The cunning villain Cho Sang-woo from “Squid Game” Season 1, portrayed brilliantly by actor Park Hae-soo, made a significant impact on audiences not only through his treacherous actions but also due to the depth of his character. In Netflix’s six-part psychological thriller titled “Karma,” adapted from the popular webtoon, Park once again takes on an intricate antagonistic role. The show is steeped in themes of corruption and ethical deterioration. As per data from FlixPatrol dated April 8, it holds the top spot in seven nations and ranks fourth worldwide on Netflix’s television chart rankings.
◇ A fantastical story fueled by karma that delivers satisfaction
“Karma” delights audiences with its impeccable depiction of karmic retribution, illustrating how misdeeds inevitably loop back to confront the perpetrator. As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. The series has been lauded for its concise narrative structure, particularly highlighting Park Hae-soo’s captivating acting.
The narrative kicks off with protagonists who have lost their ethical bearings. Portrayed by actors Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, Lee Hee-jun, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, Gong Seung-yeon, and Kim Nam-gil, these seven people find themselves entangled in a dark saga. Audiences will need to withstand the antagonists’ ruinous initial acts before they can relish the meticulously crafted climax of the series.
This encompasses Lee Hee-jun as the Debtor, who employs an assassin to murder his father for insurance funds; Kim Sung-kyun portraying Gil-ryong, aiding in executing this crime; Lee Kwang-soo playing the role of Glasses, attempting to conceal a vehicular collision; along with Gong Seung-yeon as Yu-jeong and Park Hae-soo as the Witness, setting a trap against Glasses. They each make progressively poor decisions without any chance of reversal.
Throughout the series, Shin Min-a portrays Ju-yeon, one of the genuine sufferers, and Kim Nam-gil assumes the role of Dr. Yoon, a character driven to administer justice personally. As the narrative develops, intricate relationships among the characters surface, along with concealed plot twists. Fresh elements continue to appear up until the final moments, culminating in an intricately designed suspenseful drama.
◇Park Hae-soo embodies a multifaceted antagonist
Park Hae-soo’s depiction of the Witness is remarkable due to the character’s drastic evolution. Initially portrayed as a weak figure who easily gives in, he later transforms into a cunning extortionist before ultimately becoming an astute swindler. During the initial sequences, adorned with earmuffs and displaying a mournful look, his performance is exceptionally lifelike—it feels like you can sense the intense hopelessness radiating from the screen.
In an interview with Chosun Ilbo on April 8, Director Lee Il-hyung stated, “The Witness adapts continuously according to circumstances. I believed Park Hae-soo was ideal for the part as he excels at delivering both subtle and powerful performances.”
Shin Min-a, renowned primarily for her performances in rom-coms, embraces a fresh challenge within a more somber genre. The director remarked, “Contrary to the impulsive reactions of the other characters, Ju-yeon keeps her suffering inside herself. As the sole genuine victim, she needed to disrupt the chain of malevolence, making Shin Min-a perfectly suited for this part.”
◇Director Lee looks back at his characteristic prison motifs
The director mentioned that he went through the original webtoon twice but refrained from revisiting it during the adaptation phase. In the webtoon, Gil-ryong and the Witness are one individual, whereas the drama distinguishes between them, adding fresh turns to the narrative.
Lee pointed out a scene featuring actor Lee Hee-jun, portraying the Debtor, as the most vivid depiction of malevolence in “Karma.” Following the act of hiring an assassin to murder his biological father, the character asserts he will seek vengeance since the task wasn’t executed properly—an assertion saturated with sarcasm. According to Lee, this particular line emerged spontaneously from the actor once he completely embodied the role. The director mentioned, “The cast and crew were stunned by how audacious it sounded; they instinctively clicked their tongues in response.”
Previously having helmed “A Violent Prosecutor” and “Remember,” Lee chuckled as he noted that all three of his ventures include prison scenes. He mentioned, “Given the familial turmoil in ‘Karma,’ even my dad, who is past 70 years old, hasn’t been able to sit through it.” Adding further, he expressed, “For my next project, I aim for something more intimate and emotionally resonant.”
