Best Korean Mafia Dramas for Fans of Crime and Revenge
- Disha Paul
- Dec 16
- 3 min read
Korean dramas have mastered the art of telling gripping mafia and gangster stories. From underground crime syndicates and revenge-driven antiheroes to morally complex characters trapped between loyalty and survival, these dramas offer intense storytelling with emotional depth.
If you enjoy high-stakes action mixed with powerful performances, this list of mafia-themed K-dramas deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Here are seven standout mafia and gangster K-dramas, including recent hits and fan-favourite classics.
1. Vincenzo (2021)
Italian-Korean consigliere Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki) returns to South Korea to retrieve a hidden fortune left behind by a fallen mafia family. What starts as a personal mission soon turns into a full-scale war against a corrupt conglomerate.
Alongside sharp-tongued lawyer Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-bin) and the eccentric tenants of Geumga Plaza, Vincenzo uses ruthless mafia tactics to deliver his own brand of justice.
Aired: Feb 20, 2021 - May 2, 2021
No. of Episodes: 20
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-bin, Ok Taec-Yeon
Streaming Platform: Netflix
2. My Name (2021)
After her father is brutally murdered, Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) joins a powerful drug organisation to seek revenge. Under the guidance of crime boss Choi Mu-ji (Park Hee-soon), she trains relentlessly and later infiltrates the police force as an undercover officer.
As Ji-woo navigates two dangerous worlds, she struggles with trust, betrayal, and the cost of vengeance.
Aired: Oct 15, 2021
No. of Episodes: 8
Cast: Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon, Ahn Bo-Hyun
Streaming Platform: Netflix
3. The Worst of Evil (2023)
Set in the gritty criminal underworld of 1990s Korea, Park Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook) is an undercover detective tasked with dismantling a rising drug syndicate. To succeed, he earns the trust of gang leader Jung Gi-cheol (Wi Ha-joon), placing himself in constant danger.
As the mission deepens, Jun-Mo’s identity and morals are pushed to the breaking point.
Aired: Sep 27, 2023 - Oct 25, 2023
No. of Episodes: 12
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon
Streaming Platform: Disney+
4. Mercy for None (2025)
Former gangster Nam Gi-jun (So Ji-sub) left the criminal world behind after a violent injury ended his reign. Years later, he is pulled back into the underworld when his younger brother Nam Gi-seok (Lee Joon-hyuk) is found dead under suspicious circumstances.
Determined to uncover the truth, Gi-jun confronts rival gangs and buried secrets in a brutal journey fueled by grief and rage.
Aired: Jun 6, 2025
No. of Episodes: 7
Cast: So Ji-sub, Lee Joon-hyuk, Huh Joon-ho
Streaming Platform: Netflix
5. Bloodhounds (2023)
Talented boxer Kim Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) takes on part-time work to support his struggling family, only to get entangled with a violent loan shark network. Alongside fellow fighter Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), he challenges the ruthless crime boss Kim Myeong-gil (Park Sung-woong).
The drama blends street-level crime, friendship, and survival in a harsh financial underworld.
Aired: Jun 9, 2023
No. of Episodes: 8
Cast: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-Yi
Streaming Platform: Netflix
6. The Nice Guy (2025)
Born into a notorious crime family, Park Seok-chul (Lee Dong-wook) refuses to follow the violent legacy passed down through generations. His quiet life is disrupted when he reunites with his first love, Kang Mi-young (Lee Sung-kyung).
As internal power struggles threaten to pull him back into the mafia world, Seok-chul must choose between family loyalty and the life he wants to protect.
Aired: Jul 18, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
No. of Episodes: 14
Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sung-kyung, Park Hoon
Streaming Platform: JTBC, Disney+
7. Evilive (2023)
Han Dong-soo (Shin Ha-kyun) is an ordinary lawyer who believes in justice and rules, until he crosses paths with Seo Do-young (Kim Young-kwang), a ruthless and intelligent crime boss. As Dong-soo begins working with Do-young, he slowly gets pulled into the criminal underworld.
What starts as a moral compromise turns into a dangerous transformation, showing how easily an ordinary man can become corrupted by power, fear, and ambition.
Aired: Oct 14, 2023 - Nov 13, 2023
No. of Episodes: 10
Cast: Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Young-kwang, Shin Jae-ha
Streaming Platform: Prime Video
Final Thoughts
Mafia and gangster K-dramas continue to captivate viewers with their intense storytelling, morally complex characters, and unforgettable performances.
Whether you prefer stylish crime thrillers like Vincenzo or darker, more grounded narratives such as The Worst of Evil and Mercy for None, this list offers something for every fan of the genre.
Which mafia or gangster K-drama is your favourite, or which one are you planning to watch next? Let us know in the comments!