Karma (original title: Akyon) is a gripping six-episode South Korean crime thriller series that was released on Netflix on April 4, 2025. Written and directed by Lee Il-hyung, the series is based on the Kakao webtoon Ill-fated Relationship by Choi Hee-seon. With a star-studded cast including Park Hae-soo (Squid Game), Shin Min-ah (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha), Lee Hee-joon, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Gong Seung-yeon, the show follows the lives of six people as they weave a story around a horrific past event. It has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with netizens praising it as “mind-blowing” and “disturbing yet satisfying” on X. But, how did the Telugu audience like the series? Let me share my feelings, highlights, and shortcomings in this review
What's in the story?
In a fictional town called Guho, the lives of six people are intertwined around a horrific past event. The story begins with a scene where a severely burned man is taken to the hospital—when he says his name, “Park Jae-yong,” Dr. Joo-yeon (Shin Min-ah) is shocked. From this scene, the story goes back 15 days and introduces six characters: a witness (Park Hae-soo) who witnesses a strange accident and makes a morally ambiguous decision; a doctor named Joo-yeon (Shin Min-ah) who has experienced childhood trauma; a debtor (Lee Hee-joon) who loses money in cryptocurrency and is preyed upon by loan sharks; Gil-ryong (Kim Sung-kyun) who has been unfairly dismissed from his job; bespectacled Sang-hoon (Lee Kwang-soo) and his girlfriend Yoo-jeong (Gong Seung-yeon). The non-linear storytelling shows how karma returns, affecting each other's lives. How did the past and present of these six people intersect? What consequences did their actions have? The series will reveal.
My Feelings: Gripping, but slow start!
When the series started, I saw the hospital scene and the burn victim mystery, and I thought, “Wow, this is going to be an intense thriller like Squid Game!” While the first two episodes were a bit slow, introducing the characters, the story completely shifted gears from the third episode. The non-linear timelines, twists, and the way the connections between the characters were revealed were super gripping. Park Hae-soo stole the show with her performance as the witness—the moral ambiguity and psycho vibe of her character made me think, “Wow, what would this character do!” Shin Min-ah impressed me with her emotional depth as Joo-yeon, especially in her trauma scenes. As one user on X wrote, “This show f***s your mind, but in a good way!” I agree with the sentiment.
However, the series also has its flaws. The first two episodes are slow-paced and have a confusing timeline. The lack of screen time and depth for female characters like Shin Min-ah and Gong Seung-yeon is disappointing. As one reviewer put it, Joo-yeon’s story felt like an “afterthought,” not giving her trauma story the emotional weight it deserves. While the climax is satisfying, some of the twists feel predictable. For Telugu audiences, Karma might be a bit of a slow start for those who like fast-paced K-dramas like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead, but it is a treat for thriller and mystery lovers
Technical aspects, acting
Cinematography is a big asset for the Karma series! The moody lighting, shadow-drenched alleys, and stark interiors give every scene a lingering dread feel. Lee Il-hyung’s direction handles the non-linear storytelling in a straight-forward manner, making the story understandable. The background score adds to the tension and supports the scenes. The editing feels a bit dragged in the first half, but connects the twists in the second half seamlessly. The production values and action sequences (punches, gore) reflect the quality of Netflix K-drama.
In acting, Park Hae-soo (Witness) carries the series with his quiet intensity and psychological depth. His expressions in one scene make you wonder, “What is this character up to?” Shin Min-ah gives a raw, layered performance as Joo-yeon, especially her trauma reveal scenes that are heart-wrenching. Lee Hee-joon (Debtor) shines with her desperation, and Lee Kwang-soo (Glasses) shines with her comedic touch. Kim Sung-kyun and Gong Seung-yeon do decently in supporting roles, but Yoo-jeong’s character story feels cut-short.
Likes, Dislikes
Likes:
Storytelling: Non-linear timelines, twists, and connected characters make the series gripping.
Park Hae-soo: Her dynamic performance as the Witness is a scene-stealer.
Visuals: Cinematography, moody framing, and action sequences keep the tension high.
Karma Theme: The theme of “what goes around, comes around” is brilliantly portrayed.
Short and Crisp: Six episodes, binge-worthy at 45-53 minutes per episode.
Dislikes:
Slow Start: The first two episodes are slow and a bit confusing.
Female Characters: Shin Min-ah and Gong Seung-yeon's roles have little screen time and depth.
Predictable Twists: Some of the twists are predictable.
Emotional Depth: Joo-yeon's trauma story lacks emotional weight.
Color Grading: The color grading used for the dark thriller vibe makes the daytime viewing experience lack detail.
Who should watch it?
Karma is a perfect choice for those who like K-drama thrillers like Squid Game, Beyond Evil, and Swaha: The Sixth Finger. This series is a treat for fans of Park Hae-soo and Shin Min-ah. Rated 18+, it contains foul language, gore, gruesome scenes, and references to sexual violence, so it's suitable for adults and thriller lovers. With six episodes and a short runtime, it's best for a weekend binge. Although there's no Telugu dubbing, Hindi, English, and Korean audio and subtitles are available. Those expecting fast-paced action like Money Heist: Korea should lower their expectations, as this is a slow-burn, character-driven thriller.
Rating: 3.5/5
Karma impresses with its gripping non-linear storytelling, Park Hae-soo and Shin Min-ah's performances, moody visuals, and the theme of "Karma is watching." The twists, action, and connected characters make the second half thrilling. But, the slow start, limited scope for the female characters, some predictable twists, and lack of emotional depth keep the series from being a perfect hit. A great option for a weekend binge on Netflix for crime thriller and mystery lovers, but don't expect super fast thrills!
Release Date: April 4, 2025 (Netflix)
Streaming: Netflix
Writer/Director: Lee Il-hyung
Cast: Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-ah, Lee Hee-joon, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, Gong Seung-yeon