Netflix released K-drama Mercy For None, a limited series of just seven episodes, in early June. But when a show is that captivating, seven episodes is all you really need. After all, Mercy For None has got it all: blood-curling revenge, a beguiling plot and of course, a stunning cast. The show stars a mix of veteran and rising actors including So Ji-sub of Oh My Venus fame, Gong Myung and Choo Young-woo.
And now that Mercy For None is properly done and dusted, you might be on the hunt for the next exciting watch. With fight scenes, spirited action sequences and riveting performance, here are five equally thrilling K-dramas for your next binge-watching escapade.
A Shop For Killers
Starring Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun, A Shop For Killers follows the story of Jung Ji-an, a young woman whose life gets turned upside down after her uncle Jung Jin-man, portrayed by Lee, unexpectedly passes away. After his death, Ji-an inherits Jin-man’s small shop in the countryside, before quickly discovering that the store is a front for something much darker: a clandestine mall that sells weapons to professional killers. As dangerous people begin to invade her quiet life, Ji-an is left to uncover the other life-threatening secrets Jin-man was keeping from her.
Once you’ve finished the series, don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long for the next instalment of A Shop For Killers. Disney+ officially announced that season 2 is in the works, with Masaki Okada and Hyunri joining the production as new cast members.
My Name
The passing of a loved one triggers grief and pain unlike anything else. And in the 2021 K-drama My Name, Yoon Ji-woo, portrayed by Han So-hee, experiences this firsthand. To unearth the real cause of her father’s murder, a vengeful Ji-woo makes the decision to join a powerful gang. Under the direction of the crime ring’s leader, Ji-woo infiltrates the police force to work as a mole for the gang and its network. Thrilling action sequences, coupled with Han’s nuanced performance, make this drama a must-watch, especially for (screen) adrenaline junkies.
Gyeongseong Creature
If monsters are more your thing, Gyeongseong Creature needs to be on your streaming list this season. The first season of this hit Netflix series features Park Seo-jun and Han So-hee as reluctant partners in crime, who are pushed to break into the town’s mysteriously cryptic hospital during the height of World War II. From avoiding the brutality of the Japanese empire to unmasking the twisted secrets behind the hospital doors, the duo face incredible pressure at every turn. We won’t spoil the storyline for you here, but the second season of Gyeongseong Creature sees the pair reunited, though this time in the modern-day Seoul.
Moving
One of Korea’s highest-rated dramas in recent years, Moving is an action-fuelled, high-octane show that follows the lives of several bright-eyed teenagers, who come to discover they possess some truly extraordinary superpowers. Where did they get these powers, you might ask? Their parents, of course. As the teens and their parents begin to understand the depth of their abilities, they realise that some of the biggest people in power are deviously working against them.
This drama series earned many accolades following its release, including awards for veteran actor Ryu Seung-ryong and rising star Go Youn-jung. Announced late last year, a second season is underway, marking further developments in the Moving universe first created by Kang Full.
Vagabond
Anything that happened before Covid-19 feels like a lifetime ago, and that’s why we would consider Vagabond—first released in 2019—an oldie but a goodie. Featuring Lee Seung-gi and Bae Suzy in the show’s leading roles, this action thriller gained widespread acclaim both in Korean and abroad.
Cha Dal-gun, Lee’s character, faces a tragic loss in his life when his darling nephew tragically passes away in a plane crash. His dreams of making it big as an action-film star are put on pause when he starts to realise that the tragic end to his nephew’s life might not have been an accident after all. Soon after, he crosses paths with ambitious National Intelligence Service operative Go Hae-ri, played by Bae, who helps him on his journey to discover the truth behind it all. With every episode, the duo’s frantic fight for justice becomes more intense. We promise, you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
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