When it comes to K-dramas, there’s something undeniably satisfying about watching a character take control of their destiny, especially when it involves serving up a dish best enjoyed cold—revenge. K-dramas have mastered the art of making vengeance not just an act of retaliation, but a thrilling journey of intense emotions, mind games, and sometimes, a splash of blood.
But hold on, we’re not just talking about petty payback here. No, these K-dramas dig deep, exposing the raw and often brutal realities of seeking justice in a world that’s rarely fair. Will the protagonist succeed in their quest for retribution, or will they lose themselves in the pursuit?
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10. The Penthouse: War in Life (2020
While some K-dramas are popular among viewers because of their relatable stories, some push things to the next level. The show ‘The Penthouse: War in Life‘ focuses on the occupants of Hera Palace, a luxurious apartment complex. Some of the characters, including Shim Su-ryeon (Lee Ji-ah) want to get revenge on her deceitful and abusive husband.
And Oh Yoon-hee (Kim Yoo-jin), who wants to avenge herself from the person who framed her for murder. With each episode, more details about the story are revealed, uncovering the greed and ambition of the show’s characters.
9. Rugal (2020)
Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, ‘Rugal‘ follows Kang Ki-Beom (Choi Jin-hyuk), a detective who becomes the target of the criminal organization Argos. After his wife is murdered and he is blinded and falsely accused by Argos, Kang joins the NIS’s “Rugal” task force, a group equipped with biotechnology that grants them superhuman abilities. Kang is determined to clear his name and avenge his wife’s death.
The series features intense violence, making it unsuitable for all viewers. It also explores elements of science fiction, with Kang receiving artificial eyes that not only restore but enhance his vision, giving him a superhuman edge.
8. Eve (2022)
‘Eve‘ tells the story of Lee Ra-el (Seo Ye-Ji), who embarks on a dangerous journey to seek revenge on LY Group, one of South Korea’s wealthiest families, following the murder of her scientist father. Over 13 years, she carefully conceals her anger and grief, plotting to bring down the powerful company.
Though ‘Eve‘ touches on themes familiar in classic revenge dramas, it feels fresh and original in its execution. However, the portrayal of women battling each other might feel out of step with the ongoing feminist movement.
7. Vincenzo (2021)
‘Vincenzo‘ follows the story of Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki), an attorney and mafia consigliere who was adopted into an Italian mafia family. Forced to return to Seoul due to a power struggle, he sets out to reclaim hidden gold stored in a plaza now controlled by the Babel Group. Teaming up with the fierce lawyer Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), whose father was murdered for exposing Babel’s crimes, Vincenzo employs his mafia expertise to bring down the corporation.
Although the series starts off slow, ‘Vincenzo‘ quickly gains momentum with its intricate plotting, well-developed characters, including one of K-drama’s most formidable villains, and numerous revenge-driven undertones. Vincenzo’s quest is not just about reclaiming the gold or defeating the Babel family; he also seeks vengeance against Paolo, who attempted to kill him, setting the stage for his quest for independence.
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6. Secret Love (2013)
‘Secret Love‘ centers around Kang Yoo-jung (Hwang Jung-eum), a devoted woman who takes the fall for her boyfriend Ahn Do-hoon’s (Bae Soo-bin) hit-and-run accident, leading to her imprisonment. Once incarcerated, her boyfriend, driven by ambition and greed, abandons her. Upon her release, Yoo-jung teams up with the girlfriend of the injured victim to exact revenge on Do-hoon.
While revenge is a common theme in K-dramas, ‘Secret Love‘ stands out for its compelling storyline, strong performances, and emotionally charged moments. Additionally, for fans of emotional dramas with deep romantic elements, ‘Secret Love‘ delivers a powerful narrative on love, betrayal, and revenge.
5. Taxi Driver (2021)
In ‘Taxi Driver,’ Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) is a former Korea Military Academy graduate who becomes a taxi driver for a company offering revenge services to victims of injustice. Haunted by his failure to avenge his mother’s murder, the show skillfully weaves together thrilling revenge missions with sharp social commentary. Based on the webtoon ‘The Deluxe Taxi‘ (Red Cage) by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin, the series draws inspiration from real-life crimes in Korea.
Watching Kim Do-gi deliver justice is immensely satisfying, especially for those who have been denied it. Revenge is at the core of the series, with the company’s sole mission being to right wrongs and seek vengeance for those who have suffered. The show was a massive hit, earning 15 SBS Drama Awards out of 18 nominations.
4. Itaewon Class (2020)
In an attempt to seek revenge on the Jangga Group, Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon), who was imprisoned for trying to assassinate his competitor. His actions eventually caused his father’s death. He then starts a restaurant, named DanBam in Itaewon after being released from prison. Itaewon Class does a fantastic job of highlighting the value of community as Sae-ro-yi develops resilience with the help of his close-knit pals.
This series raises a lot of questions since it explores Park Sae-ro-yi’s unresolved sentiments against Oh Soo-ah, who he accuses of being the reason for his father’s murder, in addition to his quest for revenge against the Jangga Group. The series won Best Drama Series at the 25th Asian Television Awards.
3. Revenge of Others (2022)
‘Revenge of Others‘ follows Chan-mi (Shin Ye-eun), a high school student devastated by the death of her twin brother Soo-heon (Park Solomon). Determined to uncover the truth behind his death and avenge him, Chan-mi seeks justice from those responsible.
While the wealthy and powerful manipulate the system to hide the truth, the less fortunate are denied justice. The show is stylish and has an early 2000s teen horror vibe, set in a dark, gothic school with bullies who evoke real fear among their peers.
2. My Name (2021)
In ‘My Name‘, Han So-hee plays Yoon Ji-woo, a young woman who resolves to take matters into her own hands after seeing her father brutally killed. Taking on a new identity, she goes undercover as a police officer and infiltrates the criminal group that killed her father. Ji-woo wrestles with her dual identities and moral quandaries as she makes her way through the perilous and intricate world of organized crime.
‘My Name‘ is full of creative points of view and a lot of gloomy, unpleasant topics that brutally depict reality. The gripping action sequences in the film are also really realistically portrayed, making them heart-pounding. Yoon Ji-woo is equally bold and shrewd as Moon Dong-eun, despite not having the same meticulous preparation, and she won’t let the audience down.
1. The Glory (2022)
After enduring years of abuse, Moon Dong-eun meticulously plans her revenge on her tormentors. ‘The Glory‘ is a chilling revenge drama that centers on Dong-eun, a woman who was brutally bullied during her school years. Now an adult, she takes a job as a teacher at the school where her former bullies’ children are enrolled. Since the K-drama is based on the actual bullying problem in South Korea, the show’s factual story raises awareness of bullying—a widespread problem with terrible outcomes—beyond the intensity of the plot. Her ultimate goal? To dismantle the lives of those who wronged her.
8 nominations and 4 wins (Best Drama, Best Actress for Song Hye-kyo, and Best Supporting Actress for Lim Ji-yeon) were garnered by ‘The Glory‘, which was well-received by critics and audiences alike. It also swept the Asian Academy Creative Awards, with 6 wins.
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