Mentally Stimulating Dramas

Dramas that do one or more of the below:
- Let you piece together information yourself
- Deliver unexpected plot twists
- Make you think twice or see beyond the surface
- Use foreshadowing, metaphors, symbolism, etc well
- Features complex situations, relationships, worlds, strategies, etc
- Psychological &/or mind-bending

kirstiexrose Jul 17, 2025

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1. Mouse

Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

8.0

MDL 8.9
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological

Pros: thought provoking, allows you to solve mysteries yourself, ambitious storytelling, entertaining & easily digestible
Cons: logical errors, flash backs that reveal too much too soon, predictable (imo)
2. Signal

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

MDL 8.9
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Sci-Fi
3. Someday or One Day

Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 13 episodes

MDL 8.9
Genres: Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi
4. Prison Playbook

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

MDL 8.9
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Life, Drama
5. D.P.

Korean Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

8.5

MDL 8.8
Genres: Action, Military, Drama

Pros: thought provoking (systemic abuse, bullying & hazing, fear & power, etc), emotionally resonant, an excellent balance of dark & gritty and light & entertaining
Cons: underdeveloped characters & storylines
6. Stranger

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

MDL 8.8
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Law, Drama
7. Happiness

Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

6.0

MDL 8.8
Genres: Action, Thriller, Drama, Sci-Fi

Pros: slice-of-life pacing that feels very fresh for a zombie 'thriller,' thought provoking
Cons: good premise bad execution (imo), illogical aspects & plot holes
8. Beyond Evil

Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

9.0

MDL 8.7
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological, Drama

Pros: delivers well executed twists & turns throughout the series, multilayered storyline, complex characters & relationships
Cons: loses it's edge & psychological allure in the second half
9. The Guest

Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

MDL 8.7
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural
10. Through the Darkness

Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

MDL: 8.7
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
11. Kill Me, Heal Me

Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes

MDL 8.7
Genres: Psychological, Comedy, Romance, Drama
12. It's Okay, That's Love

Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes

MDL 8.6
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Melodrama
13. Strangers from Hell

Korean Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

MDL 8.6
Genres: Thriller, Horror, Psychological, Drama
14. Law School

Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

MDL 8.6
Genres: Mystery, Law, Crime, Drama
15. My Perfect Stranger

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

MDL 8.6
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Drama, Sci-Fi
16. The King of Pigs

Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

MDL 8.6
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
17. Nine Puzzles

Korean Drama - 2025, 11 episodes

MDL 8.5
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Drama
18. Nobody Knows

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

MDL 8.5
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Drama, Melodrama
19. Arthdal Chronicles Part 1: The Children of Prophecy

Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes

10

MDL 8.5
Genres: Historical, Romance, Fantasy, Political

Pros: easily digestible complex world-building with distinct cultures, politics, religion/mythology, tribes, nations, etc
Cons: if you don't love world-building & high fantasy this is probably not for you
20. Kairos

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

MDL 8.5
Genres: Action, Thriller, Drama, Sci-Fi
21. W

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

MDL 8.5
Genres: Thriller, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
22. 365: Repeat the Year

Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

MDL 8.5
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
23. Save Me

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

MDL 8.5
Genres: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Drama
24. A Time Called You

Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

9.5

MDL 8.4
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy

Pros: unique & refreshing take on time travel, doesn't reveal it's own mysteries too soon, emotionally impactful
Cons: some unexplained aspects of the show
25. When the Camellia Blooms

Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes

MDL 8.4
Genres: Thriller, Comedy, Romance, Drama
26. Memorist

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

MDL 8.3
Genres: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural
27. Extracurricular

Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

MDL 8.3
Genres: Psychological, Crime, Youth, Drama
28. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

MDL 8.2
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Romance, Drama
29. The King: Eternal Monarch

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

MDL 8.2
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Drama, Sci-Fi
30. The Light in Your Eyes

Korean Drama - 2019, 12 episodes

MDL 8.1
Genres: Romance, Life, Drama, Melodrama
31. Black

Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes

MDL 8.0
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural