The world of K-dramas has traditionally been ruled by tales of romance, historical fiction and family struggles, but in recent years, South Korea has produced a string of hit crime shows that have captivated audiences across the globe. Encompassing murder mysteries, spy thrillers, dark comedies and more, Korean crime dramas depict a wide range of emotional stories complicated by politics, corruption and flawed protagonists. If you’re curious to see how these shows take detective work and suspense to a whole new level, check out these eight intriguing Korean crime dramas on Netflix that are bound to keep you guessing.

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area

This high-stakes thriller, a remake of the Spanish hit La Casa de Papel, takes place in an alternate near-future where North and South Korea are on the verge of peaceful reunification, which includes plans to print a new unified currency. But, as the title promises, where there’s money…there will be a heist. A group of thieves from the North and South, led by a genius strategist known as the Professor, team up to steal the cash straight from the newly built United Korea Mint. Clad in matching red jumpsuits and masks, the thieves infiltrate the building, take hostages and keep viewers on the edge of their seats for the entire 12-part series.

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area

12 Episodes   TV-MA   2022

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Beyond Evil

In this haunting psychological thriller, two cops (played by veteran actor Shin Ha-kyun and child star turned heartthrob Yeo Jin-goo) reluctantly pair up to catch a serial killer responsible for terrorizing a sleepy Korean town. As they begin to suspect everyone — including each other — they discover that many of the town’s residents harbor dark secrets of their own. 

You’ll want to pay close attention, as the series is packed with twists and subplots. Though the first several episodes can feel bizarre and confusing, the puzzle pieces quickly fall into place. But just when you think that things have wrapped up, you’re taken on another wild ride that keeps you guessing until the very end. 

Upon its release, Beyond Evil immediately drew comparisons to Korean cinematic masterpieces like Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder and ultimately earned seven nominations and three wins (including best screenplay, best actor and best drama) at the 2021 Baeksang Arts Awards, one of the most prestigious entertainment awards in South Korea. The series has been praised for its brilliant acting, execution and writing; strong female characters; and memorable jazzy theme song. It’s also worth noting that the show was one of three successful crime-related K-dramas directed by a woman in 2021.

Beyond Evil

Limited Series   TV-MA   2021

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My Name

After witnessing her father’s murder, Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) becomes hell-bent on seeking vengeance. She trains in hand-to-hand combat under Choi Mu-jin (Park Hee-soon), a powerful crime boss and close friend of her father, and eventually becomes a mole on the police force. Now a rookie cop with the narcotics unit, Ji-woo hunts down her father’s killer while helping Mu-jin evade the police.

My Name, which ranked in Netflix’s Top 10 globally shortly after launching, received positive reviews for its gritty action sequences (be prepared for gory knife fights) and solid acting performances, especially from Han. The dark crime thriller consists of only eight episodes, making it the perfect show to dive into over a weekend.

My Name

8 Episodes   TV-MA   2021

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Inspector Koo

If you’re looking for something a bit less gruesome and intense, then look no further than Inspector Koo, South Korea’s version of Killing Eve. In this quirky comedy drama, the timeless icon Lee Young-ae (Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, Jewel in the Palace, Saimdang) plays the titular character Koo Kyung-yi, a former police officer who becomes a reclusive, booze-loving gamer after her husband’s death. She takes on a job as an insurance investigator, using her sharp intuition and sleuthing skills to investigate false insurance claims — but a string of mysterious deaths leads her to suspect that a serial killer may be disguising perfectly executed murders as accidents.

Inspector Koo is a one-of-a-kind K-drama that doesn’t fit neatly into any single genre, with oddball characters and unconventional visuals that seem plucked straight from a webtoon. For long-time K-drama fans, it’s a treat to see a different side of Lee, who shed her polished image for the role because she found the series “odd” and “peculiar.” Though it might feel jarring to witness the elegant Hallyu star as an unkempt eccentric playing computer games in her roach-infested apartment, this show has plenty more surprises in store.

Inspector Koo

12 Episodes   TV-MA   2021

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The Good Detective

Despite maintaining his innocence, Lee Dae-chul (Jo Jae-yoon) is convicted of murdering two people and sent to death row. Five years later, his daughter is reported missing and possibly dead, prompting Detective Kang Do-chang (Son Hyun-joo) to reinvestigate Dae-chul’s case. Do-chang and his sharp-witted partner Oh Ji-hyeok (Jang Seung-jo) team up with dogged reporter Jin Seo-kyung (Lee Elijah) to find the truth. As they try to save Dae-chul from execution, they begin to uncover rampant corruption across the highest levels of institutional power.

The Good Detective received high ratings when it aired and has been renewed for a second season. Viewers have lauded the show for its realistic characters and well-paced, engrossing storyline filled with plot twists (but not plot holes!). Unlike many Korean dramas, nothing seems over-the-top, and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable watch, thanks to the right balance of heaviness and comedic relief. 

The Good Detective

2 Seasons   TV-MA   2020

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Vagabond

The spy thriller Vagabond is a pure adrenaline rush that will keep your eyes glued to the screen and your butt firmly planted on the edge of your seat. When a Morocco-bound plane from Incheon crashes and kills more than 200 passengers, including the nephew of struggling stuntman Cha Dal-geon (Lee Seung-gi), Dal-geon travels to Morocco to attend a ceremony for the victims. He suspects that the plane crash was orchestrated and enlists the help of Go Hae-ri (Bae Suzy), an undercover National Intelligence Service agent working at the South Korean embassy in Morocco. As the pair search for the truth, they discover a vast conspiracy involving some of South Korea’s most powerful figures.

Set partly against the backdrop of Morocco and featuring a star-studded cast, Vagabond earned rave reviews for its stunning action sequences, breathtaking cinematography and fast-paced storyline. Viewers can expect lots of fight scenes, car chases, backstabbing and shocking plot twists — right up until the very end. The only potential drawback is that the series ends on a cliffhanger with no word yet about whether Season 2 is confirmed. While this isn’t one of those K-dramas where everything gets neatly resolved, the nonstop thrills still make this one worth watching.

Vagabond

16 Episodes   TV-MA   2019

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Voice

This gripping crime thriller centers on a clever police officer, Kang Kwon-joo (Lee Ha-na), who works as a voice profiler at an emergency call center. Using her gift of enhanced hearing, she and her team of emergency dispatchers race against time to rescue victims from potentially deadly crimes. Each season sees Kwon-joo partnering with a detective to take down a serial killer or an international cartel.

Voice was so popular in South Korea that it was renewed for four seasons (which is practically unheard of for K-dramas), the first two of which are available on Netflix. It also inspired Japanese and Thai remakes. This is arguably the most graphic and disturbing series on this list, so if you’re squeamish, make sure you watch this one with the lights on.

Voice

TV-MA   2017

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Stranger

Veteran actors Bae Doona (Sense8, Kingdom, The Silent Sea) and Cho Seung-woo (The Classic, Life, Sisyphus: The Myth) star in this riveting murder mystery touted as one of the best Korean crime dramas ever made. Cho plays Hwang Si-mok, a highly intelligent but emotionless prosecutor investigating the death of a shady CEO, while Bae shines as the spunky and talkative police officer Han Yeo-jin, the perfect complement to Si-mok's stoicism. Together, they work to unravel a murder case that points to corruption in the highest echelons of the police and government.

Winner of three Baeksang Arts Awards, for best screenplay, best actor and grand prize in television, and featured on The New York Times’ Best TV Shows of 2017, Stranger was a hit with both domestic and international audiences and served as an inspiration for the aforementioned Beyond Evil. It’s difficult to find any flaws with this series (at least with its first season), as every aspect of the drama — including the tight script, smooth execution and compelling acting — is masterfully crafted.

Stranger

2 Seasons   TV-MA   2017

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Kick-Ass K-Dramas To Stream NowFrom Squid Game to Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, these Korean series are packed with drama.