The Arang and the Magistrate (2012) complete series is a 20-episode South Korean historical fantasy drama. It is based on the traditional folklore of Arang, a young woman who was murdered and returns as a ghost to uncover the truth behind her death. Key Series Features
Genre Blend: The show is a "fusion sageuk," mixing historical period drama with fantasy, horror, romance, and comedy.
Supernatural Premise: The story features a man, Eun Oh, who has the hereditary ability to see and hear ghosts, a gift he typically tries to hide to avoid their pestering requests.
Mythological World-Building: Unlike standard historical dramas, this series explores a detailed afterlife cosmology involving Heaven, Hell, and magic. It includes characters like the Jade Emperor (King of Heaven) and Yama (King of the Underworld).
Mystery-Driven Plot: The central narrative follows Arang and Eun Oh as they team up to solve the mystery of Arang's identity and death, which is eventually linked to the disappearance of Eun Oh's mother.
Stunt Work: Lead actor Lee Joon-gi performed his own stunts, utilizing his martial arts background for the series' frequent action and fight scenes. Main Cast Description Lee Joon-gi Kim Eun-oh A cynical magistrate who can see ghosts. Shin Min-a Arang / Lee Seo-rim A feisty ghost seeking justice for her murder. Yeon Woo-jin Choi Joo-wal A mysterious nobleman and Eun-oh's political rival. Kwon Oh-joong Dol-soe Eun-oh's loyal and physically strong manservant. Hwang Bo-ra Bang-wool A shaman who can hear ghosts but cannot see them. Yoo Seung-ho Jade Emperor The King of Heaven who meddles in mortal affairs. Special Content Arang and the Magistrate -2012- Complete Series
Special Episode: Before the premiere, MBC aired a special titled "How to Enjoy Arang and the Magistrate 100 Times More," featuring behind-the-scenes stories and character relationship details.
High Production Value: The series was visually noted for its beautiful cinematography and high-quality soundtrack. It set a then-record for the highest per-episode export price for an MBC drama sold to Japan.
Here’s a complete content package for Arang and the Magistrate (2012) — also known as Arang and the Magistrate or Tale of Arang — including a logline, synopsis, character highlights, thematic analysis, key episodes breakdown, and suggested promotional or recap content.
As of 2025, availability varies by region, but here are the most common platforms:
Note: The drama is not currently on Netflix or Disney+ in most regions, so dedicated fans often purchase it or use Kocowa/Viki. The Arang and the Magistrate (2012) complete series
If you enjoy dramas like Goblin or Hotel del Luna, this series is a predecessor that helped define the "sad beautiful ghost" trope. It balances the melancholy of death with vibrant, comedic life.
The story follows Arang (Shin Min-ah), a wandering ghost who has no memory of how she died. Determined to discover her identity, she stumbles upon Eun-oh (Lee Joon-gi), a cynical, brooding nobleman who has the supernatural ability to see and hear ghosts—a curse he despises.
Eun-oh is searching for his mother, who mysteriously disappeared years ago. He makes a deal with the persistent Arang: help her find the truth about her death, and in return, she will use her ghostly abilities to help him locate his mother. Their investigation leads them to a malevolent deity, a grim reaper (played by a scene-stealing Yoo Seung-ho), and a conspiracy that threatens the mortal and celestial realms.
Arang and the Magistrate (also known as Arang: The Magistrate’s Story) aired from August 15 to October 18, 2012. It was directed by Kim Sang-ho and written by Jung Yoon-jung, the latter known for her work on The King 2 Hearts.
At its core, the drama is a supernatural romance set in the Joseon era. The title refers to the two leads: Where to Stream the Arang and the Magistrate
When Arang begs Eun-oh to help her discover how she died, he reluctantly agrees, leading them down a rabbit hole of divine politics, demonic predators, and a secret that links their past lives.
The Arang and the Magistrate -2012- Complete Series runs for 20 episodes. Unlike many modern 16-episode dramas, these 20 episodes allow the story to breathe, building a complex mythology that involves the Jade Emperor (God) and the King of the Underworld.
When Eun-oh arrives in Miryang, Arang discovers that he can see her. Desperate to recover her memories and move on to the afterlife, she pesters him to help her. Eun-oh initially refuses, but he eventually agrees when he realizes that uncovering the mystery of Arang’s death might lead him to his missing mother.
To investigate her death properly, Arang needs a standing in society. Eun-oh poses as the new Magistrate of Miryang, and Arang poses as the magistrate’s "cousin" and servant. Together, with the help of the local shaman Bang-wool (who serves as the medium for Arang’s voice) and the loyal servants Dol-swe and Seo-rim, they begin to unravel the truth.