If there’s one genre that you can never go wrong with in Korean dramas, it’s definitely thrillers. That’s why it is no wonder that the 2019 action and thriller K-drama Kill It is such an impressive watch.
Fast-paced and intriguing, Kill It follows the story of Kim Soohyun (played by Jang Kiyoung), a gentle-hearted veterinarian with a soft spot for animals- but we soon find out that’s not the whole truth. Working her way through a case, detective Do Hyunjin (played by Nana) gradually discovers Soohyun’s real identity as one of the most lethal assassins alive.
Though many see her as outwardly cold, the detective is actually exceptionally empathetic. Believing him to be the serial killer she is after, Hyujin leaves no stone unturned in her investigation but soon arrives at a bone-chilling discovery.
As though bound by fate, the two individuals now have to work with each other to unravel the mystery of what linked them together all those years ago- and quickly.
If Kill It had you on the edge of your seat, let me introduce you to ten more K-dramas, which would be right up your alley. An interesting combination of thrill, action, mystery, and maybe a touch of comedy and romance, these dramas truly have it all.
If you haven’t watched Kill It yet, you can find it on Viki- and after you’re done, don’t forget to check out these must-watch picks, too.
10. Lawless Lawyer
If you’re a sucker for the ‘wronged-hero-seeking-payback’ trope, then Lawless Lawyer will definitely be your cup of tea. Set in the fictional city of Kisung, the drama follows the gangster-turned-lawyer Bong Sangpil, who’s out for revenge and will stop at nothing to get it.
Soon, he crosses paths with Ha Jaeyi, a fiery young lawyer with a strong sense of justice (so fiery, in fact, that she punches a judge right in the first episode). Sangpil’s experience with the less-than-legal ways to get things done, coupled with Jaeyi’s extensive knowledge of the law, makes for a formidable team fighting against the massively corrupt elites of the city.
Through their Lawless Law firm, Sangpil aims to avenge his mother and bring down these elites and, most prominently, judge Cha Moonsook, using legal loopholes and physical power to try to expose their dishonorable ways.
It goes without saying that Lee Joongi and Seo Yeji are simply perfect in their respective lead roles, and not for nothing, either. Being one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history, Lawless Lawyer is something you cannot miss out on.
- Director: Kim Jinmin
- Screenwriter: Yoon Hyundo
- Starring: Lee Jongi, Seo Yeji, Lee Hyeyoung, Choi Minsoo and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix, WeTV
9. The Girl Who Sees Smells
This 2015 K-drama has a rather unique concept. Oh Chorim is a girl chasing her dream of working in theatre, but with an exceptional ability- in place of being able to smell, she can see patterns with her eyes. All she knows is that she obtained this ability after a nasty accident, which resulted in her staying at the hospital for a few days.
On the flip side, Choi Moogak is also working to achieve his long-time goal of becoming a detective. With a completely stoic exterior, Moogak, too, has something about his senses, but rather than gaining a new skill, he’s lost his ability to taste food.
The two meet after Chorim helps Moogak catch a petty criminal by following the man’s scent all across town and eventually bringing a skeptical Moogak to his hiding place. However, as they continue to work together on a case close to Moogak’s heart, they uncover a plethora of dreadful secrets while on the hunt for the ‘Barcode Killer.’
Labeled as a menace and a madman, the unknown serial killer proves to be much more horrific than anyone had ever thought, and as Chorim and Moogak begin to join the dots, they realize there’s much more tying them together than a simple detective case.
All of this brings up more answers and even more questions- about Chorim’s past, which she can’t remember, Moogak’s true intentions behind becoming a detective, and the Barcode Killer himself.
- Director: Baek Soochan, Oh Chungwhan
- Screenwriter: Lee Heemyung
- Starring: Park Yoochun, Shin Sekyung, Namgoong Min, Yoon Jinseo, and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix
8. Tunnel
Tunnel is one of the best-written K-dramas in its genre. Not only does it deal with complex criminal investigations, but it is, in fact, based on a real-life murder case called the ‘Hwaseong serial murder case.’
However, by far, the most interesting aspect of this drama has got to be the bizarre time-traveling that Park Gwangho experiences. With an enthusiastic attitude towards his job, Gwangho is a successful detective who’s working in the year 1986- until the fated day when he runs through a long tunnel during his chase after who he assumes is the culprit of a homicide case.
What he doesn’t know is that he is about to end up 30 years in the future, which is the year 2016. He quickly discovers that the killer from all those years has continued his despicable crimes right into the present day. Gwangho then ends up working with an elite detective by the name of Kim Seonjae.
Despite being kind of eccentric (and a little frustrating at times), Seonjae is the epitome of competency in his field. Our detective from the 80s soon realizes that no one is more proficient than Seonjae, and together with a criminal psychologist, Professor Shin Jae-yi, they dedicate their efforts to working out the 30-year-long unsolved murder cases and putting a stop to the serial killer forever.
- Director: Shin Yonghwi
- Screenwriter: Lee Eunmi
- Starring: Choi Jinhyuk, Yoon Hyunmin, Lee Yooyoung and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix, WeTV
7. The K2
If you’re looking for tons of action and a little gore, K2 is the drama for you. The plot revolves around Kim Jeha, who is a hired gun for a private military company by the name of Blackstone.
Through a series of seemingly contradictory events, Jeha gets framed for the murder of his civilian girlfriend, Raniya. After being on the run for a while, he returns to South Korea under an alias, where he gets embroiled in the messy relations of a political family.
In particular, it is Go Anna (whom he hired as a bodyguard) and her scheming stepmother, Choi Yoo-Jin, to whom he has to dedicate most of his time and attention. Despite this, Jeho slowly starts to figure out the truth behind Raniya’s death as well as the disturbing lengths these people will go to against their own family members.
As always, Ji Changwook’s role as Jeha is outstanding, with everyone’s beloved Im Yoona in the role of Go Anna, who will be Jeha’s eventual love interest.
- Director: Kwak Junghwan, Sung Yong-il
- Screenwriter: Jang Hyukrin
- Starring: Ji Chang Wook, Song Yoonah, Im Yoona, Jo Sungha, Kim Kapsoo, and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix, WeTV
6. Suspicious Partner
If you’re not a fan of the gory stuff but love Ji Changwook, here’s another of his dramas for you- Suspicious Partner. In the lead role, the character Noh Jiwook is a prosecutor who meets Eun Bonghee, a judicial apprentice at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
Despite meeting under less-than-ideal circumstances, Jiwook eventually becomes Bonghee’s mentor and guide, after which they begin to work together. However, just as things are falling into place, bad luck strikes the pair- Bonghee is framed for a murder she did not commit.
Soon, the two find themselves involved in solving a series of murders, which they are both somehow connected to. Along the way, fate is not kind to Jiwook as he finds problem after problem in his path, during which he quits his job and chooses to become a defense lawyer instead.
Yet, amidst all this, both Jiwook and Bonghee find it increasingly difficult to ignore the sparks flying between them, resulting in some sweet squeal-worthy moments between them.
- Director: Park Sun-ho
- Screenwriter: Kwon Ki-young
- Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Nam Jihyun, Choi Taejoon, Kwon Nara and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 40
- Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix
5. Big Mouth
Probably the most talked about drama of 2022, Big Mouth quite literally took the K-drama fandom by storm and eventually ended up winning Drama of the Year at the MBC Drama Awards in the same year.
Also set in the world of law enforcement and crime, Park Changho is a highly unsuccessful lawyer known as ‘Big Mouth’ for his inability to think before he speaks. He’s married to Ko Miho, a nurse with a bold personality. Changho, by chance, winds up bang in the most dangerous possible situation- in prison and at the center of the mafia’s attention.
With the country’s most lethal men watching his every move, Changho cannot afford a single misstep and does everything he can to protect himself, Miho, and those he loves.
Soon, he realizes that nothing and no one can really be trusted, save for his beloved wife. The unwavering love between Changho and Miho and the trust they put in each other is sure to tug at your heartstrings like nothing else.
Unable to figure out who is really at the heart of all this mess, a figure curiously named ‘Big Mouse,’ the couple relies on each other and their smarts to save themselves.
With Changho constantly trying to navigate his way through this sudden whirlwind of events by playing his cards right while in prison, Miho does her own planning and risk-taking in the outside world to save her husband, even when it may cost her dearly.
The plot of the show is beyond amazing, and excellent acting by both Lee Jongsuk and Im Yoona won them Best Actor and Best Actress in a Miniseries Awards, respectively, at the MBC Drama Awards, as well as the Best Couple award jointly. It is no wonder that the ‘Big Mouth/Big Mouse’ debate was all everyone could talk about in 2022.
- Director: Oh Chung-hwan, Bae Hyun-jin
- Screenwriter: Kim Ha-ram
- Starring: Lee Jong-suk, Im Yoon-ah, Kim Joo-hun and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu
4. Vagabond
Aired in 2019, this drama first caught the attention of the public due to its star cast, particularly the main leads, played by Lee Seunggi and Bae Suzy. Vagabond is based around the time of the incident of the Metrojet Flight 9268, which occurred in 2015.
Lee Seunggi’s character, Cha Dalgun, is a stuntman who is struggling with his career while also taking care of his nephew Hoon, who is unfortunately an orphan.
Though they do love each other deeply, Hoon and Dalgun get into an argument before the former leaves for a field trip to Morocco. Dalgun gets to know through the news that the plane carrying the boy crashed badly.
With his nephew dead, Dalgun’s entire life starts crumbling around him. However, things take a turn when he figures out that the crash was not caused incidentally or due to a malfunction but happened as a result of a targeted action.
He starts diligently collecting evidence to prove himself, but somehow, mysteriously, every piece begins to disappear before he can get to that point.
With the help of Go Haeri, an undercover agent in the National Intelligence Service, Dagun delves deep into this investigation, and soon, they begin to uncover unthinkable amounts of corruption, lies, and deceit.
Though nothing has been confirmed officially, a season 2 is rumored to be in the works.
- Director: Yoo Insik
- Screenwriter: Jang Youngchul, Jung Kyungsoon
- Starring: Lee Seunggi, Bae Suzy, Shin Sungrok and others
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Netflix
3. Stranger
This drama was originally released in 2017 and to so much fanfare that it was renewed for a second season three years later, in 2020. The plot is mainly concerned with Hwang Simok, an exceptionally good prosecutor.
Under his professional abilities, though, he suffers from a unique issue- he has lost his ability to feel emotion. After a brain surgery in his younger years, Simok became completely apathetic and, as a result, ended up alone and lonely.
During a certain homicide investigation, Simok meets Lieutenant Han Yeojin, and they end up working together on the case. However, not far into the investigation, Simok and Yeojin come to the realization that something keeps blocking their progress every time they try to take the next step in getting closer to the truth.
Linked heavily with corruption in the legal system, the duo take it upon themselves to expose the misconduct of both those in the Prosecutor’s Office and a national conglomerate and to get to the root of this serial murder case.
- Director: Ahn Gil-ho, Yoo Je-won (Season 1), Park Hyun-suk (Season 2)
- Screenwriter: Lee Soo-Yeon
- Starring: Cho Seung-woo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon-hyuk, Yoo Jae-Myung, Shin Hye-sun, Jeon Hye-jin
- Total Number of Episodes: 32
- Where to Watch: Netflix
2. Train
What makes Train different from other detective K-dramas is the concept of parallel universes and world-shifting that the story is based on. Seo Dowoon is a detective known for his ability to get the job done, no matter what it takes.
He has a strong sense of justice, which shows evidently in his job. However, after this beloved is murdered at the hands of a serial killer, Dowoon realizes that he’s bitten off more than he can chew.
As if the grief wasn’t enough, the detective is struck with a new ability- to move between two different worlds with two different storylines. In his own world, his love is still, and he must fight to protect her against all odds.
In both worlds, Dowoon is plagued by the burden of his father’s sins, which he must tackle alone- or does he? Carrying the responsibility of making his life right, he enlists the help of his colleagues in both of his worlds, including Han Seokyung and Lee Jung-min.
Seokyung has wildly different personalities in both universes but helps him nonetheless, while Jungmin offers his own strengths as a member of the scientific investigation unit. The trio is in a race against time to track down the murderer in one world before Dowoon loses her for a second time.
- Director: Ryu Seungjin
- Screenwriter: Park Gayeon
- Starring: Yoon Shiyoon, Kyung Soojin, Shin Soyul
- Total Number of Episodes: 12
- Where to Watch: Viki
1. Memorist
Without a doubt, actors Yoon Seungho and Lee Seyoung are simply phenomenal in Memorist. The protagonist Dongbaek’s story begins right in high school when he mysteriously gains a new superpower- he has the ability to read a person’s memories simply by touching them.
This new power turns out to be both a blessing and a curse, but Dongbaek takes it in his stride and begins to work for the police force as a detective. Determined to catch as many criminals as possible, he stumbles into a serial killer case, which has baffled his co-workers.
Han Sunmi, an exemplary criminal profiler, is also the youngest superintendent of the Special Investigation Headquarters. Previously a lawyer, she switched careers to find out the truth behind her father’s death, which occurred over two decades ago.
The two of them team up on the serial killer case but begin to unravel connections between the case and their own difficult pasts. With the stakes getting higher and higher, Dongbaek and Sunmi cannot afford to leave his convoluted mystery unsolved.
- Director: Kim Whee, Oh Seung-yeol, So Jae-Hyun
- Screenwriter: Ahn Do-ha, Hwang Ha-na
- Starring: Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Se-young, Jo Sung-ha
- Total Number of Episodes: 16
- Where to Watch: Viki, WeTV
Also Read: 20 K-Dramas Like Vincenzo That You Need to Watch
