7 Korean Dramas on Netflix With Enough Action to Balance All That Romance

Believe it or not, K-dramas are not all about cheesy, fluffy romantic arcs and lighthearted stories that make love the center of the plot and the end goal of the show. Not that these dramas are bad or anything, but there are times when you need a deeper story with protagonists who are driven by something other than love.

If you are looking for such shows, here are seven examples recommended by fans on Reddit.

Lovestruck in the City (2022)

This is a heartfelt slice-of-life drama with a decent setup. While the plot revolves around six people talking about their dating lives, it shows different types of relationships and realistic and relatable characters.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)

When a psychiatric nurse, his autistic brother, and a girl from their childhood who has become a famous children's book author meet, the secrets of the past begin to unravel and psychological traumas start to heal. The show is a great healing experience.

Vagabond (2019)

A stuntman realizes that a plane crash that killed his nephew along with 200 other people was no accident and investigates with the help of an undercover agent for the National Intelligence Agency. The suspenseful action-drama seems to have everything for a great binge-watch, from the conspiracy-fueled plot to the amazing cast.

Business Proposal (2022)

Even though this is a romance about a woman who goes on a blind date only to find out that the date is actually her boss, the story doesn't overdo the romance. The protagonists grow significantly throughout the series. The cinematography is great. And the K-drama constantly breaks the fourth wall and makes fun of the usual romantic clichés.

Vincenzo (2021)

A Korean boy was adopted as a child by an Italian Mafia boss. He grew up to be a capable lawyer and an important player in his father's business. But when the father dies and the adoptive brother tries to kill him, the protagonist goes back to South Korea to find a mob gold hidden there. The show has a great plot and an ending to die for.

Flower of Evil (2020)

As a detective investigates a series of unexplained murders, she gradually realizes that her husband is connected to them and is not the perfect man she always thought he was. The drama is filled with surprising twists and turns, all of which lead to a beautiful dynamic between the characters.

Happiness (2021)

The apocalyptic thriller is set in a future where a virus turns people into zombie-like violent creatures. While the military and police try to contain the spread of the virus, civil rights groups protest the harsh measures, believing that the infected still have a chance at a normal life. The show has a compelling romantic arc that doesn't detract from the main plot.