drama The genre is usually known for its heart-pounding romances, but it also offers a wide variety of different shows that don’t revolve around the love affairs of the show’s main characters. These dramas cover a variety of topics, from thrillers to science fiction and even horror. While there may be some romantic element in some of them, it is never the main focus of the story the showrunners are trying to tell.
While these series are often incredibly exciting, they are less likely to capture the attention of viewers due to the oversaturation of the market with romance series. The stories are just as exciting, often with more twists and turns and sometimes even supernatural elements than a standard novel allows. These storylines have become some of the best Korean dramas of all time, featuring some of the genre’s greatest characters.
It covers the cost of tuition at the Dark Reality School.
Following the story of high school student Ji Soo, extracurricular takes a stark look at the lengths some people have to go to in order to afford the high price of tuition. Desperate to pay for school, Ji Soo turns to a life of crime. What follows is an angst-ridden account of events as more and more members of Ji Soo’s class become embroiled in his less-than-stellar decisions.
extracurricular as heartbreaking as it is darkand with every crime committed, a new problem arises that needs to be solved. It often feels like there is no way out, but the story that unfolds pays off in the end. This, coupled with the incredible acting, makes it a must-watch for any K-drama fan.
9
My name
This story is one of the greatest revenge stories in dramas.
To be one of the best revenge dramas of all time., My name will definitely satisfy. Setting the stage for a revenge story of epic proportions, Ji Woo goes undercover. becomes a mole in a dangerous criminal gang after the murder of her father. Gathering information while working within her ranks, every moment becomes tense as the threat of Ji Woo’s identity being revealed hangs over her head.
The writing in this series is incredibly well done and it immediately grabs the attention of the viewers. All this, combined with impeccable stunt work, makes My name something greater than the sum of its parts. This is the perfect watch for any crime and mystery fan, and features a well-written female protagonist.
8
sweet home
This show features terrifying monsters
Starring Song Kang Love Alarm Clock glory, sweet home is a horror series based on a webtoon. The action takes place in an apocalyptic version of Future Earth. Monsters rampage throughout the city, leaving survivors to seek refuge in their homes. They eventually realize that these monsters are the people who once lived there, transformed by their desires into terrifying creatures of death and destruction.
There are now three seasons, the third was released quite recently, in July 2024. sweet home This is a series that is always evolving and never stagnant. The action and scares always feel fresh, and while the horror in this series is often uncomfortably grotesque, it’s well done. This is a tragedy with a powerful emotional arc and unforgettable characters. sweet home won’t get a fourth season.
7
Flower of Evil
The perfect couple is not so perfect
On the surface, Flower of Evil at first glance it may seem that this is preparation for an interesting show from life. It follows detective Cha Ji Won and her seemingly perfect family, her daughter and husband Baek Hee Sung. However, things immediately take a turn for the worse. when Ji Won realizes that her husband may be hiding a terrible secret.
Not only does this series rival some of the best in the crime thriller genre, but it also showcases the unique perspective of a wife as she investigates her husband’s crimes. Flower of Evil is personal, tough and doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics it brings to light. He is among the best of the best and keeps the viewer on the edge of his seat when it seems like danger lurks around every corner, even at home.
6
DP
The Fascinating Story of the Korean Military Police
Another series based on a webtoon. DP, Meaning “Pursuit of the Deserter” is the story of Private Ahn Joon Ho and Corporal Han Ho Yeol. The two work for the military police, and their duties include tracking down South Korean army deserters. Their work takes them across the country, taking a hard line against the South Korean army and the terrible events occurring within it.
Without being afraid to outline the reasons why someone might decide to defect, DP touches on topics such as hazing, corruption and even discrimination in the army. It has tense moments, but most of all, this series is based on the reality it imitates. This is a series based on information from the world around us, and therefore DP features incredible storytelling and an even more memorable cast of likeable characters.
5
Kingdom
This Period Drama Is an Unexpected Zombie Horror Show
Possessing a unique premises, Kingdom is a South Korean historical drama with an unexpected turn of events. Instead of courtly romance and political intrigue, the biggest threat to the characters in this series is actually a deadly plague that turns people into zombies. Although there is still plenty of political intrigue, everything presented in the series is only intensified by the existential threat of an apocalyptic world that begins to collapse.
However, in this world where terrifying zombies seem to roam freely, the characters who populate the world are often even more monstrous. There is always another scheme just waiting to be uncovered. Kingdom perfectly ties all this and more together to create one of the greatest zombie shows of our time.
4
quiet sea
Gong Yoo is at his best in this sci-fi thriller
Referring to the Sea of ​​Tranquility located on the Moon, quiet sea is a detective thriller about a hand-picked crew of astronauts heading to Balhae Station. After the previous team mysteriously disappeared, it’s their job to not only find out what happened to the researchers there, but also to return the samples they found. This leads to a lot of tension between group members, as not everyone is in it for the right reasons.
Starring Gong Yoo, one of South Korea’s superstars who has appeared in everything from By train to Busan To Guardian: Lonely and Great God, This series has amazing acting across the board. The science fiction is plausible, and the world presented is in chaos, suggesting a possible future of widespread drought. Claustrophobic and creepy at its core, quiet sea excels at making the viewer feel like something could go wrong at any moment.
3
Beyond Evil
Showcasing gritty and grounded detective fiction
While there are many different Korean dramas that focus on mysteries and the detectives who solve them, none of them hit as hard as Beyond Evil. When a serial killer rampages through the countryside, Lee Dong Sik and Han Joo Won must stop him. However, they seem to be stopped at every turn, discovering that behind closed doors there are more threats than the serial killer they came to stop.
Like any good detective story, this mystery is difficult to solve both for the audience and for the detectives themselves. The mystery of who the serial killer could be is kept beautifully hidden throughout the series, leaving viewers to wonder. but also provides them with enough information to make them feel like they’re gathering clues alongside the show’s detectives. To say that the series is gripping is an understatement, as it does take time to develop the characters, their motivations, and whether or not they are capable of the evil they commit.
2
Squid game
The Netflix series that took the world by storm
When Squid game Originally released in 2021, it took the world by storm. A depiction of the vast inequality between rich and poor in South Korea. This show about a series of deadly games is a little closer to real life than you might imagine. When only one person can win life-changing money, there is no limit to what these 456 players can do to succeed in the game.
Thrilling and tragic from start to finish. Squid game it really takes the time to show the lives of its characters and how they got to where they are at the beginning of the game. It’s an incredibly serious approach to showing their struggles and why they should win in the end. This show is an emotional roller coaster, depicting exploitation and desperation in equal parts.
1
Strangers from Hell
You never know who might live next door
Also known as Hell is other people, strangers from hell is one of the most exciting dramas to date. When down-on-his-luck Yoon Jung-woo begins to experience financial difficulties, he moves into an unsightly dorm building called Eden Studio. At first I kept to myself Jung Woo gradually begins to realize that the people he moved in with are more dangerous than he first thought.
Starring the legendary Lee Dong Wook in one of his most chilling roles to date alongside former singer Im Si Wan, slow building Strangers from Hell the discovery ultimately pays off in a big way. Manipulation is the name of the game, and viewers are left wondering if the real monsters are the ones Jung Woo lives with or the ones Jung Woo becomes. Strangers from Hell it’s a masterclass in terror and subverting audience expectations, making it one of the greats drama series for all time.