[Ishani's Picks] Top 5 K-Dramas With Morally Grey Protagonists

Are you tired of righteous, picture-perfect protagonists who live and breathe justice? Do you find morally ambiguous protagonists far more interesting? Here are my picks for 5 K-Dramas that would be ideal for you!

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"The King of Pigs"

Remade in a dramatic format from the animated film of the same name, "The King of Pigs" is a drama that delves into the dark world of school violence, the trauma it causes and its deadly consequences. Starring Kim Dong-wook, Kim Sung-kyu and Chae Jung-an, this drama is a must-watch if you're looking for questionable main characters.

"Extracurricular"

A gritty tale of crime and desperation, "Extracurricular" is a wild ride. Starring Kim Dong-hee, Park Ju-hyun and Jung Da-bin, this drama shows how academic pressure and compulsion can, quite literally, ruin lives. You might not be able to root for any character here but you will not be able to deny their complexity.

"Bad Guys"

In "Bad Guys", the eponymous bad guys catch even more bad guys, fairly justifying the title. A detective forms a crew of criminals to combat the rise of violent crimes and as much as you think you won't empathize with them, the sooner you do. Packed with thrill and emotion, "Bad Guys" is thoroughly entertaining, to say the least.

"Liar Game"

Before "Squid Game" became a global phenomenon, there was "Liar Game". Based on a manga of the same name, this drama stars Lee Sang-yoon, Kim So-eun and Shin Sung-rok. If you want a K-Drama that is brimming with paranoia and makes you distrust every single character, "Liar Game" is exactly what you're looking for.

"Strangers from Hell"

"Strangers from Hell" might just be one of the finest horror K-Dramas of all time. While it is unnervingly scary, it is also deeply philosophical and makes you re-think the reality of hell. Hell might be other people, as suggested by the alternate title of the drama, but it is also within and that is a concept that our main character grapples with throughout. Starring Im Si-wan, Lee Dong-wook, Lee Jung-eun and more, "Strangers from Hell" is simply a masterpiece.

By Ishani Sarkar.