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Unlike most of the previous non-human characters we’ve explored such as the folklore creatures and aliens, ghosts can be considered a mainstream Kdrama staple by now where they’ll be included in at least a few dramas every year.
A ghost, in the simplest terms, is a spirit or soul of a deceased person who can appear to the living, unlike monsters or creatures. In Eastern culture, the Koreans included, a ghost is believed to linger around the world of the living when they die without completing something while alive, like a virgin ghost, or when they hold a grudge that must be cleared, such as revenging an unjust death.
While ghosts are predominantly categorized and used as a horror element on the big screen, Kdramas have long had a soft, romanticized, and sometimes even heartfelt depiction of ghosts thanks to its long-form storytelling that allows for deeper backstories and greater purposes. The use of ghosts in Kdramas have also varied quite a lot. At times, the ghosts themselves are the primary characters in advancing the plot, but other times they enter and control a character’s body to complete their task, and still others are secondary characters delivering key information to the lead characters or simply appearing out of the blue as roadblocks to the heroes. Let’s count all the ghosts — good and bad — from our favorite Kdarams.
Who Are You? (2008)
A father who passed away from an accident is allowed 49 days to wrap up his unfinished business. Being regretful of not doing more for his daughter, he inadvertently possesses the body of an arrogant corporate executive for three hours a day in order to do nice things for her. However, this young man also happens to become his daughter’s love interest in time. And so, you can imagine the awkward and comedic situations our couple and the ghostly father share.
Soul (2009)
In this part murder mystery, part paranormal tale, a criminal profiler teams up with a high school girl to uncover a serial murder case. Only that the high school girl has supernatural powers after realizing that her twin sister, who died tragically from a fire, has possessed her body. At the same time, the detective begins to use her powers to punish bad people who evade the law.
49 Days (2011)
This is a story about a woman who gets a second chance at life. Our heroine seems to have it all with her picture-perfect family and friend circle, but dies unexpectedly before her wedding. A reaper gives her a chance to set things straight. She must take over another girl’s body and find three people outside of her family who will cry sincere tears of grief for her — in just 49 days. As she sets out to complete her mission, she discovers that her life may not be as perfect as it seemed.
Arang and the Magistrate (2012)
Based off of a famous folktale, a spunky female ghost named Arang appears in front of the new town magistrate, who happens to be able to see ghosts, and begs him to help her remember the truth behind her death. The two team up and uncover bigger mysteries than initially expected, all the while trying to avoid the grim reaper who’s chasing after Arang to collect her soul to the afterworld.
Master’s Sun (2013)
A stingy CEO who is only concerned about money unexpectedly meets a somber insomniac who is burdened with the ability to see ghosts. His her only solaces away from the ghosts, and she’s his key to unlocking his past. This unlikely duo soon get their lives entangled and work together to help ghosts move on, while delving into a kidnapping incident in the hero’s past. And before you know it, they’ve fallen for each other like yin and yang.
Who Are You (2013)
A female detective awakens from a six-year coma and discovers she can now see and interact with ghosts. Her partner is a cop who believes only in cold facts and solid evidence. As the two work together, they develop a knack for solving cases involving supernaturally charged objects and a lot of romantic tension. But a love triangle emerges when her ex-boyfriend and former partner who died six years ago appears as a spirit, and holds the key to what really happened on that fateful night.
Bride of the Century (2014)
A cold heir of one of Korea’s most powerful conglomerates is engaged to an eligible young lady, who suddenly disappears before the wedding. Rumor has it that the first bride of the family’s first son is always cursed to die and there’s a female ghost haunting them. Desperate to cover things up, the family replaces her with a look-alike, who happens to be a bubbly country girl from a small island with a scheme of her own.
The Night Watchman’s Journal (2014)
During the Joseon Dynasty, a prince who lives a lonely life outside the palace due to the fact that he can see ghosts. But after a fateful encounter with a young shaman, he joins the team of night watchman, who patrols the darkest hours between 9pm to 5am to protect people from the evil forces like ghosts and monsters. He becomes a true prince after seeing the lives of his people as he helps get rid of the ghosts.
My Lovable Girl (2015)
A brilliant music producer and top talent agency CEO has his heart shut due to a traumatic accident that took the life of his girlfriend. Until he meets his ex-girlfriend’s little sister, who moves to Seoul with hopes of becoming a songwriter. As music soothes their shared wounds, and with the help of a ghostly matchmaker, they discover the inspiration to fall in love with one another.
Cheo Yong (2014 – 2015)
This is a popular supernatural crime drama that has been made into two seasons. A police detective has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Annoyed by the pesky ghost of a high school girl loitering around him, he finally engages with her along with his new tenacious partner. Together, they begin to uncover mysterious murder cases that no one else can solve.
Producer (2015)
Filmed in a mockumentary style, Producer is a slice of life drama that talks about the lives of a group of variety show television producers (PDs) of a major broadcasting company (KBS). It sheds light on how they work tirelessly to devise hit programs and handle various work and personal life related situations. While the drama itself is not focused on a ghost theme, there is a shocking twist to one of its characters.
Oh My Ghost (2015)
This romantic comedy’s story centers around a renowned chef, his timid and reclusive kitchen assistant, and a sassy ghost with a virgin grudge. Hilarity ensues when the ghost possesses the kitchen assistant, causing her to suddenly transform into an outspoken, forthright man-eater who begins to target the good-looking chefs in the kitchen in order to clear her grudge and move onto afterlife.
The Village: Achiara’s Secret (2015)
In this horror thriller, an English teacher arrives from America to take a job as a teacher in one of Achiara’s schools, but her hidden motive is to track down her long lost sister whom she was separated from after the death of their parents. But on day one, she discovers a buried corpse that leads her to team up with a rookie policeman to uncover the secrets hidden behind her lost sister’s whereabouts and the mysterious deaths of the townspeople, with ghostly encounters.
Let’s Fight Ghost (2016)
This is a mystery romance drama about a reclusive university student and ghost exorcist who falls in love with a feisty ghost with lingering regrets. Though their initial meeting is marked with hilarious savagery, they soon form an alliance to eradicate ghosts for money, which ultimately leads to a budding romance and uncovering of greater evil.
Please Come Back Mister (2016)
This drama has an unusual premise about two men who die and are reincarnated into new younger (sexier) bodies to right the wrongs they made before their deaths. The drama tells the story from the deceased’s point of view, as they desperately try to make up to their families and loved ones in sometimes hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenching ways.
Mirror of the Witch (2016)
In this sageuk fantasy drama, a powerful shaman uses her black magic to help the Queen give birth to a twin boy and girl. But the sorcery comes with a price with the Princess cursed, causing her to be abandoned but rescued by a Taoist. She grows up as a witch in hiding, and with the help of a young scholar, she must overcome the evil shaman to lift the curse and change her fate. While ghost isn’t the focal point here, rest assured they make plenty of appearances.
Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (2017)
In this drama of many mythical references, ghosts are certainly not left out. Here, they serve a supporting purpose, though an important one as the heroine’s information network. They give her important clues at the right times, such as her identity as the Goblin’s bride, and where the Goblin lives. The heroine repays them by helping them finish their unfinished business so they can move onto the afterlife.
There sure isn’t a shortage of ghostly Kdramas, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below. Tune in here for our last non-human character recap about angels and deities.
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