Gong Hyo-jin, left, and Lee Min-ho in 'When The Stars Gossip.' Photo courtesy of NetflixSouth Korea may be well known for its romance dramas, but its sci-fi productions are steadily carving out a niche, offering gripping stories of out-of-this-world adventures and high-tech chaos that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Below, we spotlight some of South Korea’s notable sci-fi series and films that are a must-watch for fans of the genre.

When the Stars Gossip (2025)

Starring: Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, Oh Jung-se, Han Ji-eun

Watch on: Netflix

In the romantic comedy series “When the Stars Gossip,” Lee Min-ho takes on the role of an obstetrician-gynecologist who becomes a prospective son-in-law for a wealthy family. Tasked with a covert mission, he becomes a tourist at a space station, where he encounters Eve Kim, a no-nonsense astronaut played by Gong Hyo-jin. Sparks fly as their worlds collide in zero gravity.

READ: Filming zero-gravity scenes a ‘great memory’ for ‘When The Stars Gossip’ cast

Goodbye Earth (2024)

Starring: Ahn Eun-jin, Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Seong-woo, Kim Yoon-hye

Watch on: Netflix

“Goodbye Earth” follows the lives of residents in Woongcheon, a once-peaceful city in South Korea now plunged into chaos as the world faces an impending asteroid strike in 200 days. The series focuses on three central characters: a school teacher, an army captain and a priest, each grappling with the end of the world in their own way.

Parasyte: The Grey (2024)

Starring: Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun

Watch on: Netflix

Based on the hit Japanese manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki and directed by Yeon Sang-ho of “Train to Busan,” “Parasyte: The Grey” unfolds in a world where mysterious parasitic aliens arrive on Earth and begin using humans as hosts. The series follows Jeong Su-in (played by Jeon So-nee), who unexpectedly forms an unusual coexistence with a parasite after it fails to take over her brain.

READ: How ‘Parasyte: The Grey’ is different from original Japanese manga

The Moon (2023)

Starring: Sol Kyung-gu, Doh Kyung-soo, Kim Hee-ae

Watch on: Viu

In this gripping space survival film, Doh Kyung-soo stars as Sun-woo, an astronaut left stranded in space following an accident during a spaceflight, echoing a similar incident from years prior. As Sun-woo struggles to survive, the former director of a space center on Earth strives to bring him back safely.

READ: Working on space film a dream come true for K-pop star D.O of EXO

Duty After School (2023)

Starring: Shin Hyun-soo, Lee Soon-won, Kwon Eun-bin, Kim Ki-hae, Kim Min-chul, Moon Sang-min, Kim Su-gyeom

Watch on: Viu

As mysterious alien spheres begin appearing in the skies worldwide, South Korea’s defense ministry offers high school students incentives for college admission in exchange for enlisting in the reserved forces — a move that thrusts a group of students into a battle for survival as they go against the invaders.

The Silent Sea (2021)

Starring: Gong Yoo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-young, Lee Moo-saeng

Watch on: Netflix

Set in a near-future Earth plagued by a severe water crisis, the eight-part “The Silent Sea” revolves around a team of space explorers on a daring mission to retrieve samples from an abandoned research facility on the Moon. But upon their arrival, they soon uncover long-buried secrets.

READ: Star-studded space thriller ‘The Silent Sea’ is Netflix’s Christmas offering

Space Sweepers (2021)

Starring: Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin

Watch on: Netflix

Hailed as South Korea’s first space blockbuster, “Space Sweepers” is about the crew of the spaceship Victory, who stumble upon a highly valuable humanoid robot with the potential for mass destruction. Seeing an opportunity, the crew plans to demand a ransom for their discovery, setting off a high-stakes adventure.

READ: No pressure? Song Joong-ki more ‘excited’ over ‘Space Sweepers’

Memories of the Alhambra (2018)

Starring: Hyun Bin, Park Shin-hye, Park Chan-yeol

Watch on: Netflix

Filmed across stunning European locations, “Memories of the Alhambra” tells the story of Yoo Jin-woo (Hyun Bin), an investment firm executive who travels to Spain to meet the creator of an augmented-reality game. Instead, he encounters Jung Hee-joo (Park Shin-hye), the game creator’s older sister who owns a hostel. As their paths intertwine, the pair becomes entangled in mysterious events that blur the lines between reality and the virtual world.