There’s a explicit sort of immersion and thriller that solely Okay-dramas can ship. The sort that makes you neglect to test your telephone and all of a sudden notice it’s 3 a.m. and also you’ve simply completed an unbelievable season. It’s not at all times simply the plot twists or the motion sequences. It’s the emotional weight behind each resolution and each betrayal, which is to say that thriller Okay-dramas have a manner of consuming you.
And in case you’ve just lately binged Set off on Netflix, you realize precisely what we’re speaking about. The collection throws you headfirst right into a world of gun trafficking, suspicion, and two ex-cops making an attempt to work their manner round a system that’s as harmful as it’s corrupt.
Thriller Okay-dramas like Set off remind us that the stakes are usually not simply life and loss of life, but additionally ethical and human. And when a present hits that candy spot, you’re naturally left wanting extra. So in case you’re sitting there, post-Set off, questioning what may probably fill the void, Netflix has lots extra to supply.
Listed here are 8 Okay-dramas that ship the identical pulse-pounding pressure and bingeworthy storytelling as Set off.
8
‘Karma’ (2025)
A single hit-and-run accident units off a sequence response in Karma, a criminal offense thriller Okay-drama directed by Lee Il-hyung. The story unfolds throughout six tightly woven episodes, with every revealing a unique perspective of the identical occasion via the eyes of six strangers. From the motive force to the household, and even the corrupt detective who buries proof for his personal achieve, the drama finds characters confronting the previous in addition to the surprising penalties of their actions.
Six Lives Twisted by One Accident
The collection stars Park Hae-soo as a morally compromised witness, Shin Min-a as a grieving mom with a hidden motive, and Kim Sung-kyun as a debt-ridden ex-cop who will get pulled again into the sport. It earns its spot on the listing for its unflinching have a look at how justice is usually warped by private agendas. Like Set off, it explores how fragile regulation enforcement could be and the emotional toll of violence on atypical folks. It follows a nonlinear construction, with the cinematography and character work making it extra compelling. Though it’s not as action-heavy as Set off, Karma is value a watch.
7
‘D.P.’ (2021)
Set inside the strict hierarchy of South Korea’s army, D.P. follows Personal Ahn Jun-ho, a quiet military conscript who’s recruited into the Deserter Pursuit unit and tasked with monitoring down troopers who’ve fled their posts. Partnered with the unpredictable Corporal Han Ho-yeol, he navigates a brutal system and offers with bullying, abuse, and institutional neglect. The complexities result in a thought-provoking examination of the emotional and psychological scars left by army service.
Troopers Searching Troopers
D.P. is a must-watch for Set off followers as a result of it explores the darkish facet of army life. Every episode focuses on a unique deserter’s story and with two seasons, the twelve episodes construct a strong narrative round obligation and trauma. Director Han Jun-hee brings a documentary-like realism to the collection. And the performances, particularly Jung Hae-in’s restraint, are devastating to look at. Once more, this one doesn’t depend on flashy motion; as an alternative, it makes probably the most out of quiet moments and intense breakdowns. Season 2 additionally tackles corruption inside the system. With an ideal 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating and Baeksang Awards, D.P. is considered one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed Korean dramas.
6
‘My Title’ (2021)
After witnessing her father’s homicide, Yoon Ji-woo joins a strong drug cartel led by Choi Mu-jin, who was as soon as her father’s closest buddy. Working underneath her, she trains to turn into a ruthless fighter and finally adopts the alias Oh Hye-jin to infiltrate the police drive as a mole. As Ji-woo balances her double life, she additionally uncovers painful truths about her father’s previous and the true purpose behind his loss of life.
A Daughter’s Descent Into Darkness
My Title is just eight episodes lengthy, however in that point, it relentlessly builds a narrative full with stunning betrayals, brutal hand-to-hand fight, refined connections, and a protagonist who sacrifices all the things for justice. It shares Set off’s obsession with vengeance and blurred ethics, however it trades weapons for fists and emotional manipulation. Han So-hee delivers a career-defining efficiency and director Kim Jin-min retains the visuals slick. The noir tone and gritty aesthetic in addition to the core revenge arc are what earn it a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
5
‘Stranger’ (2017)
Stranger, also called The Forest of Secrets and techniques, facilities on Hwang Si-mok, a superb prosecutor who underwent mind surgical procedure as a toddler, which curbed his potential to specific emotion. As a grown-up, he’s proof against manipulation however prefers isolating himself from social citations. When a high-profile homicide case exposes corruption inside the prosecutor’s workplace, Si-mok groups up with the principled police lieutenant Han Yeo-jin, and collectively, they cope with political over-ups and institutional rot.
Sharp, Sensible, and Sinister
Throughout two seasons, Stranger captivates viewers with its crime and thriller parts together with the damaging energy performs that threaten the careers and lives of the protagonists. Talking of which, Cho Seung-woo and Bae Doona ship superbly contrasting performances. The writing by Lee Soo-yeon is meticulous, and the route by Ahn Gil-ho (Season 1) and Park Hyun-suk (Season 2) retains the strain and ethical ambiguity on the forefront. Should you love Set off’s deal with flawed justice programs, undoubtedly take a look at Stranger.
4
‘Vagabond’ (2019)
In Vagabond, stuntman Cha Dal-geon loses his nephew in a mysterious aircraft crash however refuses to simply accept the official clarification for the way it occurred. He begins trying to find the reality himself, which leads him to Morocco, and he uncovers a world conspiracy involving arms offers and shady operatives. Dal-geon finds a reliable companion in Nationwide Intelligence Service agent Go Hae-ri, and collectively, they dive right into a world of assassins and double brokers.
Espionage Fueled by Revenge
With high-octane motion and globe-trotting intrigue, the Okay-drama gives 16 episodes of adrenaline-fueled drama. The cinematic scale and quick pacing preserve you hooked from begin to end. The route of Yoo In-Sik boasts slick manufacturing, worldwide areas, and a funds that could be very seen in each chase and shootout. Lee Seung-gi is impulsive and heartbreakingly decided as Dal-geon, whereas Bae Suzy brings grit to a personality whose loyalty is examined at each flip. Vagabond has an 88% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, however it’s a wild journey value leaping on.
3
‘The Lies Inside’ (2019)
Kim Search engine optimization-hee’s father, a revered lawmaker, dies in a suspicious automotive crash and the incident thrusts her into the political highlight. Shortly after, her husband vanishes and he or she joins the Nationwide Meeting to uncover the reality behind each tragedies. Partnering up with detective Jo Tae-sik, who was as soon as an idealistic cop, they peel again the layers of a rigorously crafted cover-up that stretches to the very best stage of presidency chambers.
A Lacking Husband and a Political Maze
The Lies Inside is a slow-burning collection that rewards endurance. Its 16-episode arc blends thriller, politics, and pressure to discover how establishments manipulate reality and the way private losses gas the drive to pursue it. Lee Yoo-young is compelling as Search engine optimization-hee, balancing her resolve with the burden of being a disappointment at residence, and Lee Min-ki’s makes the detective arc extra haunting and lived-in. General, the drama has a muted shade palette and deliberate pacing, which creates an environment of dread and earns modest reward.
2
‘Chief of Employees’ (2019)
One other Okay-drama on Netflix for Set off followers is Chief of Employees. It follows Jang Tae-joon, a former detective turned political aide who navigates a ruthless and treacherous panorama of South Korean politics. He’s the chief aide to a four-term lawmaker and makes use of his instincts to climb the ranks, usually disregarding moral traces to realize his purpose. Alongside him is Kang Solar-young, a newly elected lawmaker along with her personal ambitions and sophisticated ties to Tae-joon.
The Rise of a Former Cop
Character-driven and tense all through, Chief of Employees spans two seasons, and it’s the absolute depiction of how politics works. Although not a conventional cop drama and undoubtedly not value expecting idealists, it shares Set off’s fascination with flawed programs and private vendetta. Tae-joon’s background as a detective brings procedural grit and Lee Jung-jae is magnetic. Even Shin Min-a delivers a nuanced efficiency as a girl navigating a male-dominated world. The drama’s energy additionally lies in its writing and Lee Dae-il’s dealing with of complicated characters. With sturdy scores and important acclaim, Chief of Employees is a cerebral drama that delivers a wealthy story.
1
‘Inspector Koo’ (2021)
Lee Younger-ae stars in Inspector Koo as Koo Kyung-yi, a superb however eccentric former cop turned insurance coverage investigator who spends her days gaming and consuming. However she’s pulled out of her reclusive way of life when a suspicious loss of life happens. What begins as a routine case spirals right into a lethal recreation of cat-and-mouse with Track Yi-kyung, a school pupil and serial killer who phases her murders as accidents. As Kyung-yi digs deeper, she finds herself in the midst of twisted motives and stunning secrets and techniques.
Genius Meets Evil
This Netflix Okay-drama is not like another on the listing. It’s quirky, unpredictable, and intensely satisfying for followers of unconventional crime tales. A mixture of thriller, darkish comedy, and detective drama, it reveals who the assassin is kind of quickly, however proves understanding isn’t sufficient. Connecting the dots and pulling a determine of the shadows, utilizing good investigative abilities and offbeat humor, and delivering a mixture of deadpan humor and razor-sharp deduction is what issues. Lee Younger-ae is phenomenal because the detective and Kim Hye-jun’s portrayal of the killer is chilling and oddly sympathetic. She even gained a Baeksang Award for Greatest New Actress.
Set off
- Launch Date
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July 25, 2025
- Community
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Netflix
- Administrators
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Kwon Oh-seung
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Kim Younger-kwang
Moon-baek
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Woo Ji-hyeon
Yoo Jeong Tae
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Kim Received-hae
Cho Hyeon Sik
