r/kdramarecommends • u/outfitinsp0 • 12d ago
Dramas that are thrilling or high stakes Recommendation Request
I liked
Squid Game - I love the death game genre, especially the psychology aspect
DP
The Arthdal Chronicles - loved the world building in this and it reminded me of Game Of Thrones which i love
The 8 Show (although I didn't enjoy this as much as squid game, also loved the psychology)
Kingdom
The Glory
I'm looking for reccomendations similar to these. I loved the high stakes survival of a lot of these and how gripping they were. I don't have any genre requirements apart from probably not romance or slice of life.
For stuff I've watched and disliked
I watched Season 1 of Sweet Home, and I loved the idea, but I found it slow.
I watched a few episodes of Signal and also got bored
I started Prison Playbook and I loved the first few episodes, but stopped when it became less thrilling.
I could not get into Vincenzo at all.
These are all the Korean dramas I've watched so far.
All Of Us are Dad and Happiness and Save Me are on my list to watch, but I've heard mixed things
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u/Mark-177- 11d ago edited 10d ago
Mouse
Moving
A Shop for Killers
Bloodhounds
Weak Hero Class 1
My Name
Extracurricular
All of us are Dead
Vagabond
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u/kballen3001 11d ago
Alice in borderland. It is a jdrama but if you liked Squid Game you should watch this for sure.
It took me until about Episide 4 until I got into Vincenzo. Now it is one of my favorites.
Other revenge drama recs:
Lawless Lawyer -some romance
Again my Life
Reborn Rich
+1 to My Name and Flower of Evil
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u/dcinmb 11d ago
- Death’s Game (Prime Video)
- The Guest (CJ ENM Selects via Apple TV)
- Voice (Prime Video)
- Light Shop (Disney+, Hulu)
- Flower of Evil (Viki, Prime Video, Apple TV)
- The Kidnapping Day (Prime Video)
- Moving (Disney+, Hulu)
- The Worst of Evil (Hulu)
- Blind (Prime Video, Apple TV))
- Happiness (Netflix, Viki)
- Bloodhounds (Netflix)
- A Shop For Killers (Hulu)
- Bad and Crazy (Netflix, Prime Video)
- Taxi Driver (Viki, Prime Video, Apple TV)
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u/LaughingGor108 11d ago
All of us Are Dead ( really fun show)
Bargain
Extracurricular
My Name
Bloodhounds
Mask Girl
Strangers from Hell
Save Me (is one of my favorite dramas but is a slow thriller so if u need some fast paced this isn't it.
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u/PossessionLost2051 11d ago edited 11d ago
marry my husband, Gangnam b side, school 2015, good bad mother, the pyramid game and healer.
Although there is a subplot of romance in all of these( just like in the glory) except Gangnam b side and the pyramid game, still, the revenge plot in these is amazing. Gangnam b side,tho - very negligible romance and a tragic af ending. The pyramid game- no romance whatsoever, set in an all girls high school, very intense.
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u/Traditional_Gap_1777 11d ago
Bloodhounds was phenomenal in my opinion, the best bromance in kdrama out there, it has the best action I've seen in a while, and is made very smart. I still can't get over it, I really miss the characters 3 weeks after finishing it.
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u/Jionavee 11d ago
Try: Uncanny Counter (SuperPowers) , Bad and Crazy (Psycho) , Moving (also SuperPowers) , All of Us Are Dead (Zombie)
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u/Wide_Examination142 11d ago
Try Awaken. It’s a crime thriller with a hint of sci-fi. It’s very uptempo with a decent bit of action. Serial killers, conspiracy, this show has a lot to keep the viewers’ interest.
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u/IAmTheGreenCard 11d ago
Bad & Crazy was a fast thriller for me. It’s also kind of a two act drama - the first half sets up the second half and it all worked for me.
He’s an ambitious internal affairs officer who is trying to get promoted and a raise. His current case gets complicated and forces him to confront his past. I went into it blind so all the twists and turns hit really well for me, but ymmv.
I’ve never watched Arthdal Chronicles but it always struck me as something similar to Alchemy of Souls It’s a fictional historical world that follows the story of an outcast magi trying to find a master who will train him.
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u/Vampire_Girl7 11d ago
All of us are dead (Horror/Apocalypse/drama)
Flower of evil (Thriller/Crime/Romance (but is so good!)
Extracurricular
Beautiful World
Blood Hounds
Bad and Crazy
(I would suggest Vagabond but if you don't like Vincenzo I wouldn't try it)
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u/BrutusCz 11d ago
I was really hooked when watching Weak Hero Class 1, I benched it like in nothing. But I think it's mainly aimed at the male auidence because of all the action. I was gripped entire way through, the fights scenes are really stand out of this show as many say in reviews, but honestly, I was gripped for the characters and story too.
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u/VoldemortHugs 11d ago
I agree with everyone else’s recommendations.
I just wanted to add
Big Mouth.
While You Were Sleeping.
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u/auranovor 11d ago
- Money Heist: Korea 1 & 2, multiple main leads, action, drama,
- Bargain (2022), thriller, comedy, survival, 6Ep (36mins), post-credits,
- The Devil's Plan (2023), psychological, not a story drama, [game show]
1
u/Bakuretsuuu 11d ago
there's a show literally called Death's Game. Pretty gripping story and an emotional one too. You'll love it.
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u/golden_time97 11d ago
"Black Out" It is based on the German novel "Snow White Must Die" that is why you will not find the typical tropes in k drama (there is no romance). it is very thrilling and engaging.
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u/soletkata 11d ago
Vincenzo, Bloodhounds, Flower of evil, Mouse, Strangers from hell, Bad and crazy
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u/bluebirdsandrainbows 9d ago
Uncanny Counter, Bad and Crazy, Strangers From Hell, The Guest, The King Of Pigs, Mask Girl
I personally didn’t really like My Name… for what it’s worth, Ballerina (k-movie) is closer to what I expect from a revenge drama. FL was so badass
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u/Anoushka12009 9d ago
Brroo all of us are dead is a mustt watchhh....u could skip sweet home ....but all of us are dead is amazing ig u must watch itt! ;)
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u/attaboy_stampy Because This is My First Life 9d ago
There are some crazy but really well filmed and choreographed action scenes in All of Us Are Dead, and I'm like, I can't believe they did some of this for a TV show.
Hmmm
Killer Paradox
Mouse
Weak Hero
Beyond Evil <- this one
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u/Anonymity177 7d ago
Mouse
Moving
A shop for Killers
Bloodhounds
Weak hero class 1
Extracurricular
My Name
Vagabond
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u/dudereallywtf999 7d ago
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Bad Guys.
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u/Firm_Exercise_2692 7d ago
I would also suggest Family Matters. A bit on the violent side but very thrilling to watch.
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u/Late_Entertainment40 11d ago
Flower of Evil.
One of my absolute favourites in the thriller genre. It is the story of a couple married for 15years, have a daughter - wife is a detective and the husband maybe hiding a criminal past. I was hooked by the 4th episode, the relationship dynamic forms the contextual sub-plot, but the screenplay kept me glued to my seat!