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10 Korean Dramas About Mafia Falling in Love, Criminal Stories with a Touch of Romance

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10 Korean Dramas About Mafia Falling in Love, Criminal Stories with a Touch of Romance Korean dramas about mafia falling in love with beautiful romance (mydramalist.com)

Kapanlagi.com - Korean Dramas about mafia falling in love present a blend of criminal stories with the emotional journey of its characters. Not only showcasing conflicts of the dark world, several titles also depict how characters with violent pasts face new feelings that change their lives.

This genre offers a variety of stories, ranging from former gangsters wanting to leave their past, criminal organization leaders discovering their softer sides, to characters who must risk their relationships to survive in dangerous conflicts.

Love stories in Korean dramas with a mafia theme do not always come with a light romantic tone. Some titles combine it with action, law, revenge, and power struggles. Here are some dramas that feature mafia characters or former gangsters with love journeys that are an important part of the story.

1. THE NICE GUY (2025)

Release year & platform: 2025 (Disney+, JTBC)
Number of episodes: 14 episodes
Genre: Melodrama, Crime, Romance

THE NICE GUY follows Park Seok-cheol, the eldest grandson of a three-generation gangster family who begins to consider leaving the world of crime. His desire to retire from the criminal world arises from wanting to protect his family.

On this journey, Park Seok-cheol reunites with his first love, Kang Mi-young, a strong woman who gives him a reason to live life differently. Their relationship develops as threats from enemies begin to target the Seok-cheol clan.

Park Seok-cheol is played by Lee Dong-wook as a gangster leader who is tired of violence and desires a normal life. This drama showcases the relationship between the two main characters against the backdrop of family conflict and the criminal world.

2. MY SWEET MOBSTER (2024)

Release year & platform: 2024 (Viu, Viki)
Number of episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Romantic Comedy

MY SWEET MOBSTER tells the story of Seo Ji-hwan, a former gang boss trying to leave his past behind. He then becomes the CEO of a sausage company and hires former inmates as part of his efforts to start a new life.

Seo Ji-hwan's life changes after meeting Go Eun-ha, a cheerful children's content creator who often faces various problems. Their relationship evolves from a series of misunderstandings to a love story filled with a process of mutual understanding.

Seo Ji-hwan is played by Um Tae-goo as a former mafia leader with a tough character, a distinctive hoarse voice, but awkward when it comes to romantic matters. This drama combines the backdrop of the gang world with a romantic comedy story.

3. VINCENZO (2021)

Release year & platform: 2021 (Netflix)
Number of episodes: 20 episodes
Genre: Dark Comedy, Crime, Law

VINCENZO presents the story of Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian mafia consigliere of Korean descent who returns to Seoul to retrieve hidden gold. However, his plans change when he becomes embroiled in a conflict against the Babel Group, a large corporation involved in various illegal activities.

In facing this group, Vincenzo collaborates with lawyer Hong Cha-young. Their relationship develops amidst the struggle against a powerful enemy.

Vincenzo Cassano is portrayed by Song Joong-ki as a mafia lawyer known for his strategic abilities, firm demeanor, and his own moral code. This drama combines action, law, dark humor, and the slowly growing relationship between the two main characters.

4. THE WORST OF EVIL (2023)

Release year & platform: 2023 (Disney+)
Number of episodes: 12 episodes
Genre: Crime, Action, Noir

THE WORST OF EVIL is set in the 1990s with a story about a detective who goes undercover to infiltrate a major drug syndicate. The organization is led by Jung Gi-cheol, a mafia boss with grand ambitions.

The situation becomes increasingly complicated when it is revealed that the detective's wife is Jung Gi-cheol's first love. This past relationship creates a conflict between the undercover operation, loyalty, and emotions that becomes more challenging.

Jung Gi-cheol is portrayed by Wi Ha-joon as an ambitious, charismatic young mafia leader who has a lonely side. This drama showcases psychological conflicts in the criminal world with personal relationships being a crucial part of the story.

5. LAWLESS LAWYER (2018)

Release year & platform: 2018 (Netflix, Viu)
Number of episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Law, Action, Thriller

LAWLESS LAWYER tells the story of Bong Sang-pil, a former gangster who chooses to become a lawyer. He utilizes his fighting skills and legal loopholes to confront the powerful individuals involved in his mother's death.

In his struggle, Bong Sang-pil collaborates with Ha Jae-yi, an idealistic lawyer who ultimately becomes both a partner and a colleague in facing various conflicts. They share the same goal of fighting against those who commit injustices.

Bong Sang-pil is portrayed by Lee Joon-gi as someone who grows up in a gangster environment, raised by his uncle who is a gang boss. This drama also showcases Lee Joon-gi's martial arts skills performed without a stunt double in several action scenes.

6. THE MURKY STREAM (2025)

Release year & platform: 2025 (Disney+)
Number of episodes: 9 episodes
Genre: Historical (Sageuk), Action

THE MURKY STREAM brings the story of the criminal world to the Joseon era. The story centers on Jang Si-yool, a man who starts life from the bottom in the Mapo port area and rises to become a known figure in the criminal world around the Han River.

His life journey unfolds amidst trade conflicts and political power struggles. In this situation, he forms a relationship with an intelligent woman who has a different perspective from her surroundings.

Jang Si-yool is portrayed by Rowoon as a character who grows up on the tough streets and eventually becomes a respected group leader. This drama presents a historical backdrop with a story about loyalty, betrayal, and relationships tested by circumstances.

7. WOK OF LOVE (2018)

Release year & platform: 2018 (Viu, Netflix)
Number of episodes: 38 episodes with a duration of about 30 minutes
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Culinary

WOK OF LOVE follows Doo Chil-sung, a former gangster who works as a money lender. He then opens a Chinese restaurant with the aim of providing legitimate jobs for his former subordinates.

At the restaurant, Doo Chil-sung meets Dan Sae-woo, a woman from a wealthy family who faces bankruptcy. He then becomes involved in a romantic relationship that develops alongside competition with a talented chef.

Doo Chil-sung is played by Jang Hyuk as a former gangster who has a character loyal to the people around him. The story of this drama focuses more on restaurant life, friendship, and romantic relationships set against the backdrop of the world of former gangsters.

8. MY NAME (2021)

Release year & platform: 2021 (Netflix)
Number of episodes: 8 episodes
Genre: Action, Noir, Thriller

MY NAME tells the story of Yoon Ji-woo who joins the criminal organization Dongcheonpa after her father's death. She receives direct training from Choi Mu-jin, the leader of the organization, to carry out a revenge plan.

In addition to conflicts with the criminal world, Ji-woo also has an emotional relationship with Jeon Pil-do, a detective who becomes her partner. This relationship becomes a significant part of the main character's journey, living in a situation full of threats.

Choi Mu-jin is played by Park Hee-soon as the drug cartel boss who has a significant influence on Ji-woo's life. This drama places a female character at the center of the story with various action scenes and conflicts involving the criminal organization.

9. HEARTLESS CITY (2013)

Release year & platform: 2013 (Viu, Viki)
Number of episodes: 20 episodes
Genre: Noir, Thriller, Melodrama

HEARTLESS CITY presents the story of Jung Shi-hyun, a figure known as the “Doctor's Son” and serves as the leader of a drug syndicate. However, behind this identity, he actually has a connection to the police force as an undercover agent.

His life becomes increasingly complicated when he gets involved with Yoon Soo-min, a woman who enters that world to seek the truth regarding her brother's death. Their relationship develops amidst various secrets and lies.

Jung Shi-hyun is portrayed by Jung Kyung-ho as a character who appears cold but carries many burdens in his life. This drama combines a noir atmosphere with criminal conflict and a tense love story.

10. WHEN A MAN FALLS IN LOVE (2013)

Release year & platform: 2013 (Viu, Netflix)
Number of episodes: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama, Romance

WHEN A MAN FALLS IN LOVE tells the story of Han Tae-sang, a former gangster who successfully transforms his life into that of a businessman. Although he has achieved success, his past continues to influence the way he views life.

His encounter with Seo Mi-do brings about a significant change in Han Tae-sang. He finds himself attracted to a woman who reminds him of the difficult times he once went through.

Han Tae-sang is portrayed by Song Seung-heon as a man with a stable life but still carries the tough side of his past as a gangster. This story highlights emotional conflicts, life choices, and relationships that are not always easy.

(kpl/mda)

Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.
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