Martial arts techniques are seen in a variety of K-dramas, adding an appreciated kick to stories concerning revenge, paranormal hunters, and corrupt officials. Some ofthe most action-packed K-dramascontain martial arts sequences, which take the choreographed fighting to a whole other level. Likethe best martial arts performancesin films and TV shows,such scenes are executed best when they’re filmed and choreographed with a creative approach. When these elements come together neatly in martial arts TV shows, the small-screen action can feel reminiscent of that seen in theatrical releases.
It isn’t a requirement of martial arts K-dramas, butsome choose to incorporate the learning of a martial art within a character’s journey, as seen with boxing inBloodhoundsand taekwondo inFight for My Way. Other series likeVagabondpresent their characters as already adept martial artists. Regardless of how it’s introduced into the narrative, the best martial arts K-dramas are made better with their use of the recognizable approaches to combat.
The Best K-Dramas Of All Time, Ranked
K-Dramas have been enjoying a lot of success and fan adoration as of late, and these are the best K-dramas of all time.
10Fight For My Way (2017)
Two Best Friends Encourage Each Other To Chase Their Dreams
Not every martial arts K-drama can be a gritty series rooted in thrills and revenge. The slice-of-life story inFight for My Wayfollows life-long best friends, Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-joon) and Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won), who encourage one another to pursue their dreams of becoming a professional martial artist and a news anchor, respectively. Just as many of the endearingfriends-to-lovers stories in K-dramasplay out, Dong-man and Ae-ra soon realize they’re destined to be more than just friends.
Again,Fight for My Wayisn’t as dark or hard-hitting as the other K-dramas listed, but it still features a hefty amount of martial artscontent. Throughout the show, there are several scenes where Dong-man is training with his taekwondo coach to regain his previous skills.Fight for My Wayis highly relatable as its characters are simply sorting out who they want to be and how they can achieve their goals.
9The K2 (2016)
A Man Is Tasked With Protecting Powerful Figures As A Bodyguard
InThe K2, Kim Je-ha (Ji Chang-wook) is a former mercenary soldier hired as the bodyguard to protect the daughter of presidential candidate Jang Se-joon. Je-ha is conflicted about whether to act upon his romantic feelings for the daughter or to stay focused and carry out his secret plan of revenge against another presidential candidate.The K2has a quick pace but is sure to cover the backstory of its main characters to help audiences better connect with the show.
One aspect of the show that keeps it moving is its frequent action scenes. As a bodyguard, Je-ha takes his job seriously. He will do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about and often does so in physical confrontations. ThroughoutThe K2,a variety of martial arts are seen, including taekwondo, jujutsu, and aikido. Not only are these scenes well-choreographed and executed, partially thanks to Ji Chang-wook performing his own stunts, but the action sequences are shot incredibly well, too.
8Lawless Lawyer (2018)
Unconventional Methods Of Physical Power Are Used By A Determined Lawyer
Set in the fictional, lawless city of Kisung,Lawless Lawyerfollows two business partners who work at a law firm together and fight against the most corrupt people in positions of power. Bong Sang-pil (Lee Joon-gi) and Ha Jae-yi (Seo Yea-ji) are the lawyers at the center ofLawless Lawyer, and for them, their business is personal. Seeking revenge on corrupt professionals who’ve caused harm to their loved ones and innocent people in the city,Sang-pil and Jae-yi will stop at nothing to get the job done.
The martial arts content in the series comes from Sang-pil, a former gangster who uses unlikely physical methods to get people to talk.Lawless Lawyeris one ofthe best legal K-dramas, hitting all the right notes for a thriller and featuring an abundance of martial arts action scenes. The series also has some sweeter storylines as the main characters form a romantic bond through their work.
7The Uncanny Counter (2020-2023)
Paranormal Hunters Protect People From Being Possessed By Evil Spirits
Based on Jang Yi’s webtoon,Amazing Rumor,The Uncanny Countercombines coming-of-age themes with fantasy and action. The titular character inThe Uncanny Counteris a physically disabled high school student, So Mun (Jo Byeong-kyu), who finds himself part of a supernatural team known as the Counters. The powered individuals present themselves as employees of a noodle restaurant, but in reality, they are responsible for defeating the evil spirits that have escaped the afterlife. The premise ofThe Uncanny Counteris truly unique and never loses steam.
Despite the high stakes presented inThe Uncanny Counter, the show still has its comedic moments due to its charming characters.The Counter team members are wildly entertaining and are granted various special abilities, allowing them to stand apart from one another. When taking on the evil spirits, the Counters carry out a range of martial arts skills. These action scenes are some of the best in K-dramas and are choreographed to near perfection.
6Alchemy Of Souls (2022-2023)
A Skilled Warrior Trains Disguised As A Servant
Taking place in the fictional country of Daeho,Alchemy of Soulsis a fascinating K-drama about love, magic, and action. The series begins with the soul of a warrior, Nak-su (Go Youn-jung), entering the body of the weaker Mu-deok (Jung So-min). The swapping of host bodies occurs as a result of the titular spell and when Nak-su, as Mu-deok, meets nobleman Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook), the two train together and begin to fall in love.Mu-deok teaches Jang Uk her combat skills, and they prove to be quite useful as the series continues.
The action inAlchemy of Soulsis largely familiar and has been seen throughout other martial arts films and TV shows. However, it’s elevated due to the incorporation of magic. The use of magic byAlchemy of Souls' characters is depicted with stunning CGI work and adds a fantastical feel to the otherwise intense confrontations. These action scenes are brought to life as a result ofAlchemy of Souls' large budgetand accomplished cinematography.
5My Name (2021)
A Girl Gets Revenge On Her Father’s Killers
My Nameis the sort ofK-drama that audiences can binge in a day. The series isn’t necessarily rushed, but its action and revenge-based plot allow it to move at a swift speed.My Namestars Han So-hee as Yoon Ji-woo, a woman who wants to avenge her father’s death, and to do so, she involves herself with a dangerous drug organization and goes undercover as a cop. Ji-woo is in frequent danger, but she is extremely determined, which makes her one of thestrongest leading women in K-dramas.
There are several obstacles and intimidating figures Ji-woo comes across throughout the show, but she pushes through with a great amount of physical and mental strength. The former is on full display inMy Name’s action scenes, which typically show Ji-woo defeating one opponent after another. Aside from its gripping fight scenes,My Namealso manages to keep audiences' attention with its smart writing and subtle plot twists that build just enough suspense to keep viewers engaged until the series' impressive ending.
4Vagabond (2019)
Two People Find Out The Truth About A Mysterious Crash
The mystery at the center ofVagabondmakes the show aK-drama that’ll keep audiences guessinguntil the very end. When Cha Dal-gun’s (Lee Seung-gi) nephew unexpectedly dies in a plane crash, he begins to investigate the situation despite the persistent efforts of others to stop him. With his investigation becoming increasingly more dangerous and complicated than he anticipated, Dal-gun teams up with NIS agent Go Hae-ri (Bae Suzy).Vagabondis a thrilling crime series that combines themes of loss, government conspiracy, and corruption.
The martial arts action inVagabondinvolves Dal-gun and Hae-ri as they’re up against powerful figures who wish to keep them off their scent.Both Dal-gun and Hae-ri, a stuntman and covert operative, respectively, are highly trained individuals, and their backgrounds translate well to viewers. The two characters prove to be more than capable in their intense showdowns. The moments of action throughoutVagabondare captured in a purposefully unsteady manner to depict the rush felt by the characters on screen.
3Weak Hero Class 1 (2022)
A Bullied Student Stands Up For Himself
Like most drama series set in high school,Weak Hero Class 1portrays a divide between the school’s bullies and its most academically accomplished. InWeak Hero Class 1, Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) falls into the latter social group, and he is often taunted by bullies in his class. However, Si-eun uses his wit to his advantage and, teaming up with two other classmates, he protects himself from his bullies. Unlike a few other martial arts K-dramas,there is no supernatural skill or physical training involved in Si-eun’s strength.
This makes Si-eun an extremely relatable character, with flaws and all. Though audiences can empathize with Si-eun and his need to enact violence on his bullies, he’s participating in the same callous behavior that caused him harm. With Si-eun being such a dynamic character,Weak Hero Class 1is realistic, and the same can be said for its fight scenes — directed by Heo Myeong-haeng and Ahn Ji-Hye, who worked onVincenzoandSquid Gamerespectively.
2Taxi Driver (2021-Present)
A Taxi Company Provides Revenge-Call Services
Based on Carlos and Lee Jae-jin’s webtoon,The Deluxe Taxi (Red Cage),Taxi Driverbecame a highly awarded K-drama about seeking revenge. The series follows Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon), a Korea Military Academy graduate who works as a cab driver. However, Do-gi’s duties are far from those of a typical taxi driver. The organization Do-gi works for specializes in revenge, helping out clients who have been wronged. Like the characters inLawless Lawyer, Do-gi is motivated by a personal experience in which he was unable to avenge his mother’s death.
Do-gi finds himself in a tricky situation, wanting to gain a sense of justice but taking ill-advised approaches to getting there.The action inTaxi Driveris brutal and absorbing, and it’s not difficult for one to find themselves rooting for Do-gi to take out individualswho’d otherwise go unscathed. However,Taxi Driverisn’t just one thoughtless fight scene after another. Instead, the series effectively intertwines commentary on social issues with its assorted stories of revenge.
1Bloodhounds (2023-Present)
Two Boxers Defeat Power-Hungry Individuals
Nothing brings people together quite like having a common enemy, and that’s what bringsBloodhounds' two main characters closer. In the show, former marines turned boxers — Kim Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) — fight together to defeat a notorious loan shark who takes advantage of vulnerable customers. The loan shark is played by Park Sung-woong, and his character, Kim Myeong-gil, is one ofthe most menacing villains in K-drama thrillers. Park’s performance is wonderfully chilling as the violent and money-hungry antagonist.
The action scenes inBloodhoundsare impossible to look away from. With Geon-woo and Woo-jin’s preferred method of self-defense being boxing,the fight scenes are packed with quick and controlled punches used to take down those who stand in their way. One of the more impressive scenes is one in which the two boxers are up against a crew of intimidating individuals armed with metal baseball bats.Bloodhounds' ability to mesh brutal action scenes with an eye-opening story about the effects of Kim Myeong-gil’s business has led the series to earn much success.
