Karma

I've seen quite a few series with non-linear plots like this, but this 6 episodes of Karma hit differently.

The storytelling feels tight, no unnecessary scenes dragging out the runtime. Each episode moves fast and layers its twists beautifully. Not once did i feel bored or lose focus. Every scene is crafted so well, and every flashbacks are perfectly placed to enrich the story.

The director really nailed it with a classy recipe that allowss the characters developed perfectly. My special shoutout to Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon for their standout performances. We often see them working through all kinds of complicated emotions, and when they do, their expressions totally reflect who they are as characters.

As one might imagine from the name, Karma depicts several people reaping the rewards for their misdeeds. Or put another way, we watch horrible people meet horrible ends, usually as a result of their own actions.

Many of the characters presented are so despicable that watching their self-destruction gives the sense of observing a slow-motion train-wreck from which we cannot quite look away. Indeed, we almost eagerly await these people facing their karma.

As Kdramas are famous for, Karma gives us a complex narrative filled with complex characters. And while I was never amazed, I was certainly always intrigued. The dense storytelling does a good job of keeping the viewing guessing about the relationships between characters, just what's going, and why. An overlapping nonlinear narrative covers the same events multiple times, widening our understanding of the overall picture with each passing scene. It strives for something akin to Memento, but never quite reaches such lofty heights of film making.

The show is helped by its short episode count, because while I don't think I'd have tolerated a full 16 episode depiction of such people, at 6 episodes I was always eager to see what was next and how it would all come together.

The end result is a highly watchable show suitable for anyone who likes piecing together some mystery in their dramas.

I just stumbled on this show and only was going to watch an episode to check it out. I had no previous knowledge of this show or the cast.

I was hooked after the first episode and binge watched the entire series in one shot. While this is a series, it feels more like a long movie. When a series gives you that sensation, its probably because its really good.

Had to look up the movie since I was curious about it and it seems to be based on a kakao webtoon of the same name, which kind of explains why the story is so well thought out. The way the series was edited was really well done but I felt like they gave away too much and it became obvious at a certain point what was ending was going to be. The story is edited in a back and forth time jump, perhaps to confuse the viewer with overly abundant details so that the ending wouldn't be obvious.

I really enjoyed the story. Basically a vengeance story with a satisfying ending. I haven't read it so I'm not sure if the webtoon was this intricate in laying down the backstory for each character, then intertwining them together but thats how this series turned out. The script was just really well done and edited.

There were a few things I felt could have been done differently. The subtitles are terrible, sometimes its better to write the true, more direct translation instead of interpreting it as what it would be the most similar in english. Even if it doesn't make complete sense or the grammar is incorrect, I think the audience would better understand.

Second issue was the overly vivid and exaggerated colors used in the film. This has become very common place in kpop music videos and alot of korean movies since Snowpiercer, its also very common in korean TV. I thought it in this application, it diminished the theme a little bit. The effect works when you want to present a surreal environment but doesn't work so well in this dark thriller drama.

Setting is top notch. Beautiful background of the clean modern techno city that is Seoul but also that gritty grimey alleyway Gotham like city that is also Seoul.

Highly recommend this series.

If you're looking for a captivating Korean drama, I highly recommend "Karma." This series skillfully blends themes of fate and revenge, following a young woman whose life takes a dark turn after a tragic incident. The character development is outstanding, drawing you into the protagonist's emotional journey.

The lead's performance is particularly powerful, making her struggles feel real and relatable. The cinematography enhances the story beautifully, balancing intense moments with reflective scenes.

Each episode is packed with tension and unexpected twists, keeping you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy psychological thrillers and gripping storytelling, "Karma" is a must-watch!

Korean TV shows have a well-earned reputation for deep, layered storytelling-and Karma takes that legacy and turns it up a notch. When it comes to jaw-dropping twists and turns, this series doesn't just meet expectations-it raises the bar.

From the very first episode, Karma grips you and doesn't let go. What makes it even more impressive is how it weaves multiple storylines together-each compelling on its own-without ever feeling messy or overwhelming. It all ties together beautifully in the end, leaving you both satisfied and impressed.

The direction is sharp, the pacing is spot on, and the acting hits the mark at every turn. You can tell the creators knew exactly what they were doing-and they executed it with precision.

All in all, this is easily one of the best Korean TV shows on Netflix right now. If you love layered narratives and smart storytelling, Karma is a must-watch.