The key figures in a crime thriller are the unnerving villains, usually perpetrators of crime or masterminds behind the same, who send chills down your spine, and the fearless, daring detectives, who bring them to their knees. With that said, here are the top 10 K-Drama detectives who we just can’t stop swooning over! Note: This list is not a ranking. Spoiler Alert!
ZE:A’s Park HyungSik - “Happiness”
Park HyungSik plays Jung YiHyun in the drama “Happiness”. and he kicks it out of the park, as always. Jung YiHyun is highly intelligent, street-smart, and upright but what leaves the most lasting impression on viewers is his boundless bravery which often teeters over the line to recklessness if that means protecting SaeBom (Han HyoJoo). At the same time, YiHyun is also just a young boy in love, and that vulnerable side of him is utterly endearing. When it comes to SaeBom, rationality takes a back seat, and all YiHyun can focus on is keeping her safe. Only Park HyungSik could portray this duality with such excellence.
Kim GoEun - “The King: Eternal Monarch”
Speaking of fictional detectives who have us weak in the knees, Kim GoEun as Jeong TaeEul is truly one of a kind. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that she is a Queen both in and out of the drama. Jeong TaeEul is a woman of grace and dignity, but she is also a detective who isn’t here to play games. She doesn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty or travel through space and time to find the truth, and if that’s not admirable, we don’t know know what is. Everyone needs a Jeong TaeEul in their lives who would go to the ends of the world and beyond for them.
Ahn BoHyun - “My Name”
There are some K-Drama detectives that light up a burning passion in our hearts for justice. There are also some who make us go heart-eyed at their very appearance on screen. Jeon PilDo from “My Name”, played brilliantly by Ahn BoHyun, is both. PilDo can be gritty and distant but also empathetic and kind, all the while forging a connection with the audience that is so believable that it makes us attached. Jeon PilDo came in like a storm and ravaged our hearts as he left, and we will always be bitter about that ending. However, the time we spent with him will always be unforgettable.
Kim HyeSoo - “Signal”
No list about K-Drama detectives would ever be complete or justified in the absence of Kim HyeSoo as Cha SooHyun in “Signal”. “Signal” was immensely significant in the popularity of Korean crime thrillers all over the world, so much so that it received a Japanese drama adaptation, a Japanese drama special, as well as a Japanese movie adaptation! Kim HyeSoo is extraordinary as veteran detective Cha SooHyun, who is one of the primary voices of the narrative. No matter how many times you watch “Signal”, Kim HyeSoo will give you goosebumps each time.
Lee DongWook - “Bad & Crazy”
He might be bad, and he might be crazy, but he looks unbelievably handsome either way. Lee DongWook plays the morally ambiguous, possibly corrupt but competent detective Ryu SuYeol in “Bad & Crazy”, whose suppressed sense of justice manifests itself as an alter-ego, K. As the drama progresses, we see K become more and more integrated within Ryu SuYeol, and Lee DongWook is absolutely spectacular in conveying this development with conviction. “Bad & Crazy” is arguably one of Lee DongWook’s best performances yet, and he deserves all the accolades in the world for that.
Yoo SeungHo - “Memorist”
Yoo SeungHo plays Dong Baek in what is easily one of the most well-written fantasy crime dramas in recent times, “Memorist”. Dong Baek is endowed with the power to read the memories of anyone he touches. Throughout the drama, he oscillates between considering it a boon or a bane and ultimately, grapples with finding a middle ground as he navigates past trauma in the midst of an investigation into a serial murder case. He is also constantly suffering from the pain that builds up inside him from having to bear the burden of seemingly infinite memories. You just cannot help but sympathise with him and hope for the best. Yoo SeungHo masters his character with the utmost brilliance and leaves a deep impression.
Wi HaJun - “Squid Game”
A detective who is even more mysterious than the mystery itself, Wi HaJun’s Hwang JunHo in “Squid Game” reminds us that anything under the sun is possible in a K-Drama. Phone battery that never dies? Check. Missing older brother who is hosting a death game? Check. Shot to death but possibly not dead? Check. Either way, JunHo is one of the driving forces of the narrative, with millions of viewers pinning their hopes on him. He is incomparably charming, capable, skilled, and competent, not to mention, very lucky. Now, whether he will return in the second season is entirely the director’s creative choice, but if we had our way, JunHo would be back and better than ever.
Jung EunChae - “The Guest”
One of the most versatile actresses in the Korean entertainment industry, Jung EunChae plays Kang GilYoung in “The Guest”, and she does it incomparably. GilYoung is the voice of realism and reason. She is determined to unravel the tightly-knit plot with sound logic but gradually finds herself drawn to the unexplained. She is set in her ways but not opposed to change, and this subtle nuance is delivered with perfection by Jung EunChae. In addition, not only is she tough on the outside, but her inner strength is also admirable and pulls her out of some grave situations. Needless to say, you could trust Kang GilYoung with your life.
Jang SeungJo - “The Good Detective”
We could not possibly make this list without the namesake himself, Jang SeungJo from “The Good Detective”. A character that has endeared himself to the audience enough to warrant a second successful season, Oh JiHyuk is a man of charisma, boldness, nerve, and talent. He is driven by intellect, instinct, and evidence and won’t stop until he gets to the truth. His indifferent “tsundere” personality is addictive, to say the least, and commands attention. He knows when to hold his ground and when to yield, which makes him incredibly efficient at his job too. Even though he can get flustered easily and is playful at times, his sincerity is what stands out the most.
Lee JinWook - “Voice 2”
The OG heartthrob Lee JinWook pulls out all the stops in “Voice 2” as Do KangWoo. With the pressure of carrying on the legacy of a stellar first season, he leaves no stone unturned in bringing out the depth of his character on screen, proving once and for all that he is an acting genius regardless of the genre. Do KangWoo is intuitive, impulsive, and hot-headed, but his behavior is justified, given his dark past, and the fact that his moral standing is questionable until the very end is also what makes the character so interesting. In between all the twists and turns, Lee JinWook still manages to be swoon-worthy, making the viewing experience even more enjoyable.
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