10 Great Crime K-Dramas If You Love Dexter

There are several exciting K-dramas that delve into the world of serial killers, and many of them are incredible enough to be compared to one of the best American serial killer shows, Dexter. This show followed a serial killer in his attempt to clean up the streets, killing other serial killers and secretly working with the police to keep his secret hidden. It was known for its bloody twists and engaging plot, and since the original series' release, Dexter has been rebooted several times.

Though there are no K-dramas that exactly copy Dexter's formula, there are several that focus on the darkness surrounding serial killers. Not only that, but many similar Korean TV shows like Beyond Evil and Signal are K-dramas so good that everyone should watch them. These mysteries are some of the best, and though they linger on the terrible but fascinating idea of serial killers, they do so in a way that crafts compelling stories.

10 Inspector Koo (2021)

The Netflix Thriller Series Is A Battle Of Wits Between A Detective And A Serial Killer

Inspector Koo follows the story of the titular detective, a woman who has since retired from the police force and turned to a life of alcohol and addiction. However, when a new case catches her attention, she is sent spiraling into the world of one serial killer, beginning a legendary chase between the two. Because of this, the show is similar to not only Dexter, but also shows like Killing Eve.

The plot of Inspector Koo, while sometimes quirky, is incredibly well-realized. The tension is palpable and the danger is real, making for a life or death adventure that has real stakes. The serial killer at the center of Inspector Koo's investigation is fun and written well, with the storyline weaving the perfect narrative around a villain, perfect for Koo to unmask.

9 Tell Me What You Saw (2020)

A Serial Killer Case Gets Personal In This K-drama

Tell Me What You Saw begins with the story of a prestigious criminal profiler who quits his job when his fiancée is killed by the serial killer he was hunting. However, several years later he is drawn back into the case when another body shows up, killed using the same methods as that same serial killer. The series continues as he teams up with the current police force, desperate to hunt this killer down using any means necessary.

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The personal nature of the crime is reminiscent of Dexter in a really specific way. Every crime committed in the show had a personal element for Dexter, with him killing killers and taking trophies from their bodies in the form of their own blood. Though the serial killer is not the main character of Tell Me What You Saw, the show still holds a very emotional and personal element.

K-Pop Star Taecyeon Stars In The Lead Role Of This Series

Determined and enthusiastic, detective Ryu Seong-joon starts the series Blind with a positive outlook and a drive to put criminals behind bars. Working alongside his brother, a powerful judge, and a social worker named Jo Eun-ki, the group works to stop a serial killer. Shrouded in mystery, this serial killer has been targeting members of the jury, and it is up to these three to stop the killer before anyone else dies.

Blind stars singer and rapper Taecyeon in the lead role, known best as a part of the South Korean boy band 2PM.

More than anything, Dexter is such a strong show because of its compelling cast of characters. While Dexter himself is a great character, he is just one part of a greater whole and certainly not the moral heart. This show is just the same, with a cast that balances itself out and characters that learn to rely on one another to solve crimes and help others.

7 Psychopath Diary (2019-2020)

An Accident Sparks The Conflict In This Comedy

When Yook Dong-sik is left an unfortunate witness to a murder, he ends up finding the diary of the serial killer who did it. However, before he has the chance to turn the diary into the police, he is hit by a patrol car. This causes him to develop amnesia, and upon reading the book, decides that he must be the owner and serial killer that has been terrorizing the city.

Walking the line between devastating and comedic, Psychopath Diary puts a new spin on the idea of a serial killer protagonist that Dexter made so popular. It is clear from the beginning that Dong-sik is not the serial killer, but the idea that he thinks he is one makes for an interesting addition to the general mystery. The series is an interesting and inherently unique one, making it perfect for any Dexter fans.

6 Mouse (2021)

It Is Inspired By A Real Life Murder Trial

Based on a 2017 murder case in Incheon and the lack of remorse the killer had, Mouse is another detective show about catching a serial killer. This show does not only follow the chase, but it also digs into what creates serial killers as a whole. It is a series based on the trauma that people go through and what happens to them as a result of that, creating a narrative that is as much about understanding these killers as it is about hunting them down.

Beloved by fans, Mouse ranked 3rd place among "hottest shows" of 2021's first half and 5th place of all time on tvN.

This is similar to Dexter in the fact that Dexter is also about understanding the mind and motivations of a serial killer. Dexter is not the only one used to explore this idea, as the other serial killers he faces off against are also given rich backstories and motivations to give the viewer a full understanding. The journey to understanding is a long one, but it is one that makes for more fully realized characters in the end.

5 A Killer Paradox (2024)

Another Narrative Driven By An Unfortunate Accident

When army veteran turned convenience store worker named Lee Tang is attacked by a belligerent customer, he ends up killing his assailant by accident. It just so happens that the man who attacked him was a serial killer. This leads him to unlock a passion he didn't know he had, becoming a vigilante to kill evildoers that the law has either overlooked or been unable to bring to justice.

The similarities between A Killer Paradox and Dexter become obvious as the show goes on, as both follow protagonists who punish and kill dangerous criminals. While Lee Tang is not explicitly a serial killer, it certainly feels as though he might end up that way as the series progresses. The series is only a short 8 episodes, and while the plot is immediately captivating, it leaves viewers wishing there was more to watch.

4 Signal (2016-present)

This K-drama Series Is Award-Winning

Another series inspired by real-life murderers, Signal is a series that begins with a criminal profiler and a seemingly innocuous walkie-talkie. Despite seeming innocent enough, it is this walkie-talkie that leads him to solve a 15-year-old cold case. The series continues with the creation of a task force, focused primarily on cold cases.

Several remakes of the series have been published in different languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Hindi.

While not as focused on serial killers specifically, Signal deals with the police force and corruption in a way very similar to Dexter. There is plenty of drama to be had when examining the different characters who are meant to be protecting South Korea. This, coupled with the incredible direction Signal takes, shows exactly why the series has won so many different awards.

3 Flower Of Evil (2020)

Romance And Tension Make This K-drama Special

At first, Flower of Evil is the story of a detective named Cha Ji-won and her husband, Baek Hee-sung. It is quickly revealed, however, that Hee-sung is hiding a terrible secret from his wife. Instead of being the loving, dedicated husband that he pretends to be, he is actually a dangerous criminal who has been hiding his past from her.

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The back and forth and the secrecy featured in Flower of Evil are a reminder of much of the best drama in Dexter. Throughout the entire Dexter series, Dexter struggles with hiding his identity from those he loves, including his sister, who he has never revealed his killing nature to. Having that dynamic reflected in another show is really interesting, making Flower of Evil worth a watch.

2 Beyond Evil (2021)

This Detective Series Is One Of The Best

Featuring two detectives that might be even more complicated than the series' mysterious killer, Beyond Evil is a twisting narrative of nightmarish proportions. When people start turning up dead in a small town, a young detective and his older partner must find out who is responsible before the killer strikes again. With such a small list of possible suspects that include the detectives themselves, the claustrophobic nature of the story only makes it that much more compelling.

Beyond Evil won three awards at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards and was nominated for several more, winning for categories including Best Drama, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor.

Dexter is another series where the detectives are not safe from scrutiny. After all, Dexter works for the police force when the series begins, showing that the people working for the police force do not always have the best intentions in their heart. Beyond Evil reflects this with even more mystery, taking viewers on an unexpected adventure from beginning to end.

1 Strangers From Hell (2019)

The Cast Of Characters Are Reminiscent Of Dexter And Hannibal

Strangers from Hell is a terrifying example of the fact that one can never truly know the people living around them. When writer Yoon Jong-woo moves into a cheap and dilapidated dormitory in the city, he is confronted by a terrifying group of neighbors who also live there. Perhaps the most interesting of these neighbors is Seo Moon-jo, a local dentist who is supposedly doing very well for himself, who Jong-woo soon realizes is actually a manipulative serial killer

The series kicks off with an immediate creepy feeling that puts most other atmospheres to shame, all the while focusing on Jong-woo and Moon-jo, who both have their own issues with violence. It is not afraid to purposely gross out the viewer, similar to how Dexter does not shy away from its gore when depicting Dexter's crimes. Because of this, Strangers from Hell is the perfect K-dramato watch for anyone who might be missing Dexter, but is also interested in getting into Korean media.

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