If you're a TV fan who recently got their first glimpse at the world of Korean entertainment, odds are it came courtesy of an edge-of-your-seat thriller. South Korea has been renowned for its spine-chilling suspense and horror films for decades, and its TV industry has fully embraced global audiences's appetite for gripping tales of serial killers, zombies, and dystopian death games. Since Squid Game took the world by storm in 2021, Korean broadcasters and streaming channels have followed the wave of exciting thriller K-dramas, allowing filmmakers to depict darker societal themes than in traditional romance or historical dramas.
For fans of series like Teach You a Lesson or Agent Kim Reactivated who are looking for their next TV binge, here are our picks of the best thriller K-dramas to watch, from terrifying horror series to psychological crime dramas to the best superhero show we've seen in years. (Once you've dipped your toes in, check out our list of the best K-dramas to watch on Netflix.)
Action Thriller K-dramas
'A Shop for Killers' (2024–2026)
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Kim Hye-joon, Lee Dong-wook, Park Ji-bin, Seo Hyeon-woo, and Geum Hae-na
This action thriller begins when new college student Ji-an receives word that her reclusive uncle and caretaker, Jeong Jin-man, has committed suicide. Once she returns to her childhood home, Ji-an is ambushed by gunfire, left to fend for herself against teams of highly skilled assassins. She has no idea why she is being attacked, but it's clear that it has something to do with Jin-man's mysterious job, which he ran out of a high-tech bunker underneath their home. As she uncovers her uncle's secrets, Ji-an has to lean on the survival skills he taught her to make it out of her home alive.
'Bloodhounds' (2023–2026)
Number of episodes: 15
Starring: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Huh Joon-ho, Park Sung-woong, and Rain
This action-packed series takes place during the height of the COVID pandemic in Seoul, when struggling local businesses find themselves at the mercy of corrupt gangsters. Rookie boxer Kim Geon-woo works several jobs to help his family stay afloat, but his mother's café is struggling. When she signs up for a hefty loan, the pair discover that she's been targeted by Smile Capital, a ruthless loan-shark business led by crime boss Kim Myeong-gil. Geon-woo teams up with fellow boxer Hong Woo-jin to take down the loan sharks, with the help of a benevolent moneylender.
'D.P.' (2021–2023)
Number of episodes: 12
Starring: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, and Son Suk-ku
This multi-season Netflix drama explores South Korea's 18-month mandatory military service, focusing on cases of desertion prompted by hazing and intense bullying. (It's even inspired by real-life incidents.) After impressing his superior Park Bum-gu, an empathetic private named Ahn Jun-ho is assigned to the D.P. ("deserter pursuit") unit, which is tasked with bringing back rogue soldiers. As he and D.P. Han Ho-yul face difficult cases, they have to grapple with the toxic cycles of abuse within the military.
Crime Thriller K-Dramas
'Beyond Evil' (2021)
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo
Korean film fans should check out this cinematic, psychological crime thriller, following two unlikely partners investigating a cunning serial killer. Lee Dong-sik, a washed-up former detective who now works as an average cop, is paired with Han Joo-won, the son of a city police captain who's surprisingly transferred to the rural town of Manyang. When they discover a corpse with connections to a 20-year-old cold case (where a young Dong-sik was once considered a suspect), the detectives become determined to stop the murderer no matter what, even if it means becoming monsters themselves.
'Signal' (2016– )
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong
This time-traveling crime thriller sees a group of detectives as they solve crimes across time, nearly three decades to be exact. In 2015, criminal profiler Park Hae-Young discovers a mysterious walkie-talkie that allows him to communicate with Lee Jae-han, a detective in 2000 working to solve a cold case that affected Hae-young in his childhood. Joined by Hae-young's colleague Cha Soo-hyun, the officers work together to solve cold cases inspired by real-life criminal cases in Korea. (tvN will reportedly release a second season in 2026, 10 years after Signal's premiere.)
'The Worst of Evil' (2023)
Number of episodes: 12
Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, and Im Se-mi
In this 1990s-set crime thriller, Ji Chang-wook plays Park Jun-mo, a rural police officer who's constantly belittled for being at a lower rank than his wife, Yoo Eui-jung, a Seoul detective. Hoping for more prestige, Jun-mu agrees to go undercover in a drug ring, intending to befriend Jung Gi-cheul, a former DJ who rose through the ranks to become head of the organization. Meanwhile, Jun-mo is unaware that Eui-jung has also volunteered for the mission and that his wife was Gi-cheul's high school first love. Bibi also stars as Lee Hae-ryeon, a Korean-Chinese drug manufacturer in business with Gi-cheul.
Revenge Thriller K-dramas
'The Glory' (2022–2023)
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Lim Ji-yeon, Lee Do-hyun, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il
South Korea is known for its mind-bending revenge tales, and this thriller-melodrama from writer Kim Eun-sook is the latest tale of vengeance to take over the K-drama world. When she was a teenager, Moon Dong-eun was a victim of severe school bullying and was left mentally and physically scarred by her wealthy assailants. The abuse even led her to drop out of school, leading her to dedicate the rest of her life to taking down the group, led by queen bee Park Yeon-jin. 20 years later, Dong-eun's ready to finally enact her intricate plot, with the help of Yeon-jin's housekeeper Kang Hyeon-nam and lovestruck doctor Joo Yeo-jeong.
'Mercy for None' (2025)
Number of episodes: 7
Starring: So Ji-sub, Lee Jun-hyuk, Choo Yeong-woo, Gong Myung, Cha Seung-won, and Heo Jun-ho
This brutal drama is set in a criminal underworld dominated by two rival gangs. Eleven years ago, feared enforcer Nam Gi-jun left the Bongsan Group when his younger brother Nam Gi-seok joined their rivals. Gi-jun has since lived a peaceful life, while Gi-seok rose to become second-in-command of the Juwoon Group. When Gi-seok suddenly dies, Gi-jun re-enters the crime world to reveal the truth behind his brother's death and destroy everyone involved.
'My Name' (2021)
Number of episodes: 8
Starring: Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon, and Ahn Bo-hyun
On Yoon Ji-woo's 17th birthday, an anonymous attacker murders her father on their front doorstep. Orphaned and friendless, Ji-woo strikes a deal with the Dongcheon gang's kingpin Choi Mu-jin: He'll take her in and help her get revenge if she trains to become the gangster's mole in the police force. As the dirty cop infiltrates a narcotics division and investigates her father's murder, she finds herself caught between the law and the criminal underworld, not knowing which side is responsible for her dad's death.
'Reborn Rich' (2022)
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Song Joong-ki, Lee Sung-min, and Shin Hyun-been
Reborn Rich belongs to a growing sub-genre of series about fallen heroes dedicating their second chance at life to revenge. (See also Again My Life and Marry My Husband.) Yoon Hyun-woo is the devoted secretary to the chaebol family behind the conglomerate Soonyang Group, led by patriarch Jin Yang-cheol. When Hyun-woo is betrayed and murdered by one of the family members during a succession battle, he's reincarnated into the body of the youngest member of the family, Jin Do-jun. With his new position, the vengeful employee-turned-heir forms a plot to take over the company and discover the identity of his killer.
Romantic Thriller K-Dramas
'Flower of Evil' (2020)
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Moon Chae-won, Lee Joon-gi, Jang Hee-jin, Seo Hyun-woo, Choi Dae-hoon, and Kim Ji-hoon
Fans of both romance and thrillers will find themselves engrossed in this gripping mystery. Police detective Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won) and her loving husband Baek Hee-sung (Lee Joon-gi) appear to be the perfect family with an adorable young daughter. However, while investigating a series of murders, Ji-won's sleuthing begins to point to Hee-sung himself, who has been hiding his past and living under a new identity. As the case goes on and she discovers more about her husband's history, Ji-won has to reckon with the possibility that she may be in love with a serial murderer.
'Happiness' (2021)
Number of episodes: 12
Starring: Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik, and Jo Woo-jin
While this genre-bending zombie series leans more toward thriller than romance, the chemistry between the leads makes it a must-watch for viewers who love both genres. When special ops officer Yoon Sae-bom learns of a homeowner assistance program, she jumps at the chance to move into a high-rise with her high-school friend, Detective Jung Yi-hyun, not knowing that he's secretly in love with her. Soon after they move in, an infectious disease sweeps the country, with those infected getting a craving for human blood. The apartment building ends up quarantined, with Sae-bom and Yi-hyun trying to keep the peace and protect each other as wealth inequality and paranoia tears through the building's eccentric tenants faster than the virus.
'Healer' (2014–2015)
Number of episodes: 20
Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Park Min-young, and Yoo Ji-tae
In this action-romance drama, Ji Chang-wook plays the "Healer," a night courier who messengers illegal items and does whatever the client needs, as long as it isn't murder, with the help of a genius hacker. When he crosses paths with failed tabloid writer Chae Young-shin and successful reporter Kim Moon-ho, all three learn that they're connected in several ways. Come for the intricate plot, stay for some serious romance.
'Mr. Sunshine' (2018)
Number of episodes: 20
Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, and Byun Yo-han
This action romance is inspired by real-life historical figures and takes place in early 1900s Korea, known as the Joseon era. Eugene Choi was an orphaned child of enslaved people who escaped to the U.S. and became a citizen and Marine Corps officer. When he returns to his home country, he meets Ae-shin, a noblewoman who's secretly a sniper in Korea’s Righteous Army, which fights for Joseon's continued independence against the Japanese. The two fall in love, despite their class differences and Ae-shin's impending marriage, and Eugene must choose whether to keep his neutral position as an American diplomat or join the effort to secure the country's future.
School Thriller K-dramas
'All of Us Are Dead' (2022– )
Number of episodes: 12
Starring: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee Yoo-mi, and Kim Byung-chul
In this zombie K-drama, the devastating outbreak begins within the Korean city of Hyosan, as a high school science teacher experiments with a mysterious new virus. Once chaos erupts, the students of Hyosan High quickly begin transforming into flesh-eating monsters, leaving the remaining human teens to try to survive while still dealing with romantic angst, school bullying, and wealth inequality. Leading the group are childhood friends Cheong-san and On-jo, popular kid Su-hyeok, and class president Nam-ra. (After years of waiting, season 2 is expected to land on Netflix next year.)
'Study Group' (2025– )
Number of episodes: 10
Starring: Hwang Min-hyun, Han Ji-eun, Cha Woo-min, Lee Jong-hyun, Shin Su-hyun, Yoon Sang-jeong, and Gong Do-yu
This fantastic webtoon adaptation is a must-watch for anyone who prefers their action dramas a bit lighter. (Think Weak Hero but more comedic.) In Study Group, Yoon Ga-min wants nothing more than to get into college, but no matter how much he studies, his grades never improve. When he transfers to Yusung Technical High School in the hopes of rising to a better academic rank, he discovers that he'll have to literally fight to raise his standing at the notoriously violent school. Luckily, Ga-min has some advantages on his side: his excellent martial arts skills, his single-minded goal of forming the titular study group, and a kind new teacher who wants to reform the school. (The word-of-mouth hit was renewed for a second season in August 2025.)
'Teach You a Lesson' (2026– )
Number of episodes: 10
Starring: Kim Mu-yeol, Jin Ki-joo, Pyo Ji-hoon, Ha Young, and Lee Sung-min
Adapted from the popular yet controversial webtoon Get Schooled, this series approaches the subject of school bullying through unique means: a government-sanctioned program where adults can use violence to bring both delinquent students into line. Na Hwa-jin, former Special Forces captain turned school inspector, is sent from school to school to take down unrepentant bullies and hopefully reform the education system for good.
'Weak Hero' (2022– )
Number of episodes: 16
Starring: Park Ji-hoon, Choi Hyun-woo, Hong Kyung, Choi Min-yeong, Ryeoun, Lee Min-jae, Bae Na-ra, and Lee Jun-young
This action-thriller is another series about the dark sides of high school, from school violence to the intense college admissions process. Yeon Si-eun is a brilliant loner whose sole focus is getting into the country's top university. Though he's physically weak, Si-eun refuses to back down to his brutal bullies. When he can no longer survive on his wits alone, Si-eun finds allies and eventual friends in fellow class outcast Oh Beom-seok and the school's best fighter, An Su-ho. After the first eight-episode season became a word-of-mouth hit, Netflix continued the series, following Si-eun as he faced a new set of bullies to protect his friends at a new school.
Sci-fi/Fantasy Thriller K-Dramas
'Death's Game' (2023–2024)
Number of episodes: 8
Starring: Seo In-guk and Park So-dam
Adapted from the Naver webtoon of the same name (and sporting a truly all-star guest cast), this fantasy thriller centers on Choi Yi-jae, a graduate who's been struggling to find stable employment for the past seven years. Filled with despair, Yi-jae throws himself off a roof and finds himself face-to-face with Death. As punishment for wanting to end his own life, Death makes Yi-jae play a fatal game: He will be reincarnated 12 times, taking over the bodies of other people who are about to die. If he can prevent any of those deaths, Yi-jae may continue to live as that person instead of going to Hell.
'Moving' (2023– )
Number of episodes: 20
Starring: Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, and Kim Do-hoon
This award-winning superhero series racked up tons of awards (and a Critics' Choice nomination) in 2023, and was named "the next breakout hit from Asia after Squid Game." The contemporary series follows a group of super-powered parents with ordinary jobs, who have passed their abilities down to their high-school-aged children. Jumping back and forth between flashbacks of the parents' backstories and their kids' attempts to control their powers, the series's big conflict comes with the present-day arrival of Frank, a vicious Korean-born American spy operative who begins hunting the heroes down. (Moving's highly-anticipated second season began filming in May 2026.)
'Sweet Home' (2020–2024)
Number of episodes: 26
Starring: Song Kang, Go Min-si, Lee Do-hyun, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Park Gyu-young, Kim Hee-jung, Yu Oh-seong, Oh Jung-se, Jun Jin-young, Kim Mu-yeol, and Heo Nam-jun
Based on the Naver webtoon of the same name, Sweet Home follows Cha Hyun-su, a reclusive high school student who moves into an apartment complex called Green Home after a tragic accident kills his entire family. He soon finds himself trapped in the building at the end of the world, as humans begin transforming into horrific, deformed monsters. As the residents of Green Home team up to survive, Hyun-su and the other survivors must face their inner demons with the hope of keeping the human race alive.
Psychological/Horror Thriller K-dramas
'As You Stood By' (2025)
Number of episodes: 8
Starring: Jeon So-nee, Lee Yoo-mi, Jang Seung-jo, and Lee Moo-saeng
Based on the Hideo Okuda's novel Naomi to Kanako, this unflinching thriller centers on two women who lives have been shaped by domestic violence. Eun-su is an employee at a luxury department store, who grew up with an abusive father and terrified mother. Her best friend Hui-su lives under the thumb of her violent husband Jin-pyo. When the friends decide to finally get rid of Jin-pyo, their desperate plans quickly go awry.
'Squid Game' (2021–2025)
Number of episodes: 22
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hae-soo, Hoyeon, Yim Si-wan, and Jo Yu-ri
In case you haven't heard, Squid Game is the dystopian global phenomenon about 456 desperate people who sign up to play deadly children's games for the chance to win a life-changing fortune. Season 1 centers on Seong Gi-hun, a divorced dad and gambler who joins the game with the hope of getting custody of his daughter. He competes against a variety of other players—from childhood friend Cho Sang-woo to North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok to octogenarian Oh Il-nam—while struggling to survive the harsh challenges. We'll avoid spoilers, but the second and third seasons see [redacted] re-enter the Game to take it down once and for all.
'Strangers from Hell' (2019)
Number of episodes: 10
Starring: Yim Si-wan and Lee Dong-wook
Also known as Hell is Other People, this underrated psychological horror-thriller centers on Yoon Jong-woo, a young man who moves to Seoul with a dream of becoming a crime writer. Short on funds, Jong-woo moves into an ominous goshiwon (a.k.a. a mini studio) filled with creepy characters. As strange and disturbing occurrences keep happening, Jong-woo grows more and more paranoid about everything, including his new friendship with his next-door neighbor, Seo Moon-jo.
