Are you ready to dive into the world of Korean dramas? Netflix has become a treasure trove for fans seeking thrilling narratives, unforgettable characters, and memorable characters.
From tales wracked with nail-biting tension to some great cat-and-mouse detective thrillers, Netflix offers an impressive selection of K-dramas, which are renowned for their ability to blend genres, creating a unique viewing experience that goes beyond traditional detective shows.
So are you ready to explore the best detective K-dramas available to stream on Netflix in 2024? Join us as we dive into the best ones available on the platform:
Stranger
A Politically Charged Thriller
Stranger is a thrilling procedural, with some great action, lots of detective work and two seasons with plenty to whet the appetite. In many ways, this sequel fails to match the brilliance of the first but it’s not for the want of trying.
Still, the mystery is intriguing, with a lot of politically charged references and ideas. Still, there’s a reason this one is rated so highly and the ending seems to hint we’ll be getting a third season at some point.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
Mad Dog
Exposing Insurance Crimes
Mad Dog is an emotionally charged and suspenseful detective drama. The story centers on a former detective called Choi Kang-Woo. He now works as a veteran insurance investigator. However, he’s drawn back into the investigative world when a brilliant swindler approaches, and the pair work together to hunt down and expose insurance crimes.
The show works well and there’s even a hint of romance in here too to keep things engaging. However, it’s arguably one of the weaker dramas on the platform.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
Inspector Koo
A Korean Killing Eve
Inspector Woo is, in its simplest form, very close in style and tone to the British crime thriller, Killing Eve.
The plot shines a spotlight on Koo Kyung-Yi who’s in her 40’s. She’s a former police officer but now works as an insurance investigator and as a private detective. With her smarts and intuition, she’s able to solve every case… until now.
When Kyung-Yi is faced with catching a serial killer – a female university student no less – past and present collide together as the sins of her past come back to haunt her.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
The Good Detective
Old Tropes, New Vibe
The Good Detective centers around two people, an 18 year veteran detective called Do-Chang and an elite detective, with 9 years experience, called Ji-hyuk. The pair work together and investigate a five-year-old murder conviction to hunt down the case’s hidden truth.
What’s particularly intriguing about this one is the way it blends old tropes (young hotshot teams up with veteran) and adds a layer of suspense to keep this one interesting across the 2 season run.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
D.P.
Suspenseful Drama
D.P takes an unflinching look at bullying, the effect it has on mental health and larger societal questions about the mandatory military service in Korea.
At the center of this lies new recruit Jun-Ho. A man with a difficult upbringing, this young recruit isn’t exactly thrilled about enlisting. Still, he joins the military and begins counting down the days until he’s allowed to leave.
Big themes centering on abuse run much deeper than the surface level and infect every part of this story. This punchy little series never outstays its welcome and leaves quite the lasting impression.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
Law School
An intriguing whodunit
Law School is (unsurprisingly) a law drama centering around a group of kids trying to make it through school and get their law degrees. Along the way numerous cases are presented, including a long-running murder mystery regarding the circumstances involving Professor Seo’s death. This also coincides with an unresolved hit and run which occurred in the past, tying everything together.
The detective work comes from the kids predominantly, who work together to try and solve this case. There’s also a smattering of romance here too.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
Through the Darkness
A Cerebrally Charged Series
Through the Darkness is an underrated gem on Netflix, and it centers around a team of tenacious detectives, who study the minds of murderers at a time when Korea’s first serial murders terrorized the nation.
Interestingly, the show is actually based on true events, and the story is both gritty and grounded, making for an intriguing watch.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
Partners for Justice
Opposites Attract
A grouchy but brilliant forensic doctor called Baek Beom opens up his world to a bright-eyed rookie prosecutor, Eun Sol. Together, these opposites-attract work to try and solve various cases, with plenty of investigate work along the way.
The second half of the show really tightens the screw, with plenty of fallout and drama between our two leads, right the way until the dramatic finale.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
The Devil Judge
Deliciously Satirical Drama
The Devil Judge is a South Korean drama that portrays a dystopian society rife with corruption. The show follows Kang Yo-han, a charismatic and unorthodox judge who turns his courtroom into a reality show to punish the corrupt, but his true intentions are mysterious, leading to a tense battle of wits with a determined young associate justice.
This series is a captivating look at the court system with a dark and intense narrative. Our complex protagonist keeps viewers guessing about his true nature. The show masterfully blends elements of legal drama with psychological thriller, and the intense courtroom scenes are intellectually and emotionally engaging.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
Beyond Evil
A Chilling Whodunit
Beyond Evil is a great example of how to take a simple concept and absolutely run with it. Between the exemplary acting, tight writing and numerous twists and turns along the way, this Korean drama is easily one of the best horror-thrillers on Netflix. It’s hardly surprising then that it’s been nominated for 7 Baeksang Awards.
At its core, Beyond Evil plays out as a simple murder mystery. Police detective Dong-Sik is haunted by the ghosts of his past, forced to deal with the death of his sister Yu-Yeon 20 years prior. With the case still unresolved to this day, a string of new murders seem to be connected with Yu-Yeon’s death.
This is a stunning crime drama, packed with intricate layers of beauty despite some chilling and outright scary scenes that transcend beyond the simple story being told.
Has this piqued your interest? Why not add it to your watchlist on Netflix now!
And there we have it, our picks for the best detective K-Dramas on Netflix right now. What do you think of our list? Have we included your favourites? Feel free to let us know in the comments below