5 K-Dramas With Modern Spin On Korean Mythology
You can count them as education.
If you think there is nothing better than a good ghost story or mysterious supernatural creature at the center of a TV show's plot, we beg to differ.
It's even better when the story also offers a glimpse into the real-life legends of another culture. That is why K-dramas that have an element of mythology will always be superior to those that are completely made up.
Here are 5 K-dramas that would be perfect for a slow dive into Korean folklore.
Hotel del Luna (2019)
Hotel del Luna isn't your usual dream vacation destination. Instead, it's a middle point between the world of the living and the afterlife. Run by the greedy soul of Jang Man-wol, who can't get rid of it thanks to the crime she committed a millennium ago, it welcomes any spirit with unfinished business down on Earth.
Korean Odyssey (2017)
This drama is a modern interpretation of the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. Jin Sun Mi, who was born able to see all ghosts and spirits, met two of them when she was a young girl, and this meeting completely changed her life. Now, 25 years later, the trio meets again, but this time it's Sun Mi who has the power.
Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)
Shim Chung was not made to survive the dangers of the modern world, especially not as a mermaid. But her heart leads her from Joseon to modern Korea, where she falls in love with a con artist who cares only about a multiple-million-dollar jade bracelet on her hand. In a situation like this, she has to learn to survive quickly.
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010)
Gumiho, also known as the nine-tailed fox, is perhaps one of the most popular characters in Korean mythology. Imagine Cha Dae Woong's surprise when one day he accidentally releases such a creature from a painting in a temple and it saves him from the injuries he suffers. There is no other choice but to stay together moving forward.
Goblin (2016)
While many people dream of immortality, Kim Shi, who has been around for centuries and has seen too many people come and go, seeks death. The problem is that he can only be killed by his bride, a mortal who can draw the special sword and end his life. And once they find each other, they fall in love, which complicates things even more.