Well done Crime/Thriller Dramas

Summary: 

Fifteen years ago, a young girl was kidnapped on the way from school, and Park Hae Yeong, who was an elementary school student at that time, witnessed the crime. Fifteen years later, Hae Yeong is now a police officer and criminal profiler. One day, he finds a walkie-talkie that allows him to get in contact with Detective Lee Jae Han who is in the past. Police officers Hae Yeong, Jae Han, and Cha So Hyun then set out on a journey to solve cold cases.

Comment: One of the best crime dramas every produced. Very sad and gripping. The cases are based on real cases. Sadly it ends with an open end. Season 2 has been in talks for many years, maybe someday it will get it :) 

Summary:
After the discovery of a murder that has similarities to a cold case from 23 years ago, the lead detective, an up-and-coming public official, and a rookie police officer are drawn together into a dark labyrinth of power play.

Comment: I adore this drama. This is one of the absolute best crime dramas I have ever seen! It is so complex, so many layers, so much psychological aspects. It has a slower start but it is so so so so amazing. Anyone who enjoys a well developed case, amazing character development, amazing cinematographic and unique stories? Go for it. And the ending? I honestly never though I would see something like this in a drama. It was amazing. Go for it. 

Summary:

 To protect the woman he loves, a white-collar worker unintentionally becomes involved in a murder case and is from then on a suspect. In the blink of an eye, his quiet and boring life gets completely shaken up as he suddenly is both being chased by the police as well as gangsters.

Comment: This drama is based on a novel and caught the attention of some of the best peoplein the tv-entertainment business. And the quality can be seen. It is superb superb superb. A lotof psychological tricks, character developments that are absolutely shocking. An absolute amazing crime-drama. 

Summary: 

After a dramatic incident 15 years ago, a senior detective, Do Chi Kwang, a former prosecutor Han Tae Joo and a young policeman, Kim Young Koon, become members of an internal affairs investigation team to uncover the truth and root out corruption and injustice from within the ranks of the police.

Comment: Morally grey detectives. You truly do not know who is good and who is evil till the last episode. Absolutely amazingly made. 

Summary: 

Detective Young Jin, from the regional investigation unit, has only one thing on her mind: to catch the 'Stigmata' serial killer that murdered her friend 19 years ago. She carries guilt and trauma over the event. She has no friends and lives alone. Her downstairs neighbor’s son, Eun Ho, has built a relationship with her ever since she moved above their apartment. He does menial house chores for her. One day Eun Ho, seems to have fallen off the roof of their apartment building and left in a coma. Young Jin senses foul play and decides to take it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. With the help of Eun Ho’s homeroom teacher, Sun Woo, the both begin to uncover that Eun Ho’s injuries were no accident.

Comment: Very gripping case. 

Summary:

 A beautiful coffee shop owner Zhong Meibao suddenly dies in a condominium at the Horizon Tower. When she died, her face still wore a doll-like makeup, hence the case was referred to as the "Doll Murder Case". However in the midst of investigation, new clues begin to emerge, and turns the focus to Zhong Meibao's complicated and painful youth.

Comment: Absolute surprising twist and turns. Nothing seems as it truly is in the beginning. You think you got it all figured it out till you realize you have nothing figured out. Very well done crime drama 

Summary: 

Toko Kisaragi is a new female detective who was transferred to 11 Section of the 1st Investigation Division at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department as she wishes.
On March 9, a murder case was reported and the victim's body was found cemented. The next morning, the killer brazenly calls the police department and he identifies himself as Toremi.  Toko Kisaragi becomes Toremi's negotiator.

Comment: This is the first drama of 3. The first one - Ishi no Mayu - is less well developed than the sequels but it is a high quality Japanese production that keeps on on the seat.

Summary: 

In 2014, a series of murders targeting women takes place in Kawasaki City. All the victims have been killed as if they had hanged and these are dubbed the “Hanging Murders” in public. The police investigation runs into difficulties without clues on the murderer. However, Detective Iguchi from the First Investigation Division has his eye on a man whom he suspects to kill for pleasure. This man is Nogi Naoya. He lies about his identity, erases his traces in public, and lives as if he is holding his breath. Nogi is actually Yaginuma Masato, the victim in the sensational Akishima mother and son kidnapping case. What is his true motive?

Comment:  This was truly well developed.  It shows how twisted a case can be and that people are not just bad but often the ones who are starting out as victims.

Summary:  

A story that follows three children from a coastal town who unintentionally film a murder scene. As the kids become involved with the suspect, it opens up a case that is far more complicated than it looks and entraps several families into an unpredictable outcome.

Comment: This became a hit when it aired. It is a quite complex drama that is truly interesting, especially the ending. However it is slower development, therefore one needs to invest some time.

Summary: 

Yu Hai accidentally meets Lu Jie, the daughter of Shen Hui. They concoct a plan to fake her kidnapping in exchange for ransom and start to have a relationship. Days later, Lu Jie is found dead. Wu Yuke  and Miao Jia  are the cops assigned to the case and their investigation exposes a great danger looming in the background.

Comment: The case is less well developed in this drama, however because of the absolute well done romance part for the leads, and their tragic situation, it is truly a memorable watch. 

Summary: 

It was an open shut case with hundred of witnesses seeing the murder suspect trying to dispose of a body and a signed confession from the suspect himself.  And yet when the case was ready for court, the prosecutor discovered that the case was not as it appeared. The murder was but a cover for another more shocking injustice. He spent ten years trying to uncover the truth, toiling away his youth, his career, his reputation, his family, and even his life.

Comment: It is a well developed case. Slow in the beginning, absolutely gripping in the end. The cinematographic was top notch, story is in the end very well though through. This has a very critical take, which is surprising when considering the production region. Thus, if you are enjoying well developed cases + politics? This may be it for you. 

Summary: 

The usually carefree Guan Hong Yu gets accused of having murdered a whole family. To clear his younger twin brother’s charge, the team leader of the criminal investigation department Guan Hong Feng wants to take on this case, but since he’s a relative, he’s not allowed to participate in the investigation. A new team leader named Zhou Xun is assigned and ends up seeking Hong Feng’s help. However, Hong Feng has a secret: one of the twin brothers has fear of the dark phobia, so the “Hong Feng” appearing at the police station during the day and at night is actually not the same person. Together, the twins secretly try to find out the truth about the “family extinction murder case

Comment:  Very high quality, well done drama of two twins that end up playing the same character. It reminded me a lot of  Christopher Nolan's movie "Prestige". (which I also highly recommend if you are interested in secret identity/mysteries)

Summary: 

Two boggling mysteries have occurred in a small town in Xinan. A female police captain joins hands with a young detective to conduct an investigation. Although a clear motive can be seen, the two discover a series of unknown secrets.

Comment: Very very high quality production with a strong female detective and a crippling case .They truly show that culprits are also victims. 

Summary:
After discovering his estranged daughter's link to mysterious murders, a forensic detective with Asperger's syndrome risks everything to solve the case.

Comment: This is very sad but has a very strong message and truly is well invested time! The case is very well constructed and gripping and the characters are quite real and unique. Cinematography is top notch. However, it is very graphic, thus if one has a sensitive stomach, you may want to stay away.
In 2024 season 2 was released, which is slightly less well done but nonetheless a well deserved watch. Giving potential for a season 3. 

Summary:
Following the failure of her father's business, Sang Mi and her family move to Muji-gun where they have no friends or relatives. There she meets four young men, Han Sang Hwan, Seok Dong Cheol, Woo Jung Hoon, and Choi Man Hee. When Sang Mi and her family face some trouble, Spiritual Father Baek Jung Ki of Goosunwon offers to help them. However, her family is slowly getting sucked into the pseudo-religious cult and the four young men try to save her.

Comment:
This is definitely the best drama when it comes to the portrayal of how cults work. Absolutely amazing how well they managed to grasp everything. A season 2 does exist, following a different set of characters, which is however arguable not as well developed. 

Summary: Set in a small rural town in 1999 where a recording tape containing a mysterious serial murder and an unidentified bizarre sound is discovered.
In 1989, terrorist Jo Kyung Ho came back to South Korea after studying in Japan and released sarin gas at a train station in his hometown, killing passengers and subsequently being sentenced to life in prison after turning himself in. His daughter, Jo Jae Young, is sent to live with her aunt, Kyung Ho's younger sister, Jo Jung Hyun.

Ten years later, a murder case takes place in the small town with Detective Choi Hyung being put in charge. Jung Hyun now must come face to face with tragedy once again and she teams up with Choi Hyung to discover the truth and find her niece.

Comment: The story is unique, complex and very interesting. At times this is creepier than any horror movies.

Summary:
Hwang Shi Mok underwent brain surgery as a child to curb his violent temper, which left him devoid of emotions.  Hwang becomes a prosecutor known for his piercing intelligence and logic, but he is ostracized because he lacks empathy and social skills. He is also one of only a handful of upright prosecutors who have refused to take bribes. One day, he encounters a stabbing victim while investigating corruption. He meets Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin at the crime scene. They join forces to root out corruption at the prosecutors’ office and solve a serial murder case.

Comment: very hyped crime-series, which does conclude with a season 2. However it is a slower approach, but well worth the time.

Summary: 
Chun Jae In is an elite detective with a genius IQ, who guided by only facts, logic, and numbers. Meanwhile, Kim Dan is a rookie detective who has the ability to see people's deaths in certain cases, sometimes before and sometimes after the actual death takes place. They work together to uncover a conspiracy involving a powerful organization.

Comment:  After the first 4 episode this became more and more interesting, till it grabbed one and didn't let me leave till all episodes were over. It was a well done drama, it had a different take on it since we know what character plays what role and how the past is connected to them from pretty much the beginning onwards, that makes the surprise element, that is normally in such dramas the case, non-existing. But still there are some surprises on the way, and it makes the viewer curious how it all will end.

Summary: 

A flawless crime, serial murder case without suspect is investigated.
An outstanding case forced the police and criminals to work hand in hand, go deep into the murder scene and compete with the murderer to get justice for the deceased. The two heroes teamed up to fight each other, but the undercurrent of the devil's deal was surging, and it was about to trigger another wave of an even greater crisis!

Comment: The cinematographic and directing was astonishing good, however it is very brutal and shows a lot of extreme scenes that are noting for the light minded. Sadly the police is also at times acting quite naively but it does work for an entertaining watch. It concludes with a season 2

Summary : A hard-boiled investigative comedy drama that centers around the insurance investigator Koo Kyung Yi who investigates a murder case. Koo Kyung Yi, an intelligent woman who solves cold cases for the thrill of cracking the case rather than bringing justice to the world. By hook or by crook, she ferociously chases the truth behind every case. A college student who is a serial killer plots an accidental murder case to defraud her insurance money.

Comment: This is a funny, quirky and absolutely unique drama, with strong female leads that play good and evil and grey. It is probably one of the more lighter and fun dramas in this list, but definitely worth a watch. 

Summary: 

A drama about the protagonist's definition of punishing a criminal who broadcasts seven murders live on the Internet through the new punishment system, the Virtual Crime Program (VCP).

Comment: This is a 60 min movie, with an absolute amazing and unique story that makes you question humanity and justice. Absolutely well done. 

Summary: The young painter Shen Yi resigned from the Academy of Fine Arts and entered Haicheng Public Security Bureau mysteriously. Interpol Captain Du Cheng was furious and said that he would never accept those who caused his comrade to be killed in the police force.However now both work together to solve cases.

Comment: Art meets profiling meets crime solving. An interesting c-crime drama. Personally I did find it a little harder connecting with the leads but it is definitely an interesting experience.  

Summary:

Six survivors of a car accident are trapped in a mysterious river valley where hair-raising events ensue. What is the shocking secret in the valley?

The lone survivors of a deadly accident have their own secrets to hide. Unable to treat each other with sincerity, they become increasingly suspicious as tensions rise. As they try to find a way out of their ordeal, they experience strange circumstances. Escape may seem impossible yet they continue to make a desperate attempt in the hopes of salvation.

Summary:

Two friends meet up and recall their experiences as victims of school bullying when they receive a message from a friend from 20 years ago and mysterious serial killings begin to occur.

Kyung Min lives with the trauma of the school violence he experienced twenty years ago and an unexpected case causes his suppressed emotions to reappear. Meanwhile, Detective Jong Suk receives a mysterious message sent from a friend from 20 years ago which reminds him of the school violence that took place back then. Chasing the mysterious message, he tries to put a stop to the murders.

Through these characters with tragic fates, the drama touches on the origin of school violence and the bullying that pervades modern society.

Summary: Will a killer-turned-veterinarian and a detective find common ground? Kim Soo Hyun is a veterinarian who is also a professional killer. Many individuals and organizations hire him for large sums of money. Nobody in the public knows anything about him as a killer, including his age, name, and race. Do Hyun Jin was once a ballerina, but now she is a detective working in Seoul, who graduated from police academy as the most excelled. Although she looks cold and stern on the outside, she is, in fact, a very sympathetic individual.
What happens when both get to know that the connection between them has started years ago?

Summary:
Cha Woo Kyung is a child counselor who works at a children’s center. Her life seems perfect since she is married to a great husband and is pregnant. However, her perfect life doesn't last long, when an accident changes…

Summary:
Back in the 1990s, the citizens of Seoul were gripped with a paralyzing fear after a series of brutal attacks and murders occurred. A mysterious figure dubbed ‘Red Cap’ was stalking women on the streets then killing them. A detective duo is using a new technique - profiling - to find out who the culprit is.

Comment: If you liked Manhunter on Netflix or know about the origins of profiling? This is definitely a drama for you.

Summery:
A painter gets diagnosed terminally ill. On his 58th birthday, he plans to share his last will and testament. His great legacy and immense fortune slowly draw out his family's inner greed, causing a fierce mental battle…

Comment: Anyone who loves Agatha Christie novels will enjoy this drama. A family, murders, and the question of who did it, while discovering everyone's dark secret. 

Summary:
A case involving the hidden truth behind the law prohibiting double jeopardy.  When Choi Do Hyun was a boy, he had a heart disease. He spent most of his childhood in a hospital. He miraculously had a chance for a heart transplant. Right after the successful heart transplant surgery, his father was accused of murder. His father received the death penalty. He now investigates the case.

Comment: Entertaining series that is however not truly unique per say. Good fit for crime lovers though. 

Summary: Park Jung Woo is a prosecutor at Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. One day, he wakes up and finds himself a convict on death row. Suffering from temporary amnesia, Jung Woo has no idea what transpired to land him in prison. He struggles to recover his memory and clear his name before his time is up.

Comment: gripping case with many turns. It is however less high production quality in terms of cinematography but the case + characters are top notch. 

Summary:
Do Gi meets Jang Sung Chul, who recruits Do Gi to work for his company, Rainbow Taxi. Far from an ordinary taxi service, Rainbow Taxi is a secret organization that avenges victims whom the law didn’t protect. Here, Do Gi becomes a star driver who delivers satisfying revenge.

Comment:
Very well done series, interesting cases. There is a S2 and a S3 in production however S2 is quite disappointing. S1 is worth to watch. 

Summary:
Oh Hyun Jae used to be a top criminal profiler. He solved many cases with his skills, but one day, an explosion caused by a serial killer ended the life of his fiancé. After the horrific incident, Oh Hyun Jae vanished, and he now lives in seclusion.

Comment:
When it comes to crime dramas this was definitely one of the more dramatic ones. The music, the acting and the dark theme came well through. Kudos for that.

Summary:
The plot centers on a group of people who find their ordinary lives thrown into chaos due to a family tragedy. They monitor criminals 24 hours a day and rescue potential victims before the crime is committed. They also embarrass corrupt state prosecutors and make sure that criminals are punished for their crimes. This TV show illustrates the current society where the simple rule of going to jail if you break the law no longer applies to those in power. Illustrating the tragic lives of the Watchmen group who channel their anger and grief into fighting for justice, “The Guardians” will have stylistic action scenes and a thrilling plot.

Comment:
Sad and kinda shocking at times. 

Summary:
Jo Tae Shik was once an enthusiastic detective, but he now wants a different kind of life. Because of this, Jo Tae Shik applies for a transfer to a police substation in a small country village without many residents. Meanwhile, Jo Tae Shik takes a case involving the death of Lawmaker Kim Seung Cheol. He died in a car accident, but Jo Tae Shik senses that the car accident is not so clear-cut. The lawmaker's son-in-law then goes missing.

Comment:
I loved this one. It kept me on my seat. It is very intriguing, shocking at times and has a really well done ending. It really is a well developed crime drama. 

Summary:
Following her father's murder, a revenge-driven woman puts her trust in a powerful crime boss — and enters the police force under his direction.

Comment: 
this is less unique, but it is memorable with its amazing cast, well done characters and great cinematography. I really liked the chemistry between the female lead and the crime boss. 

Summary:
This tells multiple different crime stories with a female investigative journalist and her trying to uncover what happened.

Comment: Interesting cases, however less well quality when it comes to cinematography but it is entertaining. 

Summary:
Satomi Shinobu and Inokuma Yuki  work together in the Mobile Investigation Unit of The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. They are secretly dating while also competing for a position a the  #1 Investigation Station. One day, they meet beautiful Tachibana Kara at the site where a dead body was found.

Comment: This is less well produced, and has quite some tricky moments that make not as much sense. However it is a different drama, following for once an established couple that gets mixed up in a  murder case. It did many aspects well but for a crime lover it may be less ideal of a fit. However, for romance + crime lovers? go for it . 

Summary:
Former serial killer Byung Soo gets diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The doctor tells him that it's due to the aftereffects of a traffic accident 17 years ago, the same accident that stopped him from his killings and allowed him to live a normal life with his daughter. So when a series of murders occur near his town, Byung Soo gets worried whether the killings are his doings during his memory lapses. But then he comes across his daughter's boyfriend and he realises maybe it may not be him after all. And now, with his memory slipping, Byung Soo must find a way to protect his daughter from Tae Joo.

Comment:
Very very very good movie! 

Summary:
Sum is a developer for the social-connecting app "Somebody." Even though she has difficulty communicating with other people, she is friends with Mok Won and Ki Eun. Her friend Ki Eun works as a detective.  A murder takes place, and the app "Somebody" is involved in the murder case. Architectural designer Yoon O appears in front of Sum and her friends. Yoon O is an attractive man, but he seems to be hiding something. Meanwhile, Ki Eun investigates the murder case with the help of Mok Won.

Comment: this is arthouse. Very brutal, very disturbing and very explicit. It is nothing for the faint hearted. But truly it is a great psychological-twisted crime-drama

Summary:
The life of Ip Sae, a 19-year-old girl who cannot get out of her own bed due to psychological injury, is as motionless as a plant. Having no family and no clue of her family's mysterious history, she lives completely dependent on other people. One day, in the midst of her hellish everyday life, a stranger comes to her house. Known to be her uncle, Ip Sae is not sure whether he will be her new guardian or another predator.

Comment: Warning, this is an arthouse movie, meaning very shocking, very explicit moments that are nothing for the faint hearted. it is a great psychological-twisted movie, with so many metaphors and moments that will not leave you. However it is arthouse and thus not for everyone

Summary:
Female journalist He Shan was invited to attend Fei Ke’s memorial service, along with five other strangers who each had an unknown connection to Fei Ke.  They soon discovered that they all knew different versions of Fei Ke, leaving them to question who he really was.  Together, they retraced their memories and gradually uncovered the truth about Fei Ke.

Comment: A really well done drama that is a gem to anyone who likes Agatha Christie story-types. It is a slower drama, but full of twists and turns with grey characters .