Warning: This article contains spoilers for Karma. Netflix’s gripping new thriller K-drama, Karma, intricately intertwines the narratives of various characters, culminating in an exploration of their connections. The series features a talented cast, including Park Hae-soon, Shin Min-a, and Lee Hee-jun, portraying the roles of the Witness, Lee Ju-yeon, and the Debtor, respectively. Told through a non-linear format with flashbacks, the story begins with the Debtor, who finds himself ensnared in a dangerous predicament involving a loan shark threatening his life if he fails to repay his debts. In a desperate bid for financial relief, the Debtor devises a plan to murder his father and claim the insurance payout.
To execute this dark scheme, the Debtor employs Gil-ryong (Kim Sung-kyun), a treacherous co-worker, to carry out the act. However, Gil-ryong has his own agenda, collaborating with a former acquaintance, the Witness, to exploit the situation for blackmail against Glasses (Lee Kwang-soo). As the plot deepens, the lives of the Debtor and other key characters become increasingly entangled, leading to devastating consequences by the series’ conclusion. The finale starkly illustrates the repercussions of the Debtor’s father’s demise, revealing the fates of all involved in this grim tale.
The Fate of the Witness in Karma
Witness Meets a Tragic End in the Season Finale
Introduced in the series’ second episode, the Witness, Kim Beom-jun, becomes embroiled in a deadly situation when he witnesses Sang-hun (Glasses) accidentally hit a man with his vehicle. To ensure Beom-jun’s silence, Sang-hun bribes him with 10 million Won and recruits him to help conceal the body. Under the immense pressure of his actions, Sang-hun rationalizes that he has avoided repercussions, but Beom-jun’s demands for more money lead to a shocking turn of events — he murders Sang-hun.
Beom-jun’s poorly conceived plans spiral out of control, forcing him to evade law enforcement. In a desperate encounter with Park Jae-young and Gil-ryong in an abandoned location, he sees only one way to escape his entrapments. Unbeknownst to him, adopting the Debtor’s identity means inheriting all associated difficulties.
In a dramatic turn, he sets the building ablaze, resulting in the death of Jae-young. However, his victory is short-lived; Beom-jun suffers severe burns and ends up in a hospital, where Dr. Lee recognizes his identity. Tragically, as Beom-jun thinks he has outmaneuvered the authorities, he becomes a victim of the loan shark’s brutal collection, leading to his demise at the hands of Dr. Yoon, who harvests his organs.
Exploring Connections Among the Characters in Karma
Interwoven Narratives
From the very first episode, Karma establishes an interconnected web among its characters. For instance, Park Jae-young agrees to pay Gil-ryong a substantial sum of the insurance money in exchange for killing his father. Gil-ryong, in turn, devises a scheme involving the Witness to con Glasses, misleading him into believing he bears responsibility for a murder that had already occurred.
| Karma Episode Number & Title | |
| Episode Number | Title |
| Episode 1 | “The Man With Loan Shark Debts” |
| Episode 2 | “The Man Who Disposed Of A Body” |
| Episode 3 | “The Unrighteous” |
| Episode 4 | “The Woman Trapped In The Past” |
| Episode 5 | “Rewind” |
| Episode 6 | “Karma” |
In order for Glasses to encounter the Witness at the location of the body, Yu-jeong assists by manipulating Glasses to leave his motel. This collaboration highlights the long-standing friendship between her and Beom-jun, who have swindled people for years. Ultimately, when the Witness assumes Jae-young’s identity, Ju-yeon recalls past traumas, revealing a dark history involving Jae-young, culminating in Dr. Yoon’s fatal confrontation with the Witness.
Character Demises in Karma
Tragic Endings for Five Main Characters
The series Karma ends with a substantial body count, as many principal characters succumb to their violent existences. The first to meet his end is Glasses. After discovering through dashcam footage that he is not responsible for Jae-young’s father’s death, a confrontation with his girlfriend leads to violent repercussions. It is the Witness who ultimately intervenes to protect her, but not before the cycle of violence escalates.
Subsequently, Gil-ryong faces a gruesome fate; he is stabbed by the Witness and perishes in the same inferno that consumes the Debtor. The Witness also meets his end in a horrific manner, believing himself to have evaded capture. However, Dr. Yoon takes sinister action once Beom-jun is in his operating room, cruelly harvesting his organs without anesthesia.
Decoding Karma‘s Conclusion
A Just End for All Characters
The finale aptly reflects the show’s title, elucidating that every character who committed a crime faced consequences. Out of the central figures, five meet their demise, leaving only Ju-yeon alive to potentially begin anew. The closing scenes underscore the theme of retribution, as Dr. Lee gains solace knowing her tormentors have met their end.
Yu-jeong and the Witness led lives defined by deception, ultimately falling victim to their own machinations. With Jae-young’s role in plotting his father’s murder weighing heavily on him, it’s no surprise he also faces a tragic fate. Likewise, even the seemingly meek Glasses reveals a hidden cruelty, while Gil-ryong pays the price for his role in the deadly plan.
Does Karma Hint at a Season 2?
No Cliffhanger for Future Seasons
The concluding episode of Karma, titled simply “Karma,”neatly ties up the various narrative threads presented throughout the series. Each character involved in Jae-young’s father’s demise faces their reckoning, creating a sense of closure. Ju-yeon finds a path to healing, releasing her traumatic past. This resolution leaves little to suggest the need for a second season; should Karma continue, it would likely need to focus on a fresh cast, exploring new narratives.