It's Not All About Romance: 7 Dark & Serious Korean Dramas For Adults

K-dramas are widely considered to be all fluffy, sweet, and innocent. But Korean doesn't automatically mean romantic. K-dramas can come in any genre and tell any story, from epic sagas and crime dramas to horror and psychological thrillers.

If you're tired of PG-rated shows and want something more mature, serious, and dark, here are a few suggestions.

Children of Nobody (2018-2019)

This gripping crime drama explores the difficult issue of child abuse in Korean society. The protagonist is a children's counselor whose life is turned upside down when she is involved in a car accident and begins to see children who need to be rescued from abuse.

Mouse (2021)

Mouse is a story about psychopaths and a kind of study of psychopathic behavior and the link between genetics and crime. The protagonist is a troubled police officer who faces a serial killer and becomes involved in the hunt for him while feeling that he himself has changed.

Beyond Evil (2021)

On the surface, Beyond Evil seems like a simple murder mystery. But as two cops go to extreme lengths to catch a serial killer, the show raises the biggest question of all: Who is the real monster in this story?

The King of Pigs (2022)

A remake of the 2011 animated film, the show explores bullying within Korea's social hierarchies and the theme of revenge. A message at the sight of a gruesome murder leads two high school friends to reunite and recall past experiences of violence.

Blind (2022)

The series unfolds in two timelines, both involving horrific crimes, serial murders in the present and the brutal torture of children in the past. It is a story of injustice and uncomfortable truths that often blur the lines between good and evil.

Hell Is Other People (2019)

A young man moves from his hometown to the big city to find a better life. Due to lack of money, he is forced to live in an ominous cheap dormitory where all kinds of strange and suspicious individuals reside. Soon, mysterious occurrences make the protagonist fear the inhabitants of the dormitory.

My Name (2021)

Desperate to avenge her father's death, a young woman joins a huge drug gang led by a powerful crime boss and then becomes his mole in the police force. Her vengeful journey through Seoul's underbelly is dark and spectacular, keeping viewers glued to the screen.