Summary

• K-drama villains are not one-dimensional, but diverse and unique individuals who are all violent, morally dubious, and spine-chilling.
• The best k-drama villains have hidden identities and sudden trips into violence, making them frightening and unpredictable adversaries.
• K-drama villains break the mold, with surprising characters like a manipulative and cruel mother, a sociopathic serial killer, and a seemingly innocent religious cult leader.

While k-dramas are often defined by their sweet romances and adorable friendships, there are many series that veer off into much darker subject matter, and some of the best and darkest shows are those that have the best k-drama villains. These villains come in many different variations, but at the end of the day, they are all just plain evil. Above all, the things that make k-drama villains the most interesting is their crimes, their motives, and their quirks that eventually lead the protagonist right to them.

The best k-drama villains are not carbon copies of one another, but instead, are a group of diverse and unique individuals. This list includes men, women, young people, old people, and everything in between, all with their own methods and evil plans. In reality, what brings all of these villains together is their cruelty and their capability to do anything to get what they want. They are all violent, morally dubious, and spine-chilling. Whether their k-drama is a thriller, historical fiction, or fantasy, all of these villains cast a darkness over their world and must be stopped at all costs.

10 Jang Dae Hee - Itaewon Class

2020's Itaewon Class follows an ex-convict trying to open his own restaurant, but his dark past causes him trouble. Jang Dae Hee is one of the best k-drama villains because of his use of power to take down the main character at whatever cost. Dae Hee may first appear to be a respectable man due to his rags-to-riches story, however, his position has only made him greedy and power hungry. Worse than that, his status allows him to commit serious crimes through his company. In the end, his insistence that the protagonist kneel to him makes him a truly despicable and unlikable character.

9 Park Joong Heon - Goblin

A unique series, Goblin is a supernatural k-drama that follows a soldier-turned-immortal-goblin who befriends an optimistic high schooler and a Grim Reaper, hoping to break his curse. The villain of Goblin is Park Joong Heon, a eunuch from the Goryeo Dynasty. Joong Heon a spooky manifestation from the main character's past, but he also has a dark history. Namely, Joong Heon manipulated the king and killed off the majority of a family, so his chosen candidate would become heir to the throne. Overall, Joong Heon is a deceitful and greedy person who only has eyes for himself. Plus, his creepy appearance doesn't help in making him look any less villainous.

8 Jang Han Seok/Jang Joon Woo - Vincenzo

Vincenzo tells the story of an Italian lawyer who returns to Korea to recover his secret fortune, only to find himself in a messy legal and physical battle with Babel Group. Jang Han Seok, otherwise known as Jang Joon Woo is the villain of Vincenzo and one of the best k-drama villains ever because of his hidden identity. At first, Han Seok is seen as a nerdy and ambitious intern, but eventually, it is revealed that he is not only the chairman of the Babel Group, but also a cold-blooded killer. Han Seok's double identity and sudden trip into violence makes him an especially frightening and unpredictable villain.

7 Kim Joo Young - Sky Castle

A satirical look at the lengths families will go to for success, Sky Castle follows several upper middle class families on their intense journeys to make their children succeed. One particular storyline involves a young girl and her new tutor, Kim Joo Young. While Joo Young boasts a 100% success rate with her students, this number hides a much bigger darkness. Joo Young is actually manipulative, cruel, and mentally abuses her pupils. What makes Joo Young one of the best k-drama villains is the fact that she breaks the villain mold. Because she is a mother, it's completely surprising when she shows her evil side.

6 Min Joon Gook - I Can Hear Your Voice

A crime drama with a fantastical twist, I Can Hear Your Voice surrounds a high schooler who gained the ability to read minds after his father's death, and a lawyer intent on success. The main villain of the story is Min Joon Gook, a k-drama serial killer with an especially scary method. Joon Gook leaves his cellphone in the houses of his victims, and the horrifying ringtone becomes an omen of something violent to come. Furthermore, Joon Gook is determined to continue his killing spree from prison, as he plans to murder the series' lawyer protagonist. Overall, Joon Gook represents a unique and creepy type of serial killer.

5 Baek Jung Gi - Save Me

Save Me is an especially dark k-drama that follows a young girl's move to a new neighborhood with her family, only the find the town in the clutches of a dangerous religious cult. As expected, every religious cult needs a leader and that is where Baek Jung Gi comes in. Jung Gi may seem innocuous at first, however, he hides some incredibly evil deeds. His charm and kindness actually cover up the fact that he takes advantage of the vulnerable and brainwashes them. Even worse, he marries off young girls and claims it is for a higher purpose. Jung Gi's hidden evil makes him one of the best k-drama villains.

4 Joo Dan Tae - The Penthouse

A dazzling yet evil series, The Penthouse tells the story of the wealthy families living at Hera Palace and their greedy tendencies. While the k-drama has an entire cast of questionable players, one of the worst is Joo Dan Tae. Dan Tae is greedy and manipulative like his peers, but he is also a killer, and a sadistic one at that. He killed the husband of one of his neighbors and is the reason her twin daughters were taken away from her. Plus, he abuses his own family and has dreams of creating his own luxury building named after himself. Dan Tae is self-absorbed and entirely evil.

3 Queen Consort Cho - Kingdom

A historical k-drama series, Kingdom follows the Crown Prince during the Joseon Dynasty and his mission to protect his people from a spreading zombie-like virus. Along with this growing plague, the protagonist must also deal with Queen Consort Cho, the power hungry wife to the old king. A villain willing to do anything to secure her status, Cho goes so far as to fake her own pregnancy, poison her father, and purposely spread the zombie virus through the castle, risking her own life. Overall, her dedication and cruelty definitely make her the best k-drama villain.

2 Mo Tae Gu - Voice

Voice is a crime k-drama series that surrounds a detective and a policewoman who team up to find the serial killer that murdered their loved ones. Said serial killer is elusive villain, however when he finally comes to light, he is even creepier than he first seemed. Mo Tae Gu is a murderer that is meticulous and in control. He plans out every aspect of his crimes and enjoys watching his pursuers fail over and over again. His sociopathic tendencies make him a serious enemy, and ultimately, one of the best k-drama villains to date.

1 Baek Hee Sung - Flower Of Evil

Flower of Evil follows a man who is hiding something from his wife, who is a detective investigating a string of murders. As it turns out, the killer is in fact her husband, Baek Hee Sung. Although he is in a coma for a portion of the series, Hee Sung becomes murderous quickly, killing his victims without remorse. Worst of all, Hee Sung lacks a good motive for his crimes. He mostly commits murders as a form of stress relief and because he enjoys it. Because of this, he is most definitely one of the most unexpected and best k-drama villains ever.