Honestly, the moment I ended the last episode of Goblin- my next step was crashing to Google and typing “Best KDramas like Goblin” (of course after I wiped my tears of joy “SPOILER ALERT” thanks to the reunion of Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak).
Goblin offered everything, from an epic fantasy to the best-class comedy. But the way it blended romance with fictional history and mysticism is something that sets a benchmark making it hard for other dramas to match.
But my hunt for a Goblin-like kdramas still didn’t stop until I watched, and rejected, and watched more, and rejected more, and ended up founding some of the titles that made me feel the same way the way Goblin did. (Alright, not exactly the same way but still enjoyed them quite a lot!)
Let me introduce you to the gems I found.😎
Who am I even talking to, you probably skipped this intro, didn’t you? 😂
If you didn’t, once you are done with the list, drop a comment with some cool kdramas that you think I will love? Gomawoyo!
Rare KDramas like Goblin that I Ended Up Loving!
Touch Your Heart
Cast: Lee Dong-Wook, Yoo In Na
Streaming On: Viki
Let’s be honest, we all loved Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na in Goblin and were shattered due to the bitter ending of their love story. Touch Your Heart is a Korean drama that heals from the same. In this one, Lee Dong-wook’s character Kwon Jung-rok meets an actress, Oh Yoon Seo played by the funniest Yoo In Na.
Oh Yoon-seo is trying to get into her character of a secretary by being an actual secretary. And her boss turns out to be none other than Kwon Jung-rok. Opposites meet and chaos happens. The entire journey was fun and packed with moments that made my tummy hurt with laughter.
One thing though, it doesn’t have the touch of mysticism or magic, but Yoo In Na’s presence is magical enough I guess! 😍
Hotel Del Luna
Cast: IU, Yeo Jin-goo
Streaming On: Netflix
IU has some magical powers when it comes to choosing a great script. My Mister and Hotel Del Luna remain two core proofs. Hotel Del Luna was my first K-drama and if you have not had the pleasure of watching it yet, trust me, this might be one of those Goblin-like kdramas that you will be revisiting again and again. The plot covers the story of a hotel where dead people, especially the ones with some purpose stay.
IU’s Jang Man-wol is the CEO of the hotel and it’s her duty or the punishment for the sin she doesn’t remember, assigned by the gods, that she will have to help souls staying there cross the bridge. Her job gets easier, or maybe unintentionally tougher when she brings Yeo Jin-goo’s character Goo Chan Seong work for her due to the deal his father made with her.
The duo along with other staff members of the hotel face trials together delivering not only a beautiful tale of romance but also so many moments worth revisiting.
Angel’s Last Mission: Love
Cast: Shin Hye-sun, Kim Myung-soo
Streaming On: Netflix
The name is not an oxymoron, it’s the literal plot of this Korean drama. It’s the story of Dan, a carefree angel who always gets in trouble tasked with the last mission to help Lee Yun Seo find love. Her life has been hard and she is someone not very friendly, or social. So the mission gets too complicated for Dan to fulfill but it’s the only hope he has.
There are plenty of other critics’ reviews I saw that gave away the spoiler, and you probably have guessed a part of the plot as well, but I still won’t mention that here. The plot is worth it, the show is brilliant, the story is beautiful- so go and watch it. Keep tissues ready though.
A Korean Odyssey
Cast: Lee Seung-gi, Oh Yeon-Seo
Streaming On: Netflix
If you are familiar with the tales of Sun Wukong (The Monkey King), you will find Lee Seung Gi’s character Son Oh Gong familiar. This heavenly monkey is trapped on the Earth due to the punishment he got from the gods for his chaotic nature. Jin Su-mi, played by Oh Yeon-seo rescues him from the curse but he is now bound to be with her every time she needs him.
A Korean Odyssey has a great plot, but its characters and their growth are the greater part of the show. But one thing before you pick it, don’t judge characters too soon, darkness is not the darkness and light is not the light as it seems. Now enjoy! 😉
Tale of the Nine Tailed
Cast: Lee Dong-Wook, Kim Bum, Kim Yong-ji
Streaming On: Netflix
Here’s the lowdown: Lee Yeon is a thousand-year-old gumiho (that’s a nine-tailed fox, for those not in the know) who’s been living among humans for centuries. And let me tell you, he’s not your average fox—this guy’s got charisma, looks, and a backstory that’ll have you reaching for the tissues. He’s tasked with keeping the balance between the human world and the supernatural, but things get complicated when he crosses paths with Nam Ji-ah, a sharp and determined TV producer who’s been searching for the truth behind her parent’s mysterious disappearance.
But wait, it gets better. As their worlds collide, secrets are unearthed, past lives are remembered, and a romance that defies time itself blossoms. It’s the kind of love story that’s as intense as it is beautiful, with enough supernatural twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you’re into epic love stories that span centuries, characters with tragic pasts, and a bit of action to keep things spicy, Tale of the Nine-Tailed is one of the dramas like Goblin you’ve been looking for. Just be prepared—you might never look at foxes the same way again. 🦊
The King: Eternal Monarch
Cast: Lee Min-Ho, Kim Go-Eun, Woo Do-Hwan
Streaming On: Netflix
Here’s the deal: Lee Gon is the dashing Emperor of the Kingdom of Corea—yes, you heard that right, Corea with a “C”—but his life isn’t all royal duties and glamorous outfits. When he stumbles upon a mysterious portal that connects his world to an alternate universe (our present-day South Korea, to be exact), things get really complicated, really fast.
Enter Jung Tae-eul, a tough and no-nonsense detective in the Republic of Korea, who gets pulled into this whirlwind of parallel worlds, destiny, and danger when she crosses paths with Lee Gon.
But here’s where it gets juicy: As Lee Gon and Tae-eul try to uncover the truth behind the portal and the sinister forces threatening both their worlds, they find themselves falling for each other. And let me tell you, the chemistry between these two is off the charts. But with two worlds hanging in the balance and a villain lurking in the shadows, their love is put to the ultimate test.
The King: Eternal Monarch isn’t just about breathtaking visuals and a plot that keeps you guessing—it’s about a love so powerful it transcends worlds. If you’re into stories where fate, fantasy, and romance collide, this one’s going to be your new obsession. Trust me, once you start, there’s no turning back.
For now, these are some juicy Korean dramas like Goblin I could find. But the hunt never stops, so does the need to watch good stuff. So I will keep looking for new titles and bring them to you- one way or another! 🕵️
Until I do that, you can explore my other lists:
