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Argon

Argon

2017Ended1 season8 episodes~60 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

In a world filled with provocative (and often misleading) news, a passionate team of investigative TV reporters strives to bring truths to light.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Argon?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Argon streaming on CJ ENM Selects via Apple TV and Tubi (free).

Subscription

via Apple TVFree

Highlights

What stands out about Argon?

Argon earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Thought-provoking.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Argon worth watching?

Argon's Midcredits score is the 69th percentile of all shows, from 358 ratings across 2 sources. 81% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

69th percentile

Better received than 69% of shows

68th percentile among Drama67th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)60th
Approval (how many liked it)74th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

73 /100

60th percentile of all shows

60th percentile among Drama58th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

81% liked it

74th percentile of all shows

72nd percentile among Drama73rd percentile among 2010s
81% rated it 7–1019% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

38th percentile

341 ratings across platforms

26th percentile among Drama44th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 15% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A Korean drama about an investigative news team fighting corruption and corporate pressure.

Fans praised

  • strong cast chemistry and teamwork
  • journalistic integrity as a compelling theme
  • refreshing look at fast-paced news industry

Detractors panned

  • weak character development
  • dry romantic subplot

What stands out

Acting80

well-acted, strong ensemble

Plot and story70

corruption investigation central, building collapse subplot

Emotional impact70

pilot ending brings tears

Dialogue70

memorable line about news without facts

CharactersDivisive65

team leader praised, but overall depth criticized

Originality65

refreshing take on TV news, but familiar corruption theme

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2017 · 8 episodes

  • S1E1

    Episode 1

    Sep 4, 201769 min
  • S1E2

    Episode 2

    Sep 5, 201765 min
  • S1E3

    Episode 3

    Sep 11, 201762 min
  • S1E4

    Episode 4

    Sep 12, 201759 min
  • S1E5

    Episode 5

    Sep 18, 201758 min
  • S1E6

    Episode 6

    Sep 19, 201764 min
  • S1E7

    Episode 7

    Sep 25, 201760 min
  • S1E8

    Episode 8

    Sep 26, 201766 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Argon like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and charged — an even-paced watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Wry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series plays its dramatic material straight, treating the newsroom's ethical battles with gravity and respect.
The rideThe mood is driven by deadline pressure and ethical dilemmas, with a reflective undertone that deepens through the middle of the series.
StructureThe story is told in a straightforward, serialized manner across episodes, with no notable nonlinear devices or framing stories.
Episode formatThe series appears to follow a continuous story across its single season, focusing on an overarching narrative.
Season formatArgon ran for one season and tells a complete story, typical of a limited series.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingInfuriating · 4% of shows: Leaves you angry at an injustice the film shows, never at the film.
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves you thinking about journalistic ethics and institutional corruption, while the portrayal of powerful interests covering up wrongdoing is genuinely infuriating.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% (this title) · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Corporate villainy: A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).

18% of shows fit this archetype

with Mystery underneath

Why this archetypeAcross its serialized run, the Argon news team repeatedly uncovers and opposes corruption within powerful institutions, making each story arc a fight against a corporate or political monster, while the investigative nature of their work gives the show a mystery-like structure.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfTruthIdeas
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% (this title) · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% (this title) · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5% (this title): Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% (this title) · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Ideas

Truth · 6% of showsBetrayal · 3% of showsAmbition · 14% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series is about the relentless pursuit of truth in journalism, set against workplace ambition and personal betrayals.
StanceThe series questions how truth is shaped and compromised by the systems and ambitions that produce news.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernAmbientSupportive music · original score
Settinga competitive South Korean broadcast newsroom
MusicThe score likely underscores the tension and moral weight of newsroom decisions.

Content guide

Is Argon okay for kids?

TV-MA

Argon is rated TV-MA.

Ratings in 10 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Netherlands9
  • Portugal12AP
  • Spain13
  • THน 15+

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Argon have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Argon?

Cast

Kim Ju-hyuk
as Kim Baek-jin
Chun Woo-hee
as Lee Yeon-hwa
Shin Hyeon-bin
as Chae Soo-min
Lee Seung-joon
as Yoo Myeong-ho
Lee Kyoung-young
as Choi Geun-hwa
Seo Yoon-ah
as Kim Hee-jeong
Ji Il-joo
as Park Nam-gyu
Park Hee-bon
as Yook Hye-ri
Park Won-sang
as Sin Cheol
Shim Ji-ho
as Eom Min-ho

Crew

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What are shows like Argon?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Argon include Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974), Find Me in Your Memory (2020) and Hill Street Blues (1981).

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What other shows share a tag with Argon?

258 other shows share the rarest tag below, follows: journalist. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.