Time travel in K-dramas is one of those tropes that never gets old. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion after all. We all, at some point, wish we could go back to the past to relive the best moments of our lives or to correct past mistakes, hoping for a better present. Or jump into the future to know what path we should take in the present to avoid a disaster or win a lottery.
Whether it’s jumping centuries back to the Joseon era or leaping into the future, these K-dramas mix romance, comedy, and suspense in ways that keep us hooked. There’s just something captivating about watching characters struggle with fate and second chances and coming up successful… or not.
Here are twelve of the best time-travel K-dramas that will make you smile and bring you to tears, and perhaps make you appreciate more what we have right now in the present.
1. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Genre: Romance • Historical • Melodrama
Episodes: 20
Where to Watch: Viki • Prime Video • Viu
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is legendary for the emotional punch it packs. During a total solar eclipse, a modern-day woman named Go Ha Jin (played by IU) is transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty. She wakes up in the body of Hae Soo, a young noblewoman, and finds herself surrounded by the royal princes of the Wang family. At first, she’s caught up in their camaraderie and lighthearted moments. But she’s soon pulled into the dangerous world of palace politics and power struggles.
As Hae Soo navigates life in the past, she becomes entangled with the brooding 4th Prince, Wang So (played by Lee Joon Gi). Lee Joon Gi brings Wang So to life with a performance that’s both haunting and irresistible. It’s impossible not to be drawn to him.
This drama is an emotional roller coaster. It’s beautiful and tragic, and honestly, you’ll probably cry buckets. The time-travel element sets up the inevitable heartbreak since we already know the future. But knowing the future doesn’t make the pain less, and that’s what makes this drama unforgettable. Seriously, prepare tissues.
Best for: Epic romance and tearful tragedy.
2. Mr. Queen (2020)
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Historical
Episodes: 20
Where to Watch: Netflix • Viu • Viki
Jang Bong Hwan (played by Choi Jin Hyuk) is a Blue House chef with a free-spirited personality. While trying to escape the investigators who are chasing him, he falls into the water and wakes up in the body of the crown princess Kim So Yong (played by Shin Hye Sun) during the Joseon dynasty.
What follows is a series of hilarious shenanigans as he tries to navigate palace life with his modern mindset, shocking everyone around him with his behavior and mannerisms.
Shin Hye Sun’s performance is iconic in this drama. Her comedic timing is spot-on, but she also delivers on emotionally heavy scenes. She is a joy to watch as Jang Bong Hwan in the body of the Queen while he works his way through palace intrigues and struggles to adjust to royal duties he never asked for.
Bong Hwan also slowly develops a complicated relationship with King Cheol Jong (played by Kim Jung Hyun), who hides his own secrets behind an ignorant facade. Both Shin Hye Sun and Kim Jung Hyun shine in this drama with their strong, nuanced performances and great, sizzling chemistry. Add in the political intrigue and clever writing, and you’ve got a drama that balances humor with heart beautifully.
Best for: Laughs and witty palace hijinks.
3. Go Back Couple (2017)
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Slice-of-Life
Episodes: 12
Where to Watch: Netflix • iQiyi • Viki
Choi Ban Do (played by Son Ho Jun) and Ma Jin Joo (played by Jang Na Ra) are a married couple in their late thirties, worn down by daily struggles and on the verge of divorce. Just when they think their relationship has reached its breaking point, they wake up to find themselves back in their college days before marriage and all the responsibilities that weighed them down. Suddenly, they have the chance to relive their youth and make different choices.
This drama hits right in the feels. It’s both funny and deeply moving. Their awkward attempts to relive their youth are entertaining and endearing. But as they reconnect with old friends and rediscover each other, they begin to see their marriage in a new light. The love is still there, it’s just got buried under routine, unmet expectations, and disappointment built up over the years.
Go Back Couple mixes humor with heartfelt emotion, showing that love isn’t always about perfection. It’s about growing together through the ups and downs. You’ll laugh and cry, and probably reflect on your own relationships while watching.
Also, makes you want to hug your mother and spend time with her while she is still alive.
Best for: Heartfelt family drama with laughs.
4. Queen In Hyun’s Man (2012)
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Historical
Episodes: 16
Where to Watch: Prime Video • Apple TV
Kim Boong Do (played by Ji Hyun Woo), a Joseon scholar loyal to Queen In Hyun, discovers a mysterious talisman that allows him to travel through time. His journey brings him to modern-day Seoul, where he meets Choi Hee Jin (played by Yoo In Na), an actress playing Queen In Hyun in a historical drama.
Unlike other time-travel dramas packed with politics or mystery, Queen In Hyun’s Man focuses on love that transcends time and the burden that comes with it. Loving someone who might disappear without warning, without explanation, feels terrifying in a quiet way. So even though it’s a rom-com, there are moments that made me cry.
The chemistry between Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na is off the charts. Their love story feels so natural and swoon-worthy. This drama has some of the most iconic kiss scenes in K-drama history.
Best for: Timeless romance and swoon-worthy kisses.
5. Rooftop Prince (2012)
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Historical
Episodes: 20
Where to Watch: Netflix • Viki
Rooftop Prince is one of the classic time-travel rom-coms. Crown Prince Lee Gak (played by Park Yoo Chun) from the Joseon dynasty suddenly finds himself transported to modern-day Seoul, along with his three loyal retainers. Their attempts to adapt to the strange new world are hilarious, from struggling with technology to navigating everyday city life.
However, what begins as a fish-out-of-water comedy quickly turns into something deeper as Lee Gak uncovers mysteries that connect the past and present. It has enough mystery to keep the stakes high, along with a sweet romance that blossoms across centuries. It’s charmingly old-school K-drama, a perfect blend of humor and heart.
Best for: Classic rom-com with a twist.
6. Nine: Nine Times Time Travel (2013)
Genre: Romance • Mystery • Supernatural
Episodes: 20
Where to Watch: Apple TV • Tubi
Nine: Nine Times Time Travel is a mind-bending drama and one of the most complex takes on time travel I’ve ever seen. A TV news anchor, Park Sun Woo (played by Lee Jin Wook), stumbles upon nine mysterious incense sticks that allow him to travel back exactly 20 years. With this newfound power, he sets out to change the past, hoping to protect his loved ones and fix mistakes that have haunted him.
But every change ripples forward, creating consequences he never expected. Every attempt to fix the past creates new problems, new regrets, new losses.
The storytelling demands your attention but the payoff is worth it. Nine is about the weight of choices and the impossibility of truly controlling time. It’s clever and emotional, and one of the most well-crafted time-travel dramas out there. Definitely not a light watch, but worth it.
Best for: Mind-bending storytelling and emotional depth.
7. Tomorrow, With You (2017)
Genre: Romance • Fantasy
Episodes: 16
Where to Watch: Netflix • iQiyi • Viu
Tomorrow, With You takes a softer and more introspective approach to time travel. Yoo So Joon (played by Lee Je Hoon) is a successful CEO who secretly has the ability to travel through time by taking the subway. After glimpsing a tragic fate in his future, he decides to marry Song Ma Rin (played by Shin Min Ah), a quirky and warmhearted photographer, believing that tying their lives together might change destiny.
It’s a heartfelt journey as their relationship grows in unexpected ways, with Ma Rin teaching him what it truly means to live. What I love about this drama is how it explores the limits of how much we can really control our fate, even if we know the future. And because of that, we should live in the present and appreciate what we have right now.
This drama doesn’t rely on flashy time jumps. It’s about the quiet, everyday choices that shape our lives. Perfect if you want something thoughtful rather than dramatic.
Best for: Gentle romance with a touch of destiny.
8. Twinkling Watermelon (2023)
Genre: Romance • Coming-of-Age
Episodes: 16
Where to Watch: Netflix • Viki
Twinkling Watermelon is a gem for anyone who loves music mixed with fantasy. It follows a high school student, Ha Eun Gyeol (played by Ryeo Un), who accidentally time-travels back to 1995 and meets his parents as teenagers. Drawn into their world, he joins a band with them, trying to figure out how to change their future while keeping his own identity under wraps. The setup is both hilarious and heartwarming, especially when he realizes how little he knew about his parents’ youth.
This drama balances humor, family bonds, and youthful romance perfectly. The music adds an extra layer of charm with band practice scenes that feel nostalgic and full of energy. It’s a vibrant coming-of-age story that celebrates both love and generational connections.
Best for: Nostalgic vibes and family-centered storytelling with music.
9. Life on Mars (2018)
Genre: Action • Mystery • Psychological
Episodes: 16
Where to Watch: Disney+
Adapted from the British series, Life on Mars blends crime and time-travel seamlessly. Detective Han Tae Joo (played by Jung Kyung Ho), a brilliant but emotionally distant investigator, suffers an accident during a case and wakes up in the year 1988. Suddenly stripped of modern technology, he’s forced to solve crimes using old-school methods alongside a quirky retro police team.
The retro setting is fascinating, full of vintage vibes and cultural throwbacks. But it’s not just about nostalgia.
This drama is suspenseful and thought-provoking, sprinkled with enough humor to keep it from getting too heavy. As Taejoo adjusts to this strange reality, he uncovers truths about himself and the cases he’s working on. The mystery of why he’s stuck in the past keeps you hooked till the end and makes you question reality.
Life on Mars is an absolute hidden gem.
Best for: Crime drama fans who love retro vibes.
10. 365: Repeat the Year (2020)
Genre: Thriller • Mystery • Fantasy
Episodes: 24
Where to Watch: Viki
If you love suspense, this is your jam. 365: Repeat the Year is about ten people who are given the chance to reset their lives by going back one year, but what starts as a dream quickly spirals into a nightmare. It’s fast-paced and full of twists. It keeps you guessing who’s trustworthy.
The time-travel hook is used brilliantly. Every reset comes with consequences, and the tension builds as the characters realize they may have made things worse. Everyone has a reason for wanting to go back and none of them are pure.
This drama made me uneasy in the best way. I feel like something bad is about to happen every episode, even during calm scenes. Incredible acting from Lee Jun Hyuk and Nam Ji Hyun, and they have good chemistry too. If you love mystery and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, this one’s a must-watch.
Best for: Suspense lovers and mystery fans.
11. The Best Hit (2017)
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Slice-of-Life
Episodes: 32
Where to Watch: Netflix • Viki
Also known as Hit The Top, this drama is pure fun with a quirky twist. A popular idol from the 1990s, You Hyun Jae (played by Yoon Shi Yoon), accidentally time-travels to the present day. Suddenly, he’s dealing with smartphones, social media, and a completely different entertainment industry that has completely changed since his glory days.
His cluelessness about modern life is hilarious, especially as he tries to navigate fame in a world that barely remembers him. Watching him interact with modern-day trainees and celebrities is both awkward and endearing. Yoon Shi Yoon absolutely shines here, bringing both humor and sincerity to his role. The cast also has incredible chemistry with each other.
The Best Hit is fun but also has a heartfelt core. It’s a story about chasing dreams while confronting regrets. The romance unfolds with a gentle sweetness, and the friendships feel authentic and comforting. It’s lighthearted but leaves you with a warm, hopeful feeling.
Best for: Comedy, nostalgia, and second-chance dreams.
12. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (2025)
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Historical
Episodes: 12
Where to Watch: Netflix
Yeon Ji Young (played by Im Yoona) is a passionate chef at the peak of her career. On her way home after winning a prestigious competition in France, she is suddenly transported back in time to the Joseon era ruled by a gourmet tyrant King Yi Heon (played by Lee Chae Min). Thrown into the royal kitchens, Jiyoung must use her culinary skills to survive palace intrigue and the king’s unpredictable temperament.
Cooking becomes a way to survive and eventually influence the people around her. The humor is playful and the food scenes are mouthwatering. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a whimsical time-travel drama that shows how a good meal can resolve all conflicts. And I’m not exaggerating. In this drama, food can solve everything!
It’s lighter compared to others on the list, with lots of humor and heartwarming moments. Perfect if you want something fun and less heavy, but still with that magical time-travel twist.
Best for: Lighthearted fun with foodie flair.
Final Thoughts
Time-travel K-dramas make us imagine what we would do if we could rewrite the past or glimpse the future. From laugh-out-loud comedies like Mr. Queen and The Best Hit to heart-wrenching dramas like Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Nine, each drama offers its own spin on what it means to rewrite fate. They make us reflect on our own choices and remind us that love and friendship remain timeless themes. That even across eras, the human desire for connection never changes.
Whether you’re in the mood for romance, mystery, family bonds, or even crime-solving in retro style, these twelve dramas prove that time travel is one of the most versatile and captivating tropes in K-drama land. So grab your snacks and get ready to journey across centuries. You’ll find yourself hooked before you know it.
Which time-travel K-drama is your favorite? Share in the comments!