10 Best Sci-Fi K-Dramas To Get Lost In

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If you’re a fan of Korean dramas, especially those with a sci-fi twist, you’ll be thrilled to discover that the K-drama industry has been dabbling in this genre for quite some time. The outcomes have been nothing less than thought-provoking and unforgettable. Although K-dramas are well-known for their intense melodramas and passionate romances, they’ve also ventured into sci-fi territory and left viewers spellbound with stories about alternate realities and time-traveling investigators.

In the realm of K-drama productions, I’ve come across some captivating mini-masterpieces that redefine the sci-fi genre by seamlessly blending elements from mystery, action, romance, and even a dash of humor. These shows hold their own against their Western counterparts in terms of quality. The narrative arcs delve deeply into characters’ lives, while the storylines present thought-provoking discussions on technology, AI, and the ethical quandaries that surface when manipulating reality. In essence, they keep me hooked from start to finish.

Here are the 10 best sci-fi K-dramas to get lost in.

10
‘A Time Called You’ (2023)

The story A Time Called You revolves around the theme of a mysterious journey through time and a love that has gone astray. It centers on Han Jun-hee, a young woman still grappling with the loss of her boyfriend Koo Yeon-jun, who died a year prior. In an unusual turn of events, she is transported back to 1998, inhabiting the body of a high school student named Kwon Min-ju who shares her likeness. To make matters even more peculiar, she encounters Nam Si-heon, a boy who bears a striking resemblance to Yeon-jun.

Love That Defies Time

Time travel is frequently used as a theme in science fiction stories, and the novel “A Time Called You” beautifully weaves this idea with sensitivity. This captivating tale includes elements of romance and mystery, creating an emotionally intense narrative that leaves readers with a sense of nostalgia for the ’90s while maintaining a dreamlike atmosphere. The performances by Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon are exceptional, demonstrating through their characters that love can indeed surpass the boundaries of time.

9
‘Glitch’ (2022)

Glitch deviates significantly from typical K-dramas. Instead of introducing us to Hong Ji-hyo, a woman seemingly living an ideal life, we find her entangled in a chaotic web of mystery when her boyfriend mysteriously disappears without a trace. The sole hint? A puzzling flash of light. In search of explanations, Ji-hyo forms an alliance with her friend Heo Bo-ra, a Twitch streamer and member of the UFO observer community, to unravel the enigma.

Keeps You Guessing

The drama gains its strength from its unexpected elements. It blends the suspenseful allure of topics such as secret plots, cults, and alien enigmas with the heart-wrenching fear that comes from losing those close to you. Although it delves deeply into emotional upheavals, the compelling interaction between actors Jeon Yeo-been and Nana is the key factor propelling the narrative, making their collaboration one of the series’ most captivating elements.

8
‘Dr. Brain’ (2021)

The core idea of Dr. Brain’s theory revolves around Sewon Koh, an accomplished brain scientist with a fascination for uncovering novel ways to grasp human consciousness. After his family experiences a devastating accident, he becomes determined to unravel the truth. Utilizing an experimental approach deemed radical, he delves into the memories of his late wife, using snippets from those recollections to help him decipher the circumstances surrounding her demise.

A Psychological Sci-Fi Thriller

At first glance, Dr. Brain might appear as an engaging crime-solving mystery series. However, upon closer inspection, each episode delves into the psychological depths of certain characters, causing a merging of reality and illusion that forms an intricate maze difficult to comprehend. Masterfully directed by Kim Jee-woon, this drama features Lee Sun-kyun in an exceptional performance. Visually captivating, it exudes an unsettling atmosphere, and its climax leaves viewers spellbound.

7
‘The Silent Sea’ (2021)

In a chilling sci-fi suspense, titled “The Silent Sea“, we delve into a grim future marked by a catastrophic drought. The story unfolds as a group of soldiers from the space agency embark on a mission to Balhae Station on the Moon, tasked with retrieving a secret sample from an abandoned lunar facility. However, what awaits the astronauts at this eerie outpost is something far more unsettling.

Sci-Fi Mystery Set in Space

This Netflix production, featuring Bae Doona and Gong Yoo, is a compelling blend of science fiction and mystery genres. It delivers a suspenseful storyline that gradually intensifies with each installment, with survival being the main objective. The lunar landscape and world-creation are so intricately detailed that the visuals are equally stunning and foreboding. In essence, it tackles themes of ecology, corporate exploitation, and ethical dilemmas in a way unparalleled by any Korean drama to date.

6
‘My Holo Love’ (2020)

My Holo Love is a touching blend of human feelings and artificial intelligence. The protagonist, Han So-yeon, is a young woman who struggles with prosopagnosia, a condition that makes it difficult for her to recognize faces, leading her to avoid forming deep relationships with others. This all changes when she encounters a pair of smart glasses which introduce her to Holo, an advanced AI friend developed by Go Nan-do, a secluded tech genius.

A Tale of Human-AI Connection

The narrative unfolds as So-yeon develops sincere relationships with Holo, while Nan-do, who bears the same exterior but not the essence of his technology, grapples with his emotions. This science fiction tale presents an unparalleled love triangle within its genre. Rather than treating AI as a mere futuristic notion, the series offers a unique perspective, stimulates reflection, weaves a charming narrative, and showcases a delightful romance between Yoon Hyun-min and Ko Sung-hee.

5
‘Alice’ (2020)

In a perplexing twist, Alice refers to a K-drama centered around alternate realities and a scientist possessing the secret to temporal navigation. Set in 2050, ALICE stands for an undercover organization that oversees time travel and assists individuals in reuniting with their kin. However, when an agent journeys back to 1992 and learns she is pregnant, she defects and secretly raises her child. As the years pass, her son matures into a detective, crosses paths with a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his mother, and becomes entangled in a plot concerning the very structure of time.

Packed with Twists and Turns

Alice,” comprising 16 episodes, leaves viewers captivated due to its thought-provoking narrative that keeps them guessing with every installment. The series skillfully combines complex storylines, deep emotions, physics, and time travel, resulting in a gripping tale. Joo Won’s exceptional portrayal of Jin-gyeom, the contemporary detective, serves as the drama’s anchor, guiding its exploration of action, mystery, science fiction, and poignant moments.

4
‘Memories of the Alhambra’ (2018)

In “Memories of the Alhambra”, Yoo Jin-woo serves as CEO for a firm focused on producing optical equipment. He encounters an email describing a cutting-edge AR game taking place during medieval Spain, played through contact lenses. Fascinated, he ventures to Granada, but finds that the inventor of this game has mysteriously disappeared. Jin-woo allies with Jung Hee-joo and dives into the game in an effort to uncover the secrets surrounding Jung Se-joo’s vanishing.

Gripping Technological Thriller

This sci-fi K-drama stands out by incorporating an innovative plotline that blends an augmented reality game, a missing persons mystery, and the chilling concept of virtual conflicts seeping into real life. It’s not only captivating but visually stunning, seamlessly merging gaming elements and terminology within its narrative. Hyun Bin masterfully portrays the haunting struggle of a character stuck in a game he can’t break free from, while Park Shin-hye brings a comforting balance with her insightful performance.

3
‘Tunnel’ (2017)

In my view, embarking on a frantic pursuit through a shadowy labyrinth and making an astounding leap across decades forms the core of the captivating crime thriller with a science fiction edge, titled Tunnel. Set in 1986, I find myself hot on the heels of a relentless murderer, detective Park Gwang-ho. However, an unexpected turn of events propels me forward through time to the year 2016, where this ruthless killer continues his reign of terror. Joined by another gifted detective, Kim Seon-jae, and a skilled criminal psychologist, Shin Jae-yi, we embark on an exhilarating journey to unravel this enigmatic case together.

Police Procedural with a Twist

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but rave about “Tunnel” – a captivating K-drama that masterfully blends crime, suspense, and time travel into a gripping tale that reels you in from the very first frame. The intricate character arcs and thoughtful examination of the moral complexities surrounding time travel are matched by stellar performances from Choi Jin-hyuk, Yoon Hyun-min, and Lee Yoo-young, making every moment of the investigation an engaging experience that demands your full attention.

2
‘Signal’ (2016)

Similar to the series “Tunnel”, but with a more intricate narrative, Signal focuses on Park Hae-young, a criminal profiler in 2015. An unexpected find – an old radio – grants him the ability to converse with detective Lee Jae-han from 1989. By joining forces, these two intellectual powerhouses work tirelessly to solve long-unsolved crimes, aiming to rectify history by rooting out corruption within the police department.

A Time-Traveling Cop Drama

It’s clear that changing the past or future through time travel brings about unexpected repercussions, often causing chaos in people’s lives. In the drama ‘Signal’, stars Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong grapple with the risks of meddling with time in every episode. The show’s widespread praise and dedicated fanbase are a reflection of its gripping and indelible storytelling.

1
‘W: Two Worlds’ (2016)

This captivating tale blends romance with an engaging sci-fi plotline. The story centers around Oh Yeon-joo, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, who gets entangled in the world of a webtoon crafted by her father. In this new realm, she crosses paths with Kang Cheol, a character she’d only encountered within the pages of her dad’s comic books. It turns out that the storyline of the webtoon and Yeon-joo’s existence in the parallel universe are connected to Kang Cheol’s feelings.

Genre-Defying Romance

The captivating series, titled “W: Two Worlds“, offers an intellectually stimulating narrative that delves into the potency of writing and the malleability of existence in a mesmerizing manner. Though its initial premise may seem ordinary, it demonstrates remarkable ingenuity within the realm of sci-fi K-dramas. The electric chemistry between Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo further elevates this series, setting it apart as a distinctive entry in the genre. The visually stunning color palette, gripping storytelling, and unconventional love story are just some of the factors that make “W: Two Worlds” a truly unique K-drama in the realm of sci-fi.

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2025-04-19 23:38