Cover Debt collectors, undercover cops and revenge-driven fighters dominate these series where restraint is in short supply. If ‘Bloodhounds’ set the pace, these K-dramas keep it moving with crime-heavy plots, tight storytelling and characters operating under constant pressure (Photo: Soyun Jeon, Seowoo Jung/ Netflix © 2026)
Debt collectors, undercover cops and revenge-driven fighters dominate these series where restraint is in short supply. If ‘Bloodhounds’ set the pace, these K-dramas keep it moving with crime-heavy plots, tight storytelling and characters operating under constant pressure (Photo: Soyun Jeon, Seowoo Jung/ Netflix © 2026)
1 / 1
If ‘Bloodhounds’ got you hooked, these eight K-dramas match its pace, grit and high-stakes storytelling
Released in 2023 on Netflix, Bloodhounds, with its second season now also available on the platform, is a crime-action K-drama based on the webtoon by Jeong Chan. The series follows two young boxers, Kim Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), who get drawn into the world of private lending while trying to repay debts. They end up working under Choi Tae-ho (Huh Joon-ho), a former moneylender who now helps victims of predatory loan sharks. The central conflict pits them against ruthless financier Kim Myeong-gil (Park Sung-woong), whose network thrives on exploitation.
Bloodhounds is known for its tightly choreographed fight sequences, direct storytelling and focus on financial crime, which keeps the stakes immediate. Its eight-episode structure also contributes to its pace, with each chapter pushing the narrative forward without diversion.
If you are looking for something with a similar pace and intensity, these eight K-dramas are worth your time.
Read more: 10 Rain TV shows and movies to watch if you like ‘Bloodhounds 2’
‘My Name’ (2021)
Above ‘My Name’ follows Yoon Ji-woo as she infiltrates a crime syndicate and later the police force while hunting the man responsible for her father’s death
A revenge narrative that keeps tightening as it moves forward. Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) witnesses her father’s murder and is pulled into the orbit of crime boss Choi Mu-jin (Park Hee-soon). Under his direction, she enters the police force under a false identity, navigating two systems that are constantly at odds. Detective Jeon Pil-do (Ahn Bo-hyun) becomes both an ally and a complication as Ji-woo’s motives begin to surface. The series leans into physical combat and moral compromise, with each episode escalating the cost of her choices.
Where to stream: Netflix
‘Weak Hero Class 1’ (2022)
Above In 'Weak Hero Class 1', Yeon Si-eun turns strategy into survival as he pushes back against escalating school violence
Set within a high school, this series trades scale for precision. Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) is academically gifted but physically slight, and he responds to sustained bullying with calculated, often brutal tactics. He forms an uneasy bond with Ahn Su-ho (Choi Hyun-wook) and Oh Beom-seok (Hong Kyung), creating a fragile alliance shaped by survival rather than trust. The show builds tension through strategy and consequence, with fights that feel immediate and unvarnished.
Where to stream: Wavve, Viki (in select regions)
Don’t miss: Must-see TV shows with Park Ji-hoon, from ‘Weak Hero’ to ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier’
‘A Shop for Killers’ (2024)
Above 'A Shop for Killers' centres on Jeong Ji-an, a college student who uncovers a hidden assassin network after her uncle is killed
The premise unfolds quickly and rarely lets up. Jeong Ji-an (Kim Hye-jun), a college student, is suddenly targeted by professional assassins after the death of her uncle Jeong Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook). As she barricades herself inside his house, she realises it doubles as a weapons depot, and that her upbringing concealed intensive survival training. The narrative moves between present danger and past instruction, gradually revealing how Ji-an was prepared for this moment.
Where to stream: Disney+
‘The Worst of Evil’ (2023)
Above 'The Worst of Evil' tracks an undercover officer embedded in a 1990s Gangnam drug operation where loyalty becomes increasingly unstable
Set in 1990s Gangnam, the series follows Park Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook), a police officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a cross-border drug operation led by Jung Gi-cheul (Wi Ha-joon). His wife Yoo Eui-jeong (Im Se-mi), also a police officer, becomes entangled in the same network, complicating both the mission and their relationship. The show builds its momentum through infiltration and proximity, with tension drawn from how long Jun-mo can maintain his cover.
Where to stream: Disney+
‘Vincenzo’ (2021)
Above In 'Vincenzo', a mafia lawyer returns to Korea and joins forces with a sharp-witted attorney to take down a corrupt conglomerate
While broader in tone, the series maintains a strong action core. Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki), a lawyer for the Italian mafia, returns to Korea to recover hidden gold but becomes involved in dismantling Babel Group, a powerful conglomerate. He partners with Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), whose approach to the law mirrors his own willingness to operate outside it. The narrative moves through legal manoeuvring, retaliation and controlled escalation, offering a different but complementary rhythm to Bloodhounds.
Where to stream: Netflix
‘Taxi Driver’ (2021–2023)
Above 'Taxi Driver' follows a covert team that delivers revenge on behalf of victims failed by the justice system, case by case
This series structures its action around cases. Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon), a former special forces officer, works with a covert team that delivers revenge on behalf of victims failed by the justice system. Jang Sung-chul (Kim Eui-sung) runs the operation, while prosecutor Kang Ha-na (Esom) begins to trace their activities. Each arc introduces a new target, but the show maintains continuity through Do-gi’s personal history and evolving methods. The pacing is direct, with clear setups and swift execution.
Where to stream: Viki, Netflix (in select regions)
‘Bad and Crazy’ (2021)
Above In 'Bad and Crazy', a corrupt detective's life spirals when a chaotic second personality forces him into unpredictable confrontations
Centred on internal conflict as much as external action, the series follows Ryu Soo-yeol (Lee Dong-wook), a corrupt police officer whose career advances through compromise. His life shifts when K (Wi Ha-joon), a reckless and uncompromising figure, begins to intervene in his cases. As Soo-yeol is forced to confront his own behaviour, the show alternates between chaotic confrontations and more grounded investigations. The action is frequent, but always tied to his shifting sense of responsibility.
Where to stream: iQIYI
‘D.P.’ (2021)
Above 'D.P.' follows military police tasked with tracking deserters, exposing systemic abuse within the armed forces along the way
D.P. approaches action through pursuit rather than confrontation. An Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) and Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan) are assigned to track down military deserters, uncovering systemic abuse within the armed forces. Each case reveals a different breaking point, building a cumulative picture of institutional pressure. The series moves with purpose, balancing quieter observation with sudden bursts of violence. Its grounded tone aligns closely with the emotional weight that defines Bloodhounds.
Where to stream: Netflix
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
