“Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Through the Darkness is a South Korean crime noir, detective investigation and psychological thriller which ranks amongst the best in the genre. The production is perhaps the most authentic in terms of story content, execution and depiction that I have seen in a K-drama. This is due primarily to the fact that it is based on the 2018 non-fiction book that deals extensively on the subject matter, Those Who Read the Minds of Evil.

Co-written by South Korea’s first criminal profiler Kwon Il Yong and journalist-turned-author Ko Na Mu, the true crimes detailed in the book provide the basis for the events depicted, bringing to life the notoriety of real-life serial killers that terrorised South Korea in the early 2000s. The serial killers presumably dramatised as fictional characters in the drama include Choi In Gu (child kidnapper and murderer), Kim Hae Sun (the Gochang serial killer), Yoo Young Chul (the infamous Raincoat Killer), Jeong Nam Gyu (the Seoul serial killer), and Kang Ho Sun (the luxury sedan serial rapist and murderer).

Spanning over a decade from 1998 through 2007 and revolving around Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Criminal Behaviour Analysis Team Officer, Inspector Song Ha Young, the narrative focuses on five major aspects of his role as a criminal profiler:

1. The backstory that shapes his calling as a police detective, in which he first encounters a dead body as a child in 1975 and the subsequent discovery of his “empathetic traits”, which are manifested throughout.

2. The establishment of the Behaviour Analysis Team (BAT) as pioneers of criminal profiling in South Korea that results in the initial prejudice and ignorance that the team encounters in the police force.

3. The interviews with incarcerated serial killers in a bid to gain further insights into their state of mind and understanding of their modus operandi.

4. Leading the investigations and manhunt for the elusive serial killers, including interrogations of suspected perpetrators.

5. The evolution of the BAT’s perceived functionality and effectiveness within the police force, culminating in the coming of a full circle where Song Ha Young’s methodology of criminal profiling is finally acknowledged by his peers.

Directed by Park Bo Ram in what is his first show as production director (PD) where previously he was the assistant director for The Fiery Priest and Avengers Social Club. This is the first screenplay ever written by Seol Yi Na while the production design comes courtesy of art director Noh Sang Soon. The prolific Kang Dong Yoon aka Gaemi serves as composer. Kwon Il Yong was consulted as an advisor during filming.

The character of Song Ha Young reportedly drew inspiration from Kwon Il Yong himself, while Kook Young Soo is based on Yoon Oe Chul, the current head of the Gyeongnam Police Agency's investigation department, who created the first criminal behaviour analysis team in South Korea.

What I Generally Liked

The multifaceted character-driven story that not only encompasses the various phases of development of the BAT and the chase for the infamous serial killers, but also the insights gleaned through the in-depth study of these utterly evil and twisted minds, from the perspective of Inspector Song Ha Young. At times depicted in the style of a docudrama biopic, Through the Darkness is very much reminiscent of the Netflix production, Mindhunter. In fact, both productions share a very similar DNA, in terms of the non-fiction source materials and the inception of the criminal profiling standard.

Where they both differ is in the tone of the storytelling - the K-drama is much more visceral and gritty, especially during some of the most intense interrogation scenes ever seen, with little to no focus on any form of levity. In addition to the perpetrators and the crimes committed, the drama shines the spotlight on the victims and the suffering endured by their families that provides profound emotional depth to the overarching storyline.

The characterization of Song Ha Young is one of the most fascinating yet unusual in this genre. This character comes across as extremely pleasant, affable, and compassionate, none of which are traits typical of a South Korean police detective in the 1990s that we’ve ever come across in K-dramas, much less appear as such.

He’s a very nice guy who happens to be way ahead of his time and unfortunately finds himself surrounded mostly by old-school neanderthals in the police department. But it is this quality that endears him to most viewers and also adds conviction to how a profiler should be; broad-minded, erudite, perceptive, sensible, professional and rational. There is ample room for growth which is beautifully imbued into his trajectory as he demonstrates all the suppressed human emotions while struggling to contain the abyss that had consumed him for far too long in his role as a criminal profiler.

As far as the technical execution is concerned, I have nothing but praises for the production qualities in showcasing the art direction and designs of the era, the stylistic visuals befitting of a crime noir, and the music score that heightens the intensity and suspense, in addition to creating the perfect atmospherics for the emotive moments. The songs composed for this drama are contemplative and equally exceptional in expressing the emotions experienced by the major characters throughout:

Lullaby by Nerd Collection
Can't Run Away by Isaac Hong
A Flower That Blooms Alone by Kim So Yeon
Leopard of Mt. Kilimanjaro by 4Men

In terms of the cast performances, there are a number that catches the eye. None more so than the lead actor himself, Kim Nam Gil. This man never ceases to amaze for he possesses the ability to convincingly portray a multitude of characterizations to perfection over the years and his performance here as Inspector Song Ha Young is no different. Without him, this drama wouldn’t have worked as well as it has. The understated subtlety through his articulation of the role to convey the necessary nuances that connects viewers ever so intimately to Song Ha Young’s personal struggles and emotional state as he battles not only evil on the loose but his inner demons as well. Kim Nam Gil is deserving of at least a nomination, if not an award, for this year’s Baeksang in recognition of his efforts in this drama.

The supporting cast is generally quite decent which manages to sustain the overall acting quality of the drama. Special mention goes to Jin Seon Kyu for his lively depiction of BAT chief Kook Young Soo. The friendship that he shares with Song Ha Young is quite heartwarming to observe where they both collaborate as a sort of dynamic duo. Kim So Jin as the level-headed Captain Yoon Tae Go is one of the better written and portrayed female characters that I've seen. I was also most impressed with Kim Jung Hee who portrays the serial killer Nam Ki Tae. His remarkable portrayal, from the appearance to the mannerism, is downright chilling to the core. Amongst all the serial killers shown, his version is the most compelling and disturbing.

Final Thoughts

Although I haven’t read the source material, the fact that Kwon Il Yong, co-author and the original criminal profiler, gave his seal of approval for this drama provides credibility to the narrative and depiction of key events. Perhaps the manner of the storytelling might seem slow-burn but such is the nature of criminal profiling that it is heavily reliant on much needed patience to collate the necessary data leading to an accurate inference that ultimately determines the profile of the killer.