Issue Focus

Soul-Swapping and Time-Travel Fantasy : Sageuk Dominates Korean Television

This article reveals how K-dramas are transforming traditional historical genres into global-ready 

fantasy sagas — using time travel, soul-switching, and mysticism to blend heritage with modern 

storytelling, creating fresh appeal for global streaming audiences.

♦  Fantasy Meets Joseon Era Storytelling

      • Korean broadcasters embrace “fusion sageuk” adding soul-switching and timetravel to historical

          settings for creative freedom beyond strict historical verification

      • MBC’s “Moon River” features crown prince and wandering merchant whose souls swap, creating

          dramatic gender and class reversals

♦  Expanding Format with Identity-Swap Plots

      • KBS’s “My Dear Thief” follows female Robin Hood born between yangban and slave whose soul

          switches with pursuing prince

      • Fusion format allows modern narratives within historical settings while reducing burden of historical

          accuracy compared to traditional sageuk

♦  Global Success of K-Fantasy Historical Works

      • tvN’s “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” topped Netflix non-English TV chart for two consecutive weeks with

          time-slip romance and culinary elements

      • SBS’s “The Haunted Palace” scored 9.7 on Rakuten Viki, ranking #1 in 89 countries with Korean occult

          fantasy incorporating shamanism and possession

♦  Balancing Innovation with Historical Sensitivity

      • Drama critic Hee-jung Gong notes fusion sageuk offers fresh feeling blending mysteries with past eras

          while avoiding repetitive modern settings

      • However, works like tvN’s “Mr. Queen” sparked controversy over historical distortion, requiring careful

          handling especially regarding China and Japan

Source

Yonhap News Agency. (2025. 11. 1)

https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20251101045200005