5 Korean thriller dramas to watch before year ends

A poster for "The Price of Confession" / Courtesy of Netflix

Thriller is a genre in which Korean dramas excel.

Starting with Netflix’s “Squid Game,” series such as “The Glory” (2022) and “Kingdom” (2019) have successfully blended suspense, action and psychological depth with distinctive Korean storytelling, drawing viewers around the world.

Another recent success is “The Price of Confession,” starring Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun. Released earlier this month, the series entered Netflix’s global top 10 list of non-English dramas, recording 2.7 million views.

Among the many thriller dramas released this year, The Korea Times has selected five titles worth watching before the year ends.

'The Price of Confession'

A mystery thriller, “The Price of Confession” centers on Ahn Yoon-soo (Jeon Do-yeon), an art teacher who becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. In prison, she meets Mo-eun (Kim Go-eun), a fellow inmate with a notorious reputation and psychopathic tendencies.

Mo-eun proposes a disturbing deal that ties Yoon-soo to a crime from Mo-eun’s past, forcing her to confront moral dilemmas, buried guilt and the price of survival as the story unfolds.

A scene from Netflix drama "Karma" / Courtesy of Netflix

'Karma'

Released in April, Netflix’s “Karma” follows six morally compromised characters whose seemingly unrelated lives become entangled in a chain of ill-fated events. The cast includes Park Hae-soo, a veteran actor known for his roles in thrillers such as “Squid Game,” and Shin Min-a, who plays a traumatized surgeon.

The series is adapted from the Kakao webtoon of the same title and was directed by Lee Il-hyung, known for the 2016 film “A Violent Prosecutor."

“What drew me the most was how extreme and intense the story was while maintaining a single, cohesive flow,” Park said at a press conference ahead of the release. “I was captivated by the narrative and its structure.”

A poster for "Nine Puzzles" / Courtesy of Disney+

'Nine Puzzles'

Mystery thriller “Nine Puzzles” opens with high school student Jo I-na (Kim Da-mi) discovering her uncle murdered in their home, with a single puzzle piece left beside the body. Though she becomes an unofficial suspect, she is never arrested and the case eventually goes cold.

A decade later, now working as a profiler, Jo encounters a new murder bearing the same ominous puzzle piece. Partnered with detective Han Saem (Son Suk-ku), who still doubts her innocence, she is drawn back into the unresolved case that changed her life.

A poster for "As You Stood By" / Courtesy of Netflix

'As You Stood By'

Released in November, “As You Stood By” tells the story of two longtime friends: Hui-su (Lee Yoo-mi), who is married to a wealthy but abusive broker, and Eun-soo (Jeon So-nee), who grew up witnessing domestic violence at home.

When Eun-soo learns about Hui-su’s situation, she helps her friend attempt to escape the abusive relationship. Strong performances by the two lead actors and mounting tension elevate the drama into a gripping psychological thriller.

A poster for "Weak Hero Class 2" / Courtesy of Netflix

'Weak Hero Class 2'

Following “Weak Hero” which became a breakout hit in 2022, the second season, released in April this year, continues the story.

“Weak Hero Class 2” follows top student Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon), who transfers to Eunjang High School after a brutal incident leaves his friend Soo-ho in a coma. Seeking a fresh start, Yeon instead becomes entangled in violent school gang politics and a powerful syndicate known as the Union.

Raw depictions of brutal school violence and its lasting consequences and actions make the drama successful as a thriller.