A huge wave of Korean dramas has swept the world in recent years. Through the loud echoes of millions of zoomers harmonizing “Squid Game Rules!” there came an even more deafening chant. Netflix’s K-Drama Hellbound was yet another hit that came into our lives out of nowhere and looks like it’s here to stay.
So what are some other Korean TV shows worth binging? Let’s take a look at some of the fresher ones.
1. Vincenzo
This is the story of a Korean man who has lost his humanity but still managed to find true love. Corny. I know. Anyway, Vincenzo Cassano is a Korean boy adopted by Italians, but instead of becoming a lawyer like he always wanted to, he gets tied up with the mafia. Years later, he returns to his homeland in search of… a hidden treasure! Of course, Vinny meets a hot girl there, falls in love, and his life changes forever. It’s a great mix of action, adventure, and wholesome romance.
2. Taxi Driver
The show follows a taxi driver named Kim Do Gi, played by Lee Jae Hoon, who is secretly a crime fighter. His main goal is the same as that of the taxi service he works in — to take revenge on behalf of those who have been wronged. He has a whole team of “avengers” who help him develop a revenge strategy so that the bad guys are punished in the most painful way possible. By the way, all the victims in the series and their situations are based on real events that took place in South Korea at various times.
3. Hellbound
In the not too distant future, random people start seeing the angel of death that tells them the exact moment of their death. At the indicated time, three hulking demons from hell smack the sinner so hard their bodies turn to a charred skeleton. But all this is just a plot device, used to highlight how scummy the scared humans can be. There’s a time skip after a few episodes, after which a cult has basically taken over the country. The cult members would target the sinners and their families until a newly-born child receives the message from hell. The six-part mini-series was filmed by the author of the eponymous webtoon Yong Sang-ho, who also directed the zombie horror Train to Busan.
4. The Devil Judge
In an alternative utopian version of Korea, there’s only chaos. To fight criminals, a new judicial reform has been instated: from now on, court cases are broadcast live, and every citizen can influence the verdict online. The protagonist is an empathic judge with a mysterious past and dubious motives, whose ambiguous methods are opposed by a nosy detective. The Devil Judge will definitely appeal to the broad audience, with its insane visuals, plot twists, and soundtrack.
5. Mouse
The plot of “Mouse” revolves around investigating a series of murders. The drama is based on the concept of a “psycho gene” — a psychological syndrome causing people not to feel any guilt or remorse. Scientists have found a way to determine the criminal DNA in the fetus, which will allow detecting maniacs even before they are born. Sprinkle some philosophical and ethical issues over this story, and you have a real banger!
6. Beyond Evil
Han Joo Won, played by Yeo Jin Goo, is a police officer who transferred from Seoul to a small town where he is trying to solve a serial murder case that occurred 20 years ago. His partner at the new location turns out to also be the prime suspect. “Beyond Evil” has become not only one of the most talked-about dramas of 2021 but has also received seven nominations at the Baeksang Awards, ultimately winning Best Drama, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.
7. Squid Game
Okay, you’ve probably heard enough about this one, but we can’t leave out the biggest hit of 2021 just like that. Squid Game is another one of Netflix’s golden geese. This Korean survival series follows 456 desperate contestants competing for loads of money in kids’ games with a murderous twist. With each round, the pool of contestants grows shorter, and in the end, there can be only one winner. Squid Game has become Netflix’s most-watched show ever and turned its cast members into overnight sensations.
