Squid Game fans won't want to miss these 10 Korean thrillers that are just as ruthless

The 8 Show | Image Via: Netflix
The 8 Show | Image Via: Netflix

Squid Game has become a global phenomenon and rightfully so. It is a unique blend of all the right ingredients. From suspense to thrill to gore, it has it all. However, it is not the only Korean series that is filled with such intense thrillers. South Korea has a treasure chest of intense thriller series that are extremely binge-worthy.

From tales of revenge to psychological mind benders to dangerous creatures, it has it all. So, prepare to get awestruck with the 10 Korean thrillers that are just as ruthless as Squid Game. These selections offer a spectrum of chilling scenarios that give some of the best immersive experiences.


Squid Game fans won't want to miss these 10 Korean thrillers that are just as ruthless

1) Dr. Brain

Dr. Brain | Image Via: Apple TV+
Dr. Brain | Image Via: Apple TV+

A masterpiece delivered within the span of just six episodes. Dr. Brain is the perfect blend of science fiction and a thriller. Truly the best of both worlds. The central idea of the series is so unique and also inherently creepy that it quickly draws the viewers in.

It leaves the viewers constantly wondering about the messed-up secrets that get slowly revealed through the episodes. Sewon is one of the most intriguing characters. His actions are unpredictable, and some might even call them unsettling.

The main reason why you should watch this show is that it does not shy away from suspenseful situations and tense confrontations. If you loved Squid Game, then this series should definitely be on your watchlist.


2) Happiness

Happiness | Image Via: TvN
Happiness | Image Via: TvN

No matter how many zombie movies or series we watch, it never gets boring. Happiness gives a unique taste with the combination of zombies and the thrill of surviving such grave situations. The constant fear of not knowing when someone would turn rabid keeps the viewers on their toes.

Being trapped with the growing number of infected people is not a favorable situation in any way. The human elements of this series make it such an intense thriller. From the mysterious surroundings with the secrets that slowly unfold through the episodes, Yoon Sae-bom and Jung Yi-hyun must strive to survive.


3) Weak Hero

Weak Hero | Image Via: Playlist Studio
Weak Hero | Image Via: Playlist Studio

This is one of the most intriguing and intense thrillers of recent times. The newest season of this series released this year, Weak Hero is all about school bullies and the struggle to tackle them. Yeon Si-eun is a model student with his only objective to do good in studies, finds himself stuck when school bullies start to target him.

However, he doesn't back down or lose hope. Unlike the usual storylines where we see school bullies winning in the end, for Si-eun, backing down is not an option. He is well aware of his strengths. Though the strength here is not the brute force, however, the more intellectual aspect of it.

He uses his knowledge of physics and everyday school objects like his trusty pen to attack the bullies. Season 1 of this series is extremely intense. It will leave the viewers thinking about the education system and the struggles students might have while they get bullied and not get any support from the teachers.

Along with being an intense thriller, this series also delves deep into the themes of friendship and loyalty.


4) Flower of Evil

Flower of Evil | Image Via: tvN
Flower of Evil | Image Via: tvN

Korean shows are not always about the sweet romantic gestures or happy endings. It is just the tip of the iceberg. The world of Korean shows is filled with so many intense thrillers that it is truly awe-inspiring. Among the huge number of thrillers, Flower of Evil truly stands out as one of the most intense ones.

Baek Hee-sung is a devoted husband and a father working tirelessly to bring happiness to his family. Baek Hee-sung and Cha Ji-won appear to be one of the most perfect couples. Yet beneath the surface lie secrets that, if revealed, would unleash chaos.

Their story takes a gripping turn when Ji-won starts to investigate a new case involving chilling murders. The constant push and pull of this series makes it such an intriguing thriller drama. So, if you loved the thrill of Squid Game, then you would definitely enjoy this series.


5) My Name

My Name | Image Via: Netflix
My Name | Image Via: Netflix

My Name is undoubtedly filled with intense thrill and tension, which will keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. It has all the elements to make a show intriguing. From crimes to revenge to everything in between, My Name has it all. Ji-woo is seeking revenge after the sudden death of her father.

Her burning desire for revenge makes her become a mole to find the truth about her father’s death. She dives headfirst into the dangerous world of crime and even uses a new identity. The main reason this series keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats is because of the constant tension about the exposure of her identity.

There is non-stop action with loads of bloodshed and intense drama. The surprises keep coming back to back. Ji-woo sacrifices so much for her revenge, and we see her struggle with the choices she makes.


6) Hellbound

Hellbound | Image Via: Netflix
Hellbound | Image Via: Netflix

Who doesn't love a good thriller series, right? But if the thriller series comes with a heavy dose of supernatural, then things get even more intense and exciting to watch. Hellbound is all about the perfect blend of supernatural and thriller. Hellbound is a series that is filled with uncertainty and intrigue. It keeps the viewers on their toes.

The monstrous creatures are so hideous that even the bravest hearts get a little uncomfortable. The monstrous creatures drag individuals to hell and even execute them publicly in one of the most excruciatingly painful ways. The lines between divine judgement and the inexplicable phenomenon get blurred in this series.

The brutal and public nature of the demonstrations shows how the show does not shy away from depicting some of the most gruesome scenes. Hellound is undoubtedly a thrilling ride so be prepared for it.


7) The 8 Show

The 8 Show | Image Via: Netflix
The 8 Show | Image Via: Netflix

With only eight episodes, The 8 Show is extremely binge-worthy. Once you start watching this show, there's no way that you will be able to stop until the very end. This show does have a similar feel to Squid Game, yet it is so much different that it is.

However, the intense feeling of thrill and tension is one thing that The 8 Show has in common with Squid Game. The bizarre place with bizarre rules will make your palms sweat with tension.

It is not just a simple survival game, it is so much more than that. The things truly get messy, and the power struggle that has been depicted in this series is thought-provoking. It is like watching a social experiment that completely went wrong.


8) Mouse

Mouse | Image Via: tvN
Mouse | Image Via: tvN

What’s better than a simple thriller? A crime thriller. With suspense, mystery, and thrill, Mouse is a power-packed combination for it all. Go Moo-chi harbours a personal vendetta against a notorious serial killer from the past. Ba-reum and Go Moo-chi embark on a relentless pursuit to find the truth about the case.

Their investigation is not an easy one. It takes them to increasingly dark paths. It forces them to confront the very nature of evil and the complexities of the human psyche. The premise of this series itself is extremely unsettling and intense.

Mouse is not just about solving the mystery. It is more about delving into the darkest corners of human nature. It leaves you thinking long after the credits roll, much like Squid Game.


9) The Glory

The Glory | Image Via: Netflix
The Glory | Image Via: Netflix

This list would be incomplete without this psychological thriller, which has proved what a talent Song Hye-Kyo is in the entertainment industry. Her performance in this series is so intense and intriguing that it leaves the viewers speechless.

She has beautifully portrayed the inner struggles and the impact that bullying left in her mind. Her character, Moon Dong-eun, gives you hope and is proof of resilience and strength.

The way Moon Dong-eun meticulously plans all the revenge is truly intense and thrilling. The series beautifully blurs the lines between good and evil. The depiction of moral ambiguity keeps you guessing and invested throughout the series.


10) Gyeongseong Creature

Gyeongseong Creature | Image Via: Netflix
Gyeongseong Creature | Image Via: Netflix

Thriller, horror, mystery, and action, can this drama be any more intriguing? Well, Gyeongseong Creature’s setting itself is like a pressure cooker. With the backdrop of the Japanese rule, the sense of unease and danger automatically increases.

We see messed-up experiments creating monstrous creatures along with deeply unsettling fear lingering throughout the series. The emotional stakes are incredibly high in this series. Each and every element of this series makes it such a gripping and intense ride that you would not be able to stop watching.


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Edited by Zainab Shaikh