Best Slow Burn Thriller K-Dramas


The world of K-drama has produced some of the best slow-burn thriller series of all time. With their mind-bending storylines and unexpected twists, these dramas have gained a lot of popularity all across the globe. One of the most recent crime-thriller Korean series that has been getting a lot of praise worldwide is Netflix’s The Frog. It stars Go Min-Si, Kim Yun-Seok, Yoon Kye-Sang and more.

The intriguing list also includes – Lee Seung-Gi’s Mouse, The Penthouse: War in Life starring Shin Su-Ryeon, and Kim Hyun-Joo’s The Bequeathed, among others. All these K-dramas are available to watch online on different streaming platforms.

The Frog

The Frog is a highly arresting slow-burn psychological thriller K-drama series that will keep viewers at the edge of their seats throughout. Starring Kim Yoon-Seok and Go Min-Si, the series debuted on, August 23, 2024, globally on Netflix. Son Ho-Young has written the screenplay for the drama, while Mo Wan-Il has directed it. It also features Lee Jung-Eun, Yoon Kye-Sang, Chanyeol, and several others.

The Frog tells the chilling story of Young-Ha (Kim Yoon-Seok), the owner of a vacation rental in the deep woods. One day, his peaceful life is completely disrupted by the arrival of a suspicious woman named Yoo Seong-A (Go Min-Si). The woman also brings utter chaos into the lives of other people around the rental owner.

All eight episodes of The Frog are available to watch online on Netflix.

The Penthouse: War in Life

The Penthouse: War in Life is another highly gripping slow-burn Korean series, that chronicles a story of revenge. Joo Dong-Min has served as the director of the K-drama. Its season 1 also went on to become the 9th most-watched drama in the history of Korean television. The main cast list of the series includes popular actors such as – Lee Ji-Ah, Kim So-Yeon, Eugene, Um Ki-Joon, Kim Young-Dae, Han Ji-Hyun, Yoon Jong-Hoon, and more. It has a total of three seasons.

Premiered on October 26, 2020, on SBS, The Penthouse: War in Life depicts a fascinating story, revolving around extremely wealthy families in Hera Palace. The story also focuses on the children from these families, studying in Cheong-ah Arts School. As the story unfolds, dark hidden secrets start to come to light.

Viewers can watch the K-drama online on Viki and Viu in selected regions.

Mouse

Mouse is one of the most riveting psychological slow-burn mystery-thriller K-dramas that made its debut on tvN, on March 3, 2021. The drama has an unsettling and unexpected plot twist, that is bound to shock the viewers. From a screenplay by Choi Ran, the series has been helmed by Choi Joon-Bae. The central cast members of the series include – Lee Hee-Joon, Lee Seung-Gi, Kyung Soo-Jin, Park Ju-Hyun, and more.

Mouse depicts the story of an inexperienced new police officer named Jeong Ba-Reum who ends up getting tangled in a complex case centering around a dangerous serial killer. The story is bound to keep the audience on their toes throughout the series.

Mouse is available to watch on Viki.

The Bequeathed

The Bequeathed is another mysteriously woven binge-worthy thriller K-drama that premiered on January 19, 2024, on Netflix. Yeon Sang-Ho, Hwang Eun-Young, and Min Hong-Nam have served as writers of the drama. Meanwhile, Min Hong-Nam has helmed it. The series stars Park Hee-Soon, Kim Hyun-Joo, Ryu Kyung-Soo, Park Byung-Eun, and Park Sung-Hoon, among others.

The Bequeathed chronicles the story of a woman who ends up inheriting a burial ground, after the demise of an unknown uncle. Soon, the woman finds herself stuck in the middle of a series of suspicious murders and hidden dark secrets.

Viewers can watch the K-drama on Netflix.

Some other notable slow-burn thriller K-dramas include – Beyond Evil, Taxi Driver, Strangers from Hell, Somebody and many more.