After listing up, the best romantic comedy and best romance historical K-Dramas. This time, we will list the top action thriller romance dramas. These dramas with action never felt short or it is hard to get bored because you are hooked on their mysteries, suspense, action scenes, and their blooming romance. If you are a K-Drama beginner, you might want to look out for the dramas that suit your taste the most among the ones selected below. For K-Drama addicts, you probably have watched all of the drama listed below, if not, it is time to add to your watchlist. Let us know in the comments which one for you are the ones you would advise your friend to watch. Note: This list was first published in 2019 and updated several times with new releases. Latest update: December 2022. This is not a ranking.
1. “While You Were Sleeping”
When: 2017 Cast: Suzy, Lee JongSuk, Jung HaeIn Summary: It is three young adults with the ability to see the future through their dreams: a field reporter, a rookie prosecutor, and a police officer. The field reporter sees upcoming accidents and the prosecutor does everything he can to stop them. For: Viewers looking for one of the best K-Dramas with an exciting plot and an unforgettable couple. Why watch?: There are many reasons why this drama is a must-see. It is a well-shot drama and the plot made it worthwhile to watch. The story is well-written and captivating with the fantasy and action elements. From the beginning to the end, you’re hooked on their romance and stories.
2. “Remember - War of the Son”
When: 2015-2016 Cast: Yoo SeungHo, Park SungWoong, Park MinYoung, NamKoong Min, Jung HyeSung Summary: Seo JinWoo has skills that permit him to remember everything while at the opposite his father developed Alzheimer’s disease. His father was unfairly convicted of murder by powerful people. To prove the innocence of his father, he became a lawyer a few years later. He will try everything he can to put the real criminals in prison. For: Viewers looking for a revenge drama with the best acting and plot. Why watch?: The main keyword of this drama is ‘revenge’. The weak are fighting against the powerful in this breathless and psychopathic fight. Moreover, Yoo SeungHo’s crying and pitiful acting left viewers’ hearts in pain. NamGoong Min acting as a chaebol psychopath was also amazing, he gives chills just by watching him. Warning: romance is not central in this drama even if Yoo SeungHo and Park MinYoung couple is a great ship.
3. “Come and Hug Me”
When: 2018 Cast: Jang KiYong, Jin KiJoo, Heo JoonHo Summary: A dramatic drama depicting the love of a man and a woman whose lives are linked because of a murder from a young age. Despite an unfortunate destiny and the stigma and pains, they will try to be happy and heal their wounds. For: Viewers looking for an emotional and fateful romance. Why watch?: Viewers grow fond of the two main characters from their childhood. The plot is intense with psychological elements and strong emotional scenes. But at the same time, it is easy to watch. The leads’ trauma and pains are central to the plot and it makes this drama special. You will never forget the psychopath of this drama who has terrifying scenes.
4. “Healer”
When: 2014-2015 Cast: Ji ChangWook, Park MinYoung, Yoo JiTae Summary: Politics and social justice are the worst in this world, and the young people who live in it fight against the world left by their parents’ generation. “Healer” is an alias for this illegal night courier, he does whatever his clients want. However, everything changed when he falls in love with the girl he needs to protect. For: Viewers looking for a passionate love story filled with adrenaline and a hot male lead. Why watch?: “Healer” is a must-see Hallyu drama with too many reasons for its success. First, it has a solid cast, a passionate romance, and an action-packed plot. The undeniable chemistry of the lead couple is one of the reasons for the drama’s success. Ji ChangWook’s action and mysterious acting skills made viewers breathless and made him gained a bigger fanbase.
5. “City Hunter”
When: 2011 Cast: Lee MinHo, Park MinYoung, Lee JoonHyuk, Kim SangJoong Summary: The story of “City Hunter” who eliminates evil people from society. For: Viewers looking for an iconic drama with the best action scenes and an OTP. Why watch?: This drama is one of the best of Lee MinHo. The drama was a hit for worthy reasons. The story of the drama is exciting and climatic with impressive action scenes and a sweet love relationship. It is definitely worth watching.
6. “I Can Hear Your Voice”
When: 2013 Cast: Lee BoYoung, Lee JongSuk, Yoon SangHyun, Lee DaHee Summary: It tells the story of a snob lawyer and a mysterious boy who reads people’s minds, and the story that happened to them after they met a police officer. For: Viewers looking for a heart-fluttering romance and a scary killer. Why watch?: Lee JongSuk’s character gained the special skills to read into people’s minds after he was the witness of his father’s murder at a young age. One of the best points of this drama is the characters and their development. The two main characters have one of the best love stories in Korean dramas and the secondary characters also are hilarious. All this engaging story is tied into a dark and thrilling story with a scary psychopath.
7. “Memories Of The Alhambra"
When: 2018-2019 Cast: Park ShinHye, Hyun Bin, EXO’s ChanYeol Summary: A CEO of an investment company goes to Granada (Spain) for a business trip. He stays at an old hostel run by a former guitarist. They fell into a strange case and get their destiny linked to each other. For: Viewers looking for an action drama like no other. Why watch?: The quality of this drama is its unpredictable and mysterious story linked to VR games as well as great special effects and splendid sets. Throughout the drama, viewers think hard about where the drama is going and what is the possible ending. Warning: the drama’s romance line is not the main core of the drama even if HyunBin and Park ShinHye have some beautiful scenes.
8. “W”
When: 2016 Cast: Lee JongSuk, Han HyoJoo Summary: A doctor from the real world got sucked into the hit webtoon “W” and met the main character leading to various events. For: Viewers looking for a captivating romance with a mysterious storyline full of suspense. Why watch?: “W” has a creative and fascinating storyline that garnered a lot of excitement from the viewers with its two worlds: the real world and a fantasy parallel world of the webtoon. The drama is full of suspense and surprise. The love line is also great.
9. “YoungPal”
When: 2015 Cast: Joo Won, Kim TaeHee, Jo HyunJae, Chae JungAn Summary: It tells the story of a talented surgeon who does everything for money and deals with criminals and corrupted people. One day, he meets a sleeping chaebol heiress at the hospital and the story starts. For: Viewers looking for a revenge drama with absorbing characters and adrenaline. Why watch?: It is the love story of the “Sleeping Beauty” -a rich and powerful outspeaking woman- and a poor and on-the-run doctor. The drama is enjoyable with themes of revenge and romance.
10. “Pinocchio”
When: 2014-2015 Cast: Lee JongSuk, Park ShinHye, Kim YoungKwang, Lee YuBi Summary: It tells the life of young journalists who are tracing down the truth. For: Viewers looking for a well-written story and a sweet romance. Why watch?: It is for sure a must-watch drama to not miss. The story is one of the best with unforgettable romance and plot. This list is full of Lee JongSuk’s dramas but his solid acting and his great taste for interesting plots could only lead to these choices. “Pinocchio” is one of his best dramas.
11. “Descendants of the Sun”
When: 2016 Cast: Song JoongKi, Song HyeKyo, Jin Goo, Kim JiWon Summary: It tells the stories of young soldiers and doctors who dream of love and success in a foreign country under extreme conditions. For: Viewers looking for a romantic love story of a captain and a doctor sent in the middle of a war-torn country. Why watch?: It is one of the classics must-watch K-Drama. The lead couple’s chemistry and beautiful love story will make you swoon. It is a drama that is easy to watch and will keep you stick to your screen until the end. If you love gorgeous cinematography and OST, this drama has it all. Your browser does not support the video tag.
12. “Vagabond”
When: 2019 Cast: Lee SeungGi, Suzy, Shin SungRok Summary: The story of an ordinary man who got involved in a case of a civilian plane crash. In the middle of a hidden truth, he tries to dig up a huge national corruption. It is the story of vagabonds who lost their family, affiliation, and name in a frank and perilous adventure to discover the truth. For: Viewers looking for adrenaline and a blockbuster-like action thriller drama with a bit of romance. Why watch?: Helpless civilians are victims of an unfair situation and fight back against villains controlling even the government. Viewers have barely the time to breathe between bombs, running scenes, and unpredictable twists. Your browser does not support the video tag.
13. “The King: Eternal Monarch”
When: 2020 Cast: Lee MinHo, Kim GoEun, Woo DoHwan, Kim KyungNam, Jung EunChae, Lee JungJin Summary: It is a fantasy romance drama in which Lee Gon the Emperor of Corea and Jung TaeEul a detective from the Republic of Korea try to protect lives and love through cooperation between two parallel worlds. For: Viewers looking for a big-budget drama with passion-filled romance and a complex storyline with plenty of action. Why watch?: “The King: Eternal Monarch” has beautiful cinematography and sets that get viewers to emerge in its intriguing story about parallel worlds and a Korean Empire. The drama is filled with romance and heart-fluttering scenes in the middle of life-threatening scenes and action. This drama is climatic and addictive. Your browser does not support the video tag.
14. “Born Again”
When: 2020 Cast: Jang KiYong, Lee SooHyuk, Jin SeYeon Summary: It tells the love of a detective, the detective’s lover, and a serial killer who likes the detective’s lover. The story has two timelines. The three characters first met in 1986 and met terrible misfortune. 32 years later, they are reincarnated and get to meet again in 2020. Their death was not the end of the story but a new door. In 2020, this is the round 2 of their persistent links and ill-fated relationship. For: Viewers looking for a rather sad story with a mix of mystery, love triangle, and reincarnation stories. Why watch?: Rather than action scenes, “Born Again” is more on the psychological side. It is dark but not violent. The main reason to watch the drama is its plot including many mysterious elements that keep the viewers curious until the end. “What will happen?” is the only thing that matters. The romance is also one of the key elements of the drama with its unpredictable love triangle. Your browser does not support the video tag.
15. “Flower of Evil”
When: 2020 Cast: Lee JoonGi, Moon ChaeWon Summary: What if your husband you have been in love with for 14 years is suspected of being a serial killer who has no blood and tears? HeeSung pretended to be in love and his wife JiWon started to doubt her husband’s real identity. It tells the intense emotional chase between these two people facing the truth they want to avoid. For: Viewers looking for an intense drama with solid acting and a one-of-a-kind plot. Why watch?: “Flower of Evil” is a must-check K-Drama. There is this something that makes this drama unique, starting from the actors’ outstanding acting and enigmatic story. Also, the romance is center around the wife and husband which is not frequent. This drama will make your brain work hard! Your browser does not support the video tag.
16. “Vincenzo”
When: 2021 Cast: Song JoongKi, Jeon YeoBeen, 2PM’s Ok TaecYeon, Kim YeoJin, and Kwak DongYeon Summary: An Italian mafia lawyer who came to Korea after the betrayal of his organization and a self-righteous veteran lawyer get rid of the bad guys in a villain way. For: Viewers looking for an atypical dark comedy drama with a bit of romance. Why watch?: The dark comedy “Vincenzo” has stolen the heart of viewers. Characters are fighting against the corrupted and powerful BABEL to take revenge with the help of comical characters and clever tricks. It worth watching if you like quirky humor and evil villains being punished. The romance is not central but is still worthy. Your browser does not support the video tag.
17. “Happiness”
When: 2021 Cast: Park HyungSik, Han HyoJoo, Jo WooJin Summary: In the new normal era, when infectious diseases are commonplace, this drama depicts class discrimination and subtle nerve warfare in newly built apartments in a large city where high-rises are sold for general sales and low-rises are divided into rental housing. For: Viewers looking for an apocalypse drama with high-quality thrills and a bit of romance. Why watch?: Even if you are not a zombie show lover, you will love this show. Starting with good acting and an interesting plot, “Happiness” manage to get your full attention and question what we would be doing in a case of such an infectious disease. The romance might be minor to the plot but the best-friend-to-lover chemistry and teamwork made this show a must-watch.
18. “Big Mouth”
When: 2022 Cast: Lee JongSuk, Lim YoonA, Kim JuHun Summary: This drama tells the story of a lawyer with a 10% win rate who accidentally takes on a murder case, where he discovers the conspiracy within the privileged class. Overnight, he becomes the rare genius con artist “Big Mouth/Big Mouse”. For: Viewers looking for mystery and plot twists with stellar acting. Why watch?: Filled with angst, despair, love, and an unrelenting desire for survival, “Big Mouth” gives an entertaining, yet sad and thrilling storyline that many would not just thoroughly enjoy but might also draw valuable life lessons from. Also, Lee JongSuk’s acting solely might be the reason for you to start this drama as it is too good to miss. His amazing bond with YoonA posed them as the ideal married couple whose love was thoroughly unshakeable despite the complications that arose as the story progressed. You can also recommend to readers through the poll (opened on June 23, 2021) and the comments. (Note that “Happiness” and “Big Mouth” were added around 1 year and a half later than the other dramas in the poll) Check out other K-Drama watchlists below: 19 Best Romantic Comedy K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist (2022 Update) KDRAMA STORIES|Dec 13, 2022 10 Best Underrated Romantic Comedy K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist KDRAMA STORIES|Aug 1, 2019 Top 16 Best School/College Romance K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist (2022 Update) KDRAMA STORIES|Aug 4, 2021 15 Best Romance Historical K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist (2021 Update) KDRAMA STORIES|Jun 24, 2021 11 Best Fantasy Romance K-Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist (2022 Update) KDRAMA STORIES|Jul 28, 2020 10 Of The Best Thriller K-Dramas Without Romance To Have On Your Watchlist KDRAMA STORIES|Jun 10, 2021 Top 12 Best Romance Korean Web Dramas To Have On Your Watchlist KDRAMA STORIES|Oct 23, 2020 Two Weeks Swallow the Sun Age of Legends (Chinese) A man called god lawless lawyer monster a journey to meet love (chinese) you’re all surrounder bridal mask faith princess man time between dog and wolf iljimae mr sunshine my secret terius he is psychometric king 2 hearts bring it on ghost you who came from another star the smile has left your eyes crash landing on you (not much action) are you human too ( bit weird, but similar) cambrian period (thai drama) probably most similary to k2 and city hunter tale of the nine tails
