Embark on a mesmerising adventure into the world of Korean dramas, where storytelling takes a delightful detour into the extraordinary. Among the myriad of narrative tapestries, the "past life connection" trope stands out as a compelling and enchanting thread. K-dramas, renowned for their unique ability to blend genres seamlessly, skillfully interlace the present with echoes from the past. Characters, entwined by the hands of fate, traverse the corridors of time, forging connections that endure across lifetimes.
As we delve into the captivating world of K-dramas, the exploration of past lives emerges as a thematic gem, adding a layer of magic to these already spellbinding narratives. In recent times we have seen this trope being used by many of the K-drama writers. Here are some of the Korean drama which has this same trope:
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract tells the story of Park Yeon-woo in the 19th century. On her wedding night, tragedy strikes when her husband, revealing a concealed heart condition, passes away. Devastated, she is abruptly kidnapped and thrown into a well. Upon regaining consciousness, she finds herself in present-day Seoul, South Korea. To her surprise, the man who rescues her from a swimming pool is Kang Tae-ha, bearing a striking resemblance to her late 19th-century husband.
Kang Tae-ha, the successor of SH Seoul Corporation, maintains a closed-off demeanour due to his own heart condition and past traumas. Prioritizing logic over emotions, he has little interest in romantic relationships. However, driven by his grandfather's dying wish to witness his wedding, Kang Tae Ha proposes a contract marriage to Park Yeon Woo, aiming to fulfil the elderly man's heartfelt desire.
My Demon starring Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung is currently one of the most popular Korean dramas. The show has continued to trend on social media with fans swooning over Song Kang aka Jeong Gu-won and Kim Yoo-jung aka Do Do-hee's chemistry. With just two episodes left to be aired the Korean drama has already revealed the past-life connection between Gu-won and Do-hee who were lovers when our Demon Gu-won was a human. Tragedy imbibed as Gu-won known as Yi-sun belonged to a higher class community who fell in love with courtesan Wolsim (Do-hee) in the Joseon era. But as tragedy strikes Wolsim ends up dying while Yi-sun kills himself and leads to him becoming a Demon.
Within the tapestry of a haunted house and the looming shadow of a family curse, the destinies of a Joseon couple, Aeng-cho (Jo Bo-ah) and Jang Mu-jin (Rowoon), are intricately woven into the fabric of time. Guided by the pages of a mysterious spell book and the enchantment of a love spell, their souls find themselves reuniting in the present era. Aeng-cho reincarnates as Hong-jo, a dedicated civil servant, while Jang Mu-jin is reborn as Jang Shin-yu, a lawyer. In the contemporary timeline, the echoes of their past lives reverberate differently. Shin-yu navigates a current relationship with a girlfriend, while Hong-jo harbours a secret crush on the mayor's advisor.
In an unexpected turn of events, Hong-jo, driven by the desire to win the heart of her affection, confesses her feelings to Mr. Kwon (Ha Jun), only to face rejection.Undeterred, Hong-jo turns to a love spell, intending to influence the mayor's advisor. Little does she know that fate has a whimsical twist in store for them. Unbeknownst to Hong-jo, Shin-yu inadvertently consumes the love potion, setting the stage for a peculiar and fateful relationship. Now bound by forces beyond their control, Hong-jo and Shin-yu grapple with the irresistible pull of destiny, attempting to resist the inexorable connection that ties their hearts across time and space.
Ban Ji-eum, portrayed by Shin Hye-sun, possesses the extraordinary ability to recall her past lives. In her 18th life, she formed a heartwarming connection with a young boy named Seo-ha, played by Jung Hyeon-jun. Tragedy struck at Seo-ha's birthday celebration, leading to Ji-eum's demise, but not before making a promise to reunite with Seo-ha in her next life. Fast forward to the present, where the grown-up Ji-eum, played by Park So-yi, works at Seo-ha's hotel, determined to make him remember their past.
Tale of the Nine-Tailed piqued the curiosity of its audience by presenting its protagonist as a male gumiho, a mythical nine-tailed fox traditionally depicted as female in South Korean folklore. Lee Dong Wook assumes the role of a character who exhibits unwavering loyalty, drawing parallels to his earlier portrayal as a grim reaper in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The narrative unfolds in modern society, delving into the gumiho's deep-seated emotions for a female drama producer from her past life, and the intricate conflicts he faces with his step-brother. The captivating dynamics between Lee Dong Wook and Jo Bo Ah, along with the bromance featuring Lee Dong Wook and Kim Bum, add an extra layer of intrigue to the storyline, capturing the audience's attention.
Legend of the Blue Sea, starring Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho, draws inspiration from Korean folklore. Rooted in a story crafted by Joseon scholar Yu Mong-in, the drama unfolds around a 16th-century governor who liberates a mermaid, once his childhood companion, from captivity. Their paths cross once more in the present, where the man has transformed into a swindler, and the mermaid navigates the complexities of modern Seoul. In this captivating fantasy, the threads of history and folklore weave seamlessly into a tale of rekindled connections spanning across centuries.
Moon In the Day shows Do-ha (Kim Young-dae) from the Goryeo period, cursed to follow the reincarnated versions of his lover, seizes an opportunity when he inherits the face of deceased actor Jun-oh. Determined to break free from his 1500-year curse, Do-ha plans to end the reincarnation cycle by targeting Young-hwa, the present-day counterpart of his beloved Ri-ta (Pyo Ye-jin). As the drama unfolds, the narrative delves into whether this drastic plan is the cure for Do-ha's enduring curse, unravelling a tale of fate, sacrifice, and the timeless bonds that connect souls across the ages.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God takes audiences on an enthralling emotional journey, skillfully blending romance, comedy, fantasy, and melodrama. The narrative revolves around Kim Shin, cursed to eternal life as a Goblin, and his quest to break the curse by finding his destined Goblin bride. The series not only captures hearts through the central romance but also through the poignant love story of the Grim Reaper, the reincarnation of a past cruel king, and Sunny, who was once Kim Shin's sister. Their tragic past, marked by the king's arrogance and greed, resonates with emotions that linger into the present, where they cross paths once more. In this masterfully crafted drama, the intertwining destinies of the characters evoke a rollercoaster of emotions, making the series an unforgettable viewing experience.
In this captivating historical romantic K-drama, two star-crossed lovers navigate a tumultuous journey to achieve their elusive happy ending. Set in a fictional town, the narrative is infused with the allure of a forbidden magic spell known as the 'alchemy of souls,' enabling the switching of bodies with heart-wrenching consequences for two young magicians. The first part unfolds the story of Nak-su, a formidable sorceress trapped in the body of the delicate Mu-deok, as she falls in love with Jang Uk, the nobleman's son. Their joy is short-lived, leading to tragedy and a heartbreaking separation, propelling the lovers toward a path of destruction. The second part of this visually stunning K-drama showcases past life connections in a very different and unique manner.
As we delve into the captivating world of K-dramas, the exploration of past lives emerges as a thematic gem, adding a layer of magic to these already spellbinding narratives. In recent times we have seen this trope being used by many of the K-drama writers. Here are some of the Korean drama which has this same trope:
The Story Of Park’s Marriage Contract
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract tells the story of Park Yeon-woo in the 19th century. On her wedding night, tragedy strikes when her husband, revealing a concealed heart condition, passes away. Devastated, she is abruptly kidnapped and thrown into a well. Upon regaining consciousness, she finds herself in present-day Seoul, South Korea. To her surprise, the man who rescues her from a swimming pool is Kang Tae-ha, bearing a striking resemblance to her late 19th-century husband.
Kang Tae-ha, the successor of SH Seoul Corporation, maintains a closed-off demeanour due to his own heart condition and past traumas. Prioritizing logic over emotions, he has little interest in romantic relationships. However, driven by his grandfather's dying wish to witness his wedding, Kang Tae Ha proposes a contract marriage to Park Yeon Woo, aiming to fulfil the elderly man's heartfelt desire.
My Demon
My Demon starring Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung is currently one of the most popular Korean dramas. The show has continued to trend on social media with fans swooning over Song Kang aka Jeong Gu-won and Kim Yoo-jung aka Do Do-hee's chemistry. With just two episodes left to be aired the Korean drama has already revealed the past-life connection between Gu-won and Do-hee who were lovers when our Demon Gu-won was a human. Tragedy imbibed as Gu-won known as Yi-sun belonged to a higher class community who fell in love with courtesan Wolsim (Do-hee) in the Joseon era. But as tragedy strikes Wolsim ends up dying while Yi-sun kills himself and leads to him becoming a Demon.
Destined With You
Within the tapestry of a haunted house and the looming shadow of a family curse, the destinies of a Joseon couple, Aeng-cho (Jo Bo-ah) and Jang Mu-jin (Rowoon), are intricately woven into the fabric of time. Guided by the pages of a mysterious spell book and the enchantment of a love spell, their souls find themselves reuniting in the present era. Aeng-cho reincarnates as Hong-jo, a dedicated civil servant, while Jang Mu-jin is reborn as Jang Shin-yu, a lawyer. In the contemporary timeline, the echoes of their past lives reverberate differently. Shin-yu navigates a current relationship with a girlfriend, while Hong-jo harbours a secret crush on the mayor's advisor.
In an unexpected turn of events, Hong-jo, driven by the desire to win the heart of her affection, confesses her feelings to Mr. Kwon (Ha Jun), only to face rejection.Undeterred, Hong-jo turns to a love spell, intending to influence the mayor's advisor. Little does she know that fate has a whimsical twist in store for them. Unbeknownst to Hong-jo, Shin-yu inadvertently consumes the love potion, setting the stage for a peculiar and fateful relationship. Now bound by forces beyond their control, Hong-jo and Shin-yu grapple with the irresistible pull of destiny, attempting to resist the inexorable connection that ties their hearts across time and space.
See You In My 19th Life
Ban Ji-eum, portrayed by Shin Hye-sun, possesses the extraordinary ability to recall her past lives. In her 18th life, she formed a heartwarming connection with a young boy named Seo-ha, played by Jung Hyeon-jun. Tragedy struck at Seo-ha's birthday celebration, leading to Ji-eum's demise, but not before making a promise to reunite with Seo-ha in her next life. Fast forward to the present, where the grown-up Ji-eum, played by Park So-yi, works at Seo-ha's hotel, determined to make him remember their past.
Tale of the Nine-Tailed
Tale of the Nine-Tailed piqued the curiosity of its audience by presenting its protagonist as a male gumiho, a mythical nine-tailed fox traditionally depicted as female in South Korean folklore. Lee Dong Wook assumes the role of a character who exhibits unwavering loyalty, drawing parallels to his earlier portrayal as a grim reaper in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The narrative unfolds in modern society, delving into the gumiho's deep-seated emotions for a female drama producer from her past life, and the intricate conflicts he faces with his step-brother. The captivating dynamics between Lee Dong Wook and Jo Bo Ah, along with the bromance featuring Lee Dong Wook and Kim Bum, add an extra layer of intrigue to the storyline, capturing the audience's attention.
The Legend of the Blue Sea
Legend of the Blue Sea, starring Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho, draws inspiration from Korean folklore. Rooted in a story crafted by Joseon scholar Yu Mong-in, the drama unfolds around a 16th-century governor who liberates a mermaid, once his childhood companion, from captivity. Their paths cross once more in the present, where the man has transformed into a swindler, and the mermaid navigates the complexities of modern Seoul. In this captivating fantasy, the threads of history and folklore weave seamlessly into a tale of rekindled connections spanning across centuries.
Moon In the Day
Moon In the Day shows Do-ha (Kim Young-dae) from the Goryeo period, cursed to follow the reincarnated versions of his lover, seizes an opportunity when he inherits the face of deceased actor Jun-oh. Determined to break free from his 1500-year curse, Do-ha plans to end the reincarnation cycle by targeting Young-hwa, the present-day counterpart of his beloved Ri-ta (Pyo Ye-jin). As the drama unfolds, the narrative delves into whether this drastic plan is the cure for Do-ha's enduring curse, unravelling a tale of fate, sacrifice, and the timeless bonds that connect souls across the ages.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God takes audiences on an enthralling emotional journey, skillfully blending romance, comedy, fantasy, and melodrama. The narrative revolves around Kim Shin, cursed to eternal life as a Goblin, and his quest to break the curse by finding his destined Goblin bride. The series not only captures hearts through the central romance but also through the poignant love story of the Grim Reaper, the reincarnation of a past cruel king, and Sunny, who was once Kim Shin's sister. Their tragic past, marked by the king's arrogance and greed, resonates with emotions that linger into the present, where they cross paths once more. In this masterfully crafted drama, the intertwining destinies of the characters evoke a rollercoaster of emotions, making the series an unforgettable viewing experience.
Alchemy of Souls
In this captivating historical romantic K-drama, two star-crossed lovers navigate a tumultuous journey to achieve their elusive happy ending. Set in a fictional town, the narrative is infused with the allure of a forbidden magic spell known as the 'alchemy of souls,' enabling the switching of bodies with heart-wrenching consequences for two young magicians. The first part unfolds the story of Nak-su, a formidable sorceress trapped in the body of the delicate Mu-deok, as she falls in love with Jang Uk, the nobleman's son. Their joy is short-lived, leading to tragedy and a heartbreaking separation, propelling the lovers toward a path of destruction. The second part of this visually stunning K-drama showcases past life connections in a very different and unique manner.
Loading Next Article...
SHOW COMMENTS