If you enjoy nail-biting suspense and edge-of-your-seat plot twists, mystery thriller K-dramas will be right up your alley. They feature complex, interesting characters and thrilling narratives that will have your heart racing. Here are 25 of the best Korean dramas from the mystery thriller genre!
Nine Puzzles
A decade after finding her uncle murdered, Yoon E-na becomes a criminal profiler. When new killings mirror his death, each marked by a puzzle piece, she teams up with Detective Kim Han-saem, who suspects E-na knows more than she lets on.
Watch on Disney+.
Black Out
Ko Jung-Woo was wrongly accused and imprisoned for murdering two female classmates. Despite his denial to the murders and not remembering what actually happened, he is sentenced to ten years in prison. Upon his release, he returns to his hometown and tries to uncover the truth behind the double murder with the help of a detective.
Watch on Netflix.
Karma
What goes around, comes around. Karma follows the lives of six characters and their moral dilemmas. A chain of tragic events starts when a man goes to extremes to repay a dangerous loan shark, entangling the fate of six strangers. Karma tells a captivating slow-burn story about the consequences of bad decisions.
Watch on Netflix.
Doubt
Doubt explores the complex relationship between a father and his daughter. Jang Tae-su is South Korea’s best criminal profiler and has dedicated his life to understanding the minds of criminals. While investigating a murder case, Tae-su suspects his own daughter to be involved. He struggles to choose between protecting his daughter while making sense of her involvement in the crime.
Watch on Netflix.
When The Phone Rings
The series stars Yoo Yeon-seok as Paik Sa-eon, a high-profile political figure, and Chae Soo-bin as Hong Hee-joo, his nonverbal estranged wife. Their arranged marriage, devoid of emotional connection, is shaken when Sa-eon receives a chilling phone call threatening Hee-joo’s safety. As Sa-eon delves into the mystery, he uncovers unsettling truths about his wife’s past and their complex relationship. The drama blends elements of mystery, romance, and psychological thriller.
Watch on Netflix.
Friendly Rivalry
Friendly Rivalry tells the story of an orphan, Woo Seul-gi, who transfers to a prestigious high school, and her complex relationship with the school’s “queen bee” – Yu Je-I (played by Hyeri). As Seul-gi battles the cutthroat academic culture and Je-I’s obsession, she also delves into the dark mystery behind her father’s suspicious death, uncovering secrets that could shake the school’s foundations.
Watch on Netflix.
Revenant
Revenant is an all-new mystery thriller written by Kim Eun-hee, the scriptwriter behind sensational dramas like Signal and Kingdom. It follows Gu San-yeong (played by Kim Tae-ri), whose life seems to be a constant battle filled with hardship. She meets Yeom Hae-sang (played by Oh Jung-se), a man with a special ability to see demons, and uncovers the truth about a curse that she has been placed under. The duo then works together to unveil the mystery around a string of unsettling events that have been taking place after the passing of San-yeong’s father.
This K-drama keeps its audience on tenterhooks with turn after turn of unanticipated twists, coupled with bone-chilling depictions of supernatural activity. It’s one of the best mystery-thriller K-dramas to be released in 2023.
Watch on Disney+.
The King of Pigs
This drama revolves around Hwang Kyung-min, (played by Kim Dong-wook) who is the CEO of a taxi company. Hidden behind Kyung-min’s cheerful demeanor is his traumatic past of being a victim of school violence. An unexpected incident causes him to hunt down those that have wronged him in the past, accompanied by his old friend turned detective Jung Jong-seok (played by Kim Sung-kyu) and his colleague Kang Jin-a (played by Chae Jung-an).
The plot of King of Pigs is well-constructed, leaving viewers guessing what happens in the next episode as the murder investigations intensify. It has its fair share of explicit violence and brutality, but it definitely befits the somber theme that characterizes this show – amplified by the moody, dark tones portrayed through the cinematography. The performances by the cast members brought their characters to life, and even the child actors put on some outstanding performances!
Watch on Prime.
Through The Darkness
Inspired by a real title authored by Korea’s first criminal profiler, Through The Darkness takes us through the life of Song Ha-young (played by Kim Nam-gil). He works with team leader Gook Young-soo (played by Jin Seon-kyu) to set up Korea’s first-ever Criminal Behaviour Analysis Team. The team initially faces challenges as people are unaccepting of their methods of using criminal psychology to solve crimes, but they soon get a chance to prove themselves when a series of brutal killings take place.
One unique element of Through The Darkness is that it is narrated from the point of view of Song Ha-young, in a format akin to a biopic. Apart from the intense interrogation scenes, this K-drama also showed the emotions of the criminal profilers and how they dealt with their own demons.
Watch on Netflix.
Revenge of Others
Revenge of Others is yet another title that touches on the topic of bullying amongst schools in Korea. Ok Chan-mi (played by Shin Ye-eun) is a high school student who finds her world overturned when her twin brother commits suicide. She transfers to her brother’s school to uncover the true reason behind his death. Teaming up with a fellow student Ji Soon-heon (played by Park Solomon), she seeks to find the culprit and put an end to the bullying faced by students in Yongtan High.
The cast did a good job of portraying the hardships that the victims faced – which drove them to take matters into their own hands to put an end to their misery. As the story unravels, it’s easy to get involved in a guessing game of who the perpetrator is, and everyone seems like they could be a suspect!
Watch on Disney+.
Rugal
Rugal follows Kang Gi-beom (Choi Jin-hyuk), an elite police officer aiming to bring down Argos, one of South Korea’s major crime organizations. His efforts lead to retaliation from Argos who hire hitmen to assassinate Kang’s wife, framing Kang for the murder and leaving him blind in both eyes. Kang later joins the “Rugal” task force, whose members are endowed with biotechnology, granting them superhuman skills. Kang is able to restore his vision and sets out to prove his innocence, bringing those responsible for his wife’s death to justice.
This k-drama is in fact based on a popular webtoon! The lead actor Choi Jin-hyuk stole the show with his charismatic acting. Fans also loved the bromance between Tae-woong (played by Park Sung-woong), leader of the Rugal team, and Kang. If you are a fan of action, you will not be disappointed as Rugal is packed with fight sequences!
Watch on Netflix.
Tell Me What You Saw
Another title by OCN, which is well-known for its crime K-dramas, Tell Me What You Saw is another suspense-filled K-drama that has received rave reviews from the audience. Oh Hyun-Jae (played by Jang Hyuk) is a prominent criminal profiler whose fiancée was killed in an explosion involving a notorious serial killer. Cha Soo-Young (played by Choi Soo-young) is a police officer from the countryside with a photographic memory. They work together to nab the real killer and solve the mystery behind the death of Hyun-jae’s fiancée.
This K-drama has some of the most realistic murder scenes, depicting the brutal nature of the crimes committed by the serial killer. Eom Moon-suk also did a great job of portraying the villain who always stayed one step ahead of the police, keeping the viewers guessing what his next move was going to be!
Watch on Apple TV.
Extracurricular
Extracurricular follows the lives of four high school students and their unexpected involvement in the world of crime. Ji Soo (played by Kim Dong-hee) is a model student who starts an unlawful business to pay for his university tuition. Gyu Ri, (played by Park Joo-hyun) the school’s socialite, school bully Min Hee (played by Jung Da-bin), and Ki Tae, (played by Nam Yoon-soo) find themselves involved in Ji Soo’s crime organization.
Directed by Kim Jin Min, this K-drama is a treat to watch – marrying great cinematography, stunning performances from the young cast, and a unique plot to produce a masterpiece. The storyline veers away from conventional high school dramas by touching on taboo topics like exploitation, harassment, and bullying. It also shows how the circumstances surrounding a person shape their life choices.
Watch on Netflix.
Class of Lies
Class of Lies is about Ki Moo-hyeok (played by Yun Kyun-sang) a prolific lawyer whose career has been brought to shambles because of a single case concerning a high school. In order to restore his reputation, he takes on the guise of a temporary teacher at the high school and tries to uncover the secret that the students are hiding.
This K-drama sheds light on the abuse of power by powerful people in society who use their influence to undermine the weak. As the story unravels, the hidden motives of the characters are slowly unveiled. The battle between the male lead and antagonist is highly engrossing – they use their wits to play mind games, trying to outsmart each other at every juncture.
Watch on Apple TV.
The Lies Within
Jo Tae-shik (played by Lee Min-ki) is a detective whose latest case involves the death of lawmaker Kim Seung-cheol (played by Kim Jong-soo). Tae-shik begins to suspect that the death was more than just a car accident. Strangely enough, Seung-cheol’s son-in-law soon goes missing. Kim Seo-hui (played by Lee Yoo-young), Seung-cheol’s daughter, joins the National Assembly, working with Tae-shik to save her husband and find the true reason behind her father’s sudden demise.
The detectives’ relentless pursuit to find ways around the corruption in the legal system makes for an exciting watch! Lee Min-ki’s performance was also stellar, bringing life to his character – cool, calm, and collected detective who went by his instincts.
Watch on Netflix.
Strangers from Hell
After getting a new job, Yoon Jong-woo (played by Yim Si-wan) moves from the small town where he has lived all his life to Seoul. He finds a cheap communal apartment to stay at known as Eden Gosiwon, sharing amenities like the kitchen and bathroom with other residents. Jong-woo does not particularly like the shabby apartment or his strange neighbours. A series of events then take place in the apartment which causes Yoon Jong-woo to fear for his safety.
You can’t help but feel pity for Jong-woo when watching this K-drama – the writers managed to portray the pain felt by someone who leaves their family in search of a better job, finding himself in a sea of loneliness. The story is written in a way that makes every character seem dubious, and the audience is able to imagine the despair that Jong-woo experiences, as he is unable to rely on anyone around him.
Watch on Prime.
Psychopath Diary
Psychopath Diary revolves around Yook Dong-shik, (played by Yoon Si-yoon) a timid office worker who ends up being used by everyone around him. One day, he happens to witness a murder and accidentally picks up the diary of the murderer. In his frantic attempt to get away from the scene, he is hit by a car and loses all his memory when he wakes up. The only thing in his possession is the murderer’s diary which leads him to believe that he is a serial killer.
This K-drama blends humour, suspense, and action making it extremely entertaining to watch! Dong-shik’s amnesia causes him to alternate between his usual wacky personality and that of a real psychopath. The plot is lined with unexpected events that keep viewers hooked, with sprinklings of Dong-shik’s hilarious antics along the way.
Watch on Apple TV.
Children of Nobody
Cha Woo-kyung (played by Kim Sun-ah) is a child counselor at a children’s center who leads a seemingly perfect life – she loves her job, is happily married, and is expecting her second child. However, an unexpected accident takes place which changes her life. She crosses paths with Kang Ji-hun (played by Lee Yi-kyung), a detective with a strong sense of justice.
Children of Nobody touches on the sensitive topic of child abuse. It definitely is tinged with a somber note, showing how children’s minds can be easily manipulated by their parents and how horrifying the extent of the abuse they suffer can be. Kim Sun-ah’s masterful performance in this K-drama won her the Top Excellence Award in the 2018 MBC Drama Awards.
Watch on Apple TV.
Life on Mars
An adaptation of the popular British TV series of the same name, Life on Mars follows Han Tae-joo (played by Jung Kyoung-ho), the leader of a crime investigation team who has excelled in his career. He gets into an accident while investigating a case and awakes to find himself in the year 1988, working at a police station in a small town. Tae-Joo now has to solve crimes to get back to the present day.
The creators of Life on Mars did their best to incorporate elements of the original series, through the use of the music, props, and cinematography – giving rise to a nostalgic, retro vibe. The story is also written in a way that keeps the audience on their toes throughout the entire season. Some light-hearted humour also brings comedic relief amidst the intense and suspense-filled scenes.
Watch on Apple TV.
Tunnel
In 1986, Detective Park Gwang-ho (played by Choi Jin-hyuk) is in pursuit of a serial killer and chases him into a tunnel. When he exits the tunnel, he finds himself in the year 2016. The confused detective soon learns that he has time travelled 30 years forward, where the murders continue to take place. He works with Detective Kim Sun-jae (played by Yoon Hyun-min) and Professor of Criminal Psychology Shin Jae-yi (played by Lee Yoo-young) to unravel the murder mystery.
The heinous nature of the villains was one of the highlights of Tunnel – the writers did a great job of showing their deranged behaviour. This K-drama is also full of hair-raising moments and curveballs that last until the very end.
Watch on Netflix
Watch on Apple TV.
Voice
Voice follows the lives of Moo Jin-hyuk (played by Jang Hyuk) and Kang Kwon-joo (played by Lee Ha-na), two individuals who are left devastated by a serial killer who murdered their family members. Kwon-joo, who is a top graduate of the police academy, returns to Korea after becoming a professional voice profiler and works with detective Jin-hyuk to solve the cases and bring down the killer.
This mystery thriller K-drama is packed with non-stop action from the never-ending spree of crimes that the team is tasked with solving. Each case involved the protagonists racing against time to save the victims from danger. You can’t help but cheer Jin-hyuk and Kwon-joo on as they do everything in their power to bring justice to the killer who took the lives of their loved ones.
Watch on Apple TV.
Watch on Prime.
Stranger
No-nonsense prosecutor Hwang Shi-mok (played by Cho Seung-woo) underwent brain surgery when he was a child which left him unable to feel emotions. He has a reputation for being highly rational and level-headed but his inability to empathise with others leaves him lonely. He meets police lieutenant Han Yeo-jin (played by Bae Doo-Na) at a crime scene, and they join forces to solve the case and fight against corruption.
Stranger features incredible performances from the cast, especially the two lead actors. They were able to bring out the contrasting personalities of the characters who were almost polar opposites. The plot, written by Lee Soo-yeon, was also very well executed, taking the audience on a game of ‘guess who’, and keeping certain details hidden right until the very end.
Watch on Netflix.
Signal
One of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable TV history, Signal follows the life of Park Hae-yeong (played by Lee Je-hoon). While still in elementary school, he witnessed the kidnapping of his classmate, Yoon-jung who was found dead a few days later. Fifteen years later, Hae-yeong becomes a police officer and a criminal profiler. He discovers a walkie-talkie that allows him to get in touch with Detective Jae-han, (played by Cho Jin-woong) who is from the past and is working on Yoon-jung’s case. They begin their journey of solving crimes together.
One reason why Signal stands out from other thriller K-dramas is that some of the cases are based around prominent real-life crimes in Korea, making the series even more jarring. It also manages to pull off the time travel concept in its screenplay without any plot holes or fallacies. It’s easy to see why Signal has gotten so many rave reviews!
Watch on Netflix.
Grid
Grid is Disney’s first foray into the Korean sci-fi genre. In 1997, Earth was almost wiped out but survived because of the existence of Grid, a planetary defense system that shielded it from solar winds. After 24 years, Kim Sae-ha (played by Seo Kang-joon), a member of the Bureau Administration, and detective Jung Sae-byeok (played by Kim A-joong) are in pursuit of a murderer when a mysterious ghost appears and helps the murderer get away. The ghost is in fact the creator of the Grid (played by Lee Si-young) who has reappeared after all this time.
Grid features some strong performances from its cast, especially from Lee Si-young, who manages to do justice to her character despite having little to no dialogue. It’s a fun watch, meshing the genres of sci-fi and mystery together.
Watch on Disney+.
Dark Hole
In this thriller k-drama, the residents of a town experience a strange illness after inhaling a black gas emitted by a sinkhole. The infection spreads, and the villagers mutate into cannibalistic beasts. Detective Lee Hwa-sun (Kim Ok-bin) is a detective whose husband was murdered. Hwa-Sun soon begins to suspect that the spread of this disease and her husband’s death are linked. She then works with Yoo Tae-han (Lee Joon-hyuk), a former police officer turned reporter, to solve the mystery.
Kim Ok-Vi’s character was one of the highlights of Dark Hole. While dealing with the grief of losing her husband, she was still willing to risk her life to save others, which showed her innate strength. Dark Hole also sheds light on how people in power can use their influence to take advantage of others during times of crisis.
Watch on Apple TV.
Korean Mystery Thriller Dramas
Looking for something more light-hearted? Check out our list of romantic comedy dramas or dating reality shows!
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