Netflix unveiled its highly anticipated original Korean thriller, Karma (악연), on April 4, 2025. This gripping narrative is brought to life by writer-director Lee Il-hyung, featuring a stellar cast including Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, Lee Hee-joon, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Gong Seung-yeon.
Comprising six episodes, Karma is adapted from the beloved webcomic Akyeon, created by Choi Hee-sun, which was published on Kakao from April 2019 to January 2020. The series delves into the perilous convergence of desire, violence, and fate, centering on a chilling murder-for-hire scheme that intertwines the lives of strangers through the web of secrets, betrayal, and unresolved trauma.
Disclaimer: The review below represents the author’s subjective opinions and interpretations, which may differ from those of other viewers.
Review of Karma: A Dark Narrative That Loses Its Grip Before Gaining Momentum
In this adaptation of the webcomic Akyeon, Karma weaves a complex narrative around six seemingly unrelated characters. The chaos begins when one character decides to murder another for a lucrative reward of 500 million KRW, setting off a chain reaction of unforeseen consequences.
The storyline invites viewers into a labyrinth of timelines as it presents the lives of Park Jae-yeong, Jung Gil-ryong, Kim Beom-jun, Lee Yu-jeong, Han Sang-hun, and Lee Ju-yeon. While the series captures attention with its intricate plot from the outset, it struggles to maintain that suspense in the ensuing episodes.
The opening of Karma is particularly striking, featuring a man severely burned, whispering his name to a doctor portrayed by Shin Min-a, which instantly piques curiosity among viewers.
As the plot unfolds, the series shifts gears to explore character backstories, a necessary technique in any thriller to foster tension. However, this exploratory phase drags through the first three episodes, stalling the narrative momentum and diminishing suspense. Despite the interwoven plots and timeline shifts, the series fails to sustain the intrigue established in its opening sequence.
Things begin to change in the latter half of the series, where it picks up pace and tightens its focus. Following the third episode, Karma effectively shifts into a primary timeline while continuing to reveal earlier connections among the cast.
The somber tone of the series aligns perfectly with its cinematography, showcasing three timelines: the chaotic present, a past set 15 days earlier detailing the origins of the events, and another timeline 13 years back, which solidifies connections among four of the protagonists.
Park Jae-yeong, played by Lee Hee-joon, is depicted as a desperate man in dire financial straits, facing a looming deadline to repay a loan from a ruthless loan shark. To escape a grim fate, he concocts a plan to kill his father and claim the insurance money.
He enlists the help of Jang Gil-ryong, portrayed by Kim Sung-kyun, who recently lost his job. Unbeknownst to Park, Gil-ryong brings his former prison mate, Kim Beom-jun, played by Park Hae-soo, into their plot.
Kim Beom-jun is a cunning con artist who, alongside his accomplice Lee Yu-jeong, portrayed by Gong Seung-yeon, exploits affluent victims. Their scheme soon entangles the hapless Han Sang-hun, played by Lee Kwang-soo, who finds himself caught in the criminal web.
As the actions of these morally ambiguous characters lead to a central murder, their fates become irrevocably linked, drawing Lee Ju-yeon, played by Shin Min-a, into their tragic entanglement.
Ju-yeon bears the scars of a traumatic event from 13 years prior, involving Park Jae-yeong, Lee Yu-jeong, and unknowingly, Kim Beom-jun. The fate these flawed characters face is predictable to seasoned thriller enthusiasts, leaning on conventional tropes. However, the richness of their character development and strong performances elevate Karma significantly.
Park Hae-soo’s portrayal of Kim Beom-jun is particularly noteworthy; he brings layers to a character teetering on the edge of psychopathy, commanding the audience’s attention throughout. Lee Hee-joon’s performance as Park Jae-yeong captures the essence of a privileged villain, as he cold-heartedly contemplates patricide for financial gain. Additionally, Kim Sung-kyun, Gong Seung-yeon, and Lee Kwang-soo deliver outstanding performances that complement the narrative’s complexity.
In contrast, Shin Min-a’s role as Lee Ju-yeon is a significant letdown. Presented largely as a victim, her character serves more as a narrative device than an agent of karmic justice. Although her quest for revenge is apparent, even culminating in a moment that turns out to be a dream, her arc devolves into background noise.
Despite being sidelined, Shin Min-a’s performance imbues Ju-yeon with depth. Regrettably, the writers push her revenge story onto her boyfriend, portrayed by Kim Nam-gil, who, despite a limited appearance, leaves a remarkable impact with his intense performance.
The series concludes with a striking cameo from Song Geon-hee, known for his role in Lovely Runner, who appears as the adolescent version of Kim Beom-jun, delivering one of the most chilling moments in the entire series. Although brief at just 90 seconds, his charismatic presence make it a lingering highlight.
All six episodes of Karma, the original Netflix thriller, are now available for viewers to binge-watch.