One of the things I love the most about K-dramas is how they offer a wide variety of genres from romance, fantasy, slice of life, and a lot more! One genre they excel in is mystery thrillers! It produces that feeling of wanting to know what happens next after being introduced to a very insane plot and experiencing that means you’re watching a good show. Now, let’s talk about some of the best mystery thriller investigative K-dramas now streaming on KOCOWA+!
“Connection” Now on KOCOWA+
There’s a new, intriguing ongoing K-drama starring the legendary Ji Sung called “Connection!” It’s a crime investigation thriller about an ace detective from the narcotics team who is forcibly addicted to a new kind of drug that doesn’t exist in police records, and he doesn’t know who did it! Aside from Ji Sung, “Connection” also stars Jeon Mi Do as an opinionated and outspoken reporter, Kwon Yul as a prosecutor, and Kim Kyung Nam as a second-generation chaebol. The drama focuses on these four individuals and their connection to the death of their high school friend who left behind 5 billion won in insurance money!
The first four episodes are excellent at introducing the characters and the main plot. Ji Sung received a lot of praise for his intense portrayal of being drugged. “Connection” is the kind of K-drama that is so intense you can’t wait to watch the next episodes!
“Partners For Justice“
“Partners For Justice” is among the best mystery thriller K-dramas that revolves around forensic science and crime-solving! The drama stars Jung Jae Young as a skilled forensic doctor and Jung Yu Mi as a rookie prosecutor with a strong sense of justice. Together, they team up to solve complex criminal cases that focus more on forensic science, which we don’t usually see in K-dramas.
It’s the kind of drama that features new and interesting cases in every episode and gives an in-depth look at autopsy processes! It really feels like you’re part of the investigation team, and the twists and turns are unpredictable, which will shock you with its realistic portrayal of forensic investigations.
“The Veil“
“The Veil” is a high-stakes mystery thriller that delves into the intense world of undercover operations! The drama stars Namkoong Min as a top National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who suddenly disappears during a mission and resurfaces a year later with no memory of what happened. As he tries to uncover the truth behind his lost memories and the conspiracy within the NIS, the plot thickens when he remembers what really happened a year ago!
What sets “The Veil” apart from other mystery thrillers is its intricate plot and interesting characters, whom you don’t know whether to trust. The drama explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and hidden agendas within a powerful organization, making every episode full of surprises and building suspense for the big twist in the later episodes! Namkoong Min is truly one of the best actors of this generation, and he won a Grand Prize for his role in this one!
“My Perfect Stranger“
This is the mystery thriller K-drama that perfectly combines elements of time travel and crime-solving! The drama stars Kim Dong Wook as a news anchor who travels back in time to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious deaths, where he meets a woman with a personal connection to the case. Together, they navigate the past and present to solve the mysteries and prevent the tragedies that have shaped their lives.
“My Perfect Stranger” stands out for its unique storyline and how it perfectly combines romance with the fantasy mystery thriller genre. The chemistry between Kim Dong Wook and Jin Ki Joo is the perfect balance for the plot’s dark side of murder mysteries. It is such a compelling drama because of how it weaves together the past and present, and it also becomes a family drama due to the female lead’s story of how she met her parents during their teenage years!
“Defendant”
Jisung is known for his powerful drama performances, and one of those is “Defendant,” which literally keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its intense storyline. The drama revolves around a successful prosecutor who wakes up one day to find himself on death row with no memory of how he got there. To clear his name and find his missing daughter, he navigates a web of deceit and corruption inside the prison.
“Defendant” is the kind of drama that makes you feel like you’re the main character because you also don’t know what’s going on, making you question if he is really innocent. Watching this drama is a journey that meticulously unravels the mystery behind the male lead’s misery, revealing shocking twists and turns along the way. The strong cast, including Uhm Ki Joon as the cunning antagonist, makes the tension in this drama so high, hooking us from start to finish.
“Nothing Uncovered“
Based on a popular web novel, this drama starring Kim Ha Neul, Yeon Woo Jin and Jang Seung Jo follows the story of an investigative reporter hosting the current affairs television program “Let’s Get Grabbed by the Collar,” where she exposes various crimes committed by culprits uniquely and straightforwardly, often with sarcastic remarks. This approach makes her a popular personality and captures the public’s attention. She then teams up with an ace detective who is also her former lover when she gets deeply involved in solving serial murders.
The best thing about mystery/thriller K-dramas is the twist after twist in every episode, and “Nothing Uncovered” delivers just that! From the very first episode, you’ll be drawn into the storyline, eagerly anticipating what unfolds next. The revelation of the character’s backstories and secrets sends shivers down the spine as we get to know more about their motivations and the reasons behind their wrongdoings.
And the list goes on! There are really a lot of great, intense mystery thrillers, and you can watch all of them on KOCOWA+!
