Stranger

Both are crime solving thrillers with no explicit romance or action -- where the lead is an extremely intelligent detective, where the characters live in the world of injustice but still believe in people.

If You like this Drama, you will like Stranger(1&2) too.
try this, it worth of your time.
Smart Male Lead
Calm Male Lead
Strong Female Lead
Police Officer
Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Investigation

Duo solving crimes together, fighting against the system and corruption. Similar style of unauthorised inspection and surveillance.

In stranger we have an upright prosecutor ML who is emotionless due to a condition and a police officer FL who is strong and independent. While in connection there is an upright police officer ML who is struggling with drug issues and a reporter FL who is bold. There is no cringey romance in both but the level of understanding between the leads is amazing. The vibe of both dramas are similar and you keep asking who might be the culprit throughout the story.

- ML is cold, unemotional, logical, a loner
- both depict an investigation of a huge scandal/corruption that last for the entire series
- Stranger is a lot better in terms of masking who the real antagonist/mastermind is, it is also better in terms of execution of the plot

Plot: A stoic prosecutor teams up with a sharp detective to uncover deep-rooted corruption in the justice system.

Why you'll like it: Cold, intelligent, and tightly plotted with no wasted scenes.

Main draw: Brilliant character dynamics, especially the partnership between the leads.

Dong Jae being the spin-off of Stranger, I would suggest watching seasons 1&2 of Stranger first to get a good grasp on his character.

-Murder solving with smart male and female lead
-Stranger has a growing bond between them rather than romance
-Female lead in stranger is strong as well as brilliant in WASFIL she is weak but braniac
-I got the same vibes though

both dramas have a personage that have troubles to feel and express emotions. also they are about prosecutors, although in He is Psychometric this is not the main lead.

Both offer a mix of action, suspense, and intricate plotlines that fans of Mercy for None might appreciate. Each of them delves into themes of crime, corruption, revenge, and survival, often featuring morally complex characters caught in high-stakes conflicts. If you enjoy fast-paced storytelling with intense action sequences, layered mysteries, and protagonists navigating dangerous underworlds, these dramas will keep you hooked. Whether it's a vigilante seeking justice, a lone fighter infiltrating a criminal empire, or a battle against systemic corruption, these series deliver the same gritty, edge-of-your-seat thrill that Mercy for None promises.

Both of the shows have a mystery about actions of the characters..Both have characters that take actions for what they perceive is greater good and end up sacrificing themselves

Both revolve around noble, morally just “outsiders” from their respective organizations investigating and correcting corruption in bureaucracy and politics.

Very intelligent Male and female leads. Both involve a smart strategising and political intrigue. Underlying themes of power dynamics and those in positions of power

Both are Law focussed although I find Stranger more darker since it mainly deals with heavy crimes & killing.
Both also have super intelligent leads (FL in EAW & ML in Stranger) and these leads have a certain condition that makes them lack in their interactions with others.
Both are also often looked down upon but ppl know that they’re undeniably good at their jobs.

-The biggest similarities for me was the fact that while both leads have difficulty understanding normal emotions they both want to live & help others
that have been wronged…they strive to do what’s right & at the same time try to learn the human emotions that comes with their cases.

For those who love Shin Hye Sun and loved her character and acting in Stranger/Secret Forest and would like to see more of her work and be amazed by her acting range.