“A Killer Paradox” is a South Korean crime thriller infused with dark comedy elements, crafted by writer Kim Da-min and director Lee Chang-hee. The series features Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, and Lee Hee-joon in leading roles and is adapted from the Naver webtoon of the same name by Kkomabi. Set against the backdrop of a gripping narrative, it follows the tale of an ordinary man who unintentionally eliminates a serial killer, sparking a relentless pursuit by a determined detective. The show premiered on Netflix on February 9, 2024.
In the storyline, Lee Tang (portrayed by Choi Woo-shik) grapples with the challenges of post-army life and harbors aspirations of traveling to Canada. Working at a convenience store and relying heavily on his parents for support, his life takes a drastic turn one fateful night when he becomes entangled in a violent altercation with a customer, resulting in the customer’s accidental demise. Overwhelmed by guilt, Tang is prepared to face the consequences of his actions, only to discover that his victim was a notorious serial killer. However, Detective Jang Nan-gam (played by Son Suk-ku) remains steadfast in his pursuit, casting doubts on Tang’s innocence. As the plot unfolds, Tang finds himself repeatedly confronting and unintentionally dispatching wrongdoers, raising questions about whether he is dispensing justice or merely evading it, all while uncovering his unforeseen talent for antagonizing malefactors.
CHARACTERS
- Choi Woo-shik portrays Lee Tang, a regular college student who discovers his uncanny ability to discern malevolent individuals following his accidental involvement in a murder.
- Son Suk-ku takes on the role of Jang Nan-gam, a determined detective dedicated to unraveling the murder case linked to Lee Tang.
- Lee Hee-joon appears as Song Chon, a former detective on the pursuit of Lee Tang.
Supporting characters include:
- Kim Yo-han as Roh Bin.
- Kwon Da-ham as Yong-jae, the youngest detective of Violent Crime Team 1 at Daejeon Northern Police Station and Nan-gam’s subordinate.
- Hyun Bong-sik as Park Chung-jin, a detective from Violent Crime Team 1 at Daejeon Northern Police Station and Nan-gam’s sharpshooter.
- Jung Yi-seo as Seon Yeo-ok, a witness to the murder.
- Jo Hyun-woo as Kim Myeong-jin / Yeo Bu-il, a customer at Tang’s convenience store, initially suspected in a series of murders.
- Roh Jae-won as Ha Sang-min, a boyfriend who shares nostalgic moments with his girlfriend.
- Lim Se-joo as Choi Gyeong-ah, a woman facing hardships after betrayal by her lover, resorting to changing her identity due to a leaked private video.
- Lee Joong-ok as Kang Sang-muk, a grieving father coping with the loss of his daughter.
- Seo Jae-kwon as Kang Jae-jun.
- Baek Yu-sung as Lee Jin-seong.
- Choi Sun-woo as Kyung-hwan, Tang’s friend.
- Moon Young-dong as Lee Gwan-hun.
- Lee So-won as Yeon-seo.
- Lee Joo-won as Jang Gab-su, Nan-gam’s father and a retired detective.
- Yang Mal-bok as Nan-gam’s mother.
- Oh Hye-won as Lee Yoo-jeong, a profiler renowned for her analytical prowess and beauty.
- Park Kyung-geun as the Chief of the Criminal Division at Daejeon Northern Police Station.
- Nam Jin-bok as Prosecutor Ji.
- Lee Ji-hoon as Chief Moon.
- Kim Min-ju as Lee Yeong, Tang’s sister.
- Oh Min-ae as Tang’s mother.
- Heo Sun-haeng as Tang’s father.
- Jang Joon-hui as the leader of Violent Crime.
STORYLINE
Set against the compelling backdrop of a South Korean crime thriller, “A Killer Paradox” introduces Lee Tang, an unassuming college student whose life takes a sharp detour into a world teeming with suspense and peril. Tang’s ordinary existence is upended when he stumbles upon an extraordinary ability to discern malevolent individuals, leading him down a treacherous path he never imagined. A fatal encounter propels Tang into his first inadvertent act of murder, yet the shocking revelation that his victim was a notorious serial killer plunges him into a moral quandary, igniting a gripping saga of retribution and unforeseen repercussions. Enter Detective Jang Nan-gam, an unwavering investigator driven by an insatiable quest for truth in the face of Tang’s bewildering actions. As Tang grapples with the aftermath of his unintended crimes, Detective Nan-gam’s relentless pursuit injects a palpable sense of tension, raising doubts about Tang’s innocence and setting the stage for an intense game of cat and mouse between the two central figures. Adding further complexity to the unfolding narrative is Song Chon, a former detective hot on Tang’s trail, whose presence heightens the stakes and deepens the intrigue surrounding Tang’s enigmatic journey.
As the narrative unfolds, Tang finds himself ensnared in a series of moral dilemmas, compelled to confront and inadvertently dispatch wrongdoers as his innate talent for identifying evil manifests itself. Yet, amidst the chaos, “A Killer Paradox” delves into profound philosophical inquiries, probing the intricacies of morality, accountability, and the ambiguous nature of justice. With each unexpected twist, the series offers audiences a thrilling voyage into the murky depths of societal morality, where the boundaries between right and wrong blur, and the true essence of justice hangs precariously in the balance.
