Those Who Read the Hearts of Evil

Many compared Through the Darkness to the US series Mindhunter. Though they share some elements, they are completely different shows. One focuses on the mind of serial killers. This one focuses on the psychology of profilers.

They could not have found a better actor to portray an empath. And they couldn't have written a better script to profile the empath archetype: quiet, introverted, loner with few social connections. It's downright eerie how well the empath type was depicted. This personality type takes every emotion they're exposed to onto themselves. If they're not careful, their burden will consume them.

By contrast, the serial killers' stories were deliberately made crass and vulgar to underscore the banality of evil.

If you're going into this with a 'Korean Mindhunter' mindset, you'll likely be disappointed, like so many other commenters. But if you like intense psychological exploration, this is the show for you.

Also called "Though the Darkness." The name is apt for the journey the main protagonist has to undergo. Criminal profiling is quite a difficult job as this show reveals. Nam-gil Kim effortlessly carries the plot with his quiet demeanor and focus.

It's interesting to see how the relationships among the detectives grow and how their approach to investigations develop. Shoutout to the director, Park Bo-Ram, who created a crime drama set in the late 90s that is believable.

This show is definitely among the best true crime stories that have emerged from South Korea. Highly recommended.

A very well put together 12 part series covering some horrific crimes in South Korea. Set in 1990 up to 2007 and based on a book of experiences of a famous Korean Profiler. Over 12 episodes it charts their infancy as a behavioural unit and the lack of support , funding or understanding from their police colleagues as to their relevance to each investigation. Hard to watch at times when some of the crimes were being recounted by the killers. I can imagine the real profilers didn't have an easy job. Superb cast in this with some familiar faces and a few new ones. The 2 male profiler leads are outstanding !!! Their facial expressions and studious examination of each case just pulls you in and you are rooting for them to catch the killer. I really hope there is a second series. We'll done everyone. Superb series !!!

It's almost impossible to not compare the two shows to each other, as this basically feels like a Korean version of Mindhunter.

We get to see how the first "profilers" make an emergence in solving crimes, we get the old guard scoffing at these new "brainy" guys and their weird antics, we get the interviews with the serial killers to find out what makes them tick, and using all the intelligence they have garnered to catch new ones running amock.

Because of all the simmilarities, it's also impossible to not compare the two shows. And while "Those who read the Hearts of Evil" is an entertaining show as well on it's own, "Mindhunter" is the one which ends up on top in my opinion. And by seeing how one does it better, it also makes you notice how the other does it worse in certain aspects.

This is a more sensationalised version. There are more extreme coincidences, there are more crazed serial killers, there's more drama shown by the characters. While Mindhunter feels more like they want to show a realistic almost documentary like show, this one feels almost more like they wanted to make a stretched out Hollywood movie.

And there's nothing wrong with that. This was an entertaining time waster.

I usually watch Kim Nam Gil with playful and funny character. Here in this movie all his funny and playfulness are completely gone. He becomes very serious , persistent, and meticulous person. This proves that he worked hard to animate this character.

This is very serious drama unlike other korean drama that usually combine romantic and comedy into the movie to make more enjoyable to more people. I believe some persons might get bored to watch this. It is very idealistic. No romantic, no fun, nothing but thrill and suspense.

I think it will be classic. I don't think this kind of drama will arise again in 5 - 10 years from now.