Reincarnation is a religious concept that posits the rebirth of life in a new body following biological death. Various religious traditions, including Hinduism, Christianity (certain denominations), Jainism and Buddhism, have the concept of reincarnation deeply rooted.
Stories about reincarnation give authors a lot of creative opportunity to explore themes like karma, justice, and retribution. It also allows characters to deal with multiple lives and identities, creating a complex tapestry of memories, personal development, evolution and the mysteries of various life spans.
Reincarnation based stories have always aroused human curiosity about existence, purpose, and the eternal nature of the life and soul. Its emotional richness and narrative flexibility ensures a captivating theme for storytellers and audiences worldwide.
It is always fascinating to watch the stories that explore past lives, influencing the present identities and destinies, after reincarnation with interconnected souls. Let’s examine a few K-dramas with reincarnation as their background.
The Legend of the Blue Sea:
This story deals with the reincarnation of a mermaid from the Joseon era in the modern world and how she gets reunited with her past love, who is now a genius con artist.
Nine: Nine Time Travels:
The story revolves around a news anchor who finds nine incense sticks that give him the ability to go back in time and stop tragedies from happening to him or to his loved ones.
Tale of the Nine-Tailed:
A mythical nine-tailed fox (gumiho) living in the human world searches for his lost lover, who has been reincarnated in many lives.
Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God):
It’s the story of a goblin that is cursed with immortality and seeks a bride who may be the one to break his curse and end his life with a tragic past.
Bulgasal: Immortal Souls:
The literal meaning of Bulgasal is ‘impossible to kill’. The drama is based on Korean folklore from the late Goryeo period. It tells the story of a mythical, immortal creature that feeds on human blood.
The story in the drama follows the life of a cursed man who is searching for the reincarnated woman who was responsible for his immortality and misery over the past 600 years.
See You in My 19th Life:
This drama tells the story of a woman with the ability to recall memories from her several past lives. She is determined to reconnect with people from her previous life, especially the guy she spent her last days with.
Destined With You:
This drama revolves around a guy who is trying to break a family curse with the help of a girl who holds the key to a book of spells. While investigating together, they unearth a connection from their past lives.
Perfect Marriage Revenge:
It’s the story of a woman who dies in an accident and mysteriously gets a second chance at life and uses it to get revenge through a contract marriage after discovering shocking truths about her unfaithful husband and sister.
Abyss:
‘Abyss’ is the tale of a man and a woman who tragically meet their demise but, with the use of mysterious, mystical marble, are granted a second chance at life through soul-reviving in entirely different bodies that they don’t recognize.
Born Again:
The story explores the journey of three individuals whose lives are intertwined across two lifetimes, involving themes of love, destiny, and a serial killer plot.
Reborn Rich:
The drama tells the story of a man who is killed after being framed for theft by a Chaebol family. Later, he is reborn as the youngest son of the conglomerate to take revenge and reclaim his life by using his knowledge of future events.
In conclusion, reincarnation remains a popular theme in dramas worldwide due to its ability to blend emotional depth, cultural richness, and narrative complexity.
These dramas explore reincarnation in unique and compelling ways, offering a mix of romance, fantasy, and drama that keeps viewers captivated.With the blending of these elements, K-Dramas offer viewers a timeless exploration of the human soul and its journey through different lives.
