In this world of Korean crime dramas, where suspense meets storytelling, there exist moments that send shivers down everyone's spine. These scenes are not just jolts; From rooftop chases that make the people sweat more than that in the sauna to serial killers with a knack for unsettling charisma. These shows serve up fear with just the right amount of adrenaline. It is no secret that crime films are the most engaging to watch. It might be the way they blend the action with more severe issues like racism, shady politics, and corruption. Let’s see the top ten most chilling scenes from South Korean crime drama movies to watch.
1. Mouse
Mouse is a thriller show released in 2021, starring Lee Hee-Joon, Park Ju-hyun, Lee Seung-gi, and Kyung Soo-Jin. Every K-drama fan got a shock with the biggest plot twist from the show. Jeong Ba-reum is a detective trying to catch the famous serial killer along with Go Mu-chi. The biggest plot twist is seen in the 18th episode, revealing that the assumed killer who was killed was an innocent doctor, and the natural killer was Jeong. This revelation is masterfully executed, where his true nature is gradually unveiled.
2. Signal
Signal is a fantasy police drama released in 2016, starring Kim Hye-Soo, Lee Je-hoon, and Cho Jin-woong. The story is about detectives who all are from different periods and are communicating through a walkie-talkie to solve crimes and cases. Jin-woo is a psychotic killer who is responsible for the murders. He takes the life of Yoo Seung-Yoon, a woman he loves. The unbearable scene takes place in the bathroom, where he suffocates her. This heartbreaking scene exemplifies the killer’s cruelty, as he betrays the only person who cares about him.
3. Life On Mars
Life on Mars is a series released in 2018, based on the British series starring Park Sung-Woong, Oh Dae-Han, Jung Kyung-ho, Noh Jong-hyun, and Go Ah-sung. Han Tae-Joo is leading a crime investigation team and has experienced a rapid rise in his career, trusting data more than people. While he is investigating a murder case, he gets into an accident. When he wakes up, he finds himself being transported back to 1988. He stumbles upon a horrific link between the killer and an incident from his childhood. His realization creates an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and dread.
4. Bad Guys
Bad Guys is a Korean drama released in 2014, starring Park Hae-Jin, Jo Dong-Hyuk, Kim Sang-Joong, Ma Dong-seok, and Kang Ye-won. Detective Oh Gu-tak will do anything to catch criminals and often gets suspended due to using excessive force. He comes up with a plan to form a group of bad guys to work on cases and to hunt down criminals, and with the rise of crimes, Yoo Mi-young, a police inspector signs off this arrangement. It takes the viewers into a creepy encounter between the criminal who has turned detectives, and the serial killer, Lee Jung Moon. As the atmosphere thickens, the audience gets to witness the psychological warfarin unfold, revealing his twisted psyche.
5. Mad Dog
Mad Dog is a Korean series released in 2017. Choi Kang-woo is the leader of the Taeyang Insurance investigation squad and a former police officer. He decides to form his team called Mad Dog after a plane crash kills his son and wife. He meets Kim Min-joon, two years later, who is a former swindler. He is the younger brother of Kim Beom-joon, the co-pilot of the JH 801 airplane which had crashed. He was blamed for crashing the aircraft on purpose in a suicide attempt. In Episode 12, the team's skilled hacker, to protect Min-joo, puts his life on the line.
6. Partners For Justice
Baek Boom is a forensic student who is skillful at his job but has an eccentric personality. Eun Sol is a prosecutor who has a warm heart. They both join forces to solve cases and delve into a disturbing case that involves murder tied to illegal organ trafficking. Their investigation leads them to a clinic where organs are being harvested. The scene unravels with a sense of death as they uncover the truth, with medical tools and blood-stained tables painting a horrific picture of the crimes committed. This scene shows the disturbing realities that surround human trafficking.
7. Voice
Voice is a crime series released in 2017. From the very first episode, the audience is thrust into a bone-chilling moment. Moo Jin Hyuk is a famous detective who is guilty about his wife’s death. He works with Kang Kwon, a professional voice profiler, whose father is killed. Listening through the phone, she is helpless and forced to witness her father fall victim to the killer. The scene unfolds with visceral intensity, raw, her father's desperate cries, and his struggle. This moment is haunting due to the absence of visual violence and it relies on the power of audio to evoke suspense and fear.
8. Extracurricular
Oh Ji-Soo is a high school student living a dangerous double life, doing criminal activity to secure his future. As the show ends, his classmate, Min-hee, gets to know about a criminal's involvement. She confronts everything to him, and he agrees to it, and she records the whole conversation. A tense struggle ensues, and they get into a physical altercation. She tumbles down the stairs, her head hitting the ground. What is more shocking is that instead of helping her, he steals her phone and escapes. The audience was shocked to see him turning into a murderer, as from the start, he was a kind character.
9. Bad And Crazy
Ryu Soo-yeol and K, his alter ego, investigate a range of murders orchestrated by a serial killer called The Ghost. When they are cornered in a creepy house, they confront the ghost, who is fearless and armed. Despite their efforts, it overpowers Soo-yeol, holding him hostage and also taunting K. K is filled with rage and retaliates, only to get a life threat in injury. The series stands out for stellar performance and compelling storyline, offering its viewers an unforgettable experience.
10. Stranger
Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok is a brilliant but emotionless investigator, who teams up with another detective to discover the intricate mystery within the legal system in Korea. A scene reveals Si-mok’s confrontation with Kang Won-chul, Han Yeo-jin’s abductor. This scene takes a turn when Si-mok exposes Won-chul’s involvement in the crime, which is a shocking revelation. This moment serves as a pivotal climax, showcasing the suspense and relentless pursuit of justice, leaving the audience wanting to know more.
