The fantasy-superhero k-drama The Uncanny Counter packed a strong punch as it ended its 16-episode run on Jan. 24. According to Nielsen Korea, its final episode scored an average rating of 11% in Korea, making it the highest-rated drama of cable channel OCN.
If you’re one of the millions who tuned in to the season finale on Netflix and are looking for more of the same, then we’ve got you covered.
K-dramaland has no shortage of fantasy and webtoon or manhwa (graphic novel) adaptations that deal with powerful beings, mythical creatures, or supernatural powers. Stories about what happens after death, and the adventures of the afterlife, also abound. Here is a number of shows you might want to watch to help relieve a hangover from The Uncanny Counter:
If you want more fantasy...
W: Two Worlds Apart (2016)
A webtoon adaptation about a fictional webtoon called W, this fast-paced 16-episode thriller will keep you on the edge of your couch until the series finale. The action begins when W’s main character, Kang Chul (Lee Jong-suk), and the webtoon illustrator’s daughter, Oh Yeon-joo (Han Hyo-joo), mysteriously find themselves able to cross into each other’s worlds. The insane chemistry between the lead actors is an added bonus.
Available on Netflix and Viu
Extraordinary You (2019)
Based on the popular DAUM webtoon, July Found by Chance, Extraordinary You is a fun and unique k-drama that will have viewers laughing, as it makes fun of the most used tropes and stereotypes found in rom-com manhwas.
The stage is set when Eun Dan-oh (Kim Hye-yoon) enters the story. She’s pretty, rich, and popular with the boys. She takes being a manhwa character all in stride... until she realizes that she's not the main lead! In denial about the story the writer has planned for her, Dan-oh vows to change her fate with the help of another supporting character, Ha-ru (Rowoon). But along the way, Dan-oh and Ha-ru discover that their story does not begin and end in just one book. The chemistry between the leads and the meta-level humor definitely make this a series an easy binge.
Available on Netflix, Viu, and iQIYI
If you want to see more superpowers...
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017)
Meet k-dramaland’s most adorable superhero: Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young), a tiny bundle of cuteness who inherited Herculean strength from her mother’s side of the family. She puts this strength to good use as the bodyguard of Ahn Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik), the young CEO of a gaming company facing death threats, who hires her after seeing her beat up a group of gangsters. Comedy, romance, and even a bit of mystery ensue.
Available on Netflix
My Love from the Star (2013)
Credited with reigniting interest in Hallyu back in 2013 and 2014, this fantasy rom-com features an alien, Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), who enjoys enhanced vision, hearing, and speed while on Earth. His peaceful 400-year stay on the planet is disrupted when top actress Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) moves into the condominium unit next to his, and drags him into the craziness that her life is. If you haven’t seen this classic yet, check it out not just for the superpowers on display, but also to find out why it propelled Kim Soo-hyun into superstardom and earned Jun Ji-hyun the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Available on Netflix
If you want more characters seeking cosmic atonement...
Hotel del Luna (2019)
In one of her most iconic roles, Lee Ji-eun (IU) plays the cold and mysterious Jang Man-wol, the cursed CEO of a strange and curious hotel in Seoul, visible only to departed souls en route to the afterlife. Hired to help her run the place is hotelier Koo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo), a perfectionist who takes time to warm up to his cold clientele. Beneath its overarching theme of cosmic atonement, this show delivers heart-tugging tales of love and loss, regret and forgiveness, and—yes—even epic romance.
Available on Netflix
If you want to see more ghosts and evil spirits...
Oh My Ghost (2015)
Despite being made in 2015, Oh My Ghost still endures as one of the more memorable comedies about death and the afterlife. A huge part of the drama's appeal is the effervescent Park Bo-young, who plays a psychic who reluctantly allows a feisty spirit to use her body in order to settle some unfinished business. As Na Bong-soon, she is a shy cook who will never admit to having a massive crush on her boss. But when possessed by a flirtatious (and horny) ghost... well, the expected hilarity ensues. Jo Jung-suk stars as her boss and perpetually befuddled love interest trying to understand where the real Bong-soon ends and the flirty one begins. Expect a lot of laughter, some tears, and a whole lot of cooking.
Available on Netflix
Bring It on, Ghost (2016)
Based on a webtoon of the same name, Bring It on, Ghost gives the musogin (people who practice shamanism) romance with a sprinkling of action and comedy on the side. While the lead character, Park Bong-pal (Ok Taec-yeon) is not a baksu (a male shaman), he has the ability to feel and see ghosts. He uses this ability to make money by fighting weak spirits. In an attempt to fight stronger spirits, Park Bong-pal seeks the help of Kim Hyun-ji (Kim So-hyun), a maiden spirit trying to find her memories. In pursuit of their goals, Park Bong-pal and Kim Hyun-ji take on ghosts together! While not the best of its genre, Bring It on, Ghost is a good watch for those who want to explore supernatural k-dramas but still want the romance-heavy feels.
Available on Netflix, Viu, and iQIYI
Possessed (2019)
A supernatural k-drama that will definitely play with your emotions, Possessed tells the story of Detective Kang Pil-sung (Song Sae-byeok) as he tracks down a prolific copycat serial killer. He is shocked to find that the copycat serial killer is really an evil spirit trying to gain more power. To stop this evil spirit, Kang Pil-sung seeks the help of Hong Seo-jung (Go Joon-hee), a strong mudang (shaman) descendant. This series boasts of a good storyline, lovable supporting characters, and capable artists. Though not big-name stars, Song Sae-byeok and Go Joon-hee carry their roles with aplomb, and will definitely make viewers root for their love story. A fair warning to viewers: expect your emotions to be tossed about.
Available on Netflix
If you want to see more of Jo Byung-gyu...
In case you're not in the mood for another fantasy k-drama, you can still fill the void left by Jo Byung-gyu by watching his other dramas.
SKY Castle (2018)
Before stepping into the role of a Counter, Jo Byung-gyu played Cha Ki-joon, the twin of Cha Seo-joon (Kim Dong-hee). His character is also the younger brother of Cha Se-ri (Park Yoo-na), who, unbeknownst to the family, is lying about her admission to Harvard University.
As one of the Cha children in SKY Castle, poor Ki-joon is subjected to his father’s intense academic rigor and study methods, which he despises so strongly.
Available on Netflix
Hot Stove League (2020)
As a young co-worker and gopher for the DREAMS baseball team, Han Jae-hee could just have been easily dismissed as a spoiled rich boy who got a job through his connections. However, as both the players and its administrative team undergo massive overhauls, Jae-hee reveals that there is a lot more to his character than what we are initially led to believe.
Available on Netflix
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