K-dramas have long been a treasure trove of gripping thrillers, and Netflix's My Name stands out as a prime example. If you're a fan of the relentless action of John Wick or the stylish vengeance of Kill Bill, this series is tailor-made for you. It follows a teenager's quest to unravel the mystery behind her father's murder, only to find herself entangled in the criminal underworld he was allegedly part of. As she soon learns, power comes at a price, and once you pledge loyalty to the most powerful drug lord in the country, there's no turning back. With a perfect 100% Tomatometer score, My Name is a nonstop, hyper-slick thriller that delivers from start to finish.
What Is 'My Name' About?
The series introduces us to Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee), a 17-year-old who endures constant bullying at school because of her estranged father's rumored ties to the Dongcheon drug ring. On her birthday, her father returns home, only to be brutally gunned down right outside their front door. Devastated and desperate for answers, Ji-woo turns to her father's closest associate, Choi Mu-jin (Park Hee-soon), the boss of Dongcheon. Despite Mu-jin's warnings about the dangers of seeking revenge, Ji-woo is determined to take matters into her own hands, especially when the police fail to identify the killer.
Years later, the now-adult Ji-woo adopts the alias Oh Hye-jin, enrolls in the police academy, and joins the Narcotics department at Inchang Metropolitan Police Station as a mole. She leads a double life, torn between her loyalty to Mu-jin, who helps her pursue her long-suppressed goal, and her new colleagues, whose mission is to bring Mu-jin down.
'My Name' Delivers Some of TV's Most Realistic Fight Scenes
Like The Bride in Kill Bill, Ji-woo must endure brutal training before she becomes a full-fledged killer for Dongcheon. She's thrown into a rundown dojo, where Mu-jin's henchmen show no mercy. Though she's tenacious and already knows how to throw a punch, Ji-woo is still inexperienced. This is where My Name excels: becoming a dangerous killer takes time and practice. For Ji-woo, it takes five years, shown through a flash-forward montage that tracks her evolution from an impulsive fighter into a skilled assassin.
The series features some of the most convincing close-quarters combat on television, with choreography that cleverly uses Ji-woo's smaller stature. Instead of relying on brute strength, she fights strategically, catching enemies off guard. She still gets beaten down occasionally, but the more she's hit, the harder she fights back. Whether she's defending herself against a school bully, narrowly escaping a car compactor, or shooting someone atop a shipping-port crane, the variety of situations showcases Ji-woo's full skill set.
'My Name' Turns Grief Into a Brutal Coming-of-Age Story
Growing up isn't easy for Ji-woo, especially with no one to turn to for support. With her father gone, Mu-jin becomes the closest thing to a parental figure. He shapes her worldview, teaching her never to show fear and to kill without hesitation. The first half of the series reflects this, as Ji-woo becomes Mu-jin's most loyal subordinate, using her police position to stay ahead of the authorities and protect him. However, there's more to Ji-woo than her killer instincts.
Much like John Wick, Ji-woo's pursuit of revenge is rooted in grief. Having never learned to cope with her pain, she channels it into violence, following Mu-jin's guidance. But as the series progresses, the more time she spends with her police colleagues, the more she discovers a different side of life—one where peace is possible. Yet that isn't the future she's paved for herself. As long as her desire for retribution remains, she won't stop pursuing those who ruined her life. Even if she tries to leave her criminal past behind, Dongcheon won't let her walk away easily. By the end, Ji-woo must choose between the life she's been trained to lead and the possibility of moving beyond revenge. Every kill carries consequences, giving My Name more depth than a mere bloody spectacle.
For those who crave more high-octane thrillers, check out our list of flawless thriller series that define TV perfection. And if you're in the mood for something with a Western twist, Netflix's Territory might be your next binge. For a deep dive into the best of the genre, our ranking of thriller TV shows since 2010 is a must-read.
