Cover Does the end justify the means? That's what this antihero would say (Photo: IMDB)
Does the end justify the means? That's what this antihero would say (Photo: IMDB)
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Hero or villain? What about the antihero? These morally grey characters added colour to your favourite K-dramas
In the tradition of K-dramas, the stereotypical hero is noble, selfless and unwavering in their morality. But every so often, a protagonist or character emerges who doesn’t fit the mould—one who blurs the line between good and evil, delivering justice with a smirk rather than a speech. These antiheroes don’t seek redemption; they seek revenge, power and survival, and we can’t help but root for them anyway.
From mafia lawyers to vengeful vigilantes, these 10 K-drama characters may have played an antihero, but they stole the show with their unapologetic, morally grey brilliance.
Also read: Dressed to dominate: 6 ways K-drama heroines used fashion to showcase their power
1. Vincenzo Cassano in ‘Vincenzo’ (2021)
Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki) isn’t here to save the day—he’s here to burn it all down. A Korean Italian mafia consigliere, he returns to South Korea not to reconnect with his roots, but to reclaim hidden gold beneath a commercial building. Along the way, he takes on corrupt corporations and crooked elites, not with justice, but with fire, blood and the occasional well-timed explosion. Unlike your typical K-drama lead, Vincenzo doesn’t hesitate to kill if it means getting his way. But with his razor-sharp suits and even sharper wit, he makes it all look devastatingly stylish.
Also read: Vincenzo: 5 things you may have missed—Easter eggs and design details
2. Kim Do-gi in ‘Taxi Driver’ (2021 & 2023)
Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) isn’t your average taxi driver. A former special forces officer haunted by his mother’s murder, he now drives for Rainbow Taxi, an underground service that delivers brutal justice to those failed by the legal system. He doesn’t just take down criminals—he dismantles them with methodical precision. Whether he’s posing as a wealthy investor or a clueless intern to infiltrate a target’s world, Do-gi is a master of deception. His brand of justice is ruthless, but for the powerless victims he avenges, he’s nothing short of a saviour.
See more: 8 Lee Je-Hoon movies and shows to watch: Taxi Driver, Signal, and more
3. Jang Geun-won in ‘Itaewon Class’ (2020)
For most of the drama, Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun) is the spoiled, arrogant chaebol heir of the Jangga Group—the antagonist to Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon). But in a surprising twist, his arc takes him from villain to tragic antihero. After being cast aside by his own father, he experiences his own downfall, and in his desperate attempt to redeem himself, he becomes a cautionary tale of power, pride and privilege gone wrong.
4. Han Yi-han in ‘Doctor Lawyer’ (2022)
Han Yi-han (So Ji-sub) was once a hotshot surgeon until he was framed for malpractice and lost everything. After serving time, he reinvents himself as a lawyer specialising in medical cases, determined to bring down the corrupt hospital that ruined his life. Unlike other drama doctors who heal with compassion, Yi-han wields the law like a scalpel: sharp, precise and sometimes lethal. He’s not above bending the rules to serve his brand of justice, making him a fascinatingly flawed protagonist.
5. Seo Jung-hak in ‘The Devil Judge’ (2021)
In a dystopian South Korea where the legal system has crumbled, Seo Jung-hak (Ji Sung) isn’t just a judge—he’s an executioner in a black robe. Turning his courtroom into a nationally televised spectacle, he punishes the powerful with a dramatic flair that’s part reality show, part public execution. Cold, calculating and manipulative, this antihero plays the long game, deceiving allies and enemies alike. His moral ambiguity keeps audiences on edge—does he truly seek justice, or is he just another power-hungry monster?
See more: 12 intense K-drama thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat
6. Oh Soo-jae in ‘Why Her?’ (2022)
Oh Soo-jae (Seo Hyun-jin) is not your typical K-drama female lead. A brilliant but ruthless lawyer, she will do anything to climb to the top, even if it means trampling on the weak. But when a case forces her to confront her moral compass, she begins to unravel, torn between power and conscience. Unlike most K-drama heroines who soften over time, Soo-jae remains sharp and full of rigour, making her one of the most complex female antiheroes in recent memory.
See more: Netflix: 5 K-dramas with kick-ass female leads you should watch
7. Kim Hee-woo in ‘Again My Life’ (2022)
A prosecutor who gets murdered for uncovering political corruption, Kim Hee-woo (Lee Joon-gi) is given a second chance at life. But instead of seeking traditional justice, he meticulously plots revenge, using his knowledge of the future to outmanoeuvre his enemies. His cunning mind and cold-blooded tactics make him a formidable antihero—one who isn’t above manipulating, blackmailing or outright destroying those who stand in his way.
8. Ryu Sung-joon in ‘Blind’ (2022)
Ryu Sung-joon (Ha Seok-jin) is a detective investigating a string of murders tied to the elite. But as the series unfolds, it’s clear that he isn’t the clean-cut officer he appears to be. Burdened by childhood trauma and a fractured moral code, Sung-joon straddles the line between hunter and hunted. His relentless pursuit of justice often takes him to dark, legally dubious places, making him one of the most unpredictable antiheroes in recent K-drama history.
Also read: 8 K-dramas with the weirdest plots
9. Moon Dong-eun in ‘The Glory’ (2022-2023)
Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) was a once-timid student who was brutally bullied in high school. However, instead of taking the usual K-drama route of forgiveness, she orchestrates an intricate takedown of her tormentors, particularly Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon), the queen bee who made her life a living hell.
What makes Dong-eun such a compelling antihero isn’t just her thirst for revenge, but the chilling precision with which she executes it. Every move is calculated, every alliance carefully chosen, including her enigmatic relationship with Ha Do-yeong (Jung Sung-il), Yeon-jin’s powerful husband, who becomes both a pawn and a wildcard in her game. Unlike traditional heroines who find solace in love, Dong-eun isn’t interested in romance—only retribution.
Also read: The Glory: 5 things we know about Song Hye-kyo's new K-drama
10. Kim Joo-young in ‘Sky Castle’ (2018-2019)
In the cutthroat world of elite education, Kim Joo-young (Kim Seo-hyung) is the ultimate puppet master. As an education consultant for the wealthy, she shapes students’ destinies with a mix of psychological manipulation, bribery and outright deception. She’s terrifying in her precision, treating academic success like a war strategy. While her methods are ethically appalling, there’s an undeniable brilliance to her character—she knows how to win, and she plays the long game better than anyone.
