I recently watched an intriguing Korean Netflix original drama after a long time. It’s called “A Killer Paradox”. I’d like to talk about it. Please be aware that this may contain spoilers.
Who is the perpetrator, and who is the victim?
The plot of “A Killer Paradox” unfolds around Lee Tang, a college student whose life is drastically altered when a single decision makes him a murderer. The narrative begins six months after Lee Tang’s discharge from the military as he attempts to reintegrate into civilian life by resuming his studies and taking up part-time jobs. On a day that seemed as ordinary as any other, Lee Tang unexpectedly acts out of character, setting off a chain of events that turns him into a murderer, a stark departure from his past as a victim of violence.
Consumed by guilt and fear, Lee Tang secludes himself, haunted by his actions. Remarkably, as evidence of his crime starts disappearing and other events come into play, he narrowly escapes being captured. As the investigation unfolds, secrets about the victim emerge, leading Lee Tang to feel as though he has moved beyond his identity as a murderer, crossing into territories not meant for the ordinary.
Detective Jang, characterized by his almost instinctive drive to chase down leads, becomes a significant figure in the story. His resilience, refusal to see the world in black and white terms of victims and perpetrators, and his dedication set him apart from his less effective colleagues.
Initially, Detective Jang feels a connection to Lee Tang, viewing him not just as a perpetrator but as a victim of circumstances, partly reflecting on his own struggles with being underestimated due to his peculiar name. However, as complexities in the case mount and Detective Jang picks up on oddities, he starts to perceive Lee Tang in a liminal space between victimhood and guilt, eventually deeming him a perpetrator.
“A Killer Paradox” also explores the dynamics of other characters entangled in the narrative, showing how they can be both victims and perpetrators. Those affected by Lee Tang were not entirely innocent, suggesting a cycle of victimization and perpetration. Lee Tang, moving from a position of victim to that of a perpetrator, emerges as an anti-hero who is still the focal point of a police search for a serial killer. This storyline prompts profound questions about the ethics of Lee Tang’s deeds, the authority to enact justice, and the clarity of distinctions between victims and perpetrators.
Lee Tang was an ordinary college student, but a momentary decision transforms him into a murderer. Realizing he has a knack for identifying criminals, he commits murder without hesitation, believing his victims are those who “deserve to die.” Contrary to the expected cold and evil nature of a serial killer, Lee Tang is seen trembling with fear and guilt over death and crime, eventually running away in the latter part of the drama.
Detective Jang, pursuing Lee Tang, is faced with a moral dilemma inherent to his profession: the necessity to choose good over evil and the imperative not to harm others, even criminals. However, his resolve is tested when Song Chun, a former police officer who assaulted Jang’s father, appears. In a mockery of Jang’s decision to apprehend him, Song Chun kills Jang’s father. Overwhelmed by rage, Jang, driven more by a desire for revenge as a victim’s family member than by his duty as a detective, commits murder, an act considered evil.
Jang’s father and Song Chun were colleagues in the police force, a profession that demands integrity and a distance from corruption and crime. Yet, Jang’s father was involved in drug trafficking, and Song Chun, after assaulting him, becomes a serial killer.
No Bin, who assisted in Lee Tang and Song Chun’s killings, lost his parents to a robbery at a young age. While one might expect a victim of such tragedy to despise murderers, No Bin instead helps create a fearsome murderer in Song Chun, driven by a desire to kill those he deems “deserving” for the death of his family.
Lee Tang, Detective Jang, Jang’s father, Song Chun, and No Bin—all central characters in the narrative—act not according to societal norms of justice but follow their instincts. The drama presents a world where the distinctions between good and evil blur: a detective shooting people, a victim assisting a murderer, and a cop committing crimes.
“A Killer Paradox” challenges the viewer with moral puzzles: “Is someone who kills a person who ‘deserved to die’ good, or just another murderer?”; “But I still want to root for Tang…”; “Jang had every right to shoot!” It seems impossible to clearly define right and wrong in this drama, highlighting the complexity of human nature and morality.
In this twisted world, where roles and moral standings are not as they seem, the drama suggests that the distinctions between good and evil, like the names of the characters, may not be as far apart as they appear. The title “A Killer Paradox” itself plays on the names and roles, hinting at the intricate connection between characters and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator, good and evil.
Main Actors
Choi Woo Shik
born on March 26, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea, is an actor who has gained international recognition for his versatile performances across a variety of genres. He moved to Canada with his family at a young age, spending much of his early life there before returning to South Korea to pursue acting. Choi made his acting debut in the television series “The Duo” in 2011 and quickly became known for his ability to embody diverse characters. His breakthrough came with roles in films like “Set Me Free,” where he won several awards for his performance. However, it was his role as Kim Ki-woo in the critically acclaimed film “Parasite” (2019) directed by Bong Joon-ho that catapulted him to international fame. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Picture, among others, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Movies
- “The Boy is Back” (2010) – Minor Role
- “Etude, Solo” (2010)
- “Special Investigation Unit” (2011)
- “In Front of Your Face” (2011)
- “Architecture 101” (2012) – Nab-ddeuk
- “Secretly, Greatly” (2013) – Yoon Yoo-joon
- “Ten Minutes” (2013)
- “Set Me Free” (2014) – Young-jae
- “Big Match” (2014) – Hacker “Guru”
- “In the Room” (2015)
- “Busan Bound” (2016) – Yong-guk
- “Okja” (2017) – Kim
- “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion” (2018) – Nobleman
- “Monstrum” (2018) – Hur Shin
- “Parasite” (2019) – Ki-woo
- “The Divine Fury” (2019) – Father Choi
- “Time to Hunt” (2020) – Ki-hoon
TV Series
- “The Duo” (2011)
- “Live in Style” (2011)
- “Rooftop Prince” (2012) – Do Chi-san
- “Special Affairs Team TEN” (2011-2013)
- “Fated to Love You” (2014)
- “Pride and Prejudice” (2014-2015)
- “Hogu’s Love” (2015)
- “Fight for My Way” (2017)
- “The Package” (2017)
- “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” (2018)
- “The Witch’s Diner” (2021)
Son Suk Gu
born May 7, 1983, in South Korea, has also made a significant impact in the Korean film and drama industry with his strong and compelling performances. Although he entered the acting scene later than some of his peers, Son quickly established himself as a talented actor through his roles in both film and television. He gained attention for his roles in movies such as “The Outlaws” (2017) and “Be Melodramatic” (2019), showcasing his range from serious to more comedic roles. In television, he has been part of the cast in series like “Suits” (Korean version, 2018), “My Liberation Notes” (2022), and “D.P.” (2021), where he received praise for portraying complex characters with depth and nuance.
Movies
- “Sense8” (2015) – Mun
- “The Witness” (2018)
- “Mother” (2018)
- “The Outlaws” (2017) – President Hwang
- “Be Melodramatic” (2019)
- “Hit-and-Run Squad” (2019) – Jung Jae-cheol
- “D.P.” (2021) – First Sergeant Park Beom-gu
TV Series
- “Suits” (2018)
- “Matrimonial Chaos” (2018)
- “Designated Survivor: 60 Days” (2019)
- “Be Melodramatic” (2019)
- “Do You Like Brahms?” (2020)
- “My Liberation Notes” (2022)
- “D.P.” (2021-2022)
