Feeling empty after finishing “My Royal Enemy”? These 5 god-tier time-travel K-dramas are totally worth rewatching
Every single one is a classic!
“My Royal Enemy” has been generating a lot of buzz lately. If you’re anxiously waiting for the next episode like I am, check out the editorial team’s five must-watch time-travel K-dramas. From the breakout 2024 hit “Lovely Runner” to 2012’s ratings phenomenon “Queen In-Hyun’s Man,” every one has stood the test of time. Check out this watchlist spanning more than a decade and get ready for the weekend.
Picking recommendations from the countless K-dramas out there isn’t easy. For this list, we mainly ruled out series with overly drawn-out plots or gaping logical flaws. A well-constructed script was our top consideration, especially stories that remain clear even as they jump across timelines. The leads’ chemistry also carried significant weight. When two souls from different eras meet, a lack of emotional sparks can easily pull viewers out of the story. After several rounds of discussion, the editorial team selected these five exceptional dramas, combining recent breakout hits with classics that premiered more than a decade ago and are hard to surpass in both story and reputation.
Popular time-travel dramas from recent years
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“Lovely Runner”
This 2024 breakout hit is one of the most successful fantasy time-travel dramas in recent years. To save her idol, who dies in an accident, the heroine returns to her high school days 15 years earlier. What initially seems like a simple fangirl story keeps taking unexpected turns, while its pure-romance atmosphere sends your heart racing. Watching the leads work to change the future makes your heart pound along with them every time.
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“Mr. Queen”
The soul of a modern male chef travels into the body of a Joseon queen, and the contrast alone makes for plenty of laughs. Shin Hye-sun perfectly captures the character’s bold, carefree nature, delivering a truly brilliant performance. This 2020 drama reached an astonishing 17.3% viewership rating and remains the gold standard for comedy in many viewers’ eyes.
Classic dramas that have stood the test of time
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“Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”
The heroine accidentally travels to the Goryeo era and becomes caught up in the princes’ struggle for the throne and their tangled relationships. Lee Joon-gi and IU’s outstanding performances vividly convey the helplessness of being unable to control your own fate amid the tide of history. This 2016 drama has a powerful lingering impact, and many fans are still asking for a second season.
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“Nine: 9 Times Time Travel”
If you enjoy a mind-bending drama, don’t miss this one. The male lead accidentally comes across nine mysterious incense sticks that can take him 20 years into the past, and he tries to change the tragedies that occurred there. Every change to the past triggers unexpected butterfly effects, and the script’s airtight logic is enough to give you goosebumps, making the cost of time travel feel strikingly real.
The editorial team’s personal favorite among the classics
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“Queen In-Hyun’s Man”
Among the many newer and older titles, this 2012 masterpiece is the one the editorial team most wants to recommend revisiting. It lacks the elaborate CG effects of today’s dramas, yet its solid script keeps viewers thoroughly engaged. The most praiseworthy part is that Kim Bung-do, the male lead, never loses his wits as he travels between two eras with a talisman. Rather than seeming overly clueless as an ancient man in the modern world, he shows an impressive ability to adapt. This evenly matched romance, along with the pair’s sweet interactions, can still bring a smile to your face today.
While you’re staying home this weekend and waiting for “My Royal Enemy” to update, pick a drama you like to tide yourself over!
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