Thomas Storai 
Choi Woo-shik as Lee Tang in A Killer Paradox Cr. SONG KYOUNG SUB/Netflix © 2023
“The first four episodes of A Killer Paradox offer an exciting twist on the usual serial killer stories. This is a dazzling and thrilling start with complex characters. Choi Woo-shik delivers a nuanced performance as this accidental killer while Son Suk-ku is just as excellent as a detective.”
A Killer Paradox is the latest series starring Choi Woo-shik from the winning-Oscar film Parasite. The series is based on the Webtoon of the same name by Kkomabi. All the episodes release February 9 on Netflix.
THE PREMISE
A Killer Paradox isn’t your typical crime thriller series. Indeed, this one tells the story of Lee Tang (Choi Woo-shik), an ordinary college student who has a part time job at a convenience store. When he accidentally kills someone, one murder leads to another. He happens to become a serial killer without realizing it and wanting it. He is stuck in an endless cat-and-mouse chase with Detective Jang Nan-gam (Son Suk-ku) who will stop at nothing to catch him.
THE MISFORTUNES OF LEE TANG
The situation definitely reminds me of something that would come out of the Coen Brothers’ mind. This series is a mix of black comedy because of this crazy situation that keeps getting crazier and a crime thriller with the detective chasing Lee Tang.
The first four episodes are focused on Lee Tang and how he becomes stuck in this circle of violence killing one person after another. His life is completely turned upside down. I find this character so compelling. He is not an evil psychotic serial killer like you would find in your usual crime thriller. He doesn’t want to kill. And yet, he keeps killing in what could be described as a struck of bad luck. He is a passive character in his own story, things just happen to him. It’s funny in a dark way while also being dramatic. It doesn’t stop. However, there is more to these murders than what it first appears to be. These victims are heinous criminals. This is extremely exciting to see the story unfolds. It is the type of series that if you have time, you want to binge-watch it.
You know what Lee Tang did is wrong but you see him suffer from the consequences of his actions. So, this creates empathy for the character. Somehow you weirdly end up caring for him, you feel sorry for him. This is exactly why this series works. Clearly, you wouldn’t have cared if Tang was an evil cold-blooded killer like the victims he kills. With what is happening to Tang, it asks the question of whether he is a hero for killing these killers or just a killer like them.
A DEVOTED DETECTIVE
Moreover, to catch a serial killer, you need a clever detective. You have that with Jang Nan-gam. Indeed, he is someone who has experience and goes beyond what he sees. He trusts his instinct. Tough, Jang is also a bit of an irritating person. The way he behaves can be harsh at times. Because of his personality and how it opposes him to Lee Tang, this makes him the right person to chase this unfortunate killer. The same way you care for Tang, you also want Jang to catch him. And you care for this detective. The first four episodes give you glimpses of his backstory which tells you there is more to this detective than just what you see. This is what I love about this series. The characters are multi-layered and the story is more than just this cat-and-mouse chase, it is also a character study.
CAST
Undoubtedly, Choi Woo-shik has a great sex appeal even when he plays an accidental killer. This is also another reason why you care for his character. Choi is a talented actor and once again, he shows the extent of his skills. He delivers a nuanced performance as this accidental killer. He brings depth to his performance fully showcasing the different sides of Lee Tang. You can feel Tang’s guilt and how he completely looses his mind over what is happening to him. Son Suk-ku is just as excellent as Detective Jang Nan-gam.
VISUALS
Furthermore, this series also excels with its visuals. The director Lee Chang-hee gets the best of his cast. The confusion inside of Lee Tang’s mind is felt on screen too with the way some of his scenes are filmed. Sometimes, you doubt what you see like Tang doubts what he is seeing. It is a clever way to bring on screen the insanity of what is happening. In addition, you really get inside the character’s mind. The director knows how to build up the tension of this cat-and-mouse chase between Tang and Jang too. Whether it is an angle from which he films an actor or a close-up to capture a certain expression, the camera is exactly where it needs to be in every scene. It often uses night scenes which creates a natural ominous atmosphere. But even with the daylight scenes, there is something quite striking in how its filmed.
VERDICT
The first four episodes of A Killer Paradox offer an exciting twist on the usual serial killer stories. This is a dazzling and thrilling start with complex characters. Choi Woo-shik delivers a nuanced performance as this accidental killer while Son Suk-ku is just as excellent as a detective.
A Killer Paradox premieres February 9 on Netflix.
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