The immense popularity of Korean dramas is undeniable, thanks to their captivating romantic soundtracks and stunning visual storytelling. Admirers from around the globe are mesmerized by the dedication of directors and production teams in creating remarkable Korean films. Among the diverse genres, thrillers stand out as a favorite among fans worldwide. Due to this, numerous enthusiasts have eagerly shared their top 10 thrilling dramas that are absolutely worth binge-watching.
1. KINGDOM (S1 2019) (S2 2020)
“Kingdom” is set in the Joseon Dynasty, a historical period in Korea’s history, and revolves around a a a fictional story with elements of horror and political intrigue. The plot centers on the Crown Prince of Joseon investigating a mysterious plague that turns people into flesh-eating zombies. As he delves deeper into the conspiracy behind the outbreak, he uncovers dark secrets and power struggles within the royal court.
Director: King Sung-hoon, Park Yoo-Young
Network: Netflix
Episodes: Season 1 (6 eps) Season 2 (6 eps)
Country: South Korea
Kingdom Season 1 (official trailer) (2019)
Kingdom Season 2 (official trailer) (2020)
2. SQUID GAME (2021)
“Squid Game” revolves around a group of financially struggling individuals who find themselves deeply in debt and desperate for a way out of their dire circumstances. They are invited to participate in a mysterious and secretive competition called the “squid game,” which promises a massive cash prize to the winner. The games in this film are based on traditional Korean children’s games but with deadly consequences for those who fail or get eliminated. The series delves into themes of survival, desperation, and the human condition, as the characters must navigate treacherous situations while facing their own flaws and vulnerabilities.
Director: Hwang Dong-Hyuk
Network: Netflix
Episodes: Season 1 (9 Eps)
Country: South Korea
Squid Game Season 1 (Official Trailer)
3. MOUSE (2021)
Is a south korean television drama that falls under the genre of crime, thriller, and mystery. Revolves around a series of gruesome and mysterious murders committed by a serial killer. The story follows Jung Bareum, an upstanding and kind-hearted police officer, who becomes involved in the investigation to catch the killer. Apart from typical crime dramas is the intriguing twist that involves human genetic experimentation and the concept of “predators” and “prey” based on genetic predispositions. The show delves into themes of nature vs. nurture and the moral complexities of human behavior.
Director: Choi Joon-Bae
Network: TvN
Episodes: 20 Episodes
Country: South Korea
Mouse (official trailer)
4. SAVE ME (2017)
“Save Me” revolves around a young woman named Sang-mi, who becomes entangled in a dangerous and sinister religious cult. After her family moves to a new town, They encounter a group of people associated with a cult known as the “Geseonwon.” Sang-mi’s life takes a dark turn as she desperately seeks a way to escape the clutches of the cult and protect her family from its grasp. Amidst her struggle, she crosses paths with a group of four friends, who notice her distress and become determined to rescue her from the cult’s influence.
Director: King Sung-Su
Network: OCN
Episodes: 16 Episodes
Country: South Korea
Save Me (official trailer)
5. PARASITE (2019)
revolves around two families from different social classes whose lives become intricately intertwined. The Kim family, living in a cramped and squalid basement apartment, struggles to make ends meet and find stable employment. When an opportunity arises, the son of the Kim family, Ki-woo, secures a tutoring job for the wealthy Park family’s daughter, Da-hye. As Ki-woo gets closer to the Park family, he devises a cunning plan to bring his family members into the Park household, infiltrating their lives through various deceitful means. One by one, the Kims replace the Park family’s existing staff, posing as unrelated individuals. However, the parasitic symbiosis of the relationship between the two families becomes increasingly complicated, and secrets start to unravel. The film delves into themes of social inequality, class struggle, and the inherent flaws of a society divided by wealth and privilege.
Director: Boon Joon-Ho
Network: Netflix
Episodes: Movie
Country: South Korea
Parasite (official trailer)
6. STRANGERS FROM HELL (2019)
Known as “Hell Is Other People,” is a South Korean television drama That falls under the genres of psychological thriller and horror. The plot of “Strangers from Hell” centers around Yoon Jong-woo, a young man who moves to Seoul from the countryside to pursue his dream of becoming a successful author. To save on expenses,
He decides to rent a cheap, run-down apartment in a dingy building. The drama delves into themes of isolation, paranoia, and the darkness that can hide within the human psyche. Jong-woo’s descent into a psychological abyss becomes the central focus of the series, with each episode heightening the tension and suspense.
Director: Lee Chang-Hee
Network: OCN
Episodes: 10 Episodes
Country: South Korea
Strangers from Hell (official trailer)
7. ALL OF US ARE DEAD (2022)
A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak. Trapped students must fight their way out or turn into one of the rabid infected. It was a normal school day for the students of a
Korean High school-until a student returns from the school’s science lab, infected by an unknown virus. As the infection spreads out of school and throughout the peninsula, the Military desperately interrogates the psychotic science teacher who started it all, while His students struggle to survive until help arrives.
Director: Boon Joon-Ho
Network: Netflix
Episodes: Season 1 (12 Eps)
Country: South Korea
All of Us Are Dead (official trailer)
8. SWEET HOME (2020)
The synopsis of “Sweet Home” revolves around Cha Hyun-soo, a reclusive and troubled high school student who moves into a rundown apartment building after a tragic incident in his life. As he isolates himself from the outside world, a mysterious and deadly phenomenon begins to unfold. Soon, a strange and apocalyptic event engulfs the world, turning ordinary people into monstrous creatures based on their innermost desires and fears. These monstrous beings, known as “monsters,” begin to terrorize and prey on the surviving humans.
Director: Lee Eung-Bok
Network: Netflix
Episodes: 10 Episodes
Country: South Korea
Sweet Home (official trailer)
9. MY NAME (2021)
“My Name” follows the story of Yoon Ji-woo, a woman who becomes entangled in a dangerous world of crime and revenge. After her father, a well-respected police officer is murdered, Ji-woo seeks justice for his death. Ji-woo immerses herself into the dark and dangerous criminal underworld. As the drama unfolds, “My Name” explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the lengths to which one is willing to go for vengeance. Ji-woo’s journey is filled with suspense, action, and unexpected twists as she seeks to uncover the truth and bring those responsible for her father’s death to justice.
Director: Kim Jin-min
Network: Netflix
Episodes: 8 Episodes
Country: South Korea
My Name (official trailer)
10. MEMORIES OF MURDER (2003)
1986 Gyunggi Province. The body of a young woman is found brutally raped and murdered. Two months later, a series of rapes and murders commences under similar circumstances. And in a country that had never known such crimes, the dark whispers about a serial murderer grow louder.
Director: Bong Joon-Ho
Episodes: Movie
Country: South Korea
