From heart-wrenching stories to compelling plots, some dark Korean dramas have been recognized as works that not only entertain, but also make viewers reflect on issues that relate to everyday life.
Here are the top five dark Korean dramas that present stories that are very relatable to various real-life problems and problems in South Korea.
D.P.
D.P is a Korean drama that shows the harsh realities faced by soldiers in the Korean military. This Korean drama that airs on Netflix tells about the cruel picture of life in the military, including the mistreatment of junior soldiers by seniors.
In addition, D.P has sparked conversations about conscription in South Korea, issues of physical and verbal abuse, abuse of power, and the psychological impact it has on soldiers.
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver is a Korean drama with a unique and interesting plot. A company that operates as an ordinary taxi service during the day, turns into a secret organization that delivers justice at night.
This Korean drama tells the story of the character Kim Do Gi, a former special forces member who became the driver of a taxi company.
Under the guise of their taxi service, Do Gi and his team are on a mission to seek revenge on behalf of clients who have been wronged and failed to find justice through legal channels.
Taxi Driver manages to highlight the frustrations of people who have been victimized by powerful organizations and not received fair help.
Even some of the cases highlighted in this Korean drama are also inspired by the real world, making the audience even more immersed in the story. You can watch this Korean drama on Netflix.
The Glory
The Glory is a revenge thriller Korean drama starring Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun and Lim Ji Yeon that tells the story of Moon Dong Eun’s attempt to get revenge against people who had bullied her during her school days.
Dong Eun, now a homeroom teacher, plots revenge against her bullies, led by Park Yeon Jin, whose extreme violence is based on real events in Cheongju, South Korea.
Dong Eun’s determination is revealed when she becomes the homeroom teacher of Yeon Jin’s daughter, which manages to make Yeon Jin a little threatened about her existence. Check out this drama on Netflix!
SKY Castle
SKY Castle is a Korean drama that tells the story of the ruthless competition among elite families to achieve excellence in academics.
Set in an exclusive luxury housing complex, this Korean drama shows the lives of rich parents who are ambitious for their children to get into Seoul National University (SNU).
The storyline is inspired by the cutthroat world of education in South Korea. “SKY” in the title refers to the three most prestigious universities in Korea, namely Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.
In addition, this Korean drama also highlights the toxic culture of private tutoring, intense competition, and the extent to which parents are willing to do anything, including manipulating test scores and to ensure their child is admitted to SNU. If you haven’t watched it yet, SKY Castle is available on Netflix.
My Name
My Name follows the journey of Yoon Ji Woo, a young woman who seeks to avenge her father’s death by infiltrating the drug organization responsible for his murder.
This Netflix original Korean drama shows a gripping narrative that explores the themes of justice and morality for revenge. Ji Woo, who initially goes undercover using a fake identity, gets entangled in a world of crime and deception.
The Korean drama My Name is widely praised for its intense action sequences, good character development, and depiction of the emotions that drive Ji Woo’s revenge efforts.
Those are five dark Korean dramas that relate to real life. Which one do you think is the darkest?
