Starring Lee Dong-wook, Kim Hye-jun, Seo Hyun-woo, Jo Han-sun, Park Ji-bin, Geum Hae-na, Lee Tae-young, A Shop For Killers finally ended on an action high! The series, with only 8 episodes, showcases the resilience of a young girl who finds herself standing up against an army of killers for hire whose animosity with her uncle resulted in her losing her entire family. The series is slick, bold and extremely bloody and the emotional connection that you will feel for Kim Hye-jun’s Jeong Ji-an is truly surprising.
For fans of action-drama-thriller shows, this show might make you want to watch other shows in the genre that are not only Thrilling and action-packed but also have an emotional angle to them that will make you latch on to the characters and root for them. These shows have a unique selling point that constantly keeps them on the edge, whether it be through their psychological elements or due to their thrilling and smooth action sequences. Plus, if there’s a dramatic angle to them, then there’s nothing else one can say!
Thus, action-drama lovers, the following shows like A Shop For Killers are definitely for you!
Signal (2016)
This is one of the most highly-rated crime dramas to date and for a good reason. Following a young detective who solves a kidnapping case thanks to the help of a walkie-talkie with a person from the past on the other line, the series follows the two of them solving cold cases together, with unintended consequences. The series takes simple everyday elements and turns them into something truly unique and arresting. Although the sci-fi aspect of the series might make you raise an eyebrow, the creators have done an excellent job of bringing the different elements together to create something arresting.
Along with the thrilling storytelling, the cast does a top-notch job of bringing their characters to life and there isn’t one person who doesn’t give their 100% to bring the Story to life. Signal is truly a memorable and unique watch and the way the story, acting and music grow on you will leave you reeling long after it has run its course.
Defendant (2017)
Starring Ji Sung, Um Ki-joon, Kwon Yu-ri, Oh Chang-seok, Uhm Hyun-kyung, it follows a prosecutor’s plight when he wakes up one day and finds himself on death row. Suffering from amnesia, he races against time to prove his innocence and find out the truth of his condition. Although this is a legal drama, there’s a personal touch to the story that sets it apart from its contemporaries. We spend a lot of time in Park Jung-woo’s mind as he tries to remember what happened all those years ago and how to save himself. On the other hand, we also spend time with the actual culprit and get a look into his mind as well.
The storyline is refreshing and tense and the melodramatic angle only makes it better. The twists and turns make for a tense watch and you won’t be able to look away for a second. Although the base plot feels like a stereotype, it’s the execution that the drama really wins. The cast is also excellent and with a number of great actors, that’s honestly a given.
Vagabond (2019)
Lee Seung-gi, Bae Suzy, Shin Sung-rok star in a crime-thriller series that has hints of everything in it. After a mysterious plane crash results in his nephew’s loss, Cha Dal-geon realises that there’s something mysterious going on behind the scenes of the tragedy. Overcome with anger and grief, he starts to go beneath the surface to figure out the truth, facing threats from dangerous avenues. The series’ storyline is absolutely unconventional and will leave you reeling in every episode. The twists and turns are hard to predict and the sheer insanity of the situation is enough to keep you waiting for more.
The highly intense emotional and action sequences truly keep the storyline together and uniquely weave the different sequences. The impeccable acting by the cast is just the cherry on top of the cake here. You will be drawn to Dal-geon’s fight for justice because it is done in such a balanced way that it feels akin to the world we are living in.
Beyond Evil (2021)
When a string of shocking murders brings back memories of a 20-year-old serial killer, two detectives must team up together to put an end to this meaningless loss of lives once and for all. Starring Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo, the series is a dark, tense and thrilling story that is relentless in every scene. With the emotional backstories of the two protagonists to anchor us to them, there’s a constant air of tension that never really lets up. The character-driver drama’s people are the ones that truly showcase the black, white and grey in all of us and the storyline uses its characters to tell a very disturbing tale.
The two leads are the driving force of Beyond Evil. In spite of having a story that one might have heard before, the series’ execution is truly its selling point. The different plot points that all come together slowly mesh together beautifully in every way possible. The excellent cinematography and the background score just add to the appeal and the ambience of this brutal thriller with a deadly heart that one can’t possibly ignore.
Taxi Driver (2021 – Present)
Each episode of this series showcases a mini-case that the Rainbow Taxi service people take up in order to avenge the wrongs against them after the failure of the law. The series is a lighter watch than the rest of this list and a delightful, funny and well-rounded experience. The short stories in each episode will infuriate you and as Do-gi and his team do their best to help their clients, you will find your anger subsiding as well. The overarching narrative also flows seamlessly with these short stories and creates an entertaining, humorous and thrilling synergy. With exceptional performances and a protagonist you’d love to root for, Taxi Driver is a light but arresting watch.
Which of these shows do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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