If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and intriguing mysteries with unexpected twists, you’ve probably enjoyed Motel California—a K-Drama that delves into crime, mystery, and hidden secrets. Motel California may have captivated you with its dark narrative and thrilling atmosphere, but the world of K-Dramas offers a plethora of shows that carry similar vibes. Whether you’re looking for more intense crime thrillers, mind-bending plotlines, or gripping suspense, there are countless titles that can satisfy your craving for drama.
Here are 15 K-Dramas that resemble Motel California, each offering its own share of twists, turns, and emotional depth. Below, we’ve also included where you can watch these shows, so you won’t have to look far to start binge-watching your next favorite K-Drama!
1. Signal
Watch Drama Name Online: Signal | Platform Name: Netflix
If you’re a fan of time travel mixed with crime-solving, Signal should be at the top of your list. This series follows a team of detectives who are able to communicate across time with a detective from the past. The show navigates a tangled web of cold cases, mysteries, and the pursuit of justice, making it an ideal choice for fans of psychological thrillers.
2. Stranger (Secret Forest)
Watch Drama Name Online: Stranger | Platform Name: Netflix
Stranger is a must-watch for fans of crime and mystery. This K-Drama follows a prosecutor with a lack of emotions who teams up with a smart and determined police officer to uncover corruption in their city. The twists and turns in the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat as you unravel deep-rooted conspiracies, much like the suspense-filled atmosphere in Motel California.
3. The Guest
Watch Drama Name Online: The Guest | Platform Name: Viki
A chilling supernatural thriller, The Guest combines horror with crime investigation. When a priest, a shaman, and a detective join forces to battle an evil spirit wreaking havoc, the show blends intense psychological horror with gripping mystery. Much like Motel California, it has an eerie atmosphere, and the slow-burn storytelling keeps you hooked till the very end.
4. Voice
Watch Drama Name Online: Voice | Platform Name: Viki
Voice is a psychological thriller about a team of detectives solving crimes using the power of sound and voice analysis. A gripping blend of crime-solving, detective work, and twisted plotlines, Voice delves into dark themes and plays with suspense similar to Motel California. Each season introduces a new set of crimes and fresh mysteries, keeping you engaged.
5. Flower of Evil
Watch Drama Name Online: Flower of Evil | Platform Name: Viki
Flower of Evil is a suspenseful thriller that explores the psychological complexities of a man who has a dark past. When his wife, a detective, starts investigating a series of cold cases that may be linked to him, the tension builds, and you’ll be left wondering who’s guilty and who’s innocent. This series packs a punch with its emotional depth and thrilling plot.
6. L.U.C.A.: The Beginning
Watch Drama Name Online: L.U.C.A. | Platform Name: Viki
L.U.C.A.: The Beginning offers a unique blend of science fiction, thriller, and action. The story centers around a man with superhuman abilities who is on the run from an organization seeking to control him. As he uncovers more about his past, he finds himself entangled in a conspiracy that echoes the suspenseful nature of Motel California.
7. Tale of the Nine-Tailed
Watch Drama Name Online: Tale of the Nine-Tailed | Platform Name: Viki
The Tale of the Nine-Tailed is a supernatural thriller that mixes folklore with suspense. The story follows a gumiho (nine-tailed fox) who has lived for centuries and is now trying to protect humans from supernatural threats. With its dark and mysterious atmosphere, it has a similar eerie tone to Motel California.
8. Save Me
Watch Drama Name Online: Save Me | Platform Name: Viki
Save Me is a psychological thriller about a woman who is trapped in a religious cult, and her friends’ desperate attempt to rescue her. The dark and intense narrative, along with the gradual unraveling of the cult’s sinister motives, creates a gripping watch for fans of suspense and mystery.
9. The K2
Watch Drama Name Online: The K2 | Platform Name: Viki
A high-octane action thriller, The K2 follows a bodyguard who gets entangled in the complex politics of a powerful family. His past is full of betrayal and corruption, and as he protects the family’s heir, dark secrets start surfacing. The K2 has intense action sequences, emotional depth, and a twisting plot, making it an exciting watch.
10. Mouse
Watch Drama Name Online: Mouse | Platform Name: Disney+
If you love psychological thrillers with a deep dive into criminal minds, Mouse is a perfect choice. It explores the concept of whether evil is born or made, as a detective pursues a serial killer who might be linked to a genetic condition. With its intense pacing and shocking revelations, Mouse is a must-watch for fans of twisted crime dramas.
11. God’s Gift: 14 Days
Watch Drama Name Online: God’s Gift: 14 Days | Platform Name: Viki
This mind-bending K-Drama follows a mother who is given the chance to go back in time 14 days before her daughter’s tragic death. She works to prevent the crime and save her daughter, but as she unravels more secrets, the mystery deepens. The series’ time-travel element, mixed with high-stakes suspense, makes it an excellent pick for fans of thrilling narratives.
12. The Stranger 2
Watch Drama Name Online: Stranger 2 | Platform Name: Netflix
A continuation of the hit Stranger series, Stranger 2 brings back the mysterious and corrupt world of prosecutors and detectives. This season further delves into government corruption, making it an excellent follow-up for those who loved the first season’s plotlines. It offers more suspense and mind-bending twists.
13. The Silent Sea
Watch Drama Name Online: The Silent Sea | Platform Name: Netflix
The Silent Sea is a sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future where the Earth is running out of water. A team of astronauts is sent on a mission to the moon to retrieve a mysterious sample. Filled with tense moments and a mysterious atmosphere, the show offers suspense with a unique sci-fi twist.
14. Psychopath Diary
Watch Drama Name Online: Psychopath Diary | Platform Name: Viki
A quirky yet intense psychological thriller, Psychopath Diary follows a man who accidentally gets a serial killer’s diary and starts believing he’s a psychopath. The show mixes dark humor with psychological suspense, exploring themes of identity and morality. Fans of Motel California will appreciate the complex characters and unpredictable plot.
15. Beyond Evil
Watch Drama Name Online: Beyond Evil | Platform Name: Viki
Beyond Evil is a gripping mystery that explores two detectives who are determined to uncover the truth behind a series of gruesome murders. Set in a small town full of secrets, the show has a dark atmosphere and constantly keeps viewers guessing, making it an ideal watch for fans of intense psychological dramas.
Conclusion: The Best K-Dramas for Mystery and Thrills
If Motel California captured your attention with its gripping crime narrative and eerie atmosphere, these 15 K-Dramas will provide you with similar levels of suspense, mystery, and psychological intrigue. From supernatural thrillers like The Guest to action-packed shows such as The K2, there’s a K-Drama for every type of mystery lover.
Whether you want to binge-watch on Netflix, Viki, or Disney+, these series will keep you hooked with their captivating plots, intense emotions, and complex characters. Start watching today, and let the suspense begin!
