Dead-End Job is a South Korean mystery horror fantasy series created by Han Jun-hee. Based on Kyung Min-sun‘s Operating Principles of a Convenience Store, the Netflix series follows Byeon Hyuk-jun, a man in his thirties with a large amount of debt as he finds out about a job that pays 50 times the normal minimum wage. Desperate for money, he decides to take on the opportunity, but what he doesn’t know is that unimaginable horrors are waiting for him. Dead-End Job stars Lee Jae-wook, Go Min-si, Kim Min-ha, and Lee Hee-joon. If you loved the thrilling drama, intense story, and compelling characters in Dead End Job, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
Squid Game (Netflix)
Squid Game is a South Korean dystopian survival thriller series written by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The Netflix series follows Seong Gi-hun, a severely indebted divorced father, as he participates in a secret contest alongside other money-strapped people. All of them play children’s games in hopes of winning a large sum of money, but what they don’t know at the beginning is that anyone who fails in the games will be killed. Squid Game stars Lee Jung-Jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hae-soo, and Jung Ho-yeon.
Why It’s Similar? Both Dead End Job and Squid Game are extremely similar shows, and while Squid Game is not fantasy like Dead End Job. Both of their stories serve as allegories for modern hyper-capitalism that preys on the weak and lines the pockets of the rich.
Alice in Borderland (Netflix)
Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi thriller drama series co-written by Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, and Shinsuke Sato. Based on Haro Aso’s Japanese manga of the same name, the Netflix series follows Ryōhei Arisu, a video game-obsessed young man, as he is transported to an alternate Tokyo, where he must participate in deadly games to survive. Alice in Borderland stars Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Nijirō Murakami, Ayaka Miyoshi, and Aya Asahina.
Why It’s Similar? The concept of Alice in Borderland is very similar to Dead End Job as both feature a world where the protagonists must fight to live another day.
A Killer Paradox (Netflix)
A Killer Paradox is a South Korean crime thriller and dark comedy series written by Kim Da-min. Based on Kkomabi’s Naver webtoon of the same name, the Netflix series follows Lee Tang, a down-and-out young man working at a convenience store, but things take a turn when he discovers that he has the ability to identify evil people, and he begins killing them while being pursued by a relentless detective. A Killer Paradox stars Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, Lee Hee-joon, and Kim Yo-han.
Why It’s Similar? A Killer Paradox and Dead End Job have different stories and characters, but they have the same vibe and central protagonists who find themselves in deadly circumstances after a life-altering event.
The 8 Show (Netflix)
The 8 Show is a South Korean dark comedy thriller series written by Han Jae-rim. Based on Bae Jin-soo’s Naver webtoons Money Game and Pie Game, the Netflix series revolves around eight people as they participate in a mysterious game show that will pay them for every passing minute. They are taken to an eight-story building cut off from the rest of the world, but things take a turn when they discover some hidden truths. The 8 Show stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-Hee, Park Jeong-min, Lee Yul-eum, and Park Hae-joon.
Why It’s Similar? Both Netflix originals revolve around severely indebted people as they get swept up in the idea of earning large sums of money quickly but soon find themselves in a deadly situation.
Hellbound (Netflix)
Hellbound is a South Korean supernatural dark fantasy horror thriller series co-written by Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Guy-Seok. Based on Sang-ho and Gyu-seok’s webtoon of the same name, the Netflix series follows the rise of a radical religious group that was founded on the idea of divine justice after supernatural creatures arrive on Earth and begin condemning people to hell. Hellbound stars Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-ah, and Yang Ik-june.
Why It’s Similar? Both Hellbound and Dead End Job feature similar kinds of organizations that pose as legitimate entities on the outside but are hiding hellish secrets and prey on normal people.
Strangers from Hell (Rakuten Viki, The Roku Channel & OnDemandKorea)
Strangers from Hell is a South Korean psychological thriller series written by Jung Yi-do. Based on Kim Yong-ki’s Naver Webtoon Hell is Other People, the OCN series follows Yoon Jong-woo, a young aspiring writer, as he moves to Seoul into a cheap apartment building for an internship. He soon begins to suspect his neighbors of evil deeds after a series of bizarre and sinister events. Strangers from Hell stars Im Si-wan, Lee Dong-wook, Cha Rae-hyung, Kim Han-jong, and Oh Hye-won.
Why It’s Similar? With an extremely dark and thrilling psychological story, Strangers from Hell has many similarities to Dead End Job. While the 2019 K-drama isn’t a fantasy series, it does have that similar sense of dread that can be found in every moment of the Netflix series.
The Uncanny Counter (Netflix)
The Uncanny Counter is a South Korean fantasy action thriller series co-written by Yeo Ji-na, Yoo Seon-dong, and Kim Sae-bom. Based on Jang Yi’s Kakao Webtoon of the same name, the OCN series follows So Mun, a high school boy who’s recruited into a mysterious group known as the Counters. While posing as an ordinary noodle shop worker, the group hunts down evil spirits that escaped from the afterlife. The Uncanny Counter stars Jo Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran, Ahn Suk-hwan, and Yoo In-soo.
Why It’s Similar? Both Dead End Job and The Uncanny Counter have down-and-out protagonists looking for a fresh start as they find themselves in a world filled with fantastical threats and mystique hiding just under the surface.