“There is no bargain between Lion and Men. I'll kill and eat you raw”: K-dramas that feel like this

The Korean wave, also known as Hallyu, is a cultural phenomenon where South Korean movies, dramas, songs, skincare, and much more have gained popularity and dramatically risen globally since the 1990s.

The worldwide interest in Korean culture started with the spread of pop culture; Korea is the home to the famous song 'Gangnam Style' by Psy, the world’s biggest boy band BTS and now the home to the most hyped Netflix series Squid Game.

Korean culture wasn't always this famous, the reason behind it is following the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the end of military censorship over the South Korean entertainment industry, it emerges as a major exporter of pop- culture. The Korean wave started with the spread of Korean dramas, first to China and then to other Southeast Asian countries.

This expansion of Hallyu was fueled by social media and the internet, which played a key role in the reach of the South Korean entertainment industry to reach overseas, as well as the endorsement of the South Korean government.

Dramas are popular since it is an almost therapeutic experience. According to the “Top Tens”, South Korea is the third in line for having the most watched dramas of all time, it is incredible considering the fact that it has surpassed Turkish Dizi, Japan, and even United Kingdom.

The aforementioned quote, “There are no bargains between Lions and Men. I will kill you and eat you raw” is taken from Madeline Miller's Song Of Achilles’. Originally from Homer’s Iliad, wherein in Scroll 22, line 232- Homer talks about how there never can be a covenant between lions and men. The denotation of this quote could adhere to power dynamics but mostly talks about how two things that are enemies, irrespective of it being a natural phenomenon or not, there can never be peace upon it. Even if a lion and a man made a pact of not hurting each other, it is not certain both will follow it through, irrespective of this perspective there will always be external factors that will provoke it- human behavior of vengeance, revenge, sacrifices, greed, and hunger will never let the pact work.

These Korean series/ movies will showcase concealing true ambition and motivation to bring wrath onto one another, to hate each other through and through, till one of them falls, like in Homer’s Iliad how Achilles had sworn he will bring Hector down for killing his friend Patroclus.

Here are the top 5 Korean series that give the vibe of the aforementioned quote, other than the cliche and overhyped dark Korean drama “Squid Game”:

1. The Devil Judge:

The Devil Judge is a Netflix series, its first episode came out on 3rd July 2021; TvN is the program creator.

The series genre is Legal drama, mystery thriller along with a Post Pandemic setting.

The best part of this series is that there is no such thing as a protagonist because everyone plays an important role in making the drama move forward. But the most important character of them all is a Judge, also known as Devil Judge because of his way of punishing people, named Kang Yohan played by Ji Sung, and an attorney named Kim Ga On played by Park Jinyoung.

The story revolves around a new show which is being broadcasted in South Korea. In a dystopian society where crime rates are increasing rapidly, the government plans a trial judge show, which will be shown live in which citizens are eligible to participate. But everything seems to change when a heartless head judge Kang Yohan is selected.

The government of South Korea is shown to be crude and corrupt, and is funded by a 'Social Responsibility Foundation'; the reason they collectively chose Kang Yohan to be the chief judge is that he is one of them. But little do they know he has chosen to be the Judge in the live court show for his selfish ulterior motives, meaning to punish the same people who put him on the panel for the mistakes they had committed which had made him lose someone dear to him.

He selects them one by one bringing them to the live court show so there’s no going back for them as the whole of South Korea is watching them, and the best part is the citizens that vote if the defendant must be punished or not.

Kim Gaon, the attorney who is also a part f of the live court show comes into the picture, when he feels the chief judge is a little particularly suspicious, and thus furthers an investigation.

Kang Yohan is the definition of a monster, but as we progress in watching the drama, the audience will understand and even justify his actions. Remember “a fell-fed devil behaves better than a famished saint”.

There is more to this drama than what is the blurb, a lot of plot twists underline the story too, a thrilling experience on the whole. The drama ends on a note that no matter what there is no trial between good and evil, and Kang Yohan makes it clear that he will rip everyone apart who has wronged him.

It is a brilliant drama and will command your attention.

Famous dialogues from the series:

“....when the people who control the world are united, there is nothing we can do…” (episode 8, 34:09)

“Human beings are equal in front of greed” (episode 4, 50:17)

“The powerful don't show remorse, that’s something the powerless do” (episode 3, 45:07)

2. The Glory: Seasons 1 and 2

The Glory is also a Netflix series, its first episode aired on 30th December 2022.

The program creator is Netflix and Kim Eun-Sook, directed by Ahn Gil-Ho.

This series falls into the genre of revenge, and thriller.

The main character is Moon Dong-Eun played by Song Hye-Kyo, Joo Yeo-Jeong played by Joo Do-Hyeon, and Park Yeonjin played by Lim Ji-yeon.

Dong-Eun is bullied in high school to the point of her deciding to drop out of school. As she grows up she dedicates her life to taking revenge on the people who bullied her.

After she becomes a primary school teacher away from Seoul, she starts plotting her plan to torment all of her bullies.

Dong- Eun works throughout her teens, working menial jobs to earn money for her primary goal: Revenge.

It is very beautiful and rawly portrayed how revenge becomes a motive of so many things in her life, how it has shaped her to be strong but also vulnerable at the same time, it has made her scared yet she overcomes it with such difficulty. Her journey as a human being thoroughly changes after this experience, there are scenes that show the audience the bullies sexually, mentally, and emotionally abusing her, and other scenes which show them pressing a hot iron on her skin every time she tries to fight back.

Through the drama, we see the plight of a young girl who is constantly asking for help, and yet even when people see her and hear her they turn a blind eye to her because her bullies belong to an elite society of Korea, thus we see the power dynamics here being a part of someone's life even when they’re asking for help.

And so Dong-Eun takes it upon herself to get even with her bullies and to show them clearly that there will be no mercy or bargain as to what consequences they’ll be facing for what they did to her and that what goes around will always come back.

Famous dialogues from the series:

“I haven’t forgotten even a day. Some hatred resembles longing. Its impossible to get rid off..” (episode 5, 45:02)

“I’m not looking for a prince. What I need is not a prince, but a headsman who will join me in the sword dance” (episode 8, 16:04)

“You need to get punished. Criminal punishment if God is on my side, and divine punishment if God’s on my side…..” (episode 11, 39:45)

Viewer discretion is advised, since there is bullying, gory scenes, a lot of blood, and strong language.

3. The Penthouse: war in life.

One of the most watched kdramas of all time is Pent house. The first episode of Penthouse was released on 26th October, 2020. Kim Soon-Ok and SOB are the program creators of the series, directed by Joo Dong-Min.

The Penthouse falls into a genre of suspense, mystery, thriller, and crime.

The Penthouse starts by showing the residence of Hera Palace, an elite penthouse in the city of Seoul. It has 100 floors, and the people staying here have hidden ambitions and many secrets. There is a self-proclaimed queen of the penthouse, Sim Su Ryeon. Cheon Seo Jin is the prima donna of the penthouse. Everything changes in the residence when Oh Yoon Hee, who comes from poverty strives to enter the high society by becoming the Queen of the Penthouse.

The series shows a battle for wealth, power and prestige. The greed and power drives the characters in the series insane, to a point where they would give up anything to prove themselves.

But soon will come to know that just how life has no bargains, so you reap what you sow. And if it means bringing the other person down with whatever you can, also remember that peace will not prevail just because this battle is done.

Famous dialogues from this series:

“Is there a sin only when there is evidence?” (episode 3, 45:34)

“I’ll let you live here even if I have to sell half my heart” (episode 5, 21:34)

“Talent? I dont need anything like that. Money is a talent, having connections is a talent. Someone like me wasn't just supposed to sing” (episode 6, 17:09)

4. Vincenzo

Vincenzo is the second most-watched mafia k-drama of all time, the first episode of this series was aired on 10th February 2021. The program creators are Studio Dragon, the same program creator of the famed series “Sweet Home”.

Vincenzo falls into the genre of dark comedy, thriller, crime film, and crime Tv genre.

The story revolves around Park Joo-Hyeong who was adopted at the age of 8 and moved to Italy. Vincenzo shows the present life of Joo- Hyeong who is now named Vincenzo Cassano and is now a part of the Italian Mafia as a consigliere. The war between the two prominent mafias of Italy stirs up making Joo-Hyeong flee and return to his motherland South Korea.

In Korea, he is acquainted with Hong Cha-Young, belonging to the Wusang Law firm which plays a huge role in the progression of the series.

Vincenzo comes to Korea with the main goal of extracting gold from the building he had bought years ago, and now the gold is hidden below it. But the task becomes difficult when the residents of the building find him suspicious.

Soon Vincenzo comes to know that a medical conglomerate called Babel Group is trying to buy the building, and he seems okay with it.

But it soon turns into a personal battle when Babel harasses the residents and his only family; his mother.

Vincenzo, the name means to conquer and find victory which is true in accordance with the series. Since Mr. Cassano is ready to go to any extent to win against Babel Group. While 'the tower of Babel' symbolizes downfall.

Vincenzo uses the brutalities of the mafia to win against Babel and to make them pay, but also gives a morally grey message that evil for evil destroys your opponent.

The series is renowned for its constant plot twists, and brilliant screenplay and cinematography which is sure to capture the attention of audiences of all age groups.

Famous dialogues from the series:

“Do you know when someone’s evil? When they stop feeling ashamed” (episode 7, 18:09)

“Villains never break up cause they’re tenacious even when they’re in love” (episode 14, 45:19)

“Only evil can punish……..evil” (episode 9, 19:02)

5. My Name

My Name’s three first episodes were screened at the 26th Busan International Film Festival in the newly created on-screen section on October 7th, 2021.

The first episode of this drama was aired on October 15th, 2021. The program creator of My Name is Netflix.

My Name falls into the genre of action, noir, and crime thriller.

My Name is also known as Undercover (alternate title). The story shows Choi Mu Jin, a drug group called Deongcheonpa; Mu Jin is the boss of the gang. Yoon Ji-Woo is the protagonist along with Mu Jin.

Ji Woo’s father dies suddenly, and she is out to take revenge on whoever killed her father. She comes to know her dad worked for Choi Mu Jin, and thus she goes to him for uncovering her father’s death. With the help of Mu Jin, she joins the police department of Korea and joins the drug bureau. Her partner assigned is Jeon Pil-Do, who soon becomes her love interest.

Ji-Woo is constantly in touch with Mu Jin, to help him with the drug cartel without getting caught, and in turn, he would help her find the person who killed her dad. It talks about a woman’s odyssey of revenge.

It's dark and emotional, once she finds out who killed her father which is a huge plot twist. Soon the series turns more personal since now it's a battle between Choi Mu-Jin and Ji-Woo, the reason- is -you’ll only come to know when you watch the series!

Once you finish the drama, I’m pretty sure you’ll find all the clues that were there throughout the series, to find out who had actually killed her father and the main reason being ‘why’ he was killed in the first place.

Three famous characters that people who watched the series loved were Choi Mu Jin, Do Gang-Jae, and my personal favorite Jung Tae-Ju. The casting for these characters is done brilliantly which adds more emphasis to the perfection of their personality and the way they are portrayed in the series which also helps in showcasing their hamartia.

As the series fades into the battle between the drug lord and her, it's a countdown to the last one standing.

It is her vengeance and anger that draws her into the battle and it is Mu Jin’s anger, loss, and sense of betrayal that drives him.

The last one standing wholly depends on the fact that now trust and kinship are ripped into shreds.

Famous dialogues from the series:

“One of us has to die for this to end” (episode 8, 18:03)

“The price of revenge is becoming a monster” (episode 8, 46:40)

“Either you hunt or you are chased” (episode 6, 14:04)