10 Dark K-Dramas That Also Have a Comedic Side

There is a lot of horror and suspense K-dramasbut some of them managed to add humor and even romance to their story, regardless of how dark they were. The best K-dramas are known for their intense plots, somewhat strange humor, and quirky plots. However, many K-dramas are equally fun, as they are complex and full of depth.

Recent K-dramas with darker themes have performed well in South Korea and around the world thanks to streaming. The biggest example is squid gamewhich became Netflix’s most-watched show of all time and has yet to be surpassed. Other recent examples include Sweet Home and Gyeongseong creature. However, although there wasn’t much laughter in squid game In the first season, other dark K-dramas found space for humor.

10

Alchemy of Souls (2022)

Directed by Park Joon-hwa

Alchemy of Souls is one of the best fantasy K-dramas, full of high-stakes action and fighting with a mysterious magical plot based on Chinese mythology. The series follows a noble boy, Jang Uk (Lee Jae-Wook) who struggles with cultivating his magical powers until a powerful warrior trapped in the body of a young girl, Mu-Deok (Jung So-Min) teaches him his skills. .

This series revolves around dark magic and its dangers, as the “alchemy of souls” is what trapped the vengeful spirit of a warrior, Na-ksu, in Mu-deok’s body. The consequences of this can be catastrophic, but several moments of levity and comedy appear in certain episodes. That’s it mainly due to the complicated situation that Na-ksu finds herself in, and the risks only increase even more when the protagonists fall in love. For example, Mu-Deok’s drunken confession to Jang Uk is not only hilariously out of character for the lethal killer, but also creates a sense of awkward tension.

Directed by Lee Eon-hie

The killer’s shopping list is a delightfully offbeat K-drama about a murder mystery. In this series, a cashier named Ahn Dae Seong (Lee Kwang-soo) stumbles upon a dead body in his neighborhood and enlists the help of his girlfriend and mother to discover the killer’s identity using supermarket receipts.

Although the show revolves around a shockingly tragic event, the premise of the series alone reveals that there will be plenty of comedic moments included. The killer’s shopping list. This is apparent in the comedic banter between the series’ characters as they embark on their absurd investigation. Not to mention, the unconventional nature of the team of investigators results in a series of humorous disagreements with suspects and secondary characters along the way.

8

We Are All Dead (2021)

Directed by Lee JQ

This nail-biting horror drama is one of Netflix’s hit K-drama productions. We are all dead follows a group of high school teenagers who become trapped after a zombie outbreak begins at their school. What follows is a chaotic race to escape the infected, while loyalty is tested.

We are all dead is a proper zombie drama with classic horror tropes, bloody costumes, solid visual effects, and a high-stakes plot. However, even though the students may be facing dire circumstances, the show still has comedic moments that shine in many ways. As the teens fight the undead, high school drama and dynamics hilariously interfere simultaneously. Not to mention, the concept of a zombie outbreak originating from a rat in a high school classroom is humorously anticlimactic compared to other zombie shows, adding to the absurdist nature of this teen drama series.

7

Inspector Koo (2021)

Directed by Lee Jung-heum

Inspector Koo is another fascinating K-drama that was a hit on Netflix. This K-drama crime thriller revolves around a former police officer, Koo Kyung Ki (Lee Young-ae), who decides to return to the field and become a detective on a murder case. Eventually, she finds herself involved with a dangerous college student who she believes is the killer.

In this series, Koo’s situation is often dangerous as she works to determine the killer’s identity and eventually bring him to justice. However, along the way, there are light-hearted and laughable moments sprinkled throughout. Some of this stems from the dry, dark humor that runs consistently throughout the show. and in the dialogue between characters. For example, scenes like the church fraud to steal money from the donation box add a level of humor to the overall dark and mysterious tone of the series.

6

The Burning Priest (2019-2024)

Directed by Lee Myung-woo

The fiery priest and a quirky drama about the lives of two unlikely people whose destinies intertwine. When a retired secret agent turned priest, Kim Hae-II (Kim Nam-gil), sets out to solve a murder and expose the underbelly of the criminals involved, he is challenged by Goo Dae-young (Kim Sung-kyun), a city detective.

The series is a big action movie full of intense fight scenes and nefarious villains, with a serious, high-stakes plot. Like similar K crime dramas, The fiery priest It has several funny moments that arise from the situational comedy of the series. From the slow-motion action scenes used for comedic effect to the clumsy and disorganized group of crime fighters, This show is steeped in slapstick humor that balances out the show’s darker moments. For example, a stolen ceramic vase is used as a teapot by an unconscious nun in Kim Hae-II’s congregation.

5

LTNS (2024)

Directed by Lim Dae-hyung and Jeon Go-woon

Few romantic K-dramas follow the couple after their love story turns sour. LTNS (Long time no see) is an exception, with the plot of this relatively new K-drama focusing on a couple who run an investigative company that exposes cheating couples.

LTNS is a witty and thought-provoking exploration of love and relationships that contains a genuine message. Its titular characters, Woo-jin (Esom) and Samuel (Ahn Jae Hong) are an example of a couple that ran its course, something that is bittersweet and moving, sometimes strange due to the nature of his profession. In addition to this situational comedy of its dynamics, the jokes between the characters are good-natured and cheeky. Any intimate situations between cheating couples are painted in a comical light with the reactions of the married investigators.

4

The King’s Affection (2021)

Directed by Song Hyun Wook

The king’s affection is a popular K-drama set in the Joseon Dynasty. This Korean period drama follows a princess, Lee Hwi (Park Eun-Bin) who must assume the identity of his deceased crown prince brother, to live safely in the palace. However, her romantic feelings for her guardian create challenges for the princess.

This K-drama is a fun watch for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, while also delving into deeper themes about gender, class position, and identity in a meaningful way. During the story, Slapstick comedy is often used for comedic effect. For example, as Lee Hwi adjusts to his new disguise, his clumsiness and lack of decorum create a variety of audience-pleasing comedic moments. The premise of the show only becomes funnier as Lee Hwi falls more and more in love with her unknown guardian, who first believes her to be the prince.

3

Lord Queen (2020-21)

Directed by Yoon Sung-sik

Another popular historical K-drama in the Joseon Dynasty is Lord Queen, an eccentric story about a chef, Shin Hye-sun (Kim So-yong) who accidentally time travels to the past, inhabiting the body of a queen. What follows is a series of chaotic and ridiculous events as the palace adjusts to the queen’s strange transformation.

Several moments in this series have opportunities for comedy, despite the challenging circumstances of Shin Hye-sun’s predicament. Physical comedy and slapstick are also used liberally in this drama.from the protagonist’s adaptation to his new female body, to his clumsy attempts to hide his identity and fit naturally into the real world of the Joseon era. For example, the new queen must prepare for a marriage to a male prince and fulfill her royal duties while hiding her true identity as a modern chef.

2

Happiness (2021)

Directed by Ahn Gil-ho

Happiness is a well-written medical drama that tells the story of an apartment where a deadly virus emerges, threatening the lives and well-being of its tenants. Two of his tenants, Jung Yi Hyun (Park Hyung-Sik) and Yoon Saw-bom (Han Hyo-joo) set out to discover the origins of the mysterious disease and stop its spread.

This apocalyptic thriller is a darker watch. In this futuristic society, where diseases run rampant, zombies, poverty and filth are common. Despite its gloomy setting, the dynamic between Jung Yu Hyun and Yoon Saw-bom brings brief moments of comedy to the script. For example, Yoon Saw-bom often teases his partner in crime, using sarcasm to diffuse their dangerous situation. Physical comedy is also apparent in the action and fight scenes between the protagonists and the secondary characters they meet along the way.

1

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016)

Directed by PD Oh Hyun-joong

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is a sincere coming of age that focuses on a group of college athletes who must navigate friendship, romance and competition. When one of the students, Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung-Kyung), starts to have feelings for her friend’s older brother, she enlists the help of her friend, who is also in love with her.

This teen drama delves into the everyday issues and challenges of young students, with all the hustle and bustle of following one’s dreams, while also navigating confusing romantic dynamics. Much of the comedy in this coming-of-age classic stems from the interactions and banter between the characters. For example, this K-drama The love triangle between the protagonists causes a series of hilarious, strange and embarrassing exchanges that are difficult not to laugh at. Best friends Kim Bok Jo and Joon Hyung (Nam Soo-hyuk) also have several humorous and cheeky teasing moments.