Netflix’s thriller series, A Killer Paradox, has recently been the center of an unexpected dispute. This is due to comparisons drawn between one of its characters and a well-known South Korean political figure.
The drama, featuring Choi Woo Sik and Song Suk Gu, narrates the tale of a university student embroiled in a strange turn of events that leads to him becoming a serial killer of criminals by sheer accident.
The controversy arises from the representation of Hyeong Jeong Guk by Seung Eui Yeol, who plays a deceitful aging politician imprisoned for his crimes. His appearance features a neatly-trimmed grey hairdo and dark, framed glasses. This triggered comparisons with Lee Jae Myung, the head of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, recognized for his similar physical attributes.
Lee’s followers are particularly sensitive about the supposed portrayal, discerning it as an intentional reference to the politician’s previous legal issues. In a recent episode, Hyeong is seen enjoying sushi in jail with the digits 4,421 on his uniform, insinuating a connection to Lee’s alleged involvement in a massive corruption scandal concerning a redevelopment project in Seongnam. Lee, who is currently on trial pertaining to this, has denied all allegations.
Moreover, the depiction of Hyeong eating sushi references an incident involving Kim Hye Gyeong, Lee’s spouse, who faced legal punishment in 2023 for misusing public resources, including ordering sushi with an official credit card during Lee’s Gyeonggi Province governorship.
The string of similarities between real-life events and the show’s depiction has prompted much speculation from the public, leading to the spread of content related to the claims across various online platforms. As a result, Netflix stepped forward with a formal response, dismissing the said insinuations as “completely baseless.”
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FAQ Section
Who is being compared to Hyeong Jeong Guk from “A Killer Paradox”?
Lee Jae Myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is the one being compared to the character due to their similar appearance and the depiction of the character’s background and actions in the show.
What led to the allegations against the show?
The prisoner number (4,421) worn by the character of Hyeong, which is speculated to reference a corruption scandal allegedly involving Lee Jae Myung, and the scene of Hyeong eating sushi which alludes to Lee’s wife’s misuse of public funds, triggered the allegations.
Has Netflix responded to the controversy?
Yes, Netflix issued a statement dismissing the correlations as “completely baseless.”
Conclusion
The resemblance of a character in “A Killer Paradox” to a South Korean political figure has steered the Netflix series into choppy waters, not only within the realm of entertainment but also politics. Such a resemblance, whether intentional or coincidental, underscores the influence of visual media and its capacity to reflect, reshape or allude to current events and public figures. Despite the controversy, the creators and broadcasters of the series stand firm in their stance on the fictional nature of the content, separating the art from any perceived political commentary.