There is a particular kind of immersion and thriller that onlyK-dramascan deliver. The kind that makes you forget to check your phone and suddenly realize it’s 3 a.m. and you’ve just finished an incredible season. It’s not always just the plot twists or the action sequences. It’s the emotional weight behind every decision and every betrayal, which is to say that thriller K-dramas have a way of consuming you.
And if you’ve recently bingedTriggeronNetflix, you know exactly what we’re talking about. The seriesthrows you headfirstinto a world of gun trafficking, suspicion, and two ex-cops trying to work their way around a system that is as dangerous as it is corrupt.
Thriller K-dramas likeTriggerremind us that the stakes are not just life and death, but also moral and human. And when a show hits that sweet spot, you’re naturally left wanting more. So if you’re sitting there, post-Trigger, wondering what could possibly fill the void, Netflix has plenty more to offer.
Here are 8 K-dramas that deliver the same pulse-pounding tension and bingeworthy storytelling asTrigger.
8’Karma' (2025)
A single hit-and-run accident sets off a chain reaction inKarma, a crime thriller K-drama directed by Lee Il-hyung. The story unfolds across six tightly woven episodes, with each revealing a different perspective of the same event through the eyes of six strangers. From the driver to the family, and even the corrupt detective who buries evidence for his own gain, the drama finds characters confronting the past as well as the unexpected consequences of their actions.
Six Lives Twisted by One Accident
The series stars Park Hae-soo as a morally compromised witness, Shin Min-a as a grieving mother with a hidden motive, and Kim Sung-kyun as a debt-ridden ex-cop who gets pulled back into the game. It earns its spot on the list for its unflinching look at how justice is often warped by personal agendas. LikeTrigger, it explores how fragile law enforcement can be and the emotional toll of violence on ordinary people. It follows a nonlinear structure, with the cinematography and character work making it more compelling. Even though it’s not as action-heavy asTrigger,Karmais worth a watch.
7’D.P.' (2021)
Set within the strict hierarchy of South Korea’s military,D.P.follows Private Ahn Jun-ho, a quiet army conscript who is recruited into the Deserter Pursuit unit and tasked with tracking down soldiers who have fled their posts. Partnered with the unpredictable Corporal Han Ho-yeol, he navigates a brutal system and deals with bullying, abuse, and institutional neglect. The complexities lead to a thought-provoking examination of the emotional and psychological scars left by military service.
Soldiers Hunting Soldiers
D.P.is a must-watch forTriggerfans because itexplores the dark side of military life. Each episode focuses on a different deserter’s story and with two seasons, the twelve episodes build a powerful narrative around duty and trauma. Director Han Jun-hee brings a documentary-like realism to the series. And the performances, especially Jung Hae-in’s restraint, are devastating to watch. Again, this one does not rely on flashy action; instead, it makes the most out of quiet moments and intense breakdowns. Season 2 also tackles corruption within the system. With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and Baeksang Awards,D.P.is one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed Korean dramas.
6’My Name' (2021)
After witnessing her father’s murder, Yoon Ji-woo joins a powerful drug cartel led by Choi Mu-jin, who was once her father’s closest friend. Working under her, she trains to become a ruthless fighter and eventually adopts the alias Oh Hye-jin to infiltrate the police force as a mole. As Ji-woo balances her double life, she also uncovers painful truths about her father’s past and the real reason behind his death.
A Daughter’s Descent Into Darkness
My Nameis only eight episodes long, but in that time, it relentlessly builds a story complete with shocking betrayals, brutal hand-to-hand combat, subtle connections, and a protagonist who sacrifices everything for justice. It shares Trigger’s obsession with vengeance and blurred ethics, but it trades guns for fists and emotional manipulation. Han So-hee delivers a career-defining performance and director Kim Jin-min keeps the visuals slick. The noir tone and gritty aesthetic as well as the core revenge arc are whatearn it a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.
5’Stranger' (2017)
Stranger, also known asThe Forest of Secrets, centers on Hwang Si-mok, a brilliant prosecutor who underwent brain surgery as a child, which curbed his ability to express emotion. As a grown-up, he is immune to manipulation but prefers isolating himself from social citations. When a high-profile murder case exposes corruption within the prosecutor’s office, Si-mok teams up with the principled police lieutenant Han Yeo-jin, and together, they deal with political over-ups and institutional rot.
Sharp, Smart, and Sinister
Across two seasons,Strangercaptivates viewers with its crime and mystery elements along with the dangerous power plays that threaten the careers and lives of the protagonists. Speaking of which, Cho Seung-woo and Bae Doona deliver beautifully contrasting performances. The writing by Lee Soo-yeon is meticulous, and the direction by Ahn Gil-ho (Season 1) and Park Hyun-suk (Season 2) keeps the tension and moral ambiguity at the forefront. If you loveTrigger’sfocus on flawed justice systems, definitely check out Stranger.
4’Vagabond' (2019)
InVagabond, stuntman Cha Dal-geon loses his nephew in a mysterious plane crash but refuses to accept the official explanation for how it happened. He begins searching for the truth himself, which leads him to Morocco, and he uncovers a global conspiracy involving arms deals and shady operatives. Dal-geon finds a trustworthy partner in National Intelligence Service agent Go Hae-ri, and together, they dive into a world of assassins and double agents.
Espionage Fueled by Revenge
With high-octane action and globe-trotting intrigue, the K-drama offers 16 episodes of adrenaline-fueled drama. The cinematic scale and fast pacingkeep you hooked from start to finish. The direction of Yoo In-Sik boasts slick production, international locations, and a budget that is very visible in every chase and shootout. Lee Seung-gi is impulsive and heartbreakingly determined as Dal-geon, while Bae Suzy brings grit to a character whose loyalty is tested at every turn.Vagabondhas an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s a wild ride worth jumping on.
3’The Lies Within' (2019)
Kim Seo-hee’s father, a respected lawmaker, dies in a suspicious car crash and the incident thrusts her into the political spotlight. Shortly after, her husband vanishes and she joins the National Assembly to uncover the truth behind both tragedies. Partnering up with detective Jo Tae-sik, who was once an idealistic cop, they peel back the layers of a carefully crafted cover-up that stretches to the highest level of government chambers.
A Missing Husband and a Political Maze
The Lies Withinis a slow-burning series that rewards patience. Its 16-episode arc blends mystery, politics, and tension to explore how institutions manipulate truth and how personal losses fuel the drive to pursue it. Lee Yoo-young is compelling as Seo-hee, balancing her resolve with the burden of being a disappointment at home, and Lee Min-ki’s makes the detective arc more haunting and lived-in. Overall, the drama has a muted color palette and deliberate pacing, which creates an atmosphere of dread and earns modest praise.
2’Chief of Staff' (2019)
Another K-drama on Netflix for Trigger fans isChief of Staff. It follows Jang Tae-joon, a former detective turned political aide who navigates a ruthless and treacherous landscape of South Korean politics. He is the chief aide to a four-term lawmaker and uses his instincts to climb the ranks, often disregarding ethical lines to achieve his goal. Alongside him is Kang Sun-young, a newly elected lawmaker with her own ambitions and complicated ties to Tae-joon.
The Rise of a Former Cop
Character-driven and tense throughout,Chief of Staffspans two seasons, and it isthe absolute depiction of how politics works. Though not a traditional cop drama and definitely not worth watching for idealists, it sharesTrigger’sfascination with flawed systems and personal vendetta. Tae-joon’s background as a detective brings procedural grit and Lee Jung-jae is magnetic. Even Shin Min-a delivers a nuanced performance as a woman navigating a male-dominated world. The drama’s strength also lies in its writing and Lee Dae-il’s handling of complex characters. With strong ratings and critical acclaim,Chief of Staffis a cerebral drama that delivers a rich story.
1’Inspector Koo' (2021)
Lee Young-ae stars inInspector Kooas Koo Kyung-yi, a brilliant but eccentric former cop turned insurance investigator who spends her days gaming and drinking. But she’s pulled out of her reclusive lifestyle when a suspicious death occurs. What begins as a routine case spirals into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Song Yi-kyung, a college student and serial killer who stages her murders as accidents. As Kyung-yi digs deeper, she finds herself in the middle of twisted motives and shocking secrets.
Genius Meets Evil
This Netflix K-drama is unlike any other on the list. It is quirky, unpredictable, and extremely satisfying for fans of unconventional crime stories. A combination of thriller, dark comedy, and detective drama, it reveals who the murderer is quite soon, but proves knowing isn’t enough. Connecting the dots and pulling a figure out of the shadows, using brilliant investigative skills and offbeat humor, and delivering a mix of deadpan humor and razor-sharp deduction is what matters. Lee Young-ae is phenomenal as the detective and Kim Hye-jun’s portrayal of the killer is chilling and oddly sympathetic. She even won a Baeksang Award for Best New Actress.
