Crime Korean dramas (Recommended)

About a guy who's only childhood memory is of his mother dying, later discovers he has the  power to read people's memories and decides to become a detective.

Most suspense crime drama, twists and turns everywhere. The acting and plot was amazing, it's not completely realistic so don't take it too seriously. Topically it's quite dark and the murders are so evil but scaredy cat me wasn't as scared as I normally would've been.

*2% romance at best, serial murders, criminal profiling and brilliant minds

About some high school kids who commit crimes to earn some dough.

I would never have expected this from a 'high school' drama. The trailer is not a lie, it is as dark/darker than the trailer.

*20-60% romance depending on how you want to look at it

About a young detective finds an old school walkie-talkie that allows him to talk to a detective in the 80s.

Brilliant and innovative I'm quite sure this is what started the crime drama trend the following year. Dealing with the surprising topic of cold cases the first 2 are based on South Korea's biggest unknown serial murders. The end was a bit dragged out but I can't wait for Signal 2 which was meant to be coming out now but it got delayed indefinitely :(

*1% romance at best, serial murders and criminal profiling

About a detective in the 80s who, chasing after a serial killer, finds himself in present day Seoul. 

The best thing to come out of the criminal trend year inspired by Signal.  Despite the obvious comparisons, this was more well rounded as a drama. 

*8% romance I think, there might've been more. Time travelling & serial murders, not something I'd want combined in real life.

About a genius profiler who returns to Seoul after receiving a mysterious package relating to his past.

While not as intensive of a crime drama overall, it had moments of healing instead and I've never empathised  so much with psychopaths. DO was so brilliant, even years later I'm adoring his acting skills.

*40% romance, 20% bromance, my first venture into criminal profiling and psychopaths

About 5 rookie detectives making a mess as they learn on the go.

The most comedic of crime dramas on this list. I loved all the characters who were so different with their own backstories but were brought together and learned how to work together.

*50% romance, 30% teamwork, 20% comedy

A young woman who has premonition dreams meets a junior prosecutor.

I always love Lee Jong-suk and this was where I first got to know Jung Hae-in. I would've loved this drama so much more if I could click with Suzy.

*80% romance

About a boy who can read your mind who is looking for the woman who helped him when his father died. He discovers his first love is a prosecutor.

I love Lee Jong-suk and Lee Bo-young and their sweet noona romance.

*90% romance

A materialistic prosecutor meets a newbie one and together they clash and solve crimes.

Ma Yi-dum's antics were what stole the show.

*50% romance

A teenager gains a psychometric ability - to be able to read memories of people and objects via touch - but it's a bit iffy. He meets a young woman turned police officer and wants to work together to improve his abilities along with his guardian (a prosecutor), and an investigator.

Unlike normal crime dramas this one has a long introduction starting in high school and all the character introductions are done there. It also has a lot more focus on the everyday life of a standard police officer who's the first point of contact for police requests. So there's a more of a focus on minor crimes with the big one being the overarching plot.

*70% romance, 15% comedy

A detective's family member dies but she's unable to prosecute the criminal due to his connections. She joins a group of vigilantes who saves victims even before the crime can be committed.

While I remember it being good, I don't remember the details of the drama (sorry) but I still recommend it if you're interested. Kim Young-kwang and Kim Seul-gi never fails me. Key was surprisingly good, I didn't know he ventured into acting as well so I didn't even recognise him.

*3% romance maybe? If even that much.

A mysterious marble turns dead best friends into the bodies of their true selves as a second chance at life. 

This is a crime/rom/com. Don't take it too seriously but the crime is exciting, the romance sweet and the comedy sassy.

*90% romance

A newly appointed judge on the lookout for justice gets on the nerves of a cool headed judge.

It fascinates me how much L has improved in his acting & I don't think I've seen Kim Dong-il or Go Ara ever be so serious.

*30% romance, this is what I call a slow-burn romance

About your classic prosecutor who needs to solve crimes except he's got the advantage of being able to smell blood.

*0% romance

Growing up as a gangster, he then becomes an attorney.

I love Lee Joong-gi from this, I can understand why he's such a big name. He's generally in historical dramas which I don't watch.

*30% romance maybe? I didn't finish it but I do still recommend it. The bad guys, while great, were yelling too much for me.

A man raised as a gun-for-hire lives a nondescript life as a veterinarian meets a detective on the hunt for a serial killer.

The acting was brilliant, I'm in love with Nana.

*30% romance, if you believe

From the Reply series creators comes a drama set in a prison about prison life. It's slice-of-life not a big plot development drama.

While not fully a crime drama, you need criminals to commit a crime so all the elements are there. I was hesitant watching this because I didn't want to watch about romanticised crime and the romance has to be low being set in a male prison but I should always trust the Reply series creators and there was a good balance of everything interspersed with comedy as they do.

*30% romance

A father suffering from Alzheimer's goes to jail for abusing and murdering a girl. His son with an amazing photographic memory goes to study law to defend him. 

Starring a killer cast I knew it'd be amazing. I'm not into gangsters though so I'm struggling to finish it, like Lawless Lawyer and various other unfinished crime dramas I have tried to watch there's just something about Korean gangsters I can't handle too much of. 

*30% romance, very serious, I would've liked a few comedic elements and more of a build up of him defending various people. It's very plot heavy which it's not what I watch crime dramas for.

A poor boy with a photographic memory couldn't pay for law school but a famous defence lawyer decides to hire him anyway.

As much as I love the cast there's just something about the characters excluding the main guy I couldn't get past in the original and while I gave it a go I couldn't get past it in the Korean one either.

*40% romance

Competitive private lawyers who work for the rich and powerful 1%. In the spotted hyena species it is the female that outweighs and dominates the male. 

I love their characters and it's an amazing (older) cast but I'm surprised at all the hype in the Korean drama awards, maybe I should keep watching.

*30% romance? Hard to tell, need to finish it. Strongest female lead and repping all those strong women, they don't NEED romance but if a male wishes to serve them, well, who would say no.