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Some of the best K-dramas push the boundaries of the genre and include many action-packed and gory sequences that even the most die-hard action fan would love. Violence is a tricky tool to master in movies and television, as it can be too brutal for some viewers, while others can't get enough. The key is to balance fast-paced, adrenaline-inducing scenes with compelling character dynamics that make the audience invested in the outcome of fight scenes and battles.
Action is a difficult genre to master and is often secondary to a series' main thrust, which is closer to the thriller, crime, horror, and drama genres. However, due to this, action is used as an essential element that elevates the other conflicts of a series and creates visually engaging sequences that leave the audience breathless. The best K-dramas hook the audience from the first episode, and those that involve fights, violence, and complicated battles are amazing at maintaining viewership and increasing the notoriety of K-dramas.
14 Life On Mars (2018)
The K-Drama Remake Of A Hit British Crime Show
Life on Mars is a South Korean television series based on the British series of the same name. It follows a modern-day detective who is transported back in time to the 1980s, where he must navigate a different era of policing while trying to find a way to return to his own time.
Cast Jung Kyung-ho , Park Sung-woong , Go A-sung , Oh Dae-hwan , Ro Jong-hyun
Release Date June 9, 2018
Seasons 1
One of the best action K-Dramas is also a remake of an equally acclaimed British crime show. The 2018 South-Korean version of Life On Mars one an Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Adaptation of an Existing Format, and the retelling of the original story stands out in its own right. Jung Kyong-ho stars as Han Tae-joo, a data-obsessed forensics officer in present-day South Korea. As well as being action-packed, Life on Mars is also among the best time-travel K-Dramas.
Following an accident, Han finds himself transported back to the 1970s. What's more, many people seem to know who he is. He finds himself as a member of the homicide team of a small town. The crime-busting is nonstop in Life on Mars, and working alongside the rough-round-the-edges '70s cop Kang Dong-chul (Park Sung-woong) ensures Han has to adapt to using intuition and direct action instead of statistics and data.
13 Terrius Behind Me (2018)
A Grieving Widow Follows An NIS Agent To Unravel Deep Conspiracies
Also known as My Secret Terrius in some territories, the 2018 spy-thriller Terius Behind Me is as action-packed as any blockbuster movie about intrigue, espionage, and conspiracies. The action K-Drama from creator Kae Dae-sun has an incredibly gripping conspiracy that unravels at masterful pace across its 32 episodes. Not only is it full of high-octane excitement and setpieces, it's also incredibly gripping, with the plot ensuring viewers will resisting binge-watching difficult.
The plot focuses on Go Ae-rin (played by Jung In-sun). After losing her husband and becoming a widow, she starts to question the circumstances of his death. After digging a little deeper, Go Ae-rin discovered her spouse was embroiled in a web of conspiracy so deep it defies comprehension. Fortunately, she is being helped by Kim Bon (So Ji-sub), a former NIS black-ops agetn with plenty of secrets of his own.
12 The K2 (2016)
An Ex-Mercenary Has To Go On The Run
The K2 is a South Korean television series centered on a former mercenary named Kim Je-ha, played by Ji Chang-wook, who becomes a fugitive and is later employed as a bodyguard by a powerful political family. As he navigates the treacherous world of politics, he pledges to protect Go Anna, portrayed by Im Yoon-ah, the secret daughter of a presidential candidate. The series explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
Cast Ji Chang-Wook , Song Yun-ah , Im Yoon-Ah , Jo Sung-ha , Kim Kap-su , Jeon Bae-soo , Shin Dong-mi , Yeom Hye-ran
Release Date November 3, 2020
Seasons 1
Not only is 2020's The K2 among the best revenge K-Dramas out there, it's also a genre-spanning show that mixes elements of military thrillers with that of crime dramas. After being accused of killing his wife while living in Iraq, Blackstone PMC mercenary (Choi Sung-hoo) manages to escape imprisonment and smuggle himself back to South Korea.
Upon his return, he becomes employed by Choi Yoo-jin (Song Yoon-ah), the owner of a security firm. He quickly finds it difficult to balance protecting Go An-na (Im Yoon-Ah), the illegitimate daughter of a presidential candidate, and those who had him falsely accused of murdering his wife during his career as a mercenary. With attempts on Goon An-na's life abound, The K2 has plenty of impressive chase scenes and shoot-out sequences, ranking it among the best action K-Dramas of recent years.
11 City Hunter (2011)
An Action-Filled Revenge Saga
City Hunter (2011) is a South Korean action drama series based on Tsukasa Hojo's manga. Lee Min-ho stars as Lee Yoon-sung, an elite MIT graduate seeking revenge against the people responsible for his father's death. Disguised as a playboy IT expert in the Blue House, Yoon-sung operates as a vigilante known as the "City Hunter," targeting corrupt government officials while balancing personal relationships and moral dilemmas.
Cast Lee Min-ho , Park Min-young , Lee Jun-hyuk , Kim Sang-joong , Cheon Ho-jin , Yang Jin-sung , Shin Young-jin , Kim Sang-Ho , Choi Sung-ho , Goo Ha-ra , Lee Kwang-soo , Hwang Sun-hee , Choi Il-hwa , Choi Jung-woo , Kim Mi-sook
Character(s) Lee Yun Seong , Kim Na Na , Kim Young Joo , Lee Jin Pyo , Choi Eung-chan , Shin Eun-ah , Kim Mi-ok , Bae Man Deok , Jang Pil-jae , Choi Da-hye , Ko Ki-joon , Jin Se-hee , Kim Jong-shik , Chun Jae-man , Lee Kyung-hee
Release Date May 25, 2011
2011's City Hunter is a South Korean adaptation of Japanese author Tsukasa Hojo's 1985-1991 manga of the same name, and manages to capture the intense action of the source material while fine-tuning it into a slick and highly pulse-pounding K-Drama. Like The K2 and many of the best action K-Dramas, City Hunter is a revenge story at its core, though it's also a great political thriller as it focuses on a group of soldiers crossing the border into North Korea.
The performances of the cast are a particular highlight of City Hunter, especially Lee Min-ho as Lee Yoon-sung (the special ops soldier from whose codename the show gets its title). He won the Best Actor category at the 4th Korea Drama Awards for his work on the show. Not only that, but Jin Hyuk (director), Park Min-young (actress), Kim Sang-ho (supporting actor), and Hwang Sun-hee (supporting actress) also all receiving nominations in their respective categories.
10 Two Weeks (2013)
A Story Of Gang Violence And Political Conspiracy
Many of the best action K-Dramas manage to blend subgenres in ways that many shows in the US don't manage (or often even attempt to), and a standout example is 2013's Two Weeks. Written and co-directed by So Hyun-Kyung, Two Weeks is both a gritty tale of gang violence, and a political spy-thriller. The story focuses on Jang Tae-san, a gang member who leaves prison only to find himself framed for the murder of a government agent.
To make Two Weeks even more intense, Jang's daughter, Lee Chai-mi (Seo Soo-jin), has leukemia. If he can't be present for a bone marrow transplant in two weeks time from the first episode, her death will be assured. This adds significance to Jang's plight, and makes every episode seeing him try to unravel the conspiracy behind the false accusation and clear his name all the more emotionally impactful.
9 Descendants Of The Sun (2016)
A Fictional War Creates Real Conflict Amidst An Epic Love Story
Descendants of the Sun follows the story of Captain Yoo Si-jin, a Special Forces officer, and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon, a surgeon, as they navigate their burgeoning romance amidst dangerous humanitarian missions in a war-torn country. The series explores themes of duty, love, and sacrifice against the backdrop of international conflict.
Cast Song Joong-ki , Song Hye-Kyo , Jin Goo , Kim Ji-won , Kim Min-seok , Kang Shin-il , Ahn Bo-Hyun , Seo Jung-yeon
Release Date April 8, 2016
Seasons 1
The star-crossed lovers Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo) find themselves constantly torn apart because of Yoo Si-jin's active role in the military and Kang Mo-yeon's busy professional life as a doctor. Moments of war and conflict are punctuated with a genuine love story between the pair, which elevates both aspects of the narrative.
For the international audience, it provides an interesting look into the South Korean military.
There's something for both ends of the K-drama audience spectrum in this series. Audiences who are less interested in romance have great action scenes, but there are plenty of soft and sensual moments between the central couple for romance fans as well. However, Descendants of the Sun should not be overlooked as an action series just because of its love story. For the international audience, it provides an interesting look into the South Korean military.
The series has become an international hit as well, sold for distribution to 32 different countries. It was also broadcast in China and South Korea simultaneously after a Chinese network paid nearly 40% of the production costs for the show to have the broadcast rights. That was the first time for a K-drama to get that treatment.
8 Healer (2014 - 2015)
Journalistic Integrity, Freedom Of Speech, And A Series Of Murders Are Solved By One Man
An incident took place 30 years ago involving a group of friends who ran an illegal broadcasting station. Now three people, an illegal courier called “Healer”, a reporter from a second-rate news website and a famous journalist are on a journey to discover the truth about what happened in 1992.
Cast Ji Chang-Wook , Park Min-young , Tae-Mi , Yoo Ji-tae , Kim Mi-kyung , Woo Hee-Jin , Oh Gwang-Rok , Park Won-sang
Release Date December 8, 2014
Seasons 1
Healer takes down corrupt media outlets and solves murders through the lens of Seo Jung-hoo (Ji Chang-wook), a man known by the moniker Healer, who has a reputation for getting things done. Even though he starts the series thinking only of himself, he soon builds a connection with Chae Young-shin (K-drama romance darling Park Min-young). The two of them quickly get caught up in a case Chae Young-shin is reporting on, and the secrets from her past start resurfacing.
This intrigue is paired well with the excellent fighting skills Seo Jung-hoo shows off and the high stakes of freedom of the press. The action scenes here are actually more like some of the traditional action scenes in modern-day thrillers, like rooftop chase sequences or hand-to-hand combat in close quarters. Fans of the fight scenes in the Bourne movies will likely love this one.
7 My Name (2021)
Vengeance Takes Many Forms In This Thriller About A Woman With An All-Consuming Goal
My Name is a South Korean television series starring Han So-hee as Ji-woo, a revenge-driven woman who infiltrates a drug cartel to avenge her father's death. As she rises through the ranks, Ji-woo must navigate the dangerous underworld of organized crime and confront her own morality.
Cast Han So-hee , Park Hee-soon , Ahn Bo-Hyun , Kim Sang-Ho , Lee Hak-ju
Release Date October 15, 2021
Seasons 1
Creator(s) Kim Jin-min , Kim Ba-da
After her father is killed, Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) aligns herself with a mob boss in the criminal underworld to catch her father’s murderer. Han So-hee is known for some of the best K-dramas, and My Name might be the greatest of all of her shows because of how lightning-fast the pacing is and how much material she has in portraying Yoon Ji-woo.
She grows into a fearsome warrior and trains herself to be a weapon in her single-minded quest. Things heat up beyond belief when she goes undercover within the police force to root out corruption as an agent for her criminal organization.
The show was incredibly well-received when it premiered in South Korea, but also around the world. It was nominated for several awards with Han So-hee in particular racking up nominations, though she, unfortunately, didn't take home any wins. New Musical Express out of the UK named the series one of the best Korean dramas of the year.
Related
Top 30 Badass Female Leads From K-Dramas
While K-dramas are often enjoyed for their sometimes-saccharine romances and dramatic plots, there are more than a few iconic female leads, as well.
6 Train (2020)
Parallel Universes Change A Man's Perception Of Justice And The Woman He Loves
Train is a South Korean television series that follows the lives of Seo Do-won, a detective who discovers the existence of parallel worlds after a tragic event. Played by Yoon Shi-yoon, Do-won traverses these alternate realities to bring justice and uncover hidden truths. Alongside him is Han Seo-kyung, portrayed by Kyung Soo-jin, a prosecutor who aids him in his quest. The series weaves a complex narrative filled with suspense and mystery.
Cast Yoon Shi-yoon , Kyung Soo-jin , Lee Hang-na , Shin So-yul , Jo Wan-gi , Baek Jae-Woo , Kim Dong-young , Lee Min-jae
Character(s) Seo Do Won , Han Seo Kyung , Oh Mi Sook , Lee Jung Min , Woo Jae Hyuk , Kang Joon Young , Kim Jin Woo , Seo Do Won (young)
Release Date July 11, 2020
Seasons 1
In one universe, Seo Do-won (Yoon Shi-yoon) tries to solve the murder of the woman he loves, while in the other, he works tirelessly to protect her. The magic systems and how Seo Do-won's mysterious abilities work are of less concern to Train than what he does with the opportunity to live two different lives across multiple realities. The way the two universes are different are just as fascinating as what they have in common.
It's difficult to keep track of who is alive in what universe, but it's never hard to spot when Seo Do-won is taking down an enemy because of the considerable time and attention the show gives to the amazing action sequences. Part thriller, part mystery, and definitely in the fantasy realm, the series has proven to fascinate international audiences as well. There is a British remake of the show in development.
5 Bloodhounds (2023)
Boxing, Bloodlust, And Fighting For The Weak Come Together In A Brilliant Story Of Friendship
Bloodhounds
Two young boxers team up with a good-hearted loan shark to defeat a competitor who takes advantage of the most vulnerable people.
Cast Woo Do-Hwan , Kim Sae-ron , Lee Sang-yi , Heo Joon-ho , Park Sung-woong
Release Date June 9, 2023
Seasons 1
Network Netflix
In Bloodhounds, the bonds of friendship are on full display between Kim Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), who use their talents as boxers to help those in need. Moneylending is the root of the conflict in the series as the men work to topple a man who uses his power as a loan shark to prey on those without money or resources. The bulk of the action takes place in the guise of boxing.
Even though the boxing is brutal, and the men don't pull any punches, the show is surprisingly nuanced and takes care to represent the issues of class and financial difficulties with empathy. As much as the series basks in action, it's also a crime drama and provides plenty of social commentary.
Though the series didn't see a lot of award show love in South Korea, Lee Sang-yi was awarded the Actor's Excellence Award at the Korea Drama Awards for his work in the show. Time also named it as one of the best Korean Dramas of 2023.
4 Vincenzo (2021)
A Look Into The Inner Workings Of The Mafia In Italy And South Korea
During a visit to his homeland, a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer gives an unrivaled conglomerate a taste of its own medicine with a side of justice.
Cast Song Joong-ki , Jeon Yeo-been , Kwak Dong-yeon , Taecyeon , Kim Yoon-hye , Kim Yeo-jin
Release Date February 20, 2021
Seasons 1
Directors Kim Hee-won
Vincenzo is one of the best revenge K-dramas because it weaves a complex web of lies and betrayal. There are so many twists that they must be seen to be believed. Vincenzo Cassano, AKA Park Joo-hyung (Song Joong-ki), is adopted by an Italian family with ties to the mob.
However, when his brother tries to have him killed, Vincenzo escapes back to South Korea to get his vengeance and start building his empire. Each character is brutal and exacting in their ruthless climb to the top and desire for money and power, but no one is who they say they are.
The series combines elements of a crime thriller with that of an action series, legal drama, and even a romance.
The series combines elements of a crime thriller with that of an action series, legal drama, and even a romance. The show manages to weave elements of all of these genres into an intense and entertaining narrative. It also is creative with its fight scenes, even using tape in one.
3 Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Class Divisions And Political Intrigue Come To A Head In This Depiction Of Korean History
Mr. Sunshine is a historical drama television series that takes place in the late 19th century during the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The story follows Eugene Choi, a young boy who travels to the United States and returns to Korea as an American soldier, and Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-sin, an aristocrat's daughter who dreams of modernizing Korea.
Cast Lee Byung-hun , Kim Tae-ri , Yoo Yeon-seok , Kim Min-jung , Byun Yo-han
Release Date July 7, 2018
Seasons 1
Just before the turn of the nineteenth century, Mr. Sunshine unpacks the experience of Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a young man who returns to Korea after living in the United States for many years. He falls in love with a woman in the upper class, but their love has a lot more to transcend than economic differences. Much of the conflict in Mr. Sunshine stems from the tensions between Korea, Japan, and the United States during this period.
Hand-to-hand-combat and samurai skills are showcased throughout the show. Fans might have loved the drama and the fight scenes, making it one of the highest-rated shows in South Korea at the time, but historical inaccuracy and using the trope of an American savior didn't sit well with many. While some parts of the show are polarizing, there's no question that the strong characters and well-choreographed action make it worth watching.
2 The Worst Of Evil (2023)
The Criminal Underworld Is Unmasked By A Pair Of Detectives
The Worst of Evil is a South Korean action/crime-thriller television series released in 2023. Set in the 1990s, The Worst of Evil follows a group of police detectives as they attempt to break into a criminal organization that controls the drug trade across China, Japan, and Korea.
Cast Ji Chang-Wook , Wi Ha-joon , Im Se-mi , Bibi , Lee Shin-ki , Jung Jae-kwang
Release Date September 27, 2023
Seasons 1
Directors Han Dong-wook
Thrillers are known for their slow-burn narratives that uphold a commitment to suspense over too many overtly violent scenes. However, that means that in shows like The Worst of Evil, when the tension spills over, the payoff of a fight sequence is all the more satisfying.
The series is a 1990s period piece that follows two detectives attempting to disrupt a drug trafficking ring, leading one of them to go undercover. It soon becomes clear that the criminals aren't the only dangerous ones, and most of the characters will do whatever it takes to get ahead.
Weapons in the series range from fists to buckets of water, making for some interesting variety in the more action-packed scenes. The series was well-received the year of its debut, earning three nominations at the Baeksang Awards and winning one for Best Director for Han Dong-wook.
1 All Of Us Are Dead (2022 - )
The End Of The World From The Perspective Of A Group Of Students
All of Us Are Dead is a horror-thriller series based on the webtoon from creator Jeon Bae-soo. Set in a South Korean high school, a scientist father trying to find a way to protect his son from bullies accidentally creates a serum that uses the fear within humans to turn them into zombies. Set loose in the school, the surviving students and staff find themselves cut off from the outside world and must now fight to survive the infected onslaught - and each other.
Cast Park Solomon , Cho Yi-hyun , Park Ji-hoo , Yoo In-soo , Yoon Chan-young
Release Date January 28, 2022
Seasons 2
High school is already filled to the brim with violence, drama, and intrigue, but combining that with zombies makes it impossible to turn away from All of Us Are Dead. In a compelling twist, it's a human teacher who creates the zombie virus and effectively ends the world, and the kids are the ones who decide to join together and survive.
DID YOU KNOW: All Of Us Are Dead is based on a South Korean manhwa series written and illustrated by Joo Dong-geun.
Though the outbreak starts in the confines of the school, the outside world doesn't have to wait long to fall victim to the virus. All of Us Are Dead is at its best in how it builds tension throughout its episodes and punctuates the action sequences with the complex development and organization of social groups.
The themes of the apocalypse are played out on the small scale of one school, which raises the stakes and increases the pacing of the action. Each character has a unique skill set and range of abilities, and watching the students learn to fight keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.Sweet Home (2020 - )
An Exciting New Twist On The Monster And Apocalyptic Genres
Sweet Home follows the story of Hyun-soo, a reclusive high school student who moves into the Green Home apartment complex after losing his family. When a mysterious epidemic turns people into monstrous creatures, Hyun-soo and the residents of Green Home must band together to survive, confronting their inner demons and the horrifying threats outside.
Cast Song Kang , Lee Jin-Wook , Lee Si-young , Park Gyu-young , Go Min-si , Kim Hee-jung , Kim Gook-hee , Lee Joon-woo
Release Date December 18, 2020
Seasons 3
Directors Lee Eung-bok , Jang Young-woo , Park So-hyun
Sweet Home has garnered enormous popularity through Netflix and around the world, and with season 3 greenlit, many things need to happen in Sweet Home before the show ends. The series’ premise revolves around a post-apocalyptic world where humans start turning into monsters, and the show's heroes are trapped inside an apartment building, trying to fight their way out and survive.
What makes the show so successful is how well it uses the environment and circumstances to its advantage. This limited setting gives the audience the sense of being trapped alongside the characters and increases the likelihood that every encounter with a monster will be violent.
Not only is the action, gore, and violence top-notch, but the series builds character development and relationships
Not only is the action, gore, and violence top-notch, but the series builds character development and relationships, making the quiet moments just as compelling as the high-octane fights. Blending horror, interpersonal drama, and the best of the action genre, Sweet Home stands out among its competitors.
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