Apart from the usual heart-fluttering and revenge-driven series, K-dramas are known for perfecting the art of storytelling, piquing viewers' interest.
However, there is a type of genre that focuses on building tension and suspense; hence, giving the audience a more satisfying feeling and taste to every episode.
Slow burn dramas move at their own pace, and they take a bit of time to develop the plot and characters. With that, here are some of our slow-burn K-Dramas, from crime-mystery to romance, that will surely get you hooked.
'It's Okay to Not to be Okay'
Helmed by Park Shin Woo, Jung Dong Yoon, who directed "Encounter" and "Hot Stove League," the tvN series dominated the K-drama fandom in 2020.
With striking visuals from lead stars Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji, this left the viewers glued to their monitors and ended up binge-watching every episode.
READ ALSO: Seo Ye Ji's K-dramas to Binge-Watch If You Can't Get Enough of 'Eve'
Apart from that, it also tackles mental health.
In the drama Ko Moon Young (Seo Ye J), a famous children's fairy tale writer, was diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder. Her life gets tangled with brothers Moon Sang Tae (Oh Jung Se) and his younger brother Moon Gang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun).
The story also illustrates how the trio learns to heal from their wounds with the help of each other.
'Signal'
First aired in April 2016, "Signal" follows the story of a group of police officers assigned to solve cold cases in Korea.
It stars Lee Je Hoon as the modern-day criminal profiler Park Hae Yeong (Lee Je Hoon), working alongside Kim Hye Soo's character Cha Soo Hyun, the team leader, and her members Kim Gye Cheol (Kim Won Hae) and forensic expert Jeong Heon Gi (Lee Yoo Joon).
READ ALSO: K-drama Queens Who Dominated 2022: Kim Go Eun, Park Eun Bin, More!
In hopes of cracking a particular case, Park Hae Yeong stumbled upon a walkie-talkie from the 1980s. Here, he mysteriously got connected to detective Lee Jae Han (Jo Jin Woong), who happens to be Soo Hyun's senior who died in a tragic incident.
The duo attempts to uncover the case in hopes of preventing the crime from occurring.
'Stranger'
Another underrated series that illustrates a slow-burn drama is "Stranger," with stars Cho Seung Woo as prosecutor Hwang Shi Mok and Bae Doo Na as lieutenant Han Yeo Jin.
Initially, the duo started on the wrong foot after Yeo Jin thought that the prosecutor was belittling her. It turned out that he is devoid of emotions due to his brain surgery.
READ ALSO: Cho Seung Woo Returns as Divorce Lawyer in New Drama
Interestingly, they became partners in crime and were able to solve challenging cases.
This suspense thriller K-drama was so good it made a comeback for new seasons.
'When the Camellia Blooms'
From unconventional love story to crime and now to romantic comedy with the 2019 K-drama "When the Camellia Blooms."
The rom-com drama with a pinch of suspense stars the award-winning actress Gong Hyo Jin, as the single mom Oh Dong Baek and the local policeman Hwang Yong Shik, portrayed by Kang Ha Neul, who won his first-ever Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor for his character.
READ ALSO: Lee Min Ho & Gong Hyo Jin Fly To Space in New Rom-Com Series 'Ask The Stars'
Unlike the typical romance drama, this KBS series is more than just a love story since it tackles the mother's undying love for her children.
After her failed relationship, she decides to pack up and move together with her son in the small town of Ongsan.
There she gets criticized by the neighbors for being a single mom and running a bar but later on gained the trust of her neighbors after her almost near-death experience.
In Yongsan, she also met the bubbly and very cheerful Hwang Yong Shik. Despite being rejected by Dong Baek, he never gave up and showed his genuine and honest intention.
'Something in the Rain'
The 2018 melodrama "Something in the Rain" received massive praise from the public due to its unique plot.
It stars Hallyu queen Son Ye Jin and versatile actor Jung Hae In.
The JTBC drama illustrates a noona romance where a younger man is fascinated by an older woman, sweeping the viewers off their feet.
READ ALSO: K-drama Couples Who Lost To Fate: Kim Tae Ri & Nam Joo Hyuk, More
Yoon Jin Ah, who is in her mid-30s, has never been in a serious and long-term type of relationship and was dumped by men because of her clumsiness and foolish behavior.
Fortunately, her world is turned upside down when she meets Joon Hee, who is also his childhood friend's younger brother.
