A Killer Paradox (2025)
Starring: Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, Lee Hee-joon
Platform: Netflix
Douban Rating: 8.3
Plot Summary:
Lee Tang (Choi Woo-shik) is a quiet, unremarkable college student who works night shifts and minds his own business. But everything changes when he gets into a violent altercation with a man—only to discover afterward that the man was a serial killer. Haunted by guilt but shaken by a strange sense of justice, Lee Tang finds himself drawn into a dangerous spiral where each accidental killing seems to rid the world of a worse evil.
Meanwhile, Detective Jang Nan-gam (Son Suk-ku) becomes obsessed with this string of deaths, sensing a pattern and a moral logic behind them. As he closes in on Lee Tang, questions arise: is this a new kind of vigilante—or just a killer who thinks he’s a hero?
As the lines between justice and vengeance blur, A Killer Paradox explores the psychological unraveling of both hunter and hunted.
Highlights:
- Choi Woo-shik gives a career-elevating performance—raw, unpredictable, and chilling as a “nice guy” turned unpredictable killer.
- Son Suk-ku delivers a strong counterweight as a detective balancing duty with his own sense of justice.
- The cat-and-mouse dynamic is packed with tension, philosophical questions, and complex emotional beats.
- Stylish cinematography and gritty visuals enhance the noir-like tone of the series, with moody lighting and fragmented storytelling.
What Could Be Better:
- The slow-burn pacing and moral ambiguity might frustrate viewers looking for clear heroes or fast action.
- Some philosophical monologues, while meaningful, may feel heavy-handed depending on viewer taste.
Verdict:
A Killer Paradox is a cerebral and haunting series that dares to ask what justice really means—and what’s left of your soul when you start deciding who deserves to live or die. With layered performances and a gripping plot, it’s one of 2025’s most thought-provoking thrillers.
Recommended for fans of Stranger, Taxi Driver, or Death Note, this K-drama blends crime and conscience with razor-sharp tension.