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Korean thrillers are a wild ride—full of surprises, suspense, and characters that keep the audience guessing. These dramas and films grab the viewers' attention from the very beginning and never let go. It’s no wonder they’ve become a big hit on Netflix, keeping viewers hooked all around the world.
Specifically, Korean thrillers such as Ballerina and Forgotten are good at playing with emotions. They have psychological intrigue mixed with jaw-dropping action and a bit of drama, all set in front of breathtaking cinematography and phenomenal performances.
From digging out truths to fighting to survive, the best thrillers on this list know how to bring out the tension to an all-time high. Here are seven of the best Korean thrillers to watch on Netflix.
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Note: the opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Call, Flower of Evil, and more Korean thrillers on Netflix
1) The Call (2020)
The Call is the first on the list of best Korean thrillers on Netflix. It is a South Korean science fiction psychological thriller directed by Lee Chung-hyun, starring Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo. The movie is based on the 2011 film The Caller, where two women, Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye) and Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), connect across time through a mysterious cordless phone.
In the year 2019, Seo-yeon discovers that her calls to Young-sook in 1999 have the power to change their past and current realities. While Seo-yeon initially enjoys these changes, the ripples affect her negatively. Young-sook begins descending into violence, becoming a serial killer, whereupon Seo-yeon must fight against the terrifying consequences of their link.
Furthermore, The Call was originally planned for theatrical release. However, it premiered globally on Netflix on November 27, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2) Flower of Evil (2020)
Led by Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won, Flower of Evil is a Korean crime thriller that focuses on a seemingly perfect married couple. The series follows a detective who believes her husband to be a kind and devoted father to their child. However, her world begins to crumble when she is assigned to investigate a series of unresolved murders, uncovering unsettling truths that threaten to shatter their idyllic life.
Moreover, Flower of Evil premiered on tvN on July 29, 2020. It concluded with 16 episodes on September 23, 2020. Viewers can stream it on Netflix, Viu, and iQIYI.
3) Ballerina (2023)
Ballerina is a South Korean action thriller directed by Lee Chung-hyun, featuring Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Park Yu-rim in leading roles. The story centers on Jang Ok-ju, a former bodyguard who embarks on a harrowing quest for revenge after her best friend, Choi Min-hee, falls victim to sex trafficker Choi Pro. Grieving and driven by her friend's final wish, Ok-ju infiltrates Choi’s life, uncovering horrific evidence of his crimes and plotting his downfall.
As Ok-ju battles Choi’s gang and faces relentless danger, the film unfolds in a tense sequence of action-packed events. Ok-ju's determination leads her to take on traffickers, outsmart violent attackers, and ultimately dismantle the criminal network. After a climactic confrontation, she captures and executes Choi, ensuring justice for Min-hee and his many victims.
Moreover, Ballerina premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the 'Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere' section on October 5, 2023. The film began streaming globally on Netflix the following day.
4) Unlocked (2023)
The next one on the list of Korean thrillers to watch on Netflix is the film Unlocked. It is a directorial debut from Kim Tae-joon, starring Chun Woo-hee, Yim Si-wan, and Kim Hee-won. This one follows the dark consequences of an incident ordinarily described in everyday life: losing a smartphone.
Lee Na-mi (Chun Woo-hee) is a marketer who misplaces her phone only to have it fall into the hands of Jun-yeong (Yim Si-wan), a tech-savvy predator. By installing spyware on her device, Jun-yeong gains complete access to Na-mi’s private life, manipulating her relationships and sabotaging her career. Detective Ji-man (Kim Hee-won) investigates a series of murders tied to Jun-yeong, leading to a shocking revelation about the killer’s identity.
Furthermore, Unlocked became available for online streaming worldwide on Netflix on 17 February 2023.
5) Lucid Dream (2017)
Another on this list of the 7 best Korean thrillers to watch on Netflix is Lucid Dream. Lucid Dream is a Korean sci-fi mystery-thriller mixing investigative drama with the surreal use of advanced dream therapy. It follows Dae-ho (portrayed by Go Soo), a journalist and single father whose son is abducted without a ransom demand. Believing revenge on one of the corrupt figures he exposed, Dae-ho spends three years without any answers before seeking a therapy that revisits critical memories through lucid dreaming, aided by his friend So-hyeon.
As Dae-ho remembers the past, new clues appear. These clues lead him, So-hyeon, and Detective Song to shocking discoveries: a comatose suspect and a mysterious teenager who can enter dreams. Using special technology, Dae-ho enters the suspect's mind to find out the truth about his son's disappearance.
The film was released on February 22, 2017, in South Korea and on June 2, 2017, on Netflix worldwide.
6) Forgotten (2017)
Forgotten is a South Korean mystery thriller directed and written by Jang Hang-jun. The film stars Kang Ha-neul as Jin-seok and Kim Mu-yeol as his brother, Yoo-seok. The story begins with Jin-seok’s family moving into a new house, where one room is off-limits. One rainy night, Jin-seok witnesses Yoo-seok being abducted.
Yoo-seok returns after nineteen days but has no memory of the events. Suspicion arises in Jin-seok as his brother’s strange behavior is noticed, prompting him to uncover unsettling truths about his family. As more is investigated, a crime from the past is uncovered along with a shocking revelation about Jin-seok’s involvement. His role in a double homicide during the 1997 financial crisis is gradually recalled.
Furthermore, Forgotten was released in South Korea on November 29, 2017.
7) Kill Boksoon (2023)
Kill Boksoon centers around Boksoon, a legendary contract killer. She is as lethal in her profession as she is struggling in her personal life as a single mother. Balancing her double life, she faces the ultimate challenge when she decides to reject an assignment from the organization that employs her, triggering a deadly fallout.
Starring Jeon Do-yeon as the titular character, Kill Boksoon offers more than just thrilling action. It’s a film about a woman navigating the complexities of motherhood and loyalty in a world where betrayal is a constant threat.
These seven Korean thrillers on Netflix are suspenseful, shocking, and thrilling. They provide a unique journey into tension-filled worlds through psychological mysteries, intense action, and complex characters. Stunning cinematography, strong performances, and smart plot twists keep the audience on the edge of their seats, making them must-watches for thrill-seekers.
