This kdrama (광장) came out yesterday on Netflix, and all I can say is, I’m still reeling from the chaos. One minute I’m getting set up, thinking just another gritty noir with the usual mob tropes; the next, I’m glued to my screen, watching Nam Gi-jun slash and kill his way through the same Seoul mob world with nothing but raw anger and sheer force of will.
And as someone who eats revenge thrillers for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I immediately wanted to indulge in more Kdramas like Mercy for None. If you are a sucker like me for your dramas marinated in noir aesthetics, morally-grey heroes and punchy fight scenes that don’t overdo the slow-motion or flash, then you are in for a treat my friends.
Fortunately, the Korean entertainment industry has come through for us with some noir-inspired kdrama that hit us with all the same mood. Undercover cops, crime syndicates, or enigmatic anti-heroes — whatever we’re discussing, these dramas never hold back on the dark side of mankind. Here then is a list of 5 Kdramas similar to Mercy for None — all with that dark, gritty feel in common, but each in their own way.
Gritty Kdramas Like Mercy for None That Nail the Noir Vibe
My Name
If you’re in the mood for tales of revenge and betrayal featuring a fiery protagonist, My Name is essentially a must-watch. Han So-hee plays Yoon Ji-woo, a woman who becomes involved in a drug ring and then becomes a police officer — all in order to avenge her father’s death. She goes on a savage, gritty and intensely personal revenge quest.
The thing I loved most was the unflinching brutality of the violence. It’s not pretty, it’s survival. Ji-woo doesn’t cry pretty tears — she bleeds, punches and claws her way through a cruel world, and it’s compelling to watch. Every battle is a struggle, and every turn a gut punch. One of the most brutal Korean thrillers in years.
The Worst of Evil
Based in the 1990s, this crime thriller of undercover operations, drug cartels and double lives stars Ji Chang-wook as an undercover cop who goes deep cover in a gang that operates a cross-border narcotics trade between Korea, China and Japan. And the suspense? Off the charts.
I was impressed by how emotionally complex this series was. The Hero’s marriage is on the line, the stakes of his deceptions are climbing, and the lower he falls, the less certain he is of who he is. This one’s not merely action (though there’s a lot of that), it explores trust, identity and how far someone will go for justice. The drama also stars Wi Ha-joon, Im Se-mi in the lead role. It is noir at its finest.
Also Read: Mercy for None Review: Unapologetically Raw and Unflinching Action at Its Best
Kill It
This is a sleeper, but if you’re in the right mood for stylish smoothness and emotional heft, Kill It delivers. Jang Ki-yong plays an elite assassin with a mysterious past who gets involved with a detective played by Nana. They meet while a string of murders — believe me, it’s a little more complicated than that — is taking place.
What drew me in was the restrained sorrow of the lead. He’s a murderer, sure, but underneath is a boy who was betrayed and armed. The show is beautifully shot, with a melancholy undertone that hangs on. And that conclusion? Still haven’t gotten over it.
Bad Guys
To catch monsters, sometimes you have to deploy other monsters. That’s basically the entire purpose of Bad Guys. A detective assembles a multi-ethnic team of gangsters, a hitman and a serial killer to fight fire with fire in the city’s lawless slums. The drama is directed by Shin Yong-hwi and Kim Jung-min and stars Kim Sang-joong, Park Hae-jin, Jo Dong-hyuk, Ma Dong-seok and others.
Each of the characters has a history that screws with your brain. You’re rooting for individuals you wouldn’t think you’d find any sympathy for, and questioning what even constitutes justice. It’s grimy and savage and darkly humorous at times. If you like ensemble thrillers with antiheroes and noir-soaked, this should be at or near the top of your list.
Cruel City
This grittier film, also known as Heartless City, is an espresso shot of noir. Jung Kyung-ho is a drug lord who may have more on his plate than drugs. He’s detached and calculating; he has a hurtful charisma. The whole show has the cadence of a tragic opera — so many layers of lies, misidentifications, so many poorly healed emotional wounds, you could take a day after you see it for your own recovery.
What propels it into the decades-later, standout tier, however, is the visual lexicon — it is bathed in shadows and neon, just like a real film noir ought to be. And that emotional pull? Powerful. You’ll find yourself scrolling back through scenes simply to absorb the weight behind one glance.
All of these dramas draw on the same raw energy as Netflix’s new noir sensation. Whether it’s the mission to go undercover or revenge stories, or morality-compromised characters dealing with their darker selves, there is something to be learned from each of the vipers. So if kdramas such as Mercy for None are your vibe and you can use a little more of that dark, cool nuttiness in your life, grab some popcorn and blow off your weekend plans — because these five will have you spinning in the best possible way.
