Stranger
Created by Yu Je-won, An Gil-ho, Lee Su-yeon
On tvN
A dark, cerebral crime thriller centered on an emotionally detached prosecutor investigating corruption and serial murder in Seoul's institutional machinery.
Hwang Shi Mok underwent brain surgery as a child to curb his violent temper, which left him devoid of emotions. Hwang becomes a prosecutor known for his piercing intelligence and logic, but he is ostracized because he lacks empathy and social skills. He is also one of only a handful of upright prosecutors who have refused to take bribes. One day, he encounters a stabbing victim while investigating corruption. He meets Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin at the crime scene. They join forces to root out corruption at the prosecutors’ office and solve a serial murder case.
Clusters
Where to watch
- StreamNetflix, Rakuten Viki
- AdsRakuten Viki
Questions people ask
Is Stranger one of a kind? No. Less singular than 99% of series.
Is Stranger scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 93% of series.
Is Stranger sad? Yes. More sad than 84% of series.
Is Stranger violent? Yes. More violent than 81% of series.
Does Stranger leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 73% of series.
Is Stranger easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 70% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Opposite of HBOFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
You have seen this shape before.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Stranger, and what each one shares →
Like Stranger
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Stranger
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Stranger, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Stranger, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Stranger, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
