Sometimes you get tired of the perfect, golden retriever, 'can do no wrong' types of male leads in K-dramas. While it is easy to fall in love with such a character, their arc can become predictable and kind of tasteless. It is quite another thing to have the inconsistent evildoer types with chaotic lives and motivations.
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If you want to see how a drama can handle having a bad guy for a lead, here are seven great shows to check out.
Nevertheless (2021)
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Park Jae-eon is an annoying, misanthropic, incurable playboy who refuses to commit to a relationship. But when he meets his heartbroken classmate Yoo Na-bi, something changes in his view of the world.
The One and Only (2021)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Three terminally ill women join forces to take down their common enemy. Their quest leads them to get involved in a murder case and meet Min Woo-cheon, a contract killer who falls in love with one of them.
Extracurricular (2020)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Oh Ji-soo is a top high school student with a lucrative side business. He is a player in an illegal prostitution business, and a pretty smart one at that. However, he has a very good motivation behind all the bad actions, so viewers can't help but be drawn to the character.
Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Hulu, Viki
Heo Joon-jae is a witty con man. In the course of his love story with a mermaid, he doesn't necessarily do many bad things, but since we know that he got his wealth through fraud, it's obvious that the man has screwed up morals.
The Devil Judge (2021)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to stream: Netflix
In a dystopian future, Chief Judge Kang Yo-han turns his courtroom into a reality show of sorts, mercilessly punishing the 'evil' and earning himself a reputation as a folk hero. But his greatest rival and a rookie judge are determined to prove that Yo-han has a hidden agenda.
Vincenzo (2021)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to stream: Netflix
The protagonist, Park Joo-hyung, is literally a mafioso who isn't afraid to use violence and only thinks about his own benefit. However, his quest for revenge against even badder guys and many comedic scenes make Joo-hyung likable and relatable.
Flower of Evil (2020)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Viki
Baek Hee-sung has a dark past that he has hidden from his detective wife for years. But when she starts investigating a series of murders, the truth comes to the surface and causes chaos in their family life.