Disappointing Despite Star-studded Cast
Premise: Did not read the web seriesWas throughly impressed with the First 3 Episodes. CWS & SSK are such amazing actors that I was immediately captivated and brought their world. Absolutely enjoyed the directing which were movie-esque - especially in first few murders; such as the slow-mo scenes & cut scene of likening Lee Tang to a dog. The introduction of SYO (blind lady); who btw was brillantly acted by JYS, brought good tension and progression to the show.
However, for me, it all started going downhill with the introduction of Roh Bin. Understand that it is somewhat a fiction drama (with Tang's "powers") but it was incredibly unbelievable that a one man(?) hacker, someone so naive, someone watched by the Police, someone inspired by Batman, would be able to aid vigilante murders... To me, it felt like drama instantly crumbled in terms of realism/sophistication. It could have been so much more with the budget awailable..
Overall, still a reasonable watch in my books, esp with the amazing cast whose perofrmance was top notch.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Failed Paradoxical Expectation
First off, let me reiterate that I am fan of both Choi Woo-shik and Son Suk-ku. I think that their acting was very well done and I hope to see them working again in another drama or movie.That being said... I don't know what I was expecting but from the trailers, I thought that maybe it would be more supernatural in genre. That his first kill made him somehow able to "see" the crimes of the people he came in contact with. If you ever watched the Memorist, you'd know what I'm talking about. But alas, it wasn't so. It was more that Choi Woo-Shik's character, Lee Tang, just becomes a vigilante at best with some kind of small intuition to feel out evil people.
I think one of the problems with the storyline was basically Lee Tang's character development into a serial killer. One minute you see him like a regretful and tortured accidental killer and other times, just as a serious murderer. He goes back and forth like this and somehow it didn't allow the storyline to flow smoothly. Maybe that was part of the paradox they were aiming for but it just didn't work. Sometimes he's a coward in hiding and other times he's a cold-blooded killer. I don't know if the second killer was worth bringing in. Also, the nude sex scene was like a Michael Bay-Netlix-Let's-Show-Some-Boobs-And-Sex thing. Why was that even in there? Added nothing to the story but just degradation of women in film as usual.
Overall, it was good enough that I binge-watched this but I don't think I'll rewatch it.
Was this review helpful to you?
A good crime drama that had something missing
Any time there's a new crime kdrama, I'm likely to watch it. It's one of my favorite genres. So when I saw A Killer Paradox on Netflix, I knew it would be worth a shot. While it's definitely not my favorite show, it was a fun and short watch. I do think Netflix has been doing itself a disservice with these shorter shows, as there always seems to be something lacking from them.Lee Tang is our main character and at first, he seems incredibly normal. He doesn't get good grades and seems to be a bit lost on what he wants to do with his life. While working at his part-time job at the convenience store, some particularly annoying customers come in. Lee Tang doesn't seem to be one to lose his temper, and mostly ignores them. However, as he's leaving, one of them attacks him - and Lee Tang fights back and kills the guy. However, when the murder case is "solved", Lee Tang is not charged, or really even suspected. Plus, it turns out the dead guy wasn't just some annoying customer, but a horrible person himself. It seems Lee Tang got lucky - and it seems this luck continues to follow him with every murder he commits. As he starts to be consumed by guilt, will Lee Tang's luck run out? Will the cops finally catch on to what he's doing? Or can Lee Tang manage to keep scraping by?
This drama was nearly comical even though it has a serious tone. A murder unknowingly kills horrible people, and always seems to get away with it in a superhero (or villain) style. Lee Tang is an interesting main character because he's so....normal. I think the one thing I really would have liked to see in this show is more tension between Lee Tang and the detective that's pursuing him. It seems like it would've really helped to round out the story, which I believe could have been done if they had had a bit more time. As much as I love shorter series, I think it's hard to do a complete crime show in just 8 episodes. That being said, I really enjoyed this one and thought it ended very well.
Was this review helpful to you?
A fresh thriller that really needed a bit more time
Killer Paradox is an interesting K Drama as it’s plot in the first couple episodes is really interesting: it’s like a serial killer focused hero-esq story that starts really strong with cool visuals and incredible acting; however, it kinda falls short as it feels like the show should’ve had two-ish more episodes. The way I describe it is that it set up a plot, and then right when it got going you immediately go into the climax arc right when the main *thing* gets underway. It’s bizzare, worth a watch, but definitely not perfect.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
In terms of responses to past trauma.
This series explores how past trauma can change a person—in how one sees and acts in response. Although it's not very fresh, it's definitely worth watching.Following the main character, Lee Tang; one day when he meets a man and he’s beaten up, flashbacks of the past that traumatised his elicit a response-reflex retaliation. In that accident, Lee Tang’s found to have killed someone-more precisely, he killed a serial killer. This is how Lee Tang becomes a seeial killer—in a paradoxical sense. Accident—whether it’s luck or, in this case, God’s messenger to reward individuals for what they’ve done—leads Lee Tang to a series of horrific incidents that, to some, are justified.
Together with someone who claimed to be a “Justice Enforcer”, he invited Lee Tang to join him in his noble task. It sounded hallucinatory at first, I guess it was just the motive of a crazy and lonely psychopath. As the story progressed, minute-by-minute, episode-to-episode, the light of evil slowly emerged. But it wasn’t entirely “demonic nature”; the paradoxical vengeance of an Otaku’s idea started this series of events.
From a victim’s point of view, revenge by an “Anonymous Hero” against an escaped criminal is a divine favour, albeit, we know, in an infamous way. It cannot be denied that in some cases, criminals who are related to, or within the scope of important people, such as officials, will be difficult for the law to touch. Whether incompetence of the police or law enforcement, bribery or the like, there will be a way to escape. Therefore, as Mr Otaku said, people like Lee Tang are needed in this sinful world. Lee Tang’s “special ability” to detect those who deserve to be punished around him also leads him through his noble task; a series of unbelievable luck and encounters with other Anonymous Hero. The twists and turns of disguise, evasion, cat-and-mouse with law enforcement didn’t stop this noble task.
As the title suggests, A Killer Paradox, means the same as infamous. Don’t just expect good acting, a great story, and unexpected plot twists, try to learn some life lessons. I know, we’re sick of moral lessons, but still, looking at what’s happening now, human morality needs to be questioned—not to mention the triggers of past trauma that are usually caused by physical and non-physical bullying.
Was this review helpful to you?
If you truly appreciate art, you’ll love it
I’m so confused by the bad reviews on this. Because of the lower ratings, I didn’t expect much going in, but boy did my expectations get blown out of the water!Masterfully and beautifully directed. Yes, the storytelling is disjointed, but it’s intentional and it really kept me engaged and guessing. And the acting is great. The old cop guy was phenomenal.
I finished in about two days, and thought it was pretty fast-paced to the end. I greatly preferred over Vigilante, which has a similar premise but is way less artsy and entertaining. I haven’t even finished yet cause I got bored halfway through.
If you appreciate stylized storytelling, you’ll love the show, so give it a chance.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I did not know what to expect lol. I only knew that I was going to watch it because Choi Woo Shik and Son Suk Ku was going to be in it. From the outset, the premise hooked me with its intriguing setup. Lee Tang, an ordinary college student, finds himself in a nightmare scenario after a fatal altercation at his part-time job. The tension escalates as he grapples with the guilt and fear of his actions, only to discover a startling truth: the man he killed was a notorious serial killer. Lee Tang's journey from a guilt-ridden vigilante was portrayed with depth and nuance. I thought that his struggles and conflicts added layers of complexity to the narrative, making him quite a compelling ML to follow. SSK character added depth to this intricate web of morality and justice.The first half was great! The storyline was sharp and kept me on edge but as it comes to the second half it became quite dull. Cast was top notch with CWS knocking it out of the park as LT. One minute you're rooting for him and then the other time you just questions him and his decisions. LOL.
This was quite a binge-worth drama. I only wished the thriller part of it was more and longer.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good drama that could habe been much more
To be honest I was expecting much more from this drama. The first half was great it was really intense and I love the main character but after the other leads appeared the story was a bit dragging and it wasn’t so engaging. I would prefer if the drama would concentrate more on the main character Lee Tang and his retake of justice.It is real shame as it had much more potential.
Choi Woo was great…the role of killer really suits him.
Overall it was good show, not amazing not bad.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thriller, Entertaining!!
A_Killer_ParadoxA thin yet powerfull story plot exploring Killer's viewpoint, urge to kill and of course the chase of Finding the killer is all about this webseries.
The final episode's banger reveal and twist is definitely missing on the initial episodes and the screeplay could have been better as well.
The editor's cut is brilliant.
In some scenes where the flow of BGM score just drops suddenly is a WOW type.
Can the killings be justified if the victims are worthy of that ?
Thats director's giveaway for audience.
A good one which could have been an Amazing one.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Kill Or Be Killed!
I've only watched a few episodes so far and would binge them all if I could, but unfortunately its getting far too late.
No complaints, however.
It is well paced, there are no fillers and it gets into the nitty gritty from about 15 or so minutes in.
What could be better than that?!
This drama series is more or less about a part time working student, Lee Tang, who kills a man with a hammer near his work place (convenient store) late one night in self defence. The only witness is a blind woman and her dog only she plays dumb. Not long after the killing Lee Tang discovers on the news that the man was actually under an alias name and responsible for quite a few murders. To make it worse, however, the blind woman decides to black mail the poor lad for money and from there more and more things start to add on to make his life just that tinier bit colourful...
No OSTs have stood out for me at all or been noticed really although the sound effects used have been in the right places - perfect for the scene or situation.
I recognise the male lead from a few other drama series like Rooftop Prince (not finished watching) and some Summer one, I think. Didn't get too far into that one as it wasn't quite holding my interest.
With this drama it is quite straight forward, interesting and touches on the possibility of someone that is either about to lose their mind if not already or spiral out of control towards becoming a serial killer themselves. Too late!
I'm crossing my fingers that the remaining 6 episodes are just as enthralling with a few hanging on the edge of my chair moments.
Recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
Thrilling, fantastical… murder?
This was a genuinely fun watch. Even though I think they kind of liar the plot in some of the middle episodes and it seemed super compressed due to the short run time, I thoroughly enjoyed some parts a lot.I think many of the stories of the victims of the victims of Lee Tang’s murders had their story told phenomenally, in an extremely touching way. The narrative did a great job of getting us on people’s side, getting us to see things from others perspectives. Some of the stories were enough to make me tear up a little.
What I did think lost a little of v the magic was the chase sequences, simply because I think we could have embellished our fine detective with more than just a wonderful amount of facial hair. We only see the detective’s inner working mind and thoughts in the later episodes, and I would have loved to see far more of him.
Roh Bin was an interesting character. I was extremely surprised when Song Chan’s flashback sequence actually had me seeing things from his viewpoint.
All in all, enjoyable. I did thoroughly enjoy the ending sequence.
Was this review helpful to you?
Watch Vigilante instead
This show is a recycled plot of 'Vigilante', another antihero K-drama which aired before this one. It has the same plot with Vigilante, but with different circumstances. You can expect they copy paste every single idea of Vigilante.To be honest, the first three episodes were disappointing. I felt really bad for watching it. If I hadn't watched Vigilante, perhaps it can satisfy me.
If you wish to watch this show, try to think twice before deciding or you can try Vigilante instead. It's super boring and the writer seemed to have watched through Vigilante back and forth, given that both have identical plots. Happy watching for those who haven't watched. I will try to cover Vigilante's review next time.
Was this review helpful to you?
