I’ve been totally obsessed with 견우와 선녀 of late—and trust me, it’s one of those dramas that gets its hooks in and holds on tight. This drama has us all head over heels—no pun intended—about its sweet, snarky, and heart-fluttering moments. It’s the best of romance, comedy, and supernatural suspense. I went in thinking I was going to find myself a fantasy romance, but what I received was a sweetly adorable, heart and emotions-filled ride chock-full of shamanic rituals, ghostly lingering, slow-burn tension, and characters who actually grow. If you’re a fan like me and looking for Kdramas like Head Over Heels, too, then you are at the right place.
For those who aren’t caught up on it, the drama is adapted from the hit webtoon Gyeonwoo and Fairy, and it’s about Park Seong-a (played by Cho Yi-hyun), a shaman who hopes for normalcy, and Bae Gyeon-woo (played by Choo Young-woo), a cursed child who also has a haunted past. They cross paths, literally in this case, in a sweet and bittersweet love story. The supporting players, including Cha Kang-yoon as Ji-ho, Choo Ja-hyun as mysterious Yeom Hwa, and Kim Mi-kyung as the incomparable General Dongcheon, bring so much heart and texture to the show. Directed by Kim Yong-wan and written by Yang Ji-hoon, this drama is filled with all the right emotional notes.
So far, the ride has been a rollercoaster: romantic highs, creepy turns, tear-jerking sacrifices, and a slow-burning love story that will break your heart in the best of ways. With only two episodes remaining, the fans are on the edge of their seats, holding their collective breath to know if Seong-a and Gyeon-woo are able to beat fate and live happily ever after. If this has you hooked, then buckle up—because the list of Kdramas such as Head Over Heels, below, is going to be your new best friend for your next binge-watch season!
Kdramas Like Head Over Heels
The Haunted Palace
More of the supernatural sort, The Haunted Palace delves further into palace politics, haunted spectres, and a reluctant shaman who only wishes to craft spectacles. Yook Sung-jae, Bo Na, and Kim Ji-hoon ground this historical fantasy, walking the tightrope between a troublesome spirit and a weighty spiritual legacy.
While Kim Yong-wan’s drama is that sappy and romantic, this drama ventures a bit further into the gothic and disturbing. But the emotional punches are equally as effective, and Yeo Ri’s struggle within recalls Seong-a’s odyssey. Not a carbon copy, but for those who enjoy shaman-based stories and inner fortitude, it’s a Korean drama equivalent to Head Over Heels worth considering.
The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim
Like Head Over Heels, this one is also about teen shamans battling supernatural dangers and first love heartache. Kim Sae-ron stars as Ga Doo-shim, a shaman by birth who merely wishes to live a normal high school life, and Nam Da-reum stars as her exorcism buddy, Na Woo-soo. They fight demon-possessed schoolmates, evil spirits, and all the unrequited pangs in a tight and sentimental drama.
My favourite part of this one is just how realistic the characters are, considering the fantasy factor. The chemistry between the lead actors is genuine, and while the episodes are much too short, the show is one that lingers. If you’re roaming about searching for Korean dramas like Head Over Heels with supernatural chaos and strong female leads, this one’s a gem.
Lovely Runner
This one’s for all you time-travel romance fans. Lovely Runner is led by Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok in a story where the female lead goes back in time to rescue her idol love from his death. Angst-filled high school, heart-skipping moments, and bittersweet pining pack each episode.
This also has a quirky protagonist and a brooding hero with a tragic past can be found here. I was hooked on the second-chance/desert-island theme of destiny. The emotional rollercoaster will be so reassuring in the best way possible—especially if you love fated love with a dash of fantasy.
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A Korean Odyssey
Picture Head Over Heels but turn up the danger, fantasy, and myth. A Korean Odyssey, a retelling of the Chinese classic Journey to the West, stars Oh Yeon-seo as a woman with the gift of being able to see ghosts and Lee Seung-gi as the powerful trickster Son Oh-gong. Theirs is a complicated, fiery, and utterly immersive romance.
This play knocked me out with its epic size, special effects, and larger-than-life figures. What makes it appealing is that it has the same combination of supernatural mayhem, reluctant heroes, and emotional connection put to the test by destiny. And it has the same sort of protective energy, but with more fire and demons.
The Master’s Sun
If ghosts and begrudging romance are your go-to tropes, then The Master’s Sun is an absolute must-watch. Gong Hyo-jin plays a woman who is gifted with the ability to see ghosts following a car accident, and So Ji-sub is the stoic CEO who accidentally becomes her spiritual guardian. Their chemistry: electric.
The way the show would switch back and forth between the spooky and swoon-fest suspense left me yearning over Seong-a and Gyeon-woo’s relationship so much. It’s romantic, creepy, and funny all at once—and while it’s old, it has aged like a good wine. One of the most classic Kdramas similar to Head Over Heels in the fantasy romance genre.
Extraordinary You
Extraordinary You is a drama about a young lady who discovers she’s just a supporting character in a comic book—and doesn’t approve, and instead fights for her own story. Starring Kim Hye-yoon (yep, again!) and Rowoon, the drama is a rollercoaster of self-discovery, meta-romance, and heartbreak.
What makes it work for viewers is the triad dynamic. Like Seong-a, Ji-ho, and Gyeon-woo, the drama creates a close-knit relationship between characters who do not quite fall into the typical mould. There is love, camaraderie, and a fair share of twists to keep you stuck in front of the television. A cosy, quirky, and funny Kdrama like Head Over Heels.
Doom at Your Service
And here’s one for those in the mood for poetic dialogues and all-consuming love affairs. Doom at Your Service is the story of a woman with a terminal disease (Park Bo-young) who makes a deal with a supernatural being (Seo In-guk) to live life on her terms. Their love is divine, tragic, and full of heavenly consequences.
It’s not as over-the-top, but it shares the same DNA: a life cursed, a protagonist who won’t give up, and a love affair as lovely as it is agonising. So, totally highly recommend as a rainy day marathon if you’re in the mood to feel all the feels.
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