20 Best Action-Thriller K-Dramas Like Bloodhounds (2026 List & Where to Stream)

 

If you enjoyed the intense fight scenes, gripping storyline, and gritty atmosphere of Bloodhounds, you’re probably searching for more Korean series that deliver the same adrenaline rush. In recent years, South Korea has produced some of the most exciting crime and action dramas on television—packed with underground crime syndicates, relentless heroes, and high-stakes revenge plots.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up a curated list of thrilling Korean dramas that capture a similar vibe: fast-paced storytelling, brutal confrontations, and powerful character arcs. You’ll also find details on where each series is available to stream internationally, making it easier to start your next binge-worthy watch.

What Made Bloodhounds a Must-Watch?

Before diving into similar dramas, let's revisit what made Bloodhounds so special. Directed by Kim Joo-hwan (known for Midnight Runners), the series premiered on Netflix in June 2023 and immediately struck a chord with action enthusiasts worldwide .

• Director: Joo-hwan Kim (Jason Kim)

• Cast: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Huh Joon-ho, Park Sung-woong

• Release Date: June 9, 2023 (Season 1)

• The Story: Based on the Naver webtoon of the same name, Bloodhounds follows two young boxers—Kim Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi)—who are forced to enter the dangerous world of illegal moneylending during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a compassionate loan broker, Choi Tae-ho (Heo Joon-ho), helps Geon-woo's mother escape predatory debt, the two boxers join forces with him to take down the ruthless villain Kim Myeong-gil (Park Sung-woong) and his vicious enforcer, Director Kang (Choi Si-won) . The series delivers eight episodes of intense, choreographed action and explores themes of loyalty, justice, and sacrifice.

📌Bloodhounds Season 2 Update: The wait is almost over! Season 2 is officially confirmed and will premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2026 . Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi reprise their roles as Geon-woo and Woo-jin. This time, they face a global underground boxing league led by a formidable new antagonist, Baek-jeong, portrayed by Jung Ji-hoon (Rain) in his first-ever villain role. Choi Si-won also returns as the seemingly reformed loan shark Hong Min-beom . The stakes are higher, and the action promises to be even more explosive.

Quick Comparison: Action-Thriller K-Dramas Like Bloodhounds at a Glance

1. Weak Hero Class 1&2 (2022/2025)

Director: Yoo Su-min

Cast: Park Ji-hoon, Choi Hyun-wook, Hong Kyung

Genre: Action, Thriller, School, Drama

Runtime: 8 Episodes (~40 mins)

Where to Watch: Netflix , Viki

Why Watch: If you loved the "underdog" spirit of Bloodhounds, this is a masterpiece. It features a frail but brilliant student who uses physics and his surroundings to take down bullies. Season 2 is now officially a Netflix Original, making the entire saga easy to binge.

Plot Summary: Weak Hero Class 1 (2022) and its sequel Weak Hero Class 2 (2025) are gripping, critically acclaimed Korean action-thriller dramas on Netflix that follow Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon), a brilliant but physically weak student who uses intelligence and brutal tactics to fight school violence. The series is based on a webtoon by Seopass and Kim Jin-seok, focusing on themes of bullying, friendship, and resilience.

2.The Worst of Evil (2023)

Director: Han Dong-wook

Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon

Genre: Action, Crime, Noir, Thriller

Runtime: 12 episodes (approx. 50-60 min each)

Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu

Why Watch:  For fans of the intense partnership and brotherhood in Bloodhounds, this drama offers a complex relationship between two men on opposite sides of the law. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1990s gangster culture, the action is brutal, and the tension is relentless.

Plot Summary: In the 1990s, rural police officer Park Joon-mo (Ji Chang-wook) goes undercover to infiltrate a powerful drug trafficking ring centered in Gangnam, Seoul. His mission becomes increasingly dangerous as he rises through the ranks and discovers that his wife has a hidden past with the gang's charismatic leader, Jung Gi-cheul (Wi Ha-joon). 

3.A Shop for Killers (2024)

Director: Lee Kwon

Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Kim Hye-jun

Genre: Action, Thriller, Drama

Runtime: 8 episodes (approx. 50-60 min each)

Where to Watch: Hulu , Disney+

Why Watch: Like Bloodhounds, this series features a protagonist who must fight for survival against overwhelming odds. The action sequences are stylish and intense, and the mystery surrounding the uncle's past keeps viewers on edge. A second season is scheduled for 2026.

Plot Summary: After her parents' death, Jeong Ji-an (Kim Hye-jun) is raised by her uncle Jeong Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook), who runs a suspicious shopping mall. When he suddenly dies, Ji-an is attacked by numerous assassins and discovers that her uncle's mall was actually a front for a secret assassin supply network. She must fight to survive while unraveling the mysteries of her uncle's past.

4.My Name (2021)

Director: Kim Jin-min

Cast: Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon

Genre: Action, Crime, Revenge, Noir

Runtime: 8 episodes (approx. 45-50 min each)

Where to Watch: Netflix，Apple TV

Why Watch:  If you loved the gritty, raw fistfights in Bloodhounds, My Name delivers equally brutal and well-choreographed action sequences. Han So-hee's transformation into a revenge-driven fighter is nothing short of spectacular. The series shares the theme of ordinary people being pulled into the criminal underworld and fighting their way out.

Plot Summary: My Name is a 2021 Netflix Korean noir-thriller series (8 episodes) following Yoon Ji-woo, who joins a drug cartel to avenge her father's murder. Under boss Choi Mu-jin, she infiltrates the police as a mole (using the name Oh Hye-jin) to find the killer, uncovering dark truths and tangled loyalties. 

5.Taxi Driver (2021-2025)

Director: Park Joon-woo

Cast:  Lee Je-hoon, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin

Genre: Action, Crime, Revenge, Thriller

Runtime: 16 episodes (Season 1) + 16 episodes (Season 2) + 16 episodes (Season 3) (approx. 60-70 min each)

Where to Watch: Viki， Viu (Search "Taxi Driver") 

Why Watch: This series resonates with the "David vs. Goliath" theme of Bloodhounds. Just as Geon-woo and Woo-jin fought against an overpowering loan shark, the Rainbow Taxi Company fights for victims who have been failed by the justice system. The revenge plots are satisfying, and the action is consistently thrilling.

Plot Summary:Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon), a former special forces officer, works for a secret taxi company that offers "revenge-call" services. Disguised as a taxi driver, he and his team exact brutal, creative vengeance on behalf of wronged individuals who have nowhere else to turn.

6. The Tyrant (2024)

Director: Park Hoon-jung

Cast: Kim Seon-ho, Cha Seung-won

Genre: Action, Spy, Sci-Fi

Runtime: 4 Episodes (~60 mins)

Where to Watch: Disney+

Why Watch: A high-octane "chase" drama. It’s short, punchy, and visually stunning. It shares the same "noir" cinematography that made Bloodhounds look so cinematic.

Plot Summary:The Tyrant (2024) is a 4-episode South Korean sci-fi action thriller where various factions scramble to recover a stolen, top-secret bioenhancer sample known as the "Tyrant Program". After a botched delivery, a disgraced agent (Jo Yoon-soo), a ruthless mercenary (Cha Seung-won), and foreign intelligence (Kim Kang-woo) clash in a violent race to control the technology.

7. D.P. (2021-2023)

Director: Han Jun-hee

Cast: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan

Genre: Military Thriller, Drama

Runtime: 12 Episodes total （~50 minutes）

Where to Watch: Netflix

Why Watch: If you missed the buddy-cop chemistry between the leads in Bloodhounds, D.P. is your best bet. The dynamic between the stoic Jun-ho and the eccentric Ho-yeol as they hunt down military deserters is legendary.

Plot Summary: D.P. (2021–2023) is a Netflix gritty drama series following Private Ahn Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) as he joins the Deserter Pursuit (D.P.) unit to track down AWOL soldiers. Across two seasons, the show highlights the brutal, often abusive, conditions of South Korea's mandatory military service that drive soldiers to run away.

8. Vigilante (2023)

Director: Choi Jeong-yeol

Cast: Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae

Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama

Runtime: 8 episodes (approx. 45-50 min each)

Where to Watch: Disney+, 

Why Watch: Vigilante explores the same moral ambiguity found in Bloodhounds—the question of whether it's acceptable to take the law into your own hands when the system fails. Nam Joo-hyuk delivers a stunning performance as a double-faced protagonist, and the action sequences are sharp and impactful.

Plot Summary: Kim Ji-yong (Nam Joo-hyuk) is a model police university student by day, but by night, he transforms into "Vigilante," a masked judge and executioner who brutally punishes criminals that have escaped legal consequences. His actions draw the attention of both a detective investigating him and a media mogul who wants to exploit him.

9.Flower of Evil (2020)

Director: Kim Cheol-kyu

Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won

Genre: Crime Mystery Thriller

Runtime: 16 episode (~70 minutes)

Where to Watch: Viki, Netflix

Why Watch: While less focused on physical fights, it delivers psychological tension and a gripping criminal investigation.

Plot Summary: Flower of Evil (2020) is a 16-episode thriller-romance drama about a detective, Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won), who suspects her seemingly perfect husband, Baek Hee-sung (Lee Joon-gi), is a serial killer's accomplice hiding a dark past. As she investigates, she discovers he is actually Do Hyun-soo, living under a stolen identity.

10.The Uncanny Counter (2020-2023)

Director: Yoo Seon-dong

Cast: Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Thriller, Drama

Runtime: 28 episodes (16+12) (approx. 60-70 min each)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Why Watch: This series captures the "found family" dynamic that made the bond between Geon-woo and Woo-jin so special. The Counters—ordinary people with extraordinary abilities—fight evil together, supporting and protecting each other like family. The action sequences are creative and thrilling.

Plot Summary: A group of unlikely heroes—disguised as employees of a noodle restaurant—work as "Counters," demon hunters with special abilities. They track down evil spirits that have escaped from the afterlife to prey on humans. When high school student So Mun (Jo Byung-gyu) joins their ranks, they face increasingly powerful enemies together.

How to Choose the Right Action K-Drama After Bloodhounds: Viewing Guide

Choosing your next show after the high-octane intensity of Bloodhounds can be tricky. While many dramas offer action, few capture that specific blend of brotherhood, underdog grit, and grounded hand-to-hand combat.

To help you decide, follow this 2026 Viewing Guide categorized by what you loved most about Bloodhounds.

Part 1. Match Your Mood to Your Next Drama: Detailed Viewing Guide

1️⃣If You Loved the Brutal Hand-to-Hand Fight Scenes

Choose dramas that focus on physical combat, street fights, and gritty realism.

✅Best for: viewers who want boxing-style combat and physical action similar to Bloodhounds.

2️⃣If You Enjoyed the Crime Syndicate & Underworld Story

Some K-dramas dive deeper into organized crime, corruption, and criminal empires.

✅Best for: fans who enjoy crime bosses, gang wars, and underground power struggles.

3️⃣If You Liked the Dark Thriller and Psychological Tension

These dramas lean more toward suspense and investigation, while still delivering strong emotional intensity.

✅Best for: viewers who prefer suspenseful storytelling over constant action scenes.

4️⃣If You Want Mission-Based Action Stories

Some series feature episodic missions, revenge cases, or vigilante operations, making them perfect binge-watch material.

✅Best for: viewers who enjoy high-stakes missions and fast-paced action plots.

 5️⃣If You Love High-Stakes Survival Scenarios

The life-or-death stakes in Bloodhounds kept viewers on edge. If you want even higher stakes with supernatural or historical twists.

Recommended Drama	Why Watch	Platform
Kingdom (2019-2020)	This Netflix original blends period political intrigue with zombie horror and breathtaking action.	Netflix
Sweet Home (2020-2024)	Residents of a rundown apartment building fight for survival against monsters that transform humans based on their desires.	Netflix

✅Best for: Fans who enjoyed the survival aspect of Bloodhounds, this series amplifies the stakes to apocalyptic levels. 

6️⃣If you want something "New & Evolving" in 2026

If you want the latest high-budget productions that are pushing the boundaries of the action-thriller genre.

Recommended Drama	Why Watch	Platform
Made in Korea (2026)	Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung face off in this 1970s-set crime thriller, with Woo Do-hwan in a key supporting role. Two seasons are planned for 2026.	Rakuten Viki
A Shop for Killers Season 2 (2026  )	The highly anticipated continuation of the 2024 hit, promising more stylish action and mystery.	Disney+

✅Best for: Fans who loved the power dynamics and criminal underworld of Bloodhounds.

📊Quick Comparison: Key Details at a Glance

Part 2. How to Build Your Post-Bloodhounds Watchlist

Strategy 1: The Completionist Route

Watch in order of similarity to Bloodhounds:

• My Name (most similar action style)

• Taxi Driver (most similar themes)

• The Worst of Evil (most similar underworld setting)

• Weak Hero Class 1 (most similar underdog dynamic)

• Made in Korea (most similar cast connection)

Strategy 2: The Platform-Hopper Route

• If you have Netflix: Start with My Name → Weak Hero Class 1 → Kingdom → The Uncanny Counter → Sweet Home → Trigger (2025)

• If you have Disney+: Start with The Worst of Evil → Vigilante → A Shop for Killers → Made in Korea (2026)

• If you have Viu: Dive into Taxi Driver (all three seasons will keep you busy for weeks)

Strategy 3: The Mood-Based Route

• Today I want: Fast-paced, intense, short commitment → Pick My Name or Vigilante (8 episodes each)

• Today I want: Long, immersive storytelling → Pick Taxi Driver or The Uncanny Counter (multiple seasons)

• Today I want: Something different but familiar → Pick Kingdom (zombie twist) or Sweet Home (monster horror)

Part 3. What to Expect from Bloodhounds Season 2

As you plan your viewing journey, here's what's coming in the highly anticipated second season:

• Premiere Date: April 3, 2026 on Netflix

• Returning Cast: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Choi Si-won

• New Villain: Jung Ji-hoon (Rain) as Baek-jeong, leader of a global underground boxing league

• Stakes: The boxers face international criminal organization, higher production values, and even more explosive action

This means you have approximately one month from now (March 2026) to catch up on these recommendations before the new season drops!

‼️Your Next Watch, Decided

Still unsure? Let's make it simple:

• If you want the most similar experience to Bloodhounds: Start with My Name on Netflix tonight.

• If you want the longest, most satisfying journey: Commit to Taxi Driver (all three seasons) on Viu.

• If you want to see Woo Do-hwan again: Wait for Made in Korea on Disney+ (2026) or rewatch Bloodhounds Season 1.

• If you want the highest-rated critical darling: Choose Kingdom on Netflix.

FAQs: Watching Action-Thriller K-Dramas Like Bloodhounds

Finding your next binge after the adrenaline rush of Bloodhounds often comes with a few specific hurdles. To help you navigate the world of K-Noir and high-octane thrillers, I’ve summarized the most common fan questions and their solutions.

The appeal of Bloodhounds lies in its perfect blend of heart-pounding action, genuine emotional connections between characters, and the timeless story of underdogs fighting against overwhelming evil. Whether you're drawn to the raw boxing sequences, the themes of loyalty and sacrifice, or the satisfying takedowns of corrupt villains, this curated list offers something for every action-thriller enthusiast