Romance isn't for everyone, and while K-dramas are recognized for their intense love stories, there's so much more to explore for those who can do without the lovey-dovey storylines. From riveting drama and heartfelt stories to spine-chilling murder cases, there's plenty to binge-watch from South Korea, across multiple genres.
When it comes to K-dramas, fans might not even notice that their favorite show is devoid of any love-filled gazes or steamy kissing scenes that many tend to enjoy. These K-dramas will have you flying through 16 episodes like nothing and still wanting more.
Signal (2016) - Available On Netflix
Signal has become a highly praised K-drama for its intense procedural crime-drama storyline intermixed with a unique take on the past and present. To tantalize audiences even more, the drama was based on a series of real-life cases in Korea and switches back and forth between 1989 and 2015.
A criminal profiler, Park Hae Young (Lee Je-Hoon) discovers a walkie-talkie while investigating a case. In a bizarre twist, the walkie-talkie allows him to communicate with a detective from the year 1989. With the resurfacing of a serial killer from 1989, the profiler and detective solve cold cases from the past to avoid them in the future.
Children Of Nobody (2018) - Available On Viki
Children of Nobody is a 2018 drama that's available to stream on Viki. Audiences are taken on a journey of mystery and thrills as a child psychologist's perfect life gets turned upside down. Cha Woo-Kyung (Kim Sun-A) has it all, from a loving husband to expecting her first child. Suddenly, a car accident changes everything and Woo-Kyung stumbles upon an odd child.
Determined to find the truth, she embarks on her own investigation and soon meets Kang Ji-Hyun (Lee Yi-Kyung). Ji-Hyun is a dedicated police detective who believes in upholding the law, but he has a traumatic past hidden by his dedication to putting away criminals.
The Fiery Priest (2019) - Available On Viki
The Fiery Priest is also known as Hot Blooded Priest, for anyone interested in watching it on the streaming platform, Viki. This K-drama will surprise some viewers, as it's a comedy and action crime drama that parodies well-known movies and dramas from America and Korea.
Kim Hae-Il (Kim Nam-Gil) was an ex-NIS agent who retires after an accident. The short-tempered and hot-blooded ex-agent meets a priest, decides to take the vow of priesthood, and becomes Michael Kim. When the elderly priest dies a mysterious death, Hae-Il vows to find the culprits. It's not smooth sailing, though, as corrupted officials refuse to help and comedic situations occur.
The Uncanny Counter (2020) - Available On Netflix
The Uncanny Counter has quickly become one of Netflix's highly acclaimed supernatural dramas. Fans don't need to worry, though, as the story has no romantic or love plot elements. Audiences will be feeling a different type of love and emotion from the show, which centers on a young boy who witnesses the death of his parents in a car accident.
Years later, he's chosen to become a Counter - part of a group of individuals with supernatural abilities chosen to stop rogue demons. Along the way, the new Counter showcases unique abilities never before seen and it turns out that his parent's death wasn't accidental.
Taxi Driver (2021) - Available On Viki
Taxi Driver is a K-drama currently on the air but can also be found on the streaming platform, Viki. The drama will entice fans who don't want romance and instead want riveting action. Kim Do-Ki (Lee Je-Hoon) spends his life living honesty as a special forces officer, but when his mother is killed, he spends his days in agony.
Given a new chance, Do-Ki is recruited to join the Rainbow Taxi company. But this isn't the taxi seen in movies or on the streets of New York. The company is a secret organization that seeks revenge on perpetrators that evaded the law. It's a push-and-pull story of catching these outlaws or risk allowing them to do what the law failed to stop.
Diary Of A Prosecutor (2019) - Available On Hulu
Diary of a Prosecutor is for any viewer who wants a more leisurely drama with no serious jump thrills or crime story. The legal drama centers around a group of prosecutors in the city of Jinyoung. It tells the stories of the overworked prosecutors and their own personal struggles and those at work. There's a tinge of romance here, but nothing overwhelming.
Lee Sun-Woong (Lee Sun-Kyun) is the narrator of the drama and passionate about his job. Cha Myung-Joo (Jung Ryeo-Won) was a once successful prosecutor in Seoul, but was forced to transfer to Jinyoung. Jo Min-Ho (Lee Sung-Jae) has 18 years of experience and wants his team to succeed. Alongside them is a working mother with four years of experience and a newbie who doesn't have the same vigor for his profession.
Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014) - Available On Viki
Misaeng: Incomplete Life was a cultural phenomenon due to its popularity amongst viewers and its high ratings. Based on a webtoon of the same title, the show is tagged as a workplace drama. Jang Geu-Rae (Yim Si-Wan) is the drama's main character who dreamed of being a baduk (board game) player.
Having to give up his dream, Geu-Rae enters the workforce with no real training or higher level of education. He gets hired as an intern at a trading company and has to adapt to his new colleagues and corporate life by using the rule and guidelines of baduk.
Prison Playbook (2017) - Available On Netflix
Prison Playbook rose to notoriety on Netflix. The show is tagged as a black comedy with moments of drama and emotion. The show focuses on Je-Hyeok (Park Hae-Soo), who was set to join the big leagues, signing a baseball contract in the U.S. One night, he hears his sister scream from her apartment and a man run out. Je-Hyeok goes after the perpetrator and attacks him.
Je-Hyeok is sentenced to one year in jail for excessive force. The drama showcases Je-Hyeok adjusting to prison life and his interaction with other inmates, as well as the story of his friend, Joon-Ho (Jung Kyoung-Ho), who is an officer at the prison.
Mouse (2021) - Available On Viki
Mouse isn't for the faint of heart, as it centers around a story of spine-chilling crime and murder. Available on Viki, the drama's writer was inspired by a real-life murder case that took place in 2017, but has many other elements and storylines to explore.
Go Moo-Chi (Lee Hee-Joon) is a detective who witnessed the murder of his parents as a child by one of Korea's most brutal killers. The rise of a new killer has him cross paths with Jeong Ba-Reu, (Lee Seung-Gi) a steadfast and kind police officer. Together they solve murders, but they soon realize the bigger story of what makes someone a psychopath.
Navillera (2021) - Available On Netflix
Navillera is a heartfelt and emotional Netflix drama that will have audiences weeping. Shim Deok-Chul (Park In-Hwan) is now retired and has turned 70. His closest friends start to pass away and regret never having pursued their lifelong dreams.
The death of his closest friend pushes him to pursue his dream of doing ballet, despite his age, physicality, and family's disapproval. At a dance studio, he meets Lee Chae-Rok (Song Kang), a ballet dancer who lost his passion as he struggles to keep himself afloat. When Chae-Rok meets Doek-Chul, there's a new reawakening, as he becomes his teacher and helps fulfill his dream of performing on stage.