This Plot Twists-Filled Sci-Fi K-Drama is a Must-Watch for Any Time Travel Fan

Summary

• From March to April 2020, the Korean MBC TV series 365: Repeat the Year aired on Korean MBC TV.
• It's a story about ten time travelers who learn that their decision to go back in time had dire consequences for themselves.
• The series deserves more attention as it is one of the smartest takes on the idea of time travel.

Time travel is a popular trope in South Korean television. There are plots about moving from medieval to modern Korea, like Live Up to Your Name, and vice versa to the distant past, like Mr. Queen, and romantic dramas that transcend time and space, like Blue Birthday and A Time Called You.

But among all the K-dramas, there's one from 2020 that offers an incredibly stunning twist on a seemingly exhausted trope, thanks to an incredibly gripping thriller in the lives of its characters. Let's find out what this show is all about.

What Is the K-Drama in Question About

We're talking about the TV series 365: Repeat the Year. Based on the novel Repeat by Japanese author Kurumi Inui. Tthe series effectively blends elements of sci-fi, fantasy and, most importantly, an incredibly suspenseful thriller.

Ten people have been given a chance to go back in time. And while each of them is initially excited about the potential to radically change their lives, their 'resets' lead to more questions, more dangerous situations and more sheer terror.

Is It Really Worth Watching

We're all used to time travel as a typical pop culture trope by now, but would you be willing to do something like that in real life if you had the chance? While the answer may seem obvious to some, given how much the idea has been romanticized, including in Korean dramas themselves, 365: Repeat the Year will make you question the clarity of such a decision.

First, 10 newly minted time travelers find themselves in dangerous situations right from the first 'reset' of their lives, particularly being stalked by a serial killer. What and where could have gone wrong?

Second, despite the potentially life-changing opportunity, all 10 characters, fearing for their own lives, are suspicious of each other, believing the killer to be one of them. All this only adds to the uncomfortable and beautifully written tension that grows with each episode and doesn't let up due to the wild plot twists. In fact, you'll be just as on edge in the final episode as you were in the fourth or fifth.

Where and How to Stream the Show

KOCOWA+ — For US users, all 24 episodes of 365: Repeat the Year are available primarily on this streaming service dedicated to South Korean pop culture. There are two subscription options, Basic ($6.99 per month or $69.99 per year) and Premium ($7.99 per month or $79.99 per year). The only differences are the number of profiles and the ability for Premium plan users to download and watch videos offline. KOCOWA+ also offers a 14-day free trial.

Amazon Prime — The series can also be streamed through Amazon's own platform. This requires a combination of a Prime subscription and the aforementioned KOCOWA. The former costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year (or $7.49 per month or $6.99 per month for students and members of the EBT, Medicaid, and SNAP programs, respectively), while KOCOWA, as mentioned, starts at $6.99 per month. In addition, Prime comes with a 30-day free trial, and KOCOWA's trial period on Prime is 7 days. Plenty of time to binge-watch the series!

Viki — Like many other K-dramas, the series is available for streaming on Rakuten Viki. Although it is a free, ad-supported service, some of the movies and series are available exclusively with a subscription, the Viki Pass, and that includes 365: Repeat the Year. Viki has two subscription plans, Standard and Plus. The first costs $5.99 per month and gives you access to HD (720p) and access to 1 device. The second is $9.99 per month, but offers Full HD (1080p) and access to 4 devices.