In a concise amount of time, the superhero genre has been seen growing immensely. Not all heroes wear a cape. In K-dramas, they come in all different stories and backgrounds with their own set of superpowers. Saving the day doesn't mean getting people out of a burning building. These stories are about imperfect beings who have shortcomings but choose to rise to the occasion. It comes as no surprise that this genre has extended even in South Korea, which has seen several shows featuring characters who have extraordinary superhuman abilities. Here are some Korean dramas with an excellent superhero twist.
1. He Is Psychometric
He Is Psychometric is a supernatural drama released in 2019, starring Park Jin Young, Shin Ye Eun, Kim Kwon, and Kim Da Som. Lee Ahn, after losing his parents in a fire, acquires the power of psychometry, i.e, the ability to read a person or the past of an object through physical contact. Using this he decides to take down evil people. He however doesn’t know how to control his power. He meets Yoon Jae In, who is trying his best to hide her painful secret. Along with Kang Seong Mo, a prosecutor, his foster guardian, and Eun Ji Soo, an investigator who team up to solve a case that is haunting the lives of Sung Mo, Ahn, and Jae In.
2. My Love From The Star
It is a fantasy rom-com drama released in 2013, starring Kim Soo Hyun, Jun Ji Hyun, Park Hae Jin, and Yoo In Na. Do Min Joon Ian alien who 400 years ago landed on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty period. He has a near-perfect appearance and enhanced physical abilities, such as hearing, vision, and speed. He later discovers that he only has three months left on Earth. During that time, he meets the biggest Hallyu star of Korea, Cheon Song Yi, and falls in love. What will be his decision now? Will he stay on Earth or return?
3. Strong Girl Nam-soon
Strong Girl Nam-soon is a supernatural drama released in 2023, starring Lee Yoo-mi, Kim Hae-sook, Byeon Woo-Seok, Kim Jung-eun, and Ong Seong-wu. Gang Nam-soon as a child disappeared in Mongolia. She travels to South Korea as an adult to find her parents. There she finds her mother Hwang Geum-Joo, a billionaire businesswoman and Gil Joong-gan, her grandmother. They all get entangled in a drug case that Detective Gang Hee-sik is investigating at Doogo, a company run by Ryu Shi-oh.
4. Bring It On, Ghost!
It tells the story of Park Bong-Pal who is a college student who can see ghosts and also can physically interact with them. Bong-Pal takes advantage of this ability by working as a professional exorcist, where he gets into fights with the evil spirits to ward them off. During one of his tasks, he is assisted by Kim Hyun-Ji, a high-school senior ghost. After understanding their ability to fight evil ghosts together is more effective, they become partners. This drama is a mesh of genres, with an outstanding balance of action, romance, comedy, and a dash of horror.
5. Guardian: The Lonely And Great God
Kim Shin is a general from the Goryeo dynasty and has a dark past cursed upon his death of becoming a Goblin, an immortal. He has abilities like invulnerability, teleportation, nigh-omnipotence, superhuman strength, and telepathy. He uses his power to help and protect others in need, while also finding a bride, who can lift his curse and end his immortality. He is isolated and lonely. He meets Ji Eun-tak, a cheerful mortal, who finds a greater meaning to life, and a deep connection between them. It is the fifth-highest-rated K-drama in history.
6. I Hear Your Voice
It is a mystery supernatural drama released in 2013. Jang Hye Sung is a bold and sassy public defender who after overcoming painful childhood memories and poverty, becomes a lawyer. He realizes justice and society after meeting 19-year-old Park Soo Ha, who can read other people’s thoughts, and an innocent lawyer, Cha Kwan Woo. He is Soo Ha’s first love after she had given testimony on his father's murder case ten years ago. Kwan Woo is her fellow lawyer. Even though his character is slow, he is pleasant and friendly but has a firm idea of justice and principles.
7. Moving
Moving is a supernatural action drama released in 2023, starring Ryu Seung Ryong, Han Hyo Joo, Zo In Sung, Cha Tae Hyun, Ryu Seung Beom, and Kim Sung Kyun. Jang Hee Soo, Lee Gang Hoon, and Kim Bong Seok are three high school students who all bear extraordinary powers. Gang Hoon wields uncanny speed and strength, Hee Soo has exceptional rapid injury recovery and athleticism, and Bong Seok can fly. As they all conceal their gifts, their parents are trying to shield them from exploitation and are navigating a delicate balance between protection and secrecy.
8. The Game: Towards Zero
It is a psychological supernatural drama released in 2020, starring Ok Taecyeon, Lee Yun Hee, and Im Joo Hwan. Kim Tae Pyung when looking into someone’s eyes can see the moment right before their death. He uses this gift to earn money by selling information to rich people about whoever they want to know. One day, he meets Seo Joon Young, a crime division detective whose death he can’t see. Not knowing what this might mean, he tries to avoid her. However, his power got him involved in a kidnapping case. He is never wrong with his predictions and still helps the police find the body.
9. The Uncanny Counter
It tells the story of Counters who are demon hunters who come to earth under the guise of being employees at a noodle restaurant to catch evil spirits who have come to earth in pursuit of eternal life. The youngest is So Moon, who, after suffering a mysterious car accident as a kid, eventually becomes a central figure. Do Ha Na has the power to sense evil spirits’ locations, and can read people's memories by touch. Ga Mo Tak has incredible strength and was a former police officer. Chu Mae Ok has headline abilities. Choi Jang Mool is the eldest counter in charge of them all.
10. Strong Girl Bong-Soon
Do Bong-Soon is a young woman who hides a secret all her life. She has superhuman strength, a hereditary ability passed to all women in her family. There is only one condition: the power can only be used for good, or she will risk her life. Her life changes when she meets Ahn Min-Hyuk, the CEO of a gaming company. He, after discovering her powers, hires her as his bodyguard. They develop an adorable relationship that shows all the ups and downs of dating a superhero.
