the story of Yoon Hyun Woo, a devoted and hard-working secretary to the Soonyang chaebol family.

When he is betrayed by an unknown member of the family and killed under their orders, he miraculously wakes up in the body of Jin Do Jun, the youngest member of the family.

Hyun Woo plots to use his new identity to take control of Soonyang Group from Jin Yang Cheol’s children, who are vying for power within it.

He must face off against Seo Min Young, nicknamed “Soonyang Group Grim Reaper,” as well as overcome other obstacles along his journey. Will he be able to wrest control from Jin Yang Cheol’s children or will his mission fail miserably?

3. Hello Me! (2021)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Romance, Comedy, Life, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix , Watch on MyAsianTV

Hello Me! is a Korean drama that follows the story of Ban Ha Ni, a 37-year-old single woman who feels miserable and unsuccessful.

After her spunky 17-year-old self travels from the past to meet her current self, she realizes that she needs to make drastic changes to find happiness and security.

Through this journey, she must navigate through an unfamiliar world while uncovering clues about herself and getting her spark back.

4. Blue Birthday (2021)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Romance, Drama, Sports, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on KissKh

Blue Birthday is a Korean drama that follows the story of Oh Ha Rin, a woman who has been struggling with the pain and grief of her first love’s death for 10 years.

On the 10th anniversary of his death, she discovers mysterious photos left behind by him which take her back in time to moments before his sudden passing.

She must use these 8 chances to go back in time wisely as she tries to change their fate and save Ji Seo Jun from taking his own life while also finding out what he wanted to tell her all those years ago.

It is an emotional journey full of mystery and romance as Ha Rin attempts to rewrite history!

5. Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)

Quick facts:  20 episodes | Action, Thriller, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix

Sisyphus: The Myth is a Korean drama that follows the story of Han Tae Sul, a genius engineer and co-founder of Quantum and Time who has outstanding coding skills.

After his brother’s death ten years ago, he starts to cause fluctuations in the company’s stocks. One day, he witnesses something unbelievable and sets off on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth.

Along his way, he meets Kang Seo Hae ( Park Shin Hye ), a survivor from a future dystopian world who travels back in time to save him. Together they must navigate through this unfamiliar world while uncovering clues about their time period.

6. Mr. Queen (2020)

Quick facts:  20 episodes | Historical, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix , Watch on Viki

Mr. Queen is a time travel Kdrama focused on the life of Jang Bong Hwan, a South Korean chef living in the present day. Jang Bong Hwan is a rising chef for top politicians in the Blue House’s presidential residences.

Jang Bong Hwan finds himself in an alternate past, inhabiting the body of Queen Kim So Yong after a serious accident.

This Kdrama takes viewers on a journey with Jang Bong Hwan as he navigates the dangerous political landscape of ancient Korea and discovers that his “husband” harbors secrets.

With comedy, romance, fantasy, and time travel all rolled into one, Mr. Queen is sure to have viewers hooked from start to finish!

7. Alice (2020)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Mystery, Melodrama, Sci-Fi, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on Viu , Watch on MyAsianTV

In the year 2050, a revolutionary organization called Alice was born to enable humans to traverse different periods in history and explore alternate universes.

Upon discovering a “Book of Prophecy” that predicts the fate of all travelers, Alice entrusts Yoo Min Hyuk and Yoon Tae Yi with an important mission: to venture back in time to 1992 and reclaim it from its last known keeper.

During their mission, Tae Yi discovers she is pregnant with Yoo Min Hyuk’s child and decides to stay in 1992 while hiding from him by changing her name.

Fast forward to 2020 when Park Jin Gyeom, son of Park Sun Young (formerly known as Yoon Tae Yi) is now a successful detective who crosses paths with his mother’s lookalike, another version of Yoon Tae Yi, who is now a physics professor specializing in quantum and temporal mechanics.

Together they embark on an adventure filled with mystery, melodrama, sci-fi elements, and time travel as they search for answers about the Book of Prophecy which could determine the fate of all travelers through time.

8. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Mystery, Romance, Drama, Sci-Fi, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix

The King follows the story of Lee Gon ( Lee Min Ho ), a king of the Korean Empire who would rather attend conferences than fulfill his duties.

While playing hooky one day, Lee Gon discovers a door that opens to a parallel world and the modern day. He meets Jeong Tae Eul, a police inspector who he teams up with to take out criminals. But they both also work towards closing the door between their 2 worlds.

This Kdrama is filled with mystery, romance, drama, sci-fi, and time travel elements that will keep you glued to your screen.

9. The Light in Your Eyes (2019)

Quick facts:  12 episodes | Romance, Life, Melodrama, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix , Watch on Viki

The Light in Your Eyes is a Korean drama that follows the story of Kim Hye Ja, a 26-year-old woman who uses a mysterious watch to rewind time in an attempt to save her father from an accident. However, she fails and ends up aging into a 70-year-old.

Lost and seeking answers, she embarks on a quest to restore order in her life. She encounters people from her past who don’t recognize her, including Lee Joon Ha, the man she loves, who remains devoted to her while confronting his demons.

When 70-year-old Kim Hye Ja and young Lee Joon Ha form an unlikely bond together, they discover the truth behind all of the time Kim has lost over the years as well as uncover secrets about their pasts that will change their lives forever.

10. Longing Heart / My First Love (2018)

Quick facts:  10 episodes | Romance, Mystery, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on KissAsian

Longing Heart is a Korean drama that follows the story of Shin Woo, a man who regrets letting his first love, Han Ji Soo, go ten years ago.

He gets a second chance when he travels back in time and finds out that she liked him too. With this knowledge, he tries to help his younger self win her heart.

However, things become complicated as Han Ji Soo starts to develop feelings for the older version of himself and he discovers the reason why they were separated in the first place.

Will he be able to win her heart or will it be an impossible mission for Shin Woo?

11. Familiar Wife (2018)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Comedy, Romance, Drama, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix , Watch on Viki

Familiar Wife is a Korean drama that follows the story of Cha Joo Hyuk, a banker who has been married to Seo Woo Jin for five years. When an unexpected incident occurs one day, Joo Hyuk makes a decision that changes his life and those around him in ways he never expected.

Suddenly, his relationship with Woo Jin and his best friend Yoon Joong Hoo is gone and he finds himself living an entirely different life.

As he adjusts to this new reality, Joo Hyuk must also contend with the reappearance of his first love Lee Hee Won as they all seek to find out if he can get back the life he once had.

With its mix of comedy, romance, drama, and time travel elements, Familiar Wife will make you think about the decisions we make every day and the “what ifs.”

12. Life on Mars (2018)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Action, Mystery, Psychological, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on KissAsian

Life on Mars is a Korean drama that follows the story of Han Tae Joo, a leader of a crime investigation team in the present day.

While investigating a serial murder case, he has an accident and wakes up to find himself in the winter of 1988.

In this unfamiliar time period, he is appointed as a detective at a police station in a small city and must solve the case to get back to his own time. Along his journey, he discovers new clues about his current situation while navigating through an unfamiliar world with its own set of rules.

13. Hit the Top / The Best Hit (2017)

Quick facts:  32 episodes | Comedy, Romance, Drama, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on AppleTV

Uncover the captivating story of Lee Ji Hoon and Choi Woo Seung in Hit The Top, a Korean drama that follows their journey as they strive to pass the civil service exam while Ji Hoon pursues his dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter.

Their lives change when they meet Yoo Hyun Jae, an idol from the ’90s who accidentally time-traveled to 2017. Together, they embark on an adventure filled with passion, love, and friendship as they explore their dreams in the entertainment industry.

With comedy, romance, drama, and time travel elements all rolled into one show, Hit The Top is sure to keep viewers hooked until the end!

14. Tomorrow With You (2017)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Romance, Drama, Life, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on AppleTV , Watch on KissAsian

Yoo So Joon, a prosperous CEO of an enterprise in the real estate sector, embarks on an unforgettable journey as he discovers his ability to time travel in Tomorrow With You. During his trips on the subway, he often glimpses a bleak future of himself living an unfulfilled life.

In a desperate attempt to resolve this dilemma, he decides to marry Song Ma Rin, an optimistic photographer whom he doesn’t love.

Can Ma Rin help So Joon change his unhappy future or will they be doomed by fate as well as time travel itself? Follow their journey of love, drama, and mystery as they attempt to rewrite their destiny together!

15. Live Up to Your Name (2017)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Historical, Romance, Medical, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix

Live Up to Your Name is a Korean drama following the story of Heo Im, a brilliant doctor born in a concubine family during the Joseon era. Despite his remarkable medical skills, his background prevents him from climbing up the ladder of success.

One day, he travels through time to present-day Seoul and meets Yeon Gyung, a modern-day doctor who doesn’t believe his claims.

When they travel back together to Joseon again, they embark on an adventure filled with romance and medical drama as Heo Im strives to live up to his name by proving himself despite all odds.

With its thrilling mix of historical elements and time travel themes, Live Up To Your Name is sure to keep viewers hooked!

16. Manhole (2017)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Thriller, Romance, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on KissAsian

Manhole is a Korean drama that tells the story of Bong Pil, an unemployed man who time travels into the past through a manhole to stop the wedding of his lifelong crush Soo Jin.

Every time he goes back in time, he becomes someone else and must find ways to get closer to Soo Jin while avoiding getting caught up in various situations. With an element of thrill, Manhole is different from other time travel Kdramas.

17. Tunnel (2017)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Thriller, Sci-Fi, Mystery Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on MyAsianTV

Tunnel is a thrilling Korean drama that follows the story of Park Gwang Ho, an excellent and enthusiastic detective in 1986 who gets transported to present-day Seoul after pursuing leads in a serial homicide case.

He meets Kim Sun Jae, an elite detective with eccentric tendencies but highly skilled investigating skills.

With help from psychology professor Shin Jae Yi, they embark on an adventure filled with mystery and suspense as they work together to solve cases while navigating through time portals.

18. Go Back Couple (2017)

Quick facts:  12 episodes | Romance, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on KissAsian

Choi Ban Do and Ma Jin Joo have been married for 38 years, but their romance hasn’t been the same in a long time.

When they said “I do,” Choi Ban Do and Ma Jin Joo were deeply in love; yet, now the couple are full of resentment for one another. While he has been bearing the weight of supporting his household, she is stuck in a housewife role with a waning sense of self-confidence.

Unhappily married at such an early age, both regret their impulsive decision to wed.

Through time travel, they find themselves as 20-year-old university students when they first met and must rekindle their relationship all over again if they want to stay together forever.

19. My Only Love Song (2017)

Quick facts:  20 episodes | Historical, Romance, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on Netflix

My Only Love Song is a Korean drama that follows the story of Song Soo Jung, a top star who is incredibly arrogant and classifies people by how much money they have.

Suddenly, she finds herself transported back in time to the Goguryeo era where she meets On Dal, an ambitious man who will do anything for money.

Song Soo Jung soon realizes that On Dal has a generous heart towards those less fortunate than him.

20. Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo (2016)

Quick facts:  20 episodes | Historical, Romance, Melodrama, Time Travel | Watch on KissAsian , Order on Amazon

Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo is a Korean drama that follows the story of Go Ha Jin, who finds herself transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea during King Taejo’s rule.

In this alternate past, she inhabits the body of Hae Soo and lives in the house of 8th Prince Wang Wook.

Along the way, she befriends the princes and the people during this time and experiences a passionate love story with the ostracized 4th Prince Wang So.

This drama has plenty of romance, melodrama, and time-travel elements that will keep you hooked until the end!

21. Splash Splash Love (2015)

Quick facts:  2 episodes | Romance, Comedy, Historical, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on KissAsian , Watch on Kocowa

In the romantic Korean drama, Splash Splash Love, we follow Dan Bi’s story, a high school senior who is determined to overcome her disappointment in math.

On the morning of her college entrance exam, a sudden rainstorm whisks her away to the ancient Joseon Kingdom. She is now at the height of its existence and must navigate how she will return home!

But she meets King Lee Do who yearns to learn advanced mathematics and she falls in love with him. As they come to know each other better, their romance transcends space and time as they face various obstacles together.

Will Dan Bi be able to help King Lee Do achieve his goals or will their mission fail miserably in this heart-warming drama full of adventure and romance?

22. God’s Gift: 14 Days (2014)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Time Travel | Watch on MyAsianTV , Watch on Kocowa ,

In the harrowing thriller, God’s Gift: 14 Days, Kim Soo Hyun plays a mother devastated when her beloved daughter Han Saet Byul is violently abducted and murdered.

A miraculous event sends time back 14 days, giving Soo Hyun a second chance to uncover the kidnapping conspiracy and rescue her daughter before it is too late.

Ki Dong Chan, a former police officer who has become a private investigator, is joining her on this task. It appears that he has his interest in the whole matter.

As time rapidly dwindles, the crimes become clearer, and far more treacherous secrets than Soo Hyun could ever have predicted are discovered.

Will they be able to save Saet Byul or will history repeat itself once more in God’s Gift: 14 Days?

23. Nine: Nine Times Time Travel (2013)

Quick facts: 20 episodes | Mystery, Romance, Time Travel | Watch on KissAsian

Nine: Nine Times Time Travel tells the captivating story of Park Sun Woo, a devoted anchorman at a TV broadcasting station, and his love for Joo Min Young, another news reporter.

He manages to earn 9 scented items that transport him 20 years back in time, granting him the capability to protect his family and alter the current world he inhabits.

Yet, his actions have consequences that ripple through time, affecting the lives of those around him in the future, including his crush.

Along this journey, Park Sun Woo must navigate through unfamiliar situations while uncovering clues about his own life and those around him.

24. Marry Him if You Dare (2013)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Romance, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on MyAsianTV

Set within the world of TV broadcasting, Marry Him if You Dare features Na Mi Rae who embarks on a journey to the past to save her 32-year-old self from marrying news anchor Kim Shin.

This sends her past self down a different path and enables her to pursue the things she wanted in life. Along this journey, she discovers more about herself and those around her while striving to make a better future for herself and those close to her.

Will Na Mi Rae be able to find true happiness or will fate keep getting in the way of what she wants most in Marry Him if You Dare?

25. Faith (2012)

Quick facts:  24 episodes | Historical, Romance, Medical, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on MyAsianTV

Faith is a Korean drama that follows the story of 21st-century plastic surgeon Eun Soo, who gets kidnapped and brought 700 years into the past for her healing powers.

There she meets General Choi Yeong, bodyguard to the king in the Goryeo era. Despite their initial conflicts and his struggle with a female doctor, they soon feel attracted to each other as they face various obstacles together.

26. Queen In Hyun’s Man (2012)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Historical, Romance, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on Youtube , Watch on KissAsian , Order on Amazon

Queen In Hyun’s Man is a time travel Korean drama following Kim Boong Do, a scholar from the Joseon era who travels 300 years into the future.

He meets Choi Hee Jin, a no-name actress who is trying her best to get a role in a Queen In Hyun TV drama.

27. Rooftop Prince (2012)

Quick facts:  20 episodes | Historical, Romance, Comedy, Time Travel | Watch on Viki , Watch on MyAsianTV

Crown Prince Yi Gak finds himself transported from the Joseon Dynasty to modern-day Seoul.

After meeting Hong Se Na, who bears a striking resemblance to his dead wife, he assumes the identity of her company’s CEO’s grandson to stay close and investigate her mysterious 300-year death.

Along his journey, he must navigate through the unfamiliar world of a modern corporation while uncovering clues about his period.

28. Time Slip Dr. Jin (2012)

Quick facts:  22 episodes | Romance, Historical, Medical, Time Travel | Watch on Amazon Prime , Watch on KissAsian

Jin Hyuk is a talented neurosurgeon with an aloof and austere personality, driven by his longing for perfection. Unexpectedly he finds himself swept away to the Joseon Dynasty of 1860 through some mysterious power.

With no access to modern medical technology and knowledge, Jin Hyuk must find new ways of treating the sick while navigating through unfamiliar situations.

Along this journey, he discovers more about himself and those around him while striving to become an actual doctor in Time Slip Dr. Jin!

29. Operation Proposal (2012)

Quick facts:  16 episodes | Romance, Drama, Sports, Time Travel | Watch on MyAsianTV , Order on Amazon

Kang Baek Ho and Ham Yi Seul have been best friends since elementary school, but Baek Ho has never acknowledged his attraction to her. On the day of Yi Seul’s wedding to another man (Jin Won), Baek Ho regrets not confessing his love for her.

Suddenly, a mysterious conductor appears and gives him a second chance by allowing him to travel back in time to various events of their lives.

He hopes that he can use this opportunity to win over Yi Seul’s heart and change the outcome of their relationship. However, changing the future is not as easy as it seems.

Will Kang Baek Ho be able to convince Yi Seul that they are meant for each other or will his mission fail miserably in Operation Proposal?

Final Thoughts: Time Travel Kdramas

Korean dramas have been able to captivate viewers in many different genres, including time travel. The stories of these characters are unique and the journey that they embark on is often filled with love, comedy, suspense, and sometimes even tragedy.

These time travel Kdramas provide us with an escape from our own lives and allow us to experience the joys, sorrows, and excitement of different periods.

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, then these time travel Kdram might be just what you need!

Looking for something different? Check out more Korean dramas !

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Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. When she’s not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld.

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19 Time-Travel Dramas You Really Should Be Watching

A detective from 2000 and a cold case criminal profiler from 2015 solve old cases, as well as prevent new ones, by communicating through a mysterious walkie-talkie.

A man finds 9 magical incense sticks that allow him to travel 20 years back in time. He attempts to change the current world by saving his family from dangers 20 years ago, but the consequences are bigger than he can handle.

A detective accidentally travels to the future while chasing a serial killer through a mysterious tunnel. He discovers that the serial killer was never caught and continues to kill. With the help of the detectives in the future, he sets out to catch him once and for all.

4. Moon Lovers

An ordinary 21st-century woman gets transported back in time to year 941. She encounters royal princes of the Goryeo Dynasty and falls in love with the 8th prince.

5. Tomorrow, With You

A time traveling man foresees into the future to find himself living a miserable life. In order to change his fate, he marries a woman who ultimately teaches him how to love.

6. Saimdang, Light’s Diary

A Korean art history lecturer finds the mysterious diary of a historical figure named Saimdang. Through the diary, he tries to discover the truth behind her history.

7. Confession Couple

A divorced couple in their late-30s gets sent back in time to their college days. They try to change their life around by meeting new people, but destiny has its own plans.

8. Hit The Top

A famous idol travels to the future and meets his son, who is training to be an idol.

9. Live Up To Your Name

An oriental doctor from the past travels to the future and meets a doctor who firmly believes in modern medicine.

10. Splash Splash Love

A high school girl who has the ability to transport anywhere on a rainy day travels back to the Joseon dynasty, where she meets the young king.

11. Queen In Hyun’s Man

A noble-born scholar, who is the last remaining member of his family after a massacre, travels to the future and falls in love with an actress who stars in the drama about the massacre.

12. Rooftop Prince

A prince from the Joseon dynasty is sent to the future after he loses his lover. In the 21st century Seoul, he finds the reincarnation of his lost love who tries to help him back home.

13. Dr. Jin

A successful doctor travels back in time to the Joseon dynasty and meets a girl who looks exactly like his lover.

14. Somehow 18

A man travels back in time to try to save his first love who died when she was 18.

15. God’s Gift: 14 Days

A child gets kidnapped and is found dead. The mother of the child child travels back in time to save her child and catch the kidnapper.

16. Run Toward Tomorrow

A troublemaking high school student accidentally travels to the future, where he learns that his father was severely injured while looking for him. He tries to go back in time to change the future.

17. Manhole

A man travels between present and past in order to stop his ideal girlfriend from getting married.

18. Marry Him, If You Dare

A woman who regrets the choices she made in life travels back to her 32-year-old self, and tries to guide her away from making the same mistakes. One of the main mistakes being that she married the wrong person!

19. Bing Goo

A man from 1979 travels to the year 2016 and falls in love with a girl from the future.

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Korean Time Travel Series

• Movies or TV
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• Release Year

1. The Call (2020)

TV-MA | 112 min | Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Two people live in different times. Seo-Yeon lives in the present and Young-Sook lives in the past. One phone call connects the two, and their lives are changed irrevocably.

Director: Chung-Hyun Lee | Stars: Park Shin-hye , Jeon Jong-seo , Kim Sung-ryung , Lee El

Votes: 43,670

2. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

TV-14 | 70 min | Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

A modern-day Korean emperor passes through a mysterious portal and into a parallel world, where he encounters a feisty police detective.

Stars: Lee Min-ho , Kim Go-eun , Woo Do-Hwan , Kim Kyung-Nam

Votes: 16,118

3. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy

Ha-jin travels 1000 years back in time and lands in the era of Goryeo Dynasty as a young girl named Hae-soo. She, now trapped in another person's body, becomes involved in a power struggle against various vicious contenders to the throne.

Stars: Lee Joon-gi , IU , Kang Ha-neul , Nam Joo-hyuk

Votes: 11,575

4. Legend of the Blue Sea (2016–2017)

60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

A mermaid from the Joseon period ends up in present-day Seoul, where she crosses paths with a swindler who may have ties to someone from her past.

Stars: Jun Ji-hyun , Lee Min-ho , Lee Hee-joon , Shin Won-ho

Votes: 12,546

5. My Perfect Stranger (2023– )

70 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance

A drama about a strange and beautiful time travel between a news anchor and an ordinary office worker trapped in 1987.

Stars: Kim Dong-wook , Jin Ki-joo , Seo Ji-Hye , Lee Won-jung

6. Tunnel (2017)

60 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy

A detective follows the trail of a serial killer 30 years into the future and teams up with detectives in that time period to find the culprit.

Stars: Choi Jin-hyuk , Kang Suk-Won , Yoon Hyun-min , Jo Hie-bong

Votes: 3,538

7. Durian's Affair (2023– )

16+ | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

A melodramatic fantasy in which two women from Joseon Dynasty, belonging from a noble family, become intertwined with men through time travel to the year 2023, the present.

Stars: Park Joo-mi , Kim Min-joon , Jeon No-min , Han Eun-jeong

8. Again My Life (2022)

67 min | Action, Crime, Drama

A hot-blooded prosecutor is murdered when he gets entangled in an investigation around a corrupt politician. He gets sent back in time to when he was 18 years old, and he prepares to take down his enemy.

Stars: Lee Joon-gi , Kim Ji-eun , Jung Sang-hoon , Cha Joo-young

Votes: 1,531

9. Alice (2020)

70 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

The story of detective Park Jin Gyeom who comes to know about the existence of time travelers while investigating a mysterious murder case.

Stars: Kim Hee-seon , Joo Won , Lee Da-in , Choi Won-young

Votes: 1,394

10. Il Mare (2000)

105 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

In 1999, a voice actor moves from Il Mare, a seaside house, and leaves a Christmas card in its (magical) mailbox. An architecture student receives it in 1997, and a friendship separated by 2 years begins.

Director: Hyun-seung Lee | Stars: Lee Jung-jae , Jun Ji-hyun , Mu-saeng Kim , Jo Seung-yeon

Votes: 9,467

11. Kairos (2020)

70 min | Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller

A fantasy thriller about a man who is in shock of losing his daughter and a woman who lives in the past, both struggling to save the ones they love.

Stars: Sin Seong-rok , Lee Se-yeong , Ahn Bo-Hyun , Lee Joo-myung

12. Shinui (2012)

60 min | Drama, Fantasy, History

When the queen-to-be of medieval Korea is badly wounded, Captain Choi Young uses a wormhole to "heaven," which is actually 21st-century South Korea, to bring back the spoiled Dr. Yoo Eun-Soo who becomes a pawn in a game of human chess.

Stars: Lee Min-ho , Kim Hee-seon , Yoon Kyun-Sang , Park Se-young

Votes: 3,111

13. Familiar Wife (2018)

60 min | Fantasy, Romance

A married couple suddenly finds themselves living entirely different lives after their fates magically change through an unexpected incident.

Stars: Ji Sung , Han Ji-min , Jang Seung-jo , Kang Han-na

Votes: 1,544

14. Rooftop Prince (2012)

65 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Crown Prince Lee Gak transports 300 years into the future following the death of his wife; in 21st century Seoul, he meets Joo Se-Na, a woman with an uncanny resemblance to the deceased princess.

Stars: Choi Woo-sik , Han Ji-min , Lee Tae-ri , Park Yoo-chun

Votes: 3,010

15. Splash Splash Love (2015)

70 min | Fantasy, History, Romance

A high school student (Dan Bi) escapes from her time to the Joseon Era, where she has to prove her knowledge to survive.

Stars: Kim Seul-gi , Yoon Doo-joon , Ahn Hyo-seop , Go Gyu-pil

Votes: 1,575

16. Blue Birthday (2021– )

TV-14 | 25 min | Fantasy, Romance, Thriller

A fantasy romance drama that goes back and forth between the past and the present through her first love that she lost to suicide on her birthday 10 years ago, and the mysterious photos that he left behind.

Stars: Kim Ye-rim , Yang Hong-Seok , Lee Jung-jae , Moon Sang-hoon

18. Nine: Nine Time Travels (2013)

52 min | Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

A TV anchorman discovers that a mysterious bundle of incense has the power to send him back in time, where he has the opportunity to alter the past.

Stars: Lee Jin-wook , Jo Yun-hie , Jeon No-min , Hie-ryeong Kim

19. Somehow 18 (2017)

15 min | Short, Fantasy, Romance

A handsome orthopedic surgeon loses his first love who committed suicide when he was in his high school days. To save her he gets the chance to go back in time.

Stars: Minseo , Kim Hee-Chan , Choi Min-ho , Lee Yoo-bi

20. Dr. Jin (2012)

TV-Y | 65 min | Fantasy

A surgeon treats a mysterious patient who has a human-shaped tumor in his head, only to discover himself time-travelling to the year 1861.

Stars: Song Seung-heon , Park Min-Young , Lee Beom-su , Kim Jae-joong

21. Longing Heart (2018)

55 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

A man named Shin Woo regrets letting his first love go ten years ago because he didn't have the courage to confess. However, he gets the chance to win her again when he travels back in time... See full summary  »

Stars: Go Gyu-pil , Sang Lee , Seo Ji-Hoon , Jung Shin Lee

22. My Mother, the Mermaid (2004)

Unrated | 110 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Na-young works at a post office and is sick and tired of being around her shamefully unyielding mother and her pushover father who's excessively nice. The only thing that she can look ... See full summary  »

Director: Heung-sik Park | Stars: Jeon Do-yeon , Park Hae-il , Ko Du-shim , Kim Bu-seon

23. Must You Go? (2021– )

Fantasy, Music, Romance

Min Yoo Jung dreams of becoming a successful pop musician. Life takes a turn for the weird when Park Yeon, a talented musician from the past is transported from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to the present day.

Stars: Chani , Lee Seung-Hyub , Park Jung-yeon

24. 300 Year-Old Class of 2020 (2020)

15 min | Comedy, Fantasy, History

A light-hearted time travel fantasy where three scholars from the Joseon era are swept forward to modern-day Seoul. After adapting to this new life with the help of a young female museum manager, they must decide on going back or staying.

Stars: Jisu Choi , Steve Sang-Hyun Noh , Sejin Lee , Ko Jae-hyun

25. Sijipeuseu: The Myth (2021)

Not Rated | 70 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy

An unfathomable incident introduces a genius engineer to dangerous secrets of the world, and to a woman from the future who's come looking for him.

Stars: Cho Seung-woo , Park Shin-hye , Andrew Lee , Dawn Anderson

Votes: 5,049

26. My Only Love Song (2017)

TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

When things don't go her way during a shooting for her new show, a top actress runs away in an old van that guides her on a time-traveling journey.

Stars: Ahn Bo-Hyun , Lee Cheol-min , Park Joo-hyung , Lee Yong-jik

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The 20 Best Time Travel K-Dramas

S nuggling up on the couch for a late night binge session of your favorite Korean drama is only the best feeling ever. And when those dramas involve an unique time travel premise combined with adventure, heartfelt romance, or mysteries spanning eras, it makes for the perfect escape.

Korean dramas are no longer a novel experience for the global audience. The medium's capacity to engage a wider audience with its compelling storytelling and gripping character drama is enormous, and the more genres it dives into, the more it stands out.

Among the many exciting tales told over decades, those surrounding time travel are particularly exhilarating thanks to how the subject seamlessly blends science fiction, history, and romance , and generates high re-watch value. Imagining what it might be like to travel back in time or see the future is endlessly entertaining, and the possibilities are endless.

While it's impossible for humans to time travel ( sort of ), you can live vicariously through these incredible stories. We've brought together an intriguing list of 20 Korean dramas that incorporate time travel into their alluring stories about star-crossed lovers and brave protagonists willing to right historical wrongs — or just puzzled individuals displaced through time. Whatever time travel tale you're in the mood for, this list has it.

Queen and I (2012)

When a time-traveling scholar named Kim Boong Do finds a magic talisman and travels from Joseon dynasty to modern-day Seoul, 300 years into the future, he has one goal — to find Queen In Hyun.

Apparently, when she was being deposed by the council, Boong Do was her only supporter. But upon arriving in the future, he realizes that she’s a mere character being played in a drama by up-and-coming actress Choi Hee Jin.

A Time-Traveling Scholar’s Accidental Love Story

Queen and I perfectly blends history, comedy and romance through the fish-out-of-water scenario where Boong Do has to not only adapt to the traditions of the modern world, but also find a way to travel back to the Joseon era.

Starring Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na, the drama features an unconventional partnership and blossoming romance against the backdrop of royal intrigue. Yoo In Na also won massive acclaim for her performance, making Queen and I a huge hit.

Splash Splash Love (2015)

The main protagonist of Splash Splash Love is Dan Bi, a high school student who hates math. On the day of her KSAT exam, she decides to run away and ends up on a playground in the middle of a freak rain which transports her to the Joseon kingdom.

She arrives hundreds of years in the past, in the middle of a drought. Dan Bi then meets King Lee Do, a man who yearns to be intellectual. Since Dan Bi’s high school level mathematics is still way ahead of Joseon’s teachings, she schools Lee Do and inspires him to bring change to the kingdom.

A Charming Tale of Transformation

The K-drama won hearts for its charming take on time travel and feel-good romance . For the most part, the episodes are heavy with emotion, balancing the more serious tone of the era with subtle glances and earnest dialogue. The leads, Kim Seul-gi and Yoon Doo-joon are extremely likable. Paired with the beautiful songs, the two-episode miniseries seems as breezy as it is breathtaking.

Stream Splash Splash Love on Kocowa

Rooftop Prince (2012)

In Rooftop Prince , Crown Prince Lee Gak finds himself mysteriously transported to modern-day Seoul along with his three retainers. There, he meets Hong Se Na, who is the spitting image of his beloved wife, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances.

It does not help that Lee Gak bears a striking resemblance to the grandson of the CEO of Se Na’s company. He tries to get close to her with the hopes that he’ll learn clues about the murder of the Crown Princess.

Related: 20 K-Dramas With No Boring Episodes

Crown Prince Finds Himself Out Of Place And Time

With Park Yoo-chun and Han Ji-min taking up the lead roles, it’s impossible for the drama to go wrong. What’s better is that Rooftop Prince has a multi-layered storyline that intertwines to reveal a greater plot, making the series more engaging episode after episode.

Seeing historical royals experience 21st century culture shock provides comic relief, and the time slip romance between Lee Gak and Se Na is simply marvelous.

Stream Rooftop Prince on Kocowa

Times (2021)

Times has a premise Hollywood has played with a number of times. Lee Jin Woo is an exceptionally talented reporter who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth about a case. When a mysterious phone call connects him to another hard-as-nails reporter named Seo Jung In, he’s shocked to discover that she’s speaking to him from five years in the future.

Jung In warns Jin Woo about the threat against her father, South Korea’s President, and together they work to find the culprit and break free of the strange time warp.

A Reporter’s Race Against Time

The drama is both a political thriller and a mind-bending time travel mystery. What makes it stand out is the intense performances from the lead actors, Lee Seo-jin and Lee Joo-young. Their chemistry with one another, especially when developed just over the phone, makes the show more endearing, and the suspenseful plot adds a gripping urgency to each episode.

Moreover, by charting away from a traditional time travel storyline, which often turns to be about romance, this innovative crime-solving drama subverts expectations.

Stream Times on Rakuten Viki

Hit the Top (2017)

As a member of a popular K-pop idol group, Yoo Hyun-Jae is nothing short of a star. Especially if you consider the ‘90s, when the group was at the height of its fame. However, when Hyun-Jae travels from 1993 to 2017, he finds out that he goes missing in the year 1994 and is presumed dead shortly after.

Determined to uncover the truth about his disappearance, he befriends Lee Ji Hoon and Choi Woo Seung, two aspiring young musicians.

Lighthearted, Feel-Good, But Complicated

We’re currently witnessing an evolution in the K-pop industry, with new talents emerging from the ground to become massive superstars. But it all started a bunch of years ago, and Hit the Top brings back the nostalgia and humor of the time.

Moreover, its predictable storyline never feels dull because of the upbeat soundtrack and dazzling performances. Definitely an underrated gem, Hit the Top is a must-watch in the genre.

Tomorrow, with You (2017)

Instead of going back centuries or traveling to the present day, Tomorrow, with You takes an innovative approach towards time travel and introduces us to Yoo So Joon, the CEO of a real estate company, who holds the power to decide when he wants to travel back in time.

Once, on a subway, he sees a future in which he’s unhappy and dissatisfied with life. To avoid facing it, he marries Song Ma Rin, a free-spirited photographer, unaware of her personal struggles.

A Bittersweet Romance

Taking the road less traveled, this brilliant Korean drama explores the complexities and sorrows of a loveless marriage through a time-travel premise.

Helped by outstanding performances from lead actors Shin Min-a (who you may know from Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha ) and Lee Je-hoon, this poignant melodrama tugs at the heartstrings with its slow-burn romance. Overall, the touching story reminds us to cherish the present and appreciate the little things in life.

Signal (2016)

Much like Times , Signal features a mysterious time-travel phenomenon involving walkie-talkies and an unidentified serial killer. Park Hae Yeong, a criminal profiler and police officer, stumbles upon a walkie-talkie and connects with a detective from the past, Lee Jae Han.

He reminds Hae Yeong of a crime he witnessed as a child and encourages him to solve cold cases with him. Together, they work on several investigations and solve decades-old crimes.

A Detective Duo Communicating Across Time

What’s interesting about the drama is that it is inspired by real-life crime stories and a murder case. The way it blends procedural thrills and heartfelt character drama is immensely terrific.

Concept-wise, Signal is truly unique and consistently full of suspense, making it hard not to binge. The pacing is beautiful, the actors, including Cho Jin-woong and Lee Je-hoon, as well as the young cast, are phenomenal in their roles.

Stream Signal on Paramount+

Familiar Wife (2018)

Going back in time and changing certain regretful events always has consequences. Playing with the same idea, Familiar Wife introduces us to Cha Joo Hyuk, who has been married to his college sweetheart Seo Woo Jin. But he is dissatisfied with the decisions he’s made and the life he’s living.

When a car accident sends him into the past, he experiences a drastic shift in his destiny by doing tiny things differently. Joo Hyuk ends up causing more trouble than before, including with his first love, Lee Hee Won.

Related: Movies Where Time Travel Actually Made Sense

Underrated and Unforgettable

Familiar Wife probably has one of the most unique executions on time travel ever seen in Korean dramas. Even though the premise seems unoriginal, it is the series’ ability to reflect on relationships, provide meaningful lessons on self-growth, and deliver a truckload of emotions that makes it stand out from the rest. Not heavy on drama but still pretty intense on chemistry, the series leaves an indelible mark on viewers.

Go Back Couple (2017)

Adapted from the webtoon Do it One More Time , Go Back Couple is a fun, 12-episode drama that follows an unhappily married couple. Choi Ban Do and Ma Jin Joo were adorable sweethearts when they married, but growing up together took a toll on them and how they simply cannot stand each other.

When they find themselves traveling back to their college days, away from career responsibilities and their young son, the two vow to make different choices and rekindle the lost romance.

Second Chances and First Loves

Instead of throwing one person back in time, Go Back Couple sends two people back to when they weren’t dating. It also combines moving insights on relationships, the complications and pitfalls of marrying young, and the beauty of being in love, with an enormous amount of humor and top-notch writing. Son Ho Jun and Jang Na Ra are truly exceptional as a couple, sharing swoon-worthy moments with an effortless and natural dynamic.

Stream Go Back Couple on Rakuten Viki

The Light in Your Eyes (2019)

With a melancholic start and an all-consuming end, The Light in Your Eyes is a beautiful, albeit heartbreaking drama. It follows 25-year-old Kim Hye Ja, who is in possession of a mysterious watch that can turn back time. In a desperate attempt to save her father, Hye Ja turns the watch several times and ends up aging herself to seventy years old.

Grappling with her situation, and realizing everybody she knew no longer recognizes her, she finds solace in the company of Lee Joon Ha, the man she once loved.

A Tragic Time-Travel Romance

The 2019 drama soars high because of its heartbreaking portrayal of romance between two souls torn apart by tragedy. Starring One Spring Night’s Han Ji Min and Start-Up’s Nam Joo Hyuk , The Light in Your Eyes is filled with stunning cinematography and emotionally moving storytelling.

The contrast between decades as well as the parting lessons towards the finale leave few dry eyes. That said, the series has remained among the more underappreciated gems.

Stream The Light in Your Eyes on Netflix

My Perfect Stranger (2023)

Among the few recent time travel Korean dramas on this list is My Perfect Stranger . Just as the title promises, the series follows two strangers who end up traveling back to the same year, 1987, and discover the poignant bond they share.

On one hand, there is Yoon Hae Joon, a kindhearted journalist who wants to get to the bottom of a serial murder case. And on the other hand, Baek Yoon Young wants to stop her parents from marrying because her mother dies in the future.

Keeps You Guessing Till The Very End

Featuring a smooth genre blend, this compelling time travel story finds a spot among the best K-dramas because of its ability to absorb the viewers’ attention. The series explores heavy themes like grief, hope, and trauma, as well as the extraordinary lengths one is willing to go for the truth. Kim Dong-wook and Jin Ki-joo are absolutely stunning as two souls grappling with their realities.

Stream My Perfect Stranger on Rakuten Viki

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

Despite being a flop in South Korea, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo has found a devoted fan base in the West for its storyline, which sees IU as an unassuming young girl named Go Ha Jin.

On the day of a total eclipse, she travels back to Goryeo-era Korea, where she wakes up in the body of the 16-year-old Hae Soo. Now entangled in kingdom politics, tragic losses, and power struggles, Ha Jin must rise above being a mere pawn and take control of the throne.

Sweeping Romance Set In An Ancient Land

With its epic production values and breathtaking costume design , Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo captured the hearts of many viewers. Beyond the visual appeal, however, the drama also has a brilliant pacing and an intense aesthetic that keeps you hooked from start to finish. By moonlighting as a passionate romance, the series shocks you with its emotional depth and un-fairytale-like ending. However, the characters played by IU and Lee Joon-Gi resonate the most.

Tunnel (2017)

First set in 1986, Tunnel introduces us to a highly skilled and enthusiastic crime detective named Park Gwang Ho. Hot on the tail of a serial killer, he chases him through a tunnel which turns out to be a time portal. Gwang Ho is transported to present day, the year 2016, where the same serial killer is on a murder spree. Enter another elite detective, Kim Sun Jae. The two detectives form a partnership like no other, navigating uncharted territory of the criminal underground.

Related: 10 K-Dramas with the Best Plot Twists, Ranked

An Epic Crime-Solving Korean Fantasy Drama

Featuring a healthy dose of heart-pounding action and a gripping mystery, Tunnel is one of the most engaging thriller series out there. It breaks boundaries with the innovative plotlines and stunning cinematography. Addictive from start to finish, it also lets you revel in the feel-good bromance between Choi Jin-hyuk and Yoon Hyun-min.

Stream Tunnel on The Roku Channel

Chicago Typewriter (2017)

More of a fantasy than a drama, Chicago Typewriter is about three resistance fighters across two timelines, with one being set in the 1930s, the time of the Japanese occupation of Korea, and the second in the 21st century. As they work undercover, disguised as a book enthusiast, a ghostwriter, and a bestselling author respectively, dark secrets from their past continue to haunt them.

Reincarnated Friendships Haunted By A Past

At its core, Chicago Typewriter is a story about three people’s friendships across time. From failing to protect those they loved dearly to cherishing what’s left in a liberated, dreamlike modern world, their journey endures as a memorable work of art. Yoo Ah-in, Im Soo-jung, and Go Kyung-pyo are phenomenal as star-crossed souls anchoring the poignant and multi-layered drama.

A Time Called You (2023)

Adapted from the Taiwanese television series Someday or One Day , this recent Korean drama deserves a spot on the list for its charming leads and refreshing premise. It’s been a year, and Han Jun Hee is still devastated about losing her boyfriend.

When she’s mysteriously transported to the year 1998 and takes on the identity of a high school student named Kwon Min Joo, things begin falling into place. She meets Nam Si Heon, who bears a striking resemblance to her late boyfriend.

Absolute Delight For Ahn Hyo-Seop Fans

Released on Netflix in September 2023, A Time Called You charmed viewers with its fresh take on a time-crossed love story. For those who have already watched the original, the portrayal of timelines as well as character drama is equally soulful and moving. Along with its beautiful soundtrack and fantastic performances from Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon, the series sends you on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Stream A Time Called You on Netflix

Mr. Queen (2020)

Mr. Queen is an extremely intriguing and twisted historical Korean drama based on the Chinese web series Go Princess Go . In it, ambitious chef Jang Bong Hwan serves South Korea’s most elite residents and politicians.

When he gets into a freak accident, he finds himself waking up in the body of Kim So Yong in the Joseon dynasty . As he navigates the treacherous court politics, he uncovers dark secrets about the supposedly meek King Cheol Jong.

Fascinating Body-Swap Romance In A Monarchy

Offering endless emotions as the story explores a commoner experiencing a sudden royal life, Mr. Queen was nothing short of a masterpiece. With their career-best performances, Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun became overnight stars and one of the major reasons for the show’s success. The sharp writing, jarring plot twists, comedic timing, and satisfying ending make the drama capture the essence of an era long gone.

Stream Mr. Queen on Netflix

The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

In his quest to create a balance between two worlds and escape the wound inflicted upon him as a child, the Emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, Lee Gun, accidentally gets propelled into another universe. He's surprised to learn that the strange new world — modern day Seoul — operates under the Republic of Korea, and not a Kingdom. Lee Gon teams up with Jeong Tae Eul, a detective, and together they work to stop an evil that plagues both worlds.

An Epic Combination of Fantasy and Romance

Back in 2020, The King: Eternal Monarch became the most popular Korean drama across the globe. It featured lavish production values, sweeping action, and spectacular performances from stars like Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun. But beyond the obvious reasons for its success, it was the series’ ambitious parallel universe premise and the epic combination of fantasy and romance that had an astonishing effect on the audience.

Stream The King: Eternal Monarch on Netflix

Live Up to Your Name (2017)

When a Joseon era doctor named Heo Im finds himself in modern-day Korea, almost 400 years into the future, he is stunned by the medical practices being followed currently. His unmatched traditional knowledge is suddenly dated.

Soon, he clashes with modern doctor Yeon Gyung and she mocks his invaluable medical know-how. Despite their differences, Yeon Gyung travels back with him to the Joseon era and realizes just how challenging ancient techniques can be.

Related: 10 Medical Drama TV Shows That Are Absolute Tearjerkers

Medical Drama Meets Time Travel

Finding its charm in the delicate examination of traditional Eastern medicine and Western practices, Live Up to Your Name is a humorous period drama. The development of clashes and eventual admiration between both protagonists makes the heart of the show, with the entertaining cast consisting of Kim Nam-gil and Kim Ah-joong. Every episode feels rich in Korean history and character development — no wonder it became such a fan favorite.

Life on Mars (2018)

Known to be the best in his profession, with the reputation of having solved the hardest of cases, detective Han Tae Joo is very close to rising up the ranks. However, while chasing a serial killer, he gets into an accident and finds himself transported back to 1988. Appointed as a rookie detective in a small city, Tae Joo must navigate the retro world of payphones and tape recorders. He soon realizes that he must solve a case of the past to get back to the future.

One Detective's Surreal Journey To The Past

Life on Mars drew a lot of praise and applause for its creative blend of crime thriller, mystery, and comedy. The drama is based on the 2006 British series of the same name , and suffice it to say, it does not disappoint. Whether it is the nostalgia of its late-80s setting or the impressive production design, there are elements that keep you engaged and guessing till the very end. Plus, Jung Kyung-ho, who you may know from Netflix's Crash Course in Romance , delivers a charming performance.

Marry My Husband (2024)

Despite only having four episodes premiered so far, Marry My Husband has shown great potential for becoming one of the best K-dramas of the year. The series starts off strong, with Kang Ji Won experiencing a troubled married life with her neglectful husband and abusive mother-in-law.

Things only get worse when she's diagnosed with cancer. And then on a fateful afternoon, Ji Won witnesses her husband Park Min Hwan in bed with her best friend Jung Soo Min. The two end up murdering her, and Ji Won surprisingly wakes up 10 years into the past, determined to exact revenge on them.

Modern Woman's Chaotic Attempts At Redoing The Past

Marry My Husband is based on the web novel of the same name written by Sung So-jak, and much like the source material, the series does a fantastic job at setting up the intrigue and tone by making us root for the protagonist.

Starring Park Min-young in an unabashedly endearing role, the series puts a more poignant spin on time travel tropes. Watching the protagonist moving past manipulation for genuine love and self-realized narrative has audiences eagerly waiting for another episode.

Stream Marry My Husband on Prime Video

80 of the Best Entertaining Time Travel TV Shows You Need To Watch

With romance, adventure, and fun plot twists, these time travel TV shows are sure to entertain.

The time travel trope is quintessentially romantic, with different themes and elements giving it a desperate, romantic air. There is the lone time traveler, bouncing across time in search of lost love. Or a group of travelers unable to return home due to a rift in the space/time continuum. Better yet, the star-crossed lovers fated only to get snatches of time together.  Swoon . There is so much to love about time travel TV shows!

At  The Silver Petticoat Review , we love time travel TV shows so much that we thought a list of binge-worthy shows was necessary.

Depending on your taste in time travel stories, below are 21 binge-worthy dramas, romantic comedies, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy stories (plus 59 bonus recommendations at the end). Not all are traditional versions of the trope, but each one includes an element of time travel.

Get ready! Your watch list is about to become longer!

Note:  Availability for the “Where to Watch” sections are for the US and are subject to change at any time. It was last updated in December 2022.

BINGE-WORTHY TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS (#1-21)

(in no particular order).

#1 Timeless *

Synopsis:  With history threatened by an evil consortium, a historian, soldier, and scientist join forces to travel through time to save history.

Their adventures take them across history, where they cross paths with some famous and lesser-known figures in history. Yet, each time they save history, they risk changing the future.

Where to Watch:  The NBC series is available on Hulu or to buy on Digital and DVD.

* Timeless  is one of my favorite time travel shows! A lovely,  action-adventure romance  with time travel!

#2 Doctor Who

Synopsis:   Doctor Who   follows the trials of an extraterrestrial Time Lord. Known as the Doctor, he/she travels through time to solve problems and battle injustice across the universe.

Using the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space) to travel, the Doctor recruits companions to assist him/her. With various incarnations,  Doctor Who  is a sweeping adventure in space and time.

Note: There are many iterations of  Doctor Who . Any would make our list of time travel series. Pick your favorite! The newer Doctors include Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker. The new Doctor will be Ncuti Gatwa in 2023.

Where to Watch:  You can stream the classic series on Britbox and the 2005 revival on HBO Max. Both series are available to buy digitally and on DVD.

#3 DC’s Legends of Tomorrow   

Synopsis:  Time-traveler Rip Hunter sets out to save the world with the timeline in catastrophic danger. 

Rip brings together an unlikely group of heroes and villains previously seen in  Arrow  and  The Flash.  

These heroes and villains must come together before they can save the planet. But can they put their differences aside before time runs out?

See our  review of  Legends of Tomorrow .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Netflix or buy digitally and on DVD.

#4 12 Monkeys * 

Synopsis:  Cole travels from a post-apocalyptic future to save the world from a lethal plague. He meets Dr. Cassandra Railly, a virologist, who joins him in his crusade.

It’s a race against time, as they trace the epidemic to its source and discover that appearances are deceiving and time itself is an enemy.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu or buy digitally and on DVD.

Related Post  Romantic Moment of the Week: 12 Monkeys: Cassie and Cole  

*Another personal favorite! When it comes to time travel shows,  12 Monkeys  hits all the right notes!

#5 El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Department of Time)

Synopsis:  A secret government agency recruits three people from different eras to protect Spain’s history.

They bounce through time, chasing time-traveling intruders bent on manipulating history for their own purposes.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Pantaya or buy on DVD.

#6 Travelers 

Synopsis:  Several hundred years into the future, the last humans discover a way to send their consciousness back in time. These “travelers” assume the lives of random individuals.

With only their knowledge of history and social media profiles to guide their way, the travelers quickly discover that experience in the 21st Century is as challenging as their mission.

Content Warning:  Rated TV-MA, the show has strong language, violence, and implied nudity.

#7 Scarlet Heart / Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

Synopsis of Scarlet Heart : A near-fatal accident sends Zhang Xiao, a 21st Century woman, back in time to the Qing Dynasty. It is Kangxi Emperor’s reign, and Xiao is now the teenage daughter of a Manchu general.

Known as Ma’ertai Roux, Xiao attempts to return to the future. Navigating new relationships and love, Xiao adjusts to her new life until, one day, it disappears.

Where to Watch:  Stream on  Viki .

Note: There is also a Korean version of  Scarlet Heart  called Scarlet Heart: Ryeo .  Read our review here . It is only available to buy on DVD.

#8 Making History  

Synopsis:  Misunderstood college facilities manager Dan Chambers discovers time travel, using pop culture to become a beloved 18th Century figure. However, Dan fails to realize the impact time travel has on the present.

When Dan causes Paul Revere to delay his famous ride, he alters the events of the American Revolution. Dan then recruits well-liked history professor Chris Parish for help in correcting history.

Where to Watch:  Rent on Amazon Video or buy Digital.

#9 Sleepy Hollow  

Synopsis:  Ichabod Crane comes back to life 250 years in the future, where he must solve a mystery going back to the time of the founding fathers.

However, he is not alone. Due to a blood curse, the headless horseman also returns to the living. The headless horseman begins a slaying spree in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod realizes that the headless horseman is the first of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Enter Detective Abbie Mills. Familiar with the supernatural, Abbie joins forces with Crane to stop the evil infecting Sleepy Hollow.

Where to Watch:  Stream  Sleepy Hollow  on Hulu, the CW app, CW Seed, and Tubi. You can also buy the series on Digital and DVD.

#10 Torchwood

Synopsis:  Former time agent, Captain Jack Harkness, leads the Torchwood Three to investigate unexplained extraterrestrial events on Earth.

The group, part of a covert agency called the Torchwood Institute, battles supernatural threats outside the protection of the British government and law enforcement.

Where to Watch:  Stream on HBO Max or buy on Digital and DVD.

Content Warning:  The series is TV-MA for strong language in a few episodes. It also includes occasional explicit sensuality, suggestive content, and violence.

#11 Being Erica *

Synopsis:  During therapy, Erica Strange shares her list of regrets with her therapist. In a twist in treatment, Erica goes back in time to those moments with a chance to make different decisions.

Faced with rewriting her past or leaving things as they are, Erica faces each moment with humor and a new appreciation for her choices.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu, Roku, Hoopla, Plex, and Crackle, and buy digitally and on DVD.

*The writing in this show is fantastic!

Content Warning:  Rated TV-14, it is, at times, TV-MA. There is sensual content, as well as nudity and some bad language.

#12 Heroes 

Synopsis:  Around the world, a group of ordinary people is discovering they have superpowers. One man wants their powers for himself.

To protect themselves, they must learn to help each other before he destroys them all.

Where to Watch:  Stream the superhero series on Peacock or buy digitally and on DVD. 

#13 The Librarians * 

Synopsis:  Based on popular TV movies,  The Librarians  are a group of people who protect magical items throughout time.

Consisting of an art historian, a thief, a mathematician, and a warrior, they travel through time to find supernatural objects and bring them under the protection of the Library.

Related:  Read our  romantic moment between Eve and Flynn from  The Librarians .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu, Hoopla, and Amazon’s Freevee. You can also buy it digitally and on DVD.

#14 Early Edition *

Synopsis:  Having lost his job and his marriage, Gary Hobson wakes up one morning to find a cat sitting on a newspaper bearing the next day’s date.

Gary quickly learns that this early edition allows him 24 hours to try and save many people’s lives.

Where to Watch:  All seasons are available for DVD purchase on Amazon Prime.

*This one is an outlier when it comes to time travel TV shows. The only thing that travels in time is the newspaper. Still, it’s Kyle Chandler….. swoon!

#15 Erased 

Synopsis:  Satoru goes back 18 years to prevent the passing of his mother and three classmates.

Where to Watch:  Netflix

#16 Outlander

Synopsis:  British Army Nurse Claire Randall is on her second honeymoon and looking forward to a career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly transported back to 1742, Claire finds her freedom and life are in danger.

RELATED: ‘Midnight at the Pera Palace’ Review: The Time Travel Romance is Irresistibly Good

To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser. An unexpected passionate relationship develops, and Claire becomes caught between two very different men in two very different lives.

See  our review of  Outlander .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Netflix and STARZ or buy on Digital and DVD.

Content Warning:  TV-MA with   explicit sensual content, nudity, assaults, and graphic violence.

#17 The Eternal Love 

Synopsis:  Unhappy with a forced marriage, Qu Tan Er attempts to end her life. She awakens from her failed attempt with the spirit of another woman inside her body. The modern Xiao Tan is Tan Er’s opposite.

Stuck in the past world, she cannot return to the present day. Whenever one of the women lies, the other person takes control. Soon, complications in love arise as the differing women fall in love with two different men.

What will become of the foursome? And will Xiao Tan be able to find her way back to her own time?

Where to Watch:  Viki

#18 Lost in Austen *

Synopsis:  This smart take on Jane Austen’s  Pride and Prejudice  finds modern, working girl Amanda Price trading places with Elizabeth Bennet.

Unable to return to her time, Amanda must try her best to fit in among the Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys. Yet, her presence in the lives of these beloved characters sets changes to the course of the classic tale.

See our  Lost in Austen review .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Britbox Amazon Channel, Freevee, and Pluto TV, and buy digitally on Amazon or DVD.

#19 Continuum 

Synopsis:  Detective Kiera Cameron, a cop from the year 2077, and a group of dangerous criminals called Liber8 are trapped in present-day Vancouver. Kiera must stop Liber8 before they destroy the corporate world, altering the future as she knows it. She enlists the help of tech genius Alec Sadler to find a way back home.

In the meantime, Kiera takes a job with the Vancouver Police Department. With help from her partner, detective Carlos Fonnegra, they keep tabs on Liber8. Different beliefs and backgrounds lead to suspicion, but slowly, Kiera and Carlos learn to trust each other.

Where to Watch:  Buy digitally from the Microsoft Store or on DVD.

#20 Frequency

Synopsis:  Detective Raimy Sullivan has lived with the pain and resentment of her father’s passing for 20 years. She believes her father, NYPD Officer Frank Sullivan, was corrupt, resulting in his passing. However, everything changes when she hears his voice coming from an old ham radio.

With Raimy’s warning in his ears, Frank survives the attempt on his life. Yet, the change in the past ends in tragedy for the future. Separated by time, connected by an old radio, the two detectives work together to find a way to rewrite the past without losing the ones they love.

Where to Watch:  Stream on the CW app and CW seed.

#21 Seven Days

Synopsis:  CIA Agent Frank Parker receives a special assignment from the NSA. He must travel back in time to prevent current-day catastrophes.

Yet, there is a catch – he must do so within seven days. Using a time machine built from alien technology, Frank races against time in the past to save the future.

Where to Watch:  Buy on DVD.

Whether you are a fan of pure romance or romantic comedies or love the adventure of time travel, there is something for everyone on our list of binge-worthy time travel TV shows. So dip in and travel back in time with some of the most swoon-worthy characters out there.

*Denotes a personal favorite of mine.

EVEN MORE TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS TO WATCH (#22-80)

This section was updated in 2022 by Amber and Autumn (co-owners and editors of  The Silver Petticoat Review ). 

Numerous time travel TV series exist, and you can never have enough to watch! So, we thought adding a lot more to the list would be fun. 

Enjoy! We included a *star next to our personal favorites.

• #22:  356: REPEAT THE YEAR  (2020) – Korean Drama about ten people traveling back in time one year.
• #23: * THE 4400  (2004; 2021) – We recommend the original series over the reboot. Both shows have 4400 people appearing in the present day from different time periods, not having aged a day since they originally disappeared.
• #24: * AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.   (2013) – The later seasons of this fun Marvel series are all about time travel – and they are marvelous! The love story  between Daisy and Daniel Sousa  is perfect.
• #25:  ALCATRAZ  (2012) – Prisoners from Alcatraz disappeared in 1963 – only to reappear in the present day. The short-lived drama lasted only one season.
• #26:  ALICE  (2022) – A new time travel romance TV series on Kocowa and Viki.
• #27:  ALWAYS A WITCH  (2019) – A time-traveling witch in this Colombian series ends up in the present day.
• #28: * CHARMED (1998; 2018) – The original and new series about three sisters (and witches) include time travel episodes. Both shows are entertaining – but the original is superior.
• #29:  THE CROSSING  (2018) – Refugees from the future travel back in time to seek asylum.
• #30:  DARK  (2017) (TV-MA) – The German sci-fi thriller series deals with a time travel conspiracy in this hugely popular Netflix drama.

RELATED: 50 of the Best Romantic Period Drama TV Series of All Time to Watch

• #31:  DIRK GENTLY/DIRK GENTLY’S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY   (2010; 2016) – Time travel is involved in these two versions of the story about a detective investigating supernatural cases.
• #32:  * A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES   (2018) (TV-MA – mild) – A witch and a vampire fall in love while trying to unravel the secrets of witches, vampires, and demons. She can time travel and much of  Season 2  takes place in Elizabethan times.
• #33:  FAITH  (2012) – Lee Min-ho stars in this time travel Korean series.
• #34: * FELICITY  (1998) – The coming-of-age romance drama from J.J. Abrams ends with a time travel twist.
• #35:  FIND ME IN PARIS  (2018) – A children’s show about an Edwardian ballet dancer who transports into the future with a mystical necklace.
• #36:  THE FLASH (AND OTHER ARROWVERSE SHOWS)  (2014)   – The CW superhero show is fun, likable, and regularly has time-travel storylines.
• #37:  FLASHFORWARD  (2009) – Joseph Fiennes stars in this canceled too-soon series about people having visions of their future.
• #38: * FRINGE  (2008) – An FBI agent explores unexplained fringe science with a scientist and his son in this brilliant sci-fi series.
• #39:  JOURNEYMAN  (2007) – Kevin McKidd stars in this show about a time traveler who helps people.
• #40:  KAIROS (2020) – The fantasy thriller K-drama series is available to stream on Viki and Kocowa.

• #41:  LA BREA  (2021) – A sinkhole in Los Angeles sends a group of people to an ancient world. Soon, a family becomes enmeshed in a time-travel conspiracy. It’s super fun (if illogical) and crazy – especially by Season 2.
• #42:  LEGION  (2017) (TV-MA) – Dan Stevens stars in this bizarre Marvel series about a man with abilities. Time travel becomes a significant element in Season 3.
• #43: * LIFE ON MARS/ASHES TO ASHES  (2006; 2008) (TV-MA – mild) – DCI Sam Tyler wakes up in 1973 after being in a car accident. The spinoff series  Ashes to Ashes  is about another Detective who wakes up in 1981.
• #44:  LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME (2017) – It’s a rom-com time travel K-drama series about a Joseon doctor transported into the present day.
• #45: * LOST  (2004) – Survivors of a plane disaster discover they’re stranded on a mysterious island. Time travel plays an essential role in the  brilliant romantic series .
• #46: * LOKI  (2021) – Loki ends up at the Time Variance Authority – agents who stop time variants and monitor the timeline. Loki soon must fight for his survival as he travels through time.
• #47: * MANIFEST (2018) – The mystery genre series begins when a missing airplane reappears five years later – and no one has aged.
• #48:  MY ONLY LOVE SONG (2017) – An actress time travels to the past in a magical van in this historical fantasy romance show.
• #49:  NINE: NINE TIMES TIME TRAVEL  (2013) – A TV anchorman tries to change his past in this romantic K-drama.
• #50:  THE OUTER LIMITS  (1963; 1995) – The sci-fi show includes episodes about time travel.

RELATED: 10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time

• #51: * PRIMEVAL/PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD (2007; 2012) – Primeval and its spinoff (not nearly as good) follow a team of agents and scientists capturing prehistoric creatures traveling to the present day through mysterious anomalies.  Doctor Who  fans should like this one.
• #52:  * QUEEN IN-HYUN’S MAN   (2012) – A scholar travels into the future and connects with an actress in this charming Korean fantasy rom-com.
• #53:  QUANTUM LEAP  (1989; 2022) – A scientist (Scott Bakula) becomes trapped in the past and must leap between bodies and various times. The original show is superior to the new one, but the revival is still entertaining.
• #54:  THE PERIPHERAL  (2022) (TV-MA for violence and profanity) – Chloë Grace Moretz stars in this new science fiction series with an original time travel twist.
• #55:  ROOFTOP PRINCE  (2012) – The popular fantasy rom-com Korean drama follows a Crown Prince from the past transported to the present day.
• #56:  *ROSWELL  (1999) – Two episodes of the iconic paranormal romance series deal with time travel.
• #57:  RUSSIAN DOLL  (2019) (TV-MA for lots of profanity and some explicit content) – A woman from NYC finds herself stuck in a time loop in this Emmy-winning series.
• #58:  *THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES  (2007) – The  Doctor Who  spinoff is a teen series with fantastic writing about the Doctor’s former companion, journalist Sarah Jane Smith, and her adventures with a group of teens.
• #59:  SHINING GIRLS (2022) (TV-MA) – Time travel plays into this mystery/crime drama starring Elisabeth Moss. The ending could have been better, but it’s an intriguing, well-acted series.
• #60:  SIGNAL  (2016) – This is South Korea’s version of  Frequency .

• #61: SISYPHUS: THE MYTH  (2021) – A woman from a war-torn future journeys to the past to change future events.
• #62:  SLIDERS  (1995) – A group of friends travels into parallel worlds.
• #63:  SOMEWHERE BETWEEN  (2017) – A woman relives a week to stop tragic events from happening.
• #64:  *SPLASH SPLASH LOVE (2015) – This adorable rom-com miniseries follows a teenage girl as she travels back in time to the Joseon Era.
• #65:  *STARGATE: SG-1  (1997) – A military team and scientists are part of a secret group that travels to other planets and occasionally different times through Stargates.
• #66:  *STAR TREK TV SHOWS (INCLUDING THE NEW SHOWS, PICARD, AND STAR TREK: DISCOVERY)  (Some series are TV-MA)   – Time travel plays an essential role in the  Star Trek  universe.
• #67:  STEINS;GATE  (2011) – An animated series about time travel.
• #68:  *TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES ( 2008) – This is an underrated romantic sci-fi series starring Lena Headey.
• #69:  TERRA NOVA  (2011) – A family from a dying future is transported to the prehistoric era to a colony of humans trying to survive.
• #70:  THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH  (2020) – A romantic K-drama series about two parallel worlds where time travel plays a part.

RELATED: The Day of the Doctor – An Impossible Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Theory

• #71:  THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE  (2022) (TV-MA) – Steven Moffat’s new (but short-lived) romance series is about a married couple dealing with the problems of time travel.
• #72:  TIME AFTER TIME   (2017) – A short but sweet romantic series about a young H.G. Wells.
• #73:  THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959) – The iconic classic series includes episodes about time travel.
• #74:  TOMORROW, WITH YOU  (2017) – A man can time travel with a subway and tries to avoid his future fate while also falling in love.
• #75:  TUNNEL (2017) – A detective travels 30 years into the future when chasing a suspect through a tunnel.
• #76:  *TRU CALLING  (2003) – A medical grad student develops an ability to relive the previous day and help people. 
• #77:  *THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY  (2019) – The quirky series follows former child heroes as they try to save the world.
• #78:  VOYAGERS!  (1982) – The classic family series follows a young boy and a team of time travelers as they fix history.
• #79:  11.22.63 (TV-MA for violence and profanity)   – James Franco stars in this mystery series based on the novel by Stephen King about a teacher who travels back in time to stop the JFK assassination.
• #80: MR. QUEEN (2020) – A chef is transported to the Joseon Era into the body of a queen in this Korean Comedy series.

What are your favorite time travel TV shows? What do you think is the best time travel show of all time? Drop me a line below!

Featured image credit: Doctor Who (BBC), Continuum (Showcase), 12 Monkeys (NBCUniversal Television Distribution), Torchwood (BBC), and Timeless (Universal Television/Sony Pictures Television/NBC). 

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Catherine is an avid reader and a self-declared professional binge watcher. It's not uncommon to find her re-watching a series or movie for the umpteenth time and still be crying into a box of tissues. When she's not hiding in her closet to read or watch a show or movie, Catherine is a wife, mother, and, in her spare time, a lawyer.

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26 thoughts on “80 of the Best Entertaining Time Travel TV Shows You Need To Watch”

thank you – have beeen looking forever for timetravel— y r we soooo fascinated– et me out of here i do not belon in this time — beeen this wy sincei ws 9 and read a book of a little boy being sent to mars after climbing a tree—- love fairies also — ok i am an old fashioned girl they used to call my pollyanna – then i became an out law—- my son in law does not beleive in annnnnythin but $$$$ and power– borrrrrring give me a gooood romance to live in.. oxoxoxoxoxoxox

This is a great list! I love the Korean drama Time Travel series. My favorites are Faith, Rooftop Prince, I love Lee Tae Ri, Signal and Tunnel.

Have you ever seen “Voyagers!”? It was like a predecessor to Quantum Leap and lasted 1 season on NBC. It stared one of the most beautiful men to ever grace television, the late Jon-Erik Hexum. He’s a roguish time-traveling pirate, Phineas Bogg, a Voyager that travels throughout time with a smart young boy and they have to fix moments where history’s gone wrong. It was a fun show. It’s definitely binge-worthy and Hexum was such a charming young actor. Although it was made with kids and education in mind, (Co-Produced by Scholastic) there’s plenty of romantic moments for Bogg!

He and Meeno Peluce (the boy, Jeffrey Jones) made a great team. I run a fansite and FB page for the series. You can watch it on Amazon Prime, and it’s currently free on NBC.com.

I own the series and I was heartbroken when Jon died. I recently bought the 30 episode tv show from the 60’s The Time Tunnel…. Now this was where most time travel shows spawned from. Especially Quantum Leap.

Nice list! Back to the Future made me a sucker for time travel plots. So would the cartoon count as one?

How can Outlander be #16?

You NEED TO READ – It clearly states that the shows are in No Particular Order!

You forgot ‘The Time tunnel’ – The first American time travel show

Goodnight Sweetheart is THE ultimate time travel show!

Maybe you guys can help me….. I’m looking for a series perhaps a movie….. not sure. only saw a piece of it and have been searching ever since. I even looked trough all the male actors to cross reference, nothing. It seem to involve time travel an attempt to shift history. Almost achieve the goal by manipulating the son of the leader – I know its horribly vague…. but he ends up speaking to his son. He explains the situation from a watchmakers point of view- His hobby is watchmaking….the comparison he draws between ‘leading’ or directing humans where they need to be is similar to the watchmaker making a clock. its been almost two years…. but so far no luck finding this series. Help 🙂

think you may be thinking of inception (link removed)

How could you not have Netflix’s Dark on this list?

I agree. Dark is a pretty good series (3 seasons on Netflix). It’s a German show so you have to up with English lip syncing, but once you get used to it, it’s a good show.

Absolutely the best time travel show ever made imo

It is on the list (#30).

12 Monkeys needs to be #1 … Pretty sure it’s the only show that properly does time travel and causality! Love it

Continuum seems to be right on the money as we see a few corporations [e.g., Amazon] displacing small business, and taking over government. Science Fiction frequently becomes Science.

Looks like Continuum is no longer on Amazon Prime (unless you want to buy it. Is it anywhere else?

It looks like it’s only available to buy on Digital and DVD/Blu-ray now.

Netflix’s DARK is the best Time Travel show ever made. Never believe anything else!

Timeslip UK kids show from 60`s predates all these and deals with past , future, global cooling(remember that) and cloning.

I’ve never heard of it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

It’s a indian movie named Time

Brødrene Dal og Spektralsteinene and Brødrene Dal og Mysteriet om Karl XIIs Gamasjer both have time travel as a key element. I prefer the former but both are pretty well planned out, although only the latter seems to remember concequences.

Thanks for the recommendations! 🙂

I like some others am trying to find a “Time Travel” movie that’s kind of like “If Only” Where a mans’ wife (Possibly Girlfriend) is killed in an auto accident an he keeps traveling back to that time to make her avoid it. He finds every time that it is avoided she is killed in another way. After so many attempts he goes back and gets in the car with her and they both die. So sort of like “If Only “ and sort of like the first part of “The Time Machine”(2002). I think the movie time-line was between 1970 and 2000 only guessing. I didn’t see the start of the movie. Always wanted to see it but the same accident happens or is averted only to have a new death.

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‘New Amsterdam,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ & More Bingeworthy Medical Shows on Netflix

Whether we’re casually flipping through channels or stealing quick glances at a waiting room TV, there’s just something about medical dramas that always pulls us in. Perhaps it’s the thrill of watching skilled medics race against time to deal with challenging cases, or maybe it’s the layers of drama surrounding these doctors’ personal lives. Either way, we simply can’t resist a good medical series that blends drama with mystery and romance . If you’ve also been craving similar content, then allow us to introduce nine binge-worthy medical shows on Netflix, from Grey’s Anatomy to Call the Midwife .

9 Shows Like Grey’s Anatomy to Add to Your Streaming Queue

1. New Amsterdam

• Cast: Ryan Eggold, Jocko Sims, Janet Montgomery

Some of the doctors are put off by the always-charming Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold), who joins the team as the new medical director. He’s determined to reconfigure the hospital’s outdated hierarchy, no matter the costs.

2. Call the Midwife

• Cast: Jessica Raine, Miranda Hart, Helen George, Bryony Hannah, Laura Main

Looking for a poignant period drama with feminist themes? Well, look no further. The series tells the story of a group of midwives who work in the poor East End of London during the ‘50s and ‘60s. Prepare to get emotional.

3. Grey’s Anatomy

• Cast: Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, Patrick Dempsey

ER meets Sex and the City in this Emmy-winning series. It chronicles the lives of several residents and interns at Seattle Grace Hospital (later named Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital) as they’re groomed to become skilled doctors.

4. Live Up to Your Name

• Cast: Moon Ga-young, Kim Myung-gon, Um Hyo-sup, Ahn Suk-hwan

Not only does it have the elements of a solid medical drama, but it also involves time travel . Heo Im (Nam-gil) is a famous doctor from the Joseon Dynasty who’s sentenced to jail after failing to properly treat the king for his migraines. But when Heo tries to escape, he accidentally time travels to modern-day South Korea and connects with the equally talented surgeon, Choi Yeon-kyung (Ah-joong).

• Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Cho Seung-woo, Won Jin-ah, Lee Kyu-hyung

Trouble ensues at a university hospital when the director dies of a heart attack and his newly-appointed replacement clashes with staff. Nuanced characters, swoon-worthy romances and dramatic plotlines abound in this enticing medical drama.

6. Chocolate

• Cast: Yoon Kye-sang, Ha Ji-won, Jang Seung-jo, Teo Yoo

This feel-good drama follows Lee Kang, a neurosurgeon who once had dreams of becoming a chef. His life takes an interesting turn, however, when he reunites with Moon Cha Young—the famous chef that he inspired several years ago.

7. Hospital Playlist

• Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do

This show follows a tight-knit group of middle-aged medics as they try to navigate their stressful jobs and personal challenges. Between the chemistry of the main cast and the comedic moments, this Korean drama is a must-watch.

8. Medical Police

• Cast: Erinn Hayes, Rob Huebel, Malin Åkerman, Sarayu Rao

A spin-off of the parody series, Children’s Hospital , this equally intriguing parody follows two doctors who are tasked with finding a cure to a threatening virus. But in the process, they uncover a big conspiracy. Though it mainly pokes fun at the spy genre, it’s packed with witty humor and offers a pretty refreshing take on medical dramas.

• Cast: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Jon Briones

Ever wondered about how Nurse Ratched became the cruel asylum nurse we all know from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest ? This dark psychological thriller explores just that. Set before the film, Ratched reveals the origin story of Mildred Ratched (Paulson) who, while a dedicated nurse on the surface, has much darker motives for working at Lucia State Hospital.

Is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Accurate? We Asked Medical Experts to Weigh in

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

• K-Drama Review

TV / Movies

K-drama premiere: a joseon acupuncturist time-travels to the future in “deserving of the name”, it’s going to be a fusion of traditional and modern medicine in tvn’s new time-slip drama – “deserving of the name”..

Kim Nam Gil (Shark) plays a famed Joseon era oriental doctor, Heo Im, alongside a feisty surgeon Choi Yun Kyung (Kim Ah Joong), who lives in the modern times for the new fantasy-medical-rom-com drama Deserving of the Name.

Well-known to the lowly people of Joseon, Heo Im takes a post as a skilled acupuncturist for the poor people of the country by day, and a secret doctor to the noble people by night.  His excellent knowledge in the needle based alternative medicine has acquired him a hefty amount of fortune. Despite all the successes and riches he has, he is still unhappy for not being able to get a formal doctor title, which is given only to people of noble lineage.

When the King is throwing a fiasco due to the extreme headaches he has been suffering from, the Royal doctor Heo Jun pays Heo Im a visit to discuss the treatment offer that he can do for the King. If he takes away the King’s pain, he is promised to be rewarded with any position he wants, but a failure would mean death for him. Off he goes to the palace, but they are interrupted by a persistent father, who has been bringing his weak daughter for medical care. Not knowing that his daughter has made a deal to Heo Im to just let her die so her father will not suffer anymore, he heads to meet his important patient, armed with mysterious needles which magically showed up beside his needle sets.

Positioned to stick the needle to the ailing King, his hand surprisingly trembles, and he ends up being chased by the army for not rendering the service to the King properly. Two shots of arrows hit him, making him fall to the nearby river. When he wakes up, he is transported to a place he is unfamiliar of.  He tries to look for Haeminso, but a memorial tablet is what is left of the old traditional medicine place. He walks without any direction, and bumps into Surgeon Choi Yun Kyung, who has been looking for her stubborn VIP female patient.

When a man suddenly fainted, Heo Im cannot resist the call to save his life. He checks his pulse to diagnose the body’s energy flow. Just when he is about to place the needle, Yun Kyung grabs his arm to stop him, and does an excellent first aid treatment before the ambulance came.  Bewildered on the things he has been encountering, Heo Im walks nonchalantly along the big road when a bus almost hit him.  Yun Kyung who witnessed the near accident faints after remembering a traumatic memory.

When Yun Kyung wakes up, she is surprised to learn that she has earned an instant guardian and boyfriend through the weird guy she met last night.  When her patient ran away again before her procedure, she finds him with Heo Im eating food together in the hospital’s cafeteria.

Yun Kyung orders her patient to go back to her room.  Heo Im pleads innocence of the situation, and tries to appeal on how he has checked the pulse of the patient whom he knows to be having a bad heart condition.  The hardheaded patient goes to another rebellion by forcing her wheelchair on a steep staircase but Heo Im cushions his body to hers.

Yun Kyung sutures a big cut on his arm as they converse about the healing they give in Joseon period.  They head for a psychiatric consultation as she thinks he is deranged, and also to discuss the recent resurfacing traumatic memories. But the patient appears again, and lures Heo Im with his needle set which is in her possession.  The patient runs against her weak heart making her faint.  With no one to rescue her, Heo Im pulls out his needles to revive her heart. Yun Kyung arrives and slaps Heo Im for meddling with her patient.

Deserving of the Name starts time wrinkling right away after the introduction of the main characters.  As noticed, there is a cryptic needle set that was inserted but not yet elaborated though. I’m guessing if the real function is actually the time travel catalyst.  Given the time-bending pretext, we are off to discover plot links, and maybe character connections of the past and present timelines.  I’m thinking of reincarnation, karmic justice, and constant bickering for the lead characters, who have different views on healthcare as story seasonings.

As medical dramas tend to be thriving on conversations, the acupuncture lessons, and comparisons of old age healing techniques versus contemporary medical treatment are what viewers would most likely gain and learn from this drama.

Although not faring well in the ratings game at the beginning stage, I have enjoyed and trusted all weekend dramas of TVN so far.  With actors of excellent calibre tasked to spin the story, the ingenious plot premise would be enough to give it a try. I have slight issues with time-slip dramas as it is starting to lose its magic showing the same clueless character in a whole new world which he is thrown in. Let’s wait and see if this drama will live up to its name, well since it’s saying that it is Deserving of the Name .

Deserving of the Name airs on TVN’s weekend slot at 9PM.

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The 16 Best Medical Drama TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

Doctor, get these viewers a TV, STAT!

What is it that draws us to medical dramas? Is it the sense of urgency whenever we’re hooked to watching doctors frantically try and save someone’s life? Are the smokey romances that spark up between co-workers? The trend of medical dramas continues to be strong among viewers. These shows offer a captivating blend of drama, suspense, and human emotion, making them a perennial favorite.

Moreover, shows like Grey's Anatomy , New Amsterdam , and Transplant not only provide an exciting look into the world of healthcare but also explore personal and societal issues, adding depth to the genre . Whatever the case is, medical dramas have been a reliable staple on television for decades, and if you need to have your fix on hospital drama, here are some of the best medical dramas that will surely keep you talking for days to come.

16 'St. Elsewhere' (1982 - 1988)

Created by joshua brand and john falsey.

There are many contenders for the title “ Best Sitcom of the 80s ,” and St. Elsewhere should be included in the chat. This medical drama, set in a rundown Boston hospital featuring a team of teaching doctors working miracles, was a tear-jerker every single week.

St. Elsewhere is one of the first shows to explore the personal and professional lives of healthcare workers in a realistic and nuanced way, especially since it usually incorporates surreal elements and dream sequences that take the narrative to the next level. The show is also unafraid to address controversial topics and explore issues of race, gender, and sexuality, making St. Elsewhere a groundbreaking medical series that paved the way for many of the medical dramas that followed.

St. Elsewhere

*Availability in US

Not available

15 'Doogie Howser, M.D.' (1989 - 1993)

Created by steven bochco and david e. kelley.

Imagine walking into a hospital, and the doctor treating you has to also study for a math test at his high school the next morning. That was the universe in which Doogie Howser, M.D . operated, which made a star out of Neil Patrick Harris as a gifted 14-year-old who became the youngest licensed doctor in America.

As unrealistic as that is, folks didn’t tune into Doogie Howser, M.D . week after week to experience the relatable ; they wanted to see a kid who was far away from legally buying beer, prescribing drugs to patients. Moreover, the show's use of a teenage doctor added a fresh perspective to the medical drama genre, and its blend of humor and drama made it a fan favorite. The show undeniably remains a classic.

Doogie Howser, M.D.

14 'chicago hope' (1994 - 2000), created by david e. kelley and john tinker.

The grumblings can be heard from the masses; “Why isn’t Chicago Med listed here?” Well, because, as good as that medical drama is, once you’ve seen Chicago Hope , its exclusion will be better understood. As one of the best and most rewatchable 90s dramas , Chicago Hope's popularity was also propelled by its ensemble cast that includes esteemed actors like Adam Arkin , Mark Harmon , and Mandy Patinkin .

This medical drama focused on doctors in a private hospital, who worked daily miracles to save and protect the patients that were in their care. Overshadowed by the NBC juggernaut that was ER , Chicago Hope , nevertheless, carved out its audience, and its spot in medical drama lore .

Chicago Hope

Buy on Amazon

13 'Saving Hope' (2012 - 2019)

Created by erica meredith and lesley grant.

Set in Hope Zion Hospital, Saving Hope follows Dr. Alex Reid, Chief of Surgery ( Erica Durance ), and her colleagues as they navigate the challenging world of medicine. Unlike other typical medical dramas, Saving Hope is beloved because of its perfect blend of medicine and the supernatural. Dr. Reid's fiancé, Dr. Charlie Harris ( Michael Shanks ), ends up in a coma and roams the hospital as a spirit, providing a unique and compelling twist.

What makes Saving Hope a Standout show is its fearlessness to explore life, death, and the afterlife. By featuring the supernatural relationship between Alex and Charlie, the show adds layers of depth and complexity to the medical drama genre. The show skillfully combines complex medical cases with touching human stories and a sprinkle of the supernatural, doing it in a way that doesn't translate as gauche.

Watch on Hulu

12 'New Amsterdam' (2018 - 2023)

Created by david schulner.

New Amsterdam follows the charismatic Dr. Max Goodwin ( Ryan Eggold ) as he takes over as medical director at New Amsterdam Hospital. The doctors and employees are unsure of his plans to eliminate the red tape in order to give top-notch care, despite his intransigence.

What makes New Amsterdam an exceptional medical show is its relentless commitment to addressing real-world healthcare issues. It tackles the bureaucratic red tape and challenges of providing quality healthcare head-on. Moreover, the characters are brilliantly portrayed, and the show's upbeat spirit never wavers , even when tackling tough topics. Those who miss the show will be delighted to know that a New Amsterdam sequel is happening that's set 30 years in the future and is centered on Max's daughter, titled New Amsterdam: Tomorrow .

New Amsterdam (2018)

Watch on Netflix

11 'The Resident' (2018 - 2023)

Created by amy holden jones, hayley schlain, and rossten leigh ceglia.

The Resident follows the titular character, Conrad Hawkins ( Matt Czuchry ), and the lives of doctors and nurses at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, a fictional hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The show explores the personal and professional lives of its characters, as they navigate the complex and often corrupt world of modern medicine.

The Resident has received accolades for its realistic portrayal of the healthcare sector and for not being afraid to address contentious subjects. It also received appreciation for its strong female leads and willingness to tackle racial and social justice concerns. Moreover, the combination of strong acting, melodramatic writing, and hospital horror in this show might appeal to that sizable audience. However, it was canceled after six seasons by Fox.

The Resident

10 'transplant' (2020 - 2024), created by joseph kay and yusuf mohamed.

Transplant revolves around Dr. Bashir "Bash" Hamed ( Hamza Haq ), a talented Syrian doctor who flees his homeland and starts anew in Canada, working at the fictional York Memorial Hospital in Toronto. Transplant Season 4 consisted of 10 one-hour episodes and wrapped up its arc.

The show is well-received due to its unique perspective on the medical profession. Transplant also showcases the resilience of immigrants , bringing diverse backgrounds and experiences into the hospital setting. Additionally, the show combines pulse-pounding medical emergencies with heartwarming human connections, all wrapped up in a thrilling narrative. it's a medical miracle that'll have viewers on the edge of their seats, and that's why it's a must-watch for any medical drama enthusiast!

9 'Good Sam' (2022)

Created by katie wech.

Good Sam follows the life of the titular character, Dr. Sam Griffith ( Sophia Bush ), who, after her renowned boss enters a coma, succeeds in her new leadership position as chief of surgery. However, Sam is tasked with managing the pompous physician who never recognized her exceptional talent when her former boss demands to resume his job months later.

The show directly tackles a wide range of medical issues, from rare diseases to ethical dilemmas, and highlights the importance of empathy and human connection in healthcare. In addition to delving into the inner lives of its protagonists, Good Sam offers viewers a look into the difficulties experienced by medical workers both within and outside of hospitals. This is why it's disappointing that Good Sam was canceled after just one season.

Buy on Apple TV

8 'The Good Doctor' (2017 - 2024)

Created by david shore and daniel dae kim.

The Good Doctor follows Dr. Shaun Murphy ( Freddie Highmore ), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, as he navigates his personal and professional life at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. It also examines the difficulties Dr. Murphy encounters as he tries to navigate the challenging path of a surgeon alongside his coworkers and patients, while also coping with his own issues.

The show beautifully combines compelling storytelling with accurate medical information and a diverse cast of characters. Additionally, The Good Doctor depicts nuanced takes on difficult medical problems and moral conundrums while also delving into the private lives and relationships of its protagonists. After seven years, The Good Doctor came to an end — and although they only did 10 episodes, they did it on their own terms.

The Good Doctor

7 'private practice' (2007 - 2013), created by shonda rhimes.

What happens when you leave a popular hospital in Seattle to set up your medical practice in Los Angeles? You get Private Practice , which continued showrunner Shonda Rhimes ’ winning streak of producing compelling medical dramas. The spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy , this series follows Dr. Addison Montgomery's ( Kate Walsh ) journey to Hollywood, where a whole different set of challenges awaited her. And j ust like the more popular medical show in Rhimes' universe, Private Practice is full of twists and turns , such as Addison's almost wedding and Cooper's ( Paul Adelstein ) relapse.

Moreover, Private Practice is known for its compelling storytelling and emotional depth. The show's plotlines are often filled with twists and turns, keeping viewers engaged and invested in the lives of its characters. The relationships between the characters are also a highlight of the show, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Private Practice (2007)

6 'scrubs' (2001 - 2010), created by bill lawrence.

Before it jumped the shark toward the end of its run, Scrubs was NBC’s preeminent medical dramedy in the early 2000s. Starring Zach Braff and Donald Faison , who now have a Scrubs podcast, the series follows a group of medical interns at Sacred Heart Hospital, and in its early days, threaded the needle perfectly between comedy and drama.

The formula grew stale by the end of its run, but watching Scrubs is the perfect time capsule to what medical dramas were like at the turn of the century. The accurate medical show is unique and innovative and also blends comedy and drama to create a one-of-a-kind viewing experience . Its use of humor also adds a fresh perspective to the medical genre and serious life-and-death issues.

5 'Nurse Jackie' (2009 - 2015)

Created by liz brixius, linda wallem, and john wells.

Do you remember Nurse Jackie ? Odds are, younger viewers who grew up in the streaming universe probably wouldn’t know what we’re talking about. However, during its seven-season run on Showtime, Nurse Jackie was a must-watch for medical drama lovers. Its main character is actively battling with her own demons, which make for a compelling, flawed, and multi-dimensional protagonist who is compelling.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about the series — just a show that focused on an emergency department nurse juggling the day-to-day expectations and grind of the ER. It also uses sharp wit and dark humor as a coping mechanism, which pairs well with the chaos and absurdity of what transpires in the emergency room. Well-received by critics and fans alike, Nurse Jackie is a series that deserves a revival .

Nurse Jackie

4 'grey's anatomy' (2005 - ).

Some will look at Grey’s Anatomy and see a “ Simpsons Problem.” It’s valid to say that this legacy medical drama has gone on a bit past its shelf life; but in its prime, Grey’s Anatomy was one of, if not the premiere medical series on TV . Led by Ellen Pompeo , the show highlighted some of the most gripping plot twists in medical dramas, with some of Grey's Anatomy 's best seasons highlighting gripping storylines such as a tragic plane crash or a vengeful gunman.

The cast was terrific, the writing was great, and there wasn’t a single week when you didn’t hear one person talk about how great this show was. The series launched showrunner Shonda Rhimes' career, and while it’s jumped the shark, Grey's Anatomy has some of the most anxiety-inducing episodes and is still one of the best medical dramas ever produced.

Grey's Anatomy

3 'er' (1994 - 2009), created by michael crichton.

While Grey’s Anatomy has anointed itself as one of the longest-running medical dramas in television history, it wouldn’t have largely been possible if it wasn’t for the booming success of ER in the 90s. Sure, St. Elsewhere was one of the better dramas of the 80s, but ER made the medical drama a blockbuster sub-genre. The landmark medical drama shows the daily challenges of the doctors and nurses at the County General Hospital in Chicago, including Dr. Mark Greene ( Anthony Edwards ) and Dr. Doug Ross ( George Clooney ).

The cast was impeccable, and the drama was top-notch. ER did get stale toward its end (especially compared to the then-fresh Grey’s Anatomy ), but doesn’t, by any means, tarnish the drama that paved the way for the Dr. McDreamys and Houses of the medical drama universe .

2 'M*A*S*H' (1972 - 1983)

Created by larry gelbart, laurence johnson, and gene reynolds.

There are no other words to say other than the fact that M*A*S*H was a phenomenon during its 11-season run on CBS. One of the rare TV shows at the time to be adapted from a movie, M*A*S*H followed a medical unit during the Korean War.

While the movie was a lot darker in its comedic tone than its television predecessor, the show was still seen as a cultural flashpoint during its run and a classic show that revolutionized the genre. Despite premiering almost 50 years ago, M*A*S*H still holds up today due to its unique mix of humor and drama, anti-war themes, and bold experimentation with the TV format . Also, the series finale is one of the more heartbreaking episodes ever produced.

1 'House' (2004 - 2012)

Created by david shore.

Dr. Gregory House ( Hugh Laurie ) was full of himself, but he earned it with the medical gifts that he possessed. When House , which explores the life of the brilliant but troubled titular doctor, premiered on Fox in 2004, it seemed like a medical drama for folks who were tired of the overwrought narratives that were starting to plague ER .

Over its seven seasons on the air, House emerged as a great drama on its own, with narcissistic comedic flair from Dr. House thrown into the mix . But in spite of its flawed and unlikeable protagonist, the show does have a lot of heart with its supporting cast and moving plotlines. House 's unconventional methods and abrasive personality add a unique perspective to the medical drama genre, and fans can't help but root for its complex characters.

NEXT: Weirdest Illnesses in Medical Dramas, Ranked

Screen Rant

The 20 best medical k-dramas, ranked.

Medical K Dramas bring the unique South Korean storytelling that's captured US audiences to the heart of the hospital and ER. Here are the best ones.

• Medical K-dramas offer a unique South Korean spin on the genre, covering a broad range of genres including romance and supernatural elements.
• The best medical K-dramas provide thrilling life-or-death situations in hospitals, exploring various medical procedures and moral dilemmas.
• These K-dramas are beloved by international fans, with themes ranging from family dynamics to revenge stories, and feature strong female protagonists in unique medical settings.

Medical procedurals are always an exciting option to binge-watch, and the best medical K-dramas put a unique South Korean spin that sets them apart from their US counterparts. K-dramas come in all genres that have fans enthralled from comedy, romance, and even medical dramas. Medical K-dramas still cover a broad range of genres, such as those in the world of psychiatry or veterinary or historical and supernatural, within their given storylines. These K-dramas have some romance, riveting thrills, the supernatural, and even laugh-out-loud comedy.

There are plenty of gasping and holding-your-breath thrills in the best medical K-dramas, as they often entail life-or-death situations both in the ER and the rest of the hospital. Whether a surgeon or psychiatrist, medical K-dramas can explore a variety of different procedural avenues . Romantic storylines in K-dramas are always a bonus feature, but not necessarily a requirement to make the list of best medical K-dramas. These medical K-dramas are considered some of the best to have premiered in South Korea and are beloved by international fans as well.

The Best K-Dramas Of All Time, Ranked

21 doctor cha (2023-), a housewife returns to the professional world as a medical resident.

A housewife (Uhm Jung-hwa) reenters the workforce after 20 years in this unique take on a medical K-drama. Though she’s been a housewife for years, Cha Jeong-suk has a medical degree and decides it’s time to put it to use. She has a big adjustment as she becomes a first-year medical resident.

The show is just as much a family dramedy as it is a medical series.

Complicating matters is the fact that Dr. Cha’s husband is a perfectionist and a surgeon who has been cheating on his wife and their son is also a surgical resident. The show is just as much a family dramedy as it is a medical series, making it a very different addition to the wealth of doctor K-dramas that exist. The show became one of the most popular Korean series in cable history in its native country while its popularity grew when it was made available to international audiences through Netflix.

20 A Poem A Day (2018)

A love triangle forms among medical students.

Many medical dramas, like ER and Grey's Anatomy , deal with the larger ensemble as it follows the lives and hard work of a variety of doctors, nurses, and other staff members in the hospital. A Poem a Day focuses on those who support doctors inside the hospital, such as nurses, radiologists, and physical therapists . The show follows three main characters, Ye Jae-Wook (Lee Joon-hyuk ), a physical therapy professor. Woo Bo-Young (Lee Yu-Bi), a physical therapist who dreams of becoming a poet, and Shin Min-Ho (Jang Dong-Yoon), a physical therapist who wasn’t able to enter medical school.

While it didn't win any accolades, A Poem a Day is a must-watch K-drama due to its relatable characters, emotionally charged episodes, and intriguing love triangle plot. It is also nice to see a medical drama highlight the support staff who are so vital to ensuring things run smoothly yet don't often get the spotlight in shows like this.

19 Cross (2018)

A brilliant young doctor is on a mission of revenge.

Cross is one of the most intriguing medical K-dramas as it introduces an exciting thriller element into the story . The show focuses on the career of a doctor named Kang In-Kyu (Go Kyung Pyo), a brilliant first-year resident doctor who has excelled in his young career so far. However, his dedication is revealed to have a secret motivation as Kang wants to use his position as a doctor to fulfill his plan to avenge his murdered father.

Combining a medical drama and a revenge story makes for a unique and compelling twist on the genre . The K-drama shows In-Kyu’s ethical and moral struggle between his sworn oath and satisfying his hunger for revenge. Kang makes for a great TV antihero as the audience can sympathize with his pain and his mission while also becoming frustrated with him being willing to throw away his bright future for his dark intentions.

18 D-Day (2015)

Doctors contend with the aftermath of a sinkhole appearing.

D-Day is an intense medical K-Drama with a twist as it was also tagged with a natural disaster storyline. Surgeon Lee Hae-Sung and orthopedic resident, Jung Ddol-Mi are faced with a monumental challenge. Both doctors are stuck in Seoul after a sinkhole appears in the city following an earthquake. The sinkhole causes the city to be blocked off as there's no electricity, water, or the ability to call for help. As doctors, Hae-Sung and Ddol-Mi work together to treat patients and those wounded.

There is a certain over-the-top aspect to the show that feels similar to a lot of natural disaster movies as the show attempts to be a notable entry into that genre. However, the best aspects of the show are dealing with the medical emergencies that arise in such a situation. Seeing doctors as the heroes of a disaster is a refreshing take on this kind of story .

17 Live Up To Your Name (2017)

A medical practioner time travels 400 years to modern-day south korea.

What is great about the medical K-drama genre is that they are not afraid to mix in some other genre elements, such as Live Up To Your Name combining a medical drama and a time travel adventure . Dr. Heo Im (Kim Nam-Gil) is an acupuncture specialist from the Joseon Era of Korea who caters to the poor. When he fails to treat the king, he is pursued for treason only to find himself transported to modern-day Seoul where he meets cardiothoracic surgeon Choi Yeon-kyung (Kim Ah-joong).

The wild premise sets up a very interesting approach to a medical show as it is a fish-out-of-water story of Heo attempting to understand modern medicine and getting taught by Choi. The two approach medicine from very different perspectives, which creates an unlikely partnership for them in an odd couple who can teach each other a lot.

16 Ghost Doctor (2022-)

The spirit of a skilled surgeon works alongside a clumsy young doctor.

Fans of the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope may find a lot to like in the similar medical K-drama Ghost Doctor with its fantasy twist. Dr. Cha Young-min (Rain) is a highly skilled surgeon who finds himself in a coma. His spirit is able to leave his body and join forces with another less experienced surgeon, Go Seung-tak (Kim Burn). While the latter has extensive medical knowledge he has a great fear of blood and clumsy practical skills.

What’s interesting about the series, however, is that it isn’t a case of just one doctor possessing another. There are multiple ghosts in the story that reveal just how the doctors at this particular hospital are able to do such good work , making this ghost story also a pretty uplifting one. Kim Burn also won the 2022 Korea Drama Award for Top Actor for his role in the series.

15 Jewel In The Palace (2003-2004)

The story of the first female royal physician.

Part medical K-drama and part historical K-drama , A Jewel In The Palace is inspired by the true story of Jang Geum, the first female royal physician during Korea’s Joseon Era. Jang Geum (Lee Young-ae) starts her royal employment as a member of the kitchen staff. She makes it her life’s work to understand everything there is to know about cooking, food, medicine, and the relationship between all of those .

While telling Jang Geum’s story, there’s also a focus on Korean culture and food. The combination of topics makes for a fascinating and unique entry into the genre while the show offers a sweeping epic feel in its exploration of this fascinating historical figure. For fans of the K-drama genre, this is an especially interesting one as it celebrates the culture of Korea in a way that is not seen in many of the modern modern-set shows.

14 Soul Mechanic (2020)

A psychiatrist deals with a challenging patient.

Soul Mechanic certainly ranks among the best medical K-dramas thanks to its exploration into psychiatry and overwhelmingly sweet storyline. In this romantic and scenic K-drama, psychiatrist Lee Shi-joon (Shin Ha-kyun) is completely comfortable with himself and his abilities within his profession. Using a healthy dose of humor and fun, Shi-joon takes psychiatric healing to a whole new level. However, he's given a problem patient in the form of musical star Han Woo-joo (Jung So-min), who suffers from serious anger management issues.

Soul Mechanic , also called Fix You , may feel reminiscent to shows like Shrinking in its ability to touch on serious subjects of mental health and therapy while also allowing for a sense of humor. Medical dramas can be so serious and dour at times that it is refreshing to have shows in the genre that provide a little lightness in their stories as well .

13 Doctor Detective (2019)

Sleuthing doctors investigate a medical cover up.

A wonderful woman-led K-drama, Doctor Detective follows Do Joong-eun (Jin-hee Park), an industrial health doctor. She ends up partnering with Dr. Heo Min-ki (Tae-gyu Bong) to uncover the truth behind a string of suspicious industrial accidents and diseases, soon finding herself and the other sleuthing heroes in the middle of a vast conspiracy.

The show is much more of a mystery thriller than a typical medical procedural drama.

This is another example of the genre-mashing medical K-drama that can achieve to great effect. The show is much more of a mystery thriller than a typical medical procedural drama. However, it manages to use the medical elements of its world to great effect to make the mystery all the more interesting and provide some fascinating heroes who use their expertise to get to the bottom of the secrets. While Doctor Detective has no awards to its name, the female-led K-drama kept solid ratings throughout its 16-episode run.

12 Once Upon A Small Town (2022)

A big city doctor find purpose and romance in a small town.

One of the best medical K-dramas also features a sweet romance storyline with Once Upon a Small Town . Seoul city boy and veterinarian Han Ji-yul (Choo Young-woo) returns to his hometown, a small village called Heedong, to take over the veterinary clinic from his ailing grandfather. While there, he befriends a young woman and police officer named Ahn Ja-young (Park Soo-young) who holds a secret.

In some ways, Once Upon a Small Town feels like the K-drama version of one of those Hallmark romance movies. It certainly features the similar elements of a busy city person reluctantly returning to a small town only to discover that this quaint and peaceful way of life, mixed with an alluring romance, is not as bad as they thought. It makes for a charming mix of a small-town doctor story and a budding romance that fits very well together.

11 Birthcare Center (2020)

An older first-time mother enters a post-partum care facility.

Another fantastic female-led K-drama, Birthcare Center makes it higher on the list of best medical K-dramas thanks to its realistic exploration into post-partum care and motherhood later in life. Primarily following high-powered executive Oh Hyun-jin (Uhm Ji-won), the proficient exec finds out that having a baby is much harder than she originally thought , and finds herself under constant scrutiny of other elitist mothers while residing at a post-partum care center.

It is another unique perspective to take in the medical drama genre, looking at a very specific area that doesn't get highlighted enough. It is a show about strong women in heroic roles , both with their medical work and the women dealing with the stress of childbirth. Birthcare Center received two award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.

10 Blood (2015)

A vampire works to save lives as a doctor.

Blood isn’t just a Korean medical series, but also a vampire K-drama . The series combines elements of both genres to create a compelling narrative. It was also nominated for four awards at the KBS Drama Awards after premiering but didn’t take any trophies home. It remains a fun and inventive mix of medical drama with supernatural elements that make for a thrilling series.

The series follows Park Ji-Sang (Ahn Jae-Hyun) as an incredibly successful surgeon who is hiding a rather big secret. He is actually a vampire who has learned to control his desire for blood so that he can save terminally ill patients. The supernatural elements and the medical cases are just the tip of the iceberg as the vampire doctor is also drawn to the niece of the chairman, giving a romantic element to the series as well.

9 Hospital Ship (2017)

Doctors aboard a boat help patients in island communities.

Unlike some of the other best medical K-dramas that are usually set in a hospital, Hospital Ship has its doctors traveling around in a ship and providing healthcare to those on far-flung islands . The thrilling K-drama show follows the lives of the doctors aboard the ship, Song Eun-Jae, a highly-regarded surgeon from a large hospital in Seoul, and Kwak Hyun, a famous surgeon who decides to render his military service by joining the ship.

Hospital Ship received awards from both the 10th Korean Drama Awards and the 36th MBC Drama Awards.

The unique setting makes the series stand out among the others in the genre while also giving it a sense of excitement that each episode provides something a little different. Some viewers found the show to be a slow burn due to the pacing of its episodes. Despite that, Hospital Ship received awards from both the 10th Korean Drama Awards and the 36th MBC Drama Awards.

8 Life (2018)

A young doctor suspects a cover-up in his hospital.

Once again a K-drama is about to deliver the kind of stories fans escape from the medical drama genre while also featuring a larger mystery at the center. Life follows Jin-Woo, a dedicated emergency medicine specialist at one of Korea's top medical centers. When the hospital's director suddenly dies from a fall, Jin-Woo suspects it wasn't an accident. Jin-Woo soon starts butting heads with the hospital's new president, Koo Seung-Hyo who believes running a business is the same as running a hospital.

Intermixed in the Netflix K-drama are the struggles of the hospital staff and Jin-Woo uncovering the dark conspiracies and cover-ups . However, they are still facing the everyday emergencies of the hospital while this larger story looms. Life won 3 awards in total, for Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenwriter at the 6th APAN Star Awards and Best Supporting Actress at the 2nd Seoul Awards.

7 Doctor John (2019)

Two doctors take different approaches to helping patients.

Doctor John is another one of the best medical K-dramas that surpassed the 16-episode mark with a total of 32 episodes. The drama centers around two doctors and the recurring theme of the morals behind euthanasia . Cha Yo-Han (Ji Sung) is a top anesthesiologist who comes off as rude and cold. He had previously served time in jail for euthanizing dying patients he could no longer help.

He and second-year resident, Kang Si-Young (Lee Se-Young) work together to diagnose patients and find the root cause of their pain. The show does a good job of showing the points of view of both characters, not willing to suggest one is right and the other is wrong. Doctor John has three accolades to its name, winning the Excellence Award at the 12th Korea Drama Awards and the Excellence Award in Miniseries (Actress) and Child Actor Award at the 27th SBS Drama Awards.

6 Doctor Stranger (2014)

A young doctor finds himself trapped in north korea.

North and South Korea have a very contentious relationship in reality, and that relationship is reflected in this popular medical K-dama . The series was even illegally purchased in North Korea by smugglers at its time of release. It also earned awards at the Korea Drama Awards, the APAN Star Awards, and the SBS Drama Awards, and became a huge streaming success in China.

The series follows a young South Korean man (Lee Jong-suk) who ends up stuck in North Korea when his father is asked to travel to the country for a medical emergency. He and his father are refused entrance back into South Korea, but as an adult, he’s eventually able to defect to South Korea and pursue a medical career of his own. What happened in his youth, including the woman he fell in love with, in North Korea, continues to affect his life as a professional in South Korea.

5 Doctor Prisoner (2019)

A falsely accused doctor begins his quest for revenge.

Doctor Prisoner takes fans down a dark path of revenge for a doctor who was wrongly accused. Na Yi-Je (Namkoong Min) is a top surgeon falsely accused of malpractice, kicked out of the hospital, and his reputation is ruined. Yi-Je decides to work as a doctor at a prison — but he has a hidden agenda. He hopes to accumulate enough prison connections to exact his revenge on the people responsible for his ruin.

Similar to fellow medical K-drama Cross in a number of ways, Doctor Prisoner meshes an intense revenge tale into the medical drama world led by a complex and captivating protagonist . Doctor Prisoner is highly acclaimed, scooping up a total of seven awards at the 14th Seoul International Drama Awards, the 12th Korea Drama Awards, and the KBS Drama Awards.

The unique take on the genre helps this stand out among other medical dramas.

4 Good Doctor (2013)

An autistic savant becomes a skilled doctor.

Many fans might not know that the popular American medical drama The Good Doctor starring Freddie Highmore isn't an original show. The American version is a reboot and adaptation of the medical K-dramas, Good Doctor . The 20-episode drama followed Park Si-On (Joo Won) who's an autistic savant. He enters a hospital as a pediatric surgery resident but has a tough time proving his worth. With only six months to earn his place the odds are against Si-On, especially when he starts to fall in love.

This is an especially interesting series to check out for fans of the American series . The original series perhaps handles the melodrama in a more effective way as that is more commonplace in K-dramas . Good Doctor is highly acclaimed among audiences and critics alike, earning 14 awards in the Korean Drama Awards, KBS Drama Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, and more.

3 Hospital Playlist (2020-2021)

A group of doctor friends go through life and their jobs together.

Hospital Playlist is a must-watch that features laugh-out-loud comedy, heartfelt emotions, and unexpected plot twists. The medical K-drama got such rave responses from fans that Netflix approved a second season. Hospital Playlist focuses on five best friends who met in medical school. Now they all work as surgeons in different departments at the same hospital.

Fans watch as these friends face life challenges including raising a child, a broken marriage, career-changing decisions, and family troubles. All the while, these characters deal with the harsh reality of working as doctors . Through it all, this group of friends always finds a way to uplift each other with some comedy. Hospital Playlist has won 14 separate awards, including some for its great soundtrack, but it is slightly better than the other medical K-drama because of its hilarious ensemble cast.

2 Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)

A man with an identity disorder and his psychiatrist.

Kill Me, Heal Me revolves around Cha Do-Hyun (Ji Sung) , a business heir who has Dissociative Identity Disorder and seven alters due to a couple of traumatic events. He seeks the help of first-year psychiatry resident Oh Ri-jin (Hwang Jung-eum), only for Ri-Jin's journalist twin brother, Oh Ri-on (Park Seo-joon), to start digging for dirt around Do-hyun and his wealthy family.

This is another sweeping romance with a complicated relationship at its center. Much like Good Doctor , Kill Me, Heal Me got both a Chinese remake ( A Seven-Faced Man ) and a Hong Kong remake ( Threesome ), with the Hong Kong version turning it into a legal dramedy instead. Kill Me, Heal Me is easily one of the best medical K-dramas based on its accolades record alone, earning 17 awards and being nominated for an additional 17.

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Warren buffett says he has sold all of his paramount global stock, losing “quite a bit of money”.

• Medical Dramas Take Over Nielsen Streaming List As ‘The Resident’ Jumps To No. 1, Followed By ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

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The Resident is claiming sweet victory on the Nielsen streaming list.

After making its debut during the previous interval thanks to some measurement adjustments on Nielsen’s end, the medical drama racked up 1.18B minutes viewed across Netflix and Hulu from April 1 to 7.

It was joined in second place by another medical procedural, Grey’s Anatomy. According to Nielsen, that show put up 1.15B minutes viewed during the interval.

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Disney+ locked in third and fourth place with Bluey and Wish , respectively. The kids show, which is consistently in the Top 10, put up another billion-minute week with nearly 1.1B minutes viewed. Meanwhile, Wish was the first film on Disney+ to hit the billion-minute mark since  Elemental with 1.018B minutes viewed.

Netflix’s 3 Body Problem took quite a hit, falling from a two-week stint at No. 1 down to No. 5 during this week. Still, the eight-episode series managed 937M minutes viewed. That’s a fairly strong showing for the title and, though it did lose nearly a billion viewing minutes from the prior interval.

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