Television series
A Korean Odyssey
A witty Korean fantasy-romance where a mischievous immortal monkey and a vain demon king clash in modern Seoul while hunting for redemption. Gorgeously shot, absurdly charming, and packed with heart beneath the chaos. Perfect for anyone who loves banter, magical systems, and heroes who aren't quite heroes.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you like a goofy, sincere fantasy that mixes gods-on-earth mischief with a romance that takes its time, and you don't mind a comedy that sometimes gets silly.
Skip it if you want a tight, serious epic, since this runs twenty episodes of broad comedy and a romance that wanders, which makes its length feel longer than it needs to.
What it asks of you: Twenty long episodes that shift from lighthearted banter to gloomier stretches, so it needs patience with sudden changes of mood.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
Goblin Slayer2018
A similarly lush fantasy romance that blends Korean folklore with contemporary Seoul. Same tonal balance of whimsy and genuine emotion, with two leads discovering what it means to matter to someone.
But Considerably longer at 16 episodes, with a more melancholic ending that some find emotionally punishing rather than satisfying.
Tale of the Nine Tailed2020
A gumiho—a nine-tailed fox from Korean mythology—protects Seoul while tangling with an immortal nemesis. Same mythological playfulness and gorgeous cinematography, with Lee Dong Wook's dry wit in place of Lee Seung Ki's manic energy.
But Darker and more serious in tone, with threads of genuine tragedy. Less fun, more brooding.
Crash Landing on You2019
An absurd premise executed with such warmth and comic timing that you stop questioning it. The spark between leads and the delighted, kooky supporting cast create the same infectious joy.
But A romantic comedy first, fantasy second. If you want mythology and spectacle over emotional intimacy, you'll find this smaller in scale.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from A Korean Odyssey
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons2013
Odyssey is an irreverent modern remix of Journey to the West; this is the canonical text it's playing with and against. Seeing both reveals what the adaptation chose to keep, discard, and invert.
A Chinese epic that *is* the source material beneath Odyssey's DNA—the classical tale of the monkey king seeking enlightenment, adapted here with sumptuous visuals and philosophical depth. Understanding the original enriches everything.
But Nearly two and a half hours, in Mandarin, and the narrative moves in different rhythms than Korean TV. Some find the classical pacing glacial compared to modern storytelling.
More like this (6)
My Roommate Is a Gumiho2021
A shape-shifting fox stuck in human form bonds with a college student. Lighter, fluffier, but with genuine heart and chemistry. Shorter at 16 episodes—a quick, satisfying watch with the same mythological flavor.
But Less ambitious in scope. The fantasy elements feel like garnish rather than the engine of the story.
Alchemy of Souls2022
A mage and a swordsman navigate a magical world full of twists, reversals, and real stakes. Higher production values, complex plot, sharper action—for when you want more elaborate worldbuilding.
But Significantly more serious in tone, with body horror and genuine violence. The whimsy gets outweighed by darker turns.
Descendants of the Sun2016
A soldier and a surgeon navigate danger in a war zone with surprising tenderness and humor. Not fantasy, but the same cast chemistry and emotional beats—proof these actors just make compelling partners.
But Fundamentally a realistic military drama. If you're drawn to the magical elements specifically, this removes them entirely.
Romance Is a Bonus Book2019
A grounded comedy-romance about a second-chance at love and purpose. Warm, funny, human-scaled—the emotional architecture that makes Odyssey work, translated to everyday life.
But No fantasy or spectacle whatsoever. If you want to escape into another world, this stays firmly planted in ours.
Touch Your Heart2019
An actress and a lawyer fall into each other's orbits through misunderstanding and forced proximity. Sweet, light, snappy—the fundamental romantic chemistry and banter that makes Odyssey tick, without the supernatural framework.
But A straightforward rom-com. It lacks the mythological texture and visual ambition that makes Odyssey distinctive.
Russian Doll2019
Both grapple with immortals or the functionally immortal facing the possibility that living forever means nothing without someone to live for. Same spiritual center dressed in completely different genres.
A woman trapped in a time loop slowly discovers the power of connection and choosing to matter. Shares Odyssey's exploration of immortality's curse, the desperate hunger for purpose, and how saving someone else saves you.
But Bleak and surreal where Odyssey is buoyant. Dark comedy with edges that cut—less escapism, more existential dread. Only two seasons, each under six hours.
