10 K-Dramas to Binge While Waiting for K-Pop: Demon Hunters 2

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The sudden success of KPop Demon Hunters completely surprised viewers. Few predicted the animated film would become a worldwide hit so quickly. Now, with a sequel officially being made by Netflix, fans are eagerly awaiting its release.

Although it’s an American cartoon, the movie does a wonderful job of showcasing Korean myths and traditions, and it also gives a realistic glimpse into the world of K-pop stars. Luckily, if you enjoy that blend of culture and entertainment, there are plenty of fantastic K-dramas available too.

10. 18 Again

Similar to shows like KPop Demon Hunters, 18 Again includes some science fiction elements, but they don’t make the story overly complicated. The show centers around Hong Dae-young, a dad in his late years whose life is falling apart – he’s facing divorce, is distant from his teenage children, and has recently lost his job.

Just when Dae-young believed his ordeal was finished, he unexpectedly reverted to his 18-year-old body. Instead of using this as a second chance for himself, he goes undercover at his children’s high school, using an assumed identity, to watch over them and understand where he failed as a parent. The show cleverly mixes laugh-out-loud humor with the story of an older dad trying to fit in with today’s teens.

9. My Demon

If you liked the mix of pop stars and supernatural battles in KPop Demon Hunters, you’ll probably enjoy My Demon. However, instead of focusing on the music world, this show is set in the competitive world of big business. The story centers around Jeong Gu-won, an ancient demon who’s been making secret deals with humans for centuries.

Everything changes when a strange accident causes all of his superpowers to move into a tattoo on Do-hee, a wealthy and skeptical woman. Stripped of his powers, he’s forced to become her bodyguard just to survive, leading to a funny and messy fake marriage between them.

8. True Beauty

Both True Beauty and KPop Demon Hunters feature characters living double lives, which makes for an engaging story. However, while KPop Demon Hunters focuses on idols concealing their monster-hunting activities, True Beauty centers on Lim Ju-kyung, who uses makeup to hide her natural appearance.

Ju-kyung was bullied in the past because of how she looked, so she learned how to do amazing makeup online. When she started at her new school, she used these skills to transform her appearance and quickly became popular.

It’s incredibly tiring for Ju-kyung to hide her natural face. Things get especially complicated – and funny – after her classmate, Lee Su-ho, unexpectedly sees her without makeup. Revealing this secret sparks a whirlwind of romantic and comedic moments for both of them.

7. Lovely Runner

While KPop Demon Hunters focused on the idols themselves, Lovely Runner puts the fans in the center of the story. This show isn’t about idols battling monsters; it’s about a devoted fan who will do anything to protect the singer she loves.

Im Sol adored Ryu Sun-jae, a singer whose music helped her cope with difficult times. When Sun-jae unexpectedly died, she was devastated. Fortunately, Sol gets a second chance when she mysteriously wakes up fifteen years earlier.

Now that Sol and her idol are both back in high school, she has a second chance to save his life and change what happened. This K-drama is a fantastic and realistic portrayal of what it’s like to be a dedicated fan.

6. The Sound of Magic

In the series The Sound of Magic, Yoon Ah-yi is a high school student facing hardship and hoping to escape her family’s money troubles. Her world changes when she meets Ri-eul, an enigmatic magician living in an abandoned amusement park, who asks her a thought-provoking question: “Do you believe in magic?”

I was completely captivated by this K-drama, and it reminded me so much of why I loved KPop Demon Hunters! That show had this amazing energy with its music and hidden magical world, and this one delivers that same feeling – except it’s not just featuring songs, it’s a full-on musical! Seriously, the music is a huge part of the story.

This series offers a different kind of magic – instead of battling monsters, it focuses on mending broken hearts and providing an escape from everyday life. If you loved the musical moments in the animated movie, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.

5. Idol I

While KPop Demon Hunters delved into the darker aspects of the music world with a supernatural twist, Idol I explores similar themes through a realistic murder mystery. The story centers on Maeng Se-na, a strong-willed lawyer who is also a huge K-pop fan, and Do Ra-ik, the lead singer of the popular group Gold Boys, is her ultimate favorite.

When Se-na’s life unexpectedly merges with Ra-ik’s, she finds herself defending him after he’s falsely accused of murder. While everyone doubts his innocence, Se-na believes in him and sets out to prove it, leading her on a quest to find the real killer. This Korean drama offers a thrilling legal mystery with a touch of romance, setting it apart from typical fantasy stories.

4. Dream High

Dream High is a K-drama about six students at an arts high school, all working hard to become K-pop idols. The show follows their journey through rigorous training – singing and dancing lessons – as well as the typical challenges of being a teenager. We see them mature, overcome obstacles like heartbreak and rivalry, and ultimately strive to achieve their dreams of stardom.

Unlike KPop Demon Hunters, which mixed idol life with fantasy, this show focuses on the real challenges of becoming a K-Pop star. It offers a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the K-Pop industry and the intense training process. If you enjoyed seeing a group grow and overcome obstacles in KPop Demon Hunters, you’ll likely love this more grounded drama.

3. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

While KPop Demon Hunters features characters battling monsters with music, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol uses it to help people heal emotional wounds. Despite this difference, both shows center around characters keeping secrets about who they really are.

The story centers on Gu Ra-ra, a pianist whose family unexpectedly loses all their wealth. Left with nothing, she moves to a peaceful village where she meets Sunwoo Joon, a jack-of-all-trades who offers to help her rebuild her life.

There’s a twist: Joon is hiding something about his past. If you enjoyed how the animated film used music to unite a diverse group, this K-drama offers a similar heartwarming experience, but in a more comforting and intimate way.

2. Doom at Your Service

The drama Doom at Your Service follows Tak Dong-kyung, a woman who receives a devastating diagnosis: she has only 100 days to live. Frustrated and angry, she impulsively wishes for the world to end, which unexpectedly calls forth Myul Mang, the god of destruction. He then makes her an offer, but it comes with a significant consequence.

Similar to KPop Demon Hunters, this Korean drama features an ordinary person suddenly thrust into a secret magical realm. However, instead of focusing on action, the story centers on a risky bargain made with a god.

This offers a similar dark fantasy experience, but with a stronger emphasis on romantic relationships. If you enjoyed the magical aspects of the original, you’ll likely love this too.

1. The Uncanny Counter

If you enjoyed the blend of everyday life and demon hunting in KPop Demon Hunters, then The Uncanny Counter is perfect for you! This K-drama features heroes who aren’t pop stars, but noodle shop workers. The story centers around So Mun, a high school student unexpectedly recruited into a secret organization known as the Counters.

To most people, they’re just the owners of a really successful restaurant. But secretly, they have superpowers and dedicate themselves to tracking down and defeating dangerous spirits that target people. The story brilliantly combines exciting action with the strong relationships between the team members, perfectly recreating the most thrilling parts of the film’s monster hunts.

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2026-03-25 03:17