Time travel stories in K-dramas are like that one friend who always shows up with surprises—you never quite know what you’re going to get, but you know it’s going to be good. Sometimes it’s a heartbreaking trip into the past, other times it’s a futuristic warning about where humanity might be headed. Either way, the thrill of bending time never gets old.
And let’s be real: Koreans do this genre so well. The mix of fantasy, human emotion, and, of course, romance makes time travel dramas addictive. They don’t just entertain, they also make you think: What if I had a second chance? Would I change my choices? Or would I just mess things up even more?
If you’re scrolling Netflix or looking for your next binge, here’s a list of time travel K-dramas that will keep you hooked from the very first episode.
Signal Is More Than Just a Crime Thriller
If there’s one drama that always shows up on “best of” lists, it’s Signal. And for good reason.
This 2016 masterpiece combines crime, mystery, and supernatural elements without ever feeling overstuffed. It follows Park Hae Young (Lee Je Hoon), a profiler in 2015, who stumbles upon a walkie-talkie. Sounds normal, right? Except this one lets him talk to detective Lee Jae Han (Cho Jin Woong) from the 1990s.
Together, with team leader Cha Soo Hyun (Kim Hye Soo), they start solving cold cases—and exposing corruption along the way. The kicker? Many of these cases are inspired by real-life crimes in Korea, like the infamous Hwaseong serial murders. That detail alone gives the show an extra layer of weight.
When it aired, Signal pulled in ratings up to 12.5% on cable TV, which was massive back then. But more than numbers, it left viewers questioning justice, time, and the haunting idea that some wounds never fully close.
If you’re new to K-dramas, this one’s a must. And if you’re already a veteran fan, you’ve probably rewatched it at least once.
Go Back Couple Hits You With Real Life Emotions
On the surface, Go Back Couple looks like a typical rom-com. But it’s actually one of the most heartfelt dramas about marriage, regret, and love you’ll ever watch.
Choi Ban Do (Son Ho Jun) and Ma Jin Joo (Jang Na Ra) are on the brink of divorce after ten years together. But then—bam—they wake up back in their university days. Suddenly, they have the chance to redo their love story from the beginning.
This setup could’ve gone cheesy, but it doesn’t. Instead, it shows the pain of drifting apart, the beauty of young love, and the bittersweet “what if” moments every adult has wondered about. Watching them laugh, cry, and grow again will make you reflect on your own relationships, whether you’re single or married.
It’s sweet, emotional, and surprisingly deep. If you’ve ever wished for a rewind button on life, this one’s going to hit home.
Mr Queen Serves Comedy and Intrigue in the Joseon Palace
Now let’s switch gears into something chaotic and hilarious: Mr Queen.
Picture this: Jang Bong Hwan, a cocky chef in modern Seoul, suddenly wakes up in the body of Queen Cheorin during the Joseon dynasty. Yep, you read that right. It’s a body-swap time travel drama with palace politics, sizzling romance, and laugh-out-loud comedy.
Shin Hye Sun absolutely kills it as Bong Hwan trapped in the queen’s body. She balances sass, confusion, and eventual tenderness so flawlessly that you forget you’re watching one actor juggle two personalities. Then there’s King Cheoljong (Kim Jung Hyun), who appears weak and easygoing at first but turns out to be much sharper than he lets on.
The mix of slapstick humor and serious palace intrigue works way better than you’d expect. And audiences agreed—the show reached ratings over 17%, making it one of tvN’s biggest hits ever.
Honestly, Mr Queen is one of those dramas you watch when you need both belly laughs and jaw-dropping twists.
Sisyphus The Myth Turns Time Travel Into High-Stakes Action
Not all time travel dramas are lighthearted. Sisyphus: The Myth is a tense, action-packed ride that feels more like a blockbuster movie stretched into a series.
Han Tae Sul (Cho Seung Woo) is a genius engineer digging into the mysterious death of his brother. Enter Kang Seo Hae (Park Shin Hye), a fierce warrior from the future who literally drops into his life. Her mission? To stop a nuclear war by preventing the wrong people from creating dangerous tech called the “Uploader.”
Explosions, gunfights, rooftop chases—you name it, this drama has it. Sure, some people said it leaned a little heavy on the sci-fi jargon, but the chemistry between the leads and the wild stakes made it impossible to look away.
If you’re into stories that mix brains, heart, and big-budget spectacle, Sisyphus is worth the binge.
A Time Called You Balances Romance and Mystery
Grab tissues for this one. A Time Called You is a Netflix drama that mixes heart-wrenching romance with eerie mystery.
Han Jun Hee (Jeon Yeo Been) is grieving the death of her boyfriend Yeon Jun (Ahn Hyo Seop). Out of nowhere, she’s transported back to 1998 into the body of a teenager named Min Ju. And standing right in front of her? Nam Si Heon, who looks exactly like her late boyfriend.
Confused yet? That’s the point. The story twists between past and present, fate and choice, love and loss. And as Jun Hee tries to change tragic events, she discovers that time travel isn’t just about second chances—it’s also about heartbreaking consequences.
This one keeps you guessing with every episode. If you love bittersweet romance mixed with timey-wimey mysteries, it’s perfect.
Lovely Runner Makes You Believe in Second Chances
Few dramas in 2024 made as much noise as Lovely Runner. And honestly? It deserves all the hype.
Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) loses her spark after a tragic accident. The one thing keeping her going is her idol, Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok). But when Sun Jae dies suddenly, she’s devastated—until she wakes up in 2008, back when they were both 19.
Talk about a chance to change fate. Watching Sol try to protect Sun Jae and rewrite their story is as romantic as it is nerve-wracking. It’s not just a fluffy teen romance; it’s about hope, resilience, and the idea that love can actually change the future.
TIME magazine even named it one of the best Korean dramas of 2024. If that doesn’t convince you, the swoony moments and emotional rollercoaster will.
Bon Appetit Your Majesty Is the Upcoming Feast We Can’t Wait For
Let’s talk about the future—literally. Bon Appetit, Your Majesty is set to drop in August 2025, and the buzz is already huge.
Im Yoon Ah (yes, from Girls’ Generation) plays Yeon Ji Yeong, a French chef who suddenly finds herself in Joseon. There, she meets King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min), a ruler feared for being ruthless but secretly obsessed with food. Naturally, he’s blown away by Ji Yeong’s French cooking and brings her into the palace kitchen.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a sageuk without political intrigue, jealous consorts, and rival princes stirring trouble. With Kang Han Na and Choi Gwi Hwa in the cast, this one promises both sizzling romance and delicious palace drama.
Adapted from the web novel Surviving as Yeonsan-gun’s Chef, it’s shaping up to be a fresh spin on time travel storytelling. Mark your calendar—you don’t want to miss it.
Why These Time Travel Dramas Stick With Us
Here’s the thing. Time travel in K-dramas isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a way to explore love, loss, regret, and destiny in ways that feel personal. Whether it’s solving cold cases, fixing broken marriages, or fighting off the apocalypse, these stories remind us of one universal truth: if we could go back, we’d all want to make different choices.
But maybe that’s the beauty of these dramas. They let us live out those fantasies, laugh at the chaos, cry at the heartbreak, and hope that maybe, just maybe, love can bend even time itself.
So grab your snacks, pick your favorite from this list, and get ready to lose hours of your life. Trust me—it’ll be worth every second.