I decided to make a Netflix version of this because more people have access to Netflix then other streaming services. But these are the kdramas on Netflix I watched.
I started with the obvious, squid games. This is a really good show. However, I think it is almost hyped up too much. Don’t hate me pls!!! But I think I really expected something phenomenal from it and I just set my expectations too high. But if you like k dramas, then def give it a watch if you haven’t. The last season had Yim Siwan acting in it, and if you saw my last post then you know he was on my favorite show, Strangers from hell. So it was really cool to see him in this role too.
Next is one of my favorite dramas. Friendly rivalry is a mystery and I think you could argue a GL. I def have a huge crush on Lee Hyeri I’m not going to lie. But I wish that if they were going to point at a romance between the two main characters that they would have just committed to it and gave us a love story. It’s also based in a Korean high school as well as in Seoul in general. Honestly a great show and I suggest it if mystery’s and thrillers are your thing.
After this we have bad and crazy. Once again another actor from Strangers from hell. Lee dong Wook is the main character and he was a completely different character than he was in strangers from hell. He isn’t as mysterious and psychotic, he is a lot more unhinged and confused. Honestly was a really funny show too so I recommend this one heavily as well.
All of us are dead is one I recommend if you liked squid games. It’s def really bloody so if you don’t like that then I don’t recommend. But this one starts in a high school and then they have to survive there after their classmates turn to zombies. A great show that def doesn’t get enough attention.
The last one is not a kdrama, but I don’t hear it get enough attention. This one is a Japanese thriller, kinda similar to squid games where they have to play games to survive. But honestly I think it is 100x better than squid games and doesn’t get nearly enough attention. It’s obviously really popular, but I honestly think it should be more popular than squid games. And it’s getting another season in September! I don’t mean to compare it to just one Netflix drama, but it’s so similar in the idea of it that it is hard to compare it to any other show. Anyway, I recommend this to literally anyone and everyone because it’s so good and everyone deserves to experience watching this show for the first time.
... Read moreHey K-drama lovers! If you're anything like me, you're constantly on the hunt for those nail-biting K-dramas that combine the intrigue of a mystery with the unique setting of a high school or classroom. You might have even searched for gems like 'Class of Lies' to get your fix of dark academic thrillers. While my main post touched on some fantastic Netflix picks, I wanted to dive a little deeper into this specific sub-genre that keeps us glued to our screens!
One of the dramas I absolutely loved and mentioned earlier, 'Friendly Rivalry' (also known as 'Delightfully Deceitful' or 'Bitch X Rich'), really hits that classroom mystery sweet spot. Set in an elite Korean high school, it plunges you into a world where a murder mystery unfolds, leaving you guessing with every episode. The dynamic between the two main characters, especially with Lee Hyeri's compelling performance, adds such an interesting layer. As I said before, I wish they'd fully committed to the hinted GL romance, but the mystery itself is incredibly well-crafted. It’s a perfect example of how a school setting can heighten suspense – imagine trying to solve a crime when everyone around you is both a suspect and a classmate! The tension is palpable, and it really makes you think about the hidden secrets within seemingly perfect student lives.
Another one that, while not strictly a mystery, certainly has a high school setting and plenty of thrilling elements is 'All of Us Are Dead.' You might think it's just a zombie show, but the initial mystery of how the outbreak started in their science lab adds a fascinating layer. Watching these students navigate survival within the confines of their school walls is incredibly intense. It highlights the desperation and resourcefulness that can emerge when ordinary teenagers face an extraordinary, life-threatening situation. The school becomes both a sanctuary and a death trap, and the suspense of who will survive and who is infected keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s a fantastic Korean thriller that takes the familiar high school environment and turns it into a battleground.
For those who crave more of that 'classroom mystery' vibe, these dramas often excel at social commentary, too. They explore themes like bullying, academic pressure, social hierarchies, and the dark sides of ambition, all within the microcosm of a school. The stakes feel incredibly personal when the characters are so young and their entire world revolves around that institution. If you loved the intricate plot and character development in dramas like 'Class of Lies,' you'll appreciate how these stories weave together personal struggles with overarching mysteries.
So, if you're searching for your next K-drama that combines the intense world of a Korean high school with a gripping mystery or thriller, definitely give 'Friendly Rivalry' and 'All of Us Are Dead' a deeper look. They offer distinct takes on the genre but deliver on the suspense and emotional depth we all crave. What are some of your favorite high school mysteries or thrillers on Netflix? I'm always looking for new recommendations!