Wow, thank you @poulomi for sharing this compelling argument for a drama that comes highly recommended by so many beanies. I have not heard it described in this way and although it is way beyond my comfort levels outer limits I hope those who are its ideal audience see this and jump right in.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this and I hope we get to read more of your work.

Good choice @poulomi !

I loved this drama. The subject was dark but it was really interesting to watch them to understand serial killers to try to prevent other crimes in the future. Police doesn't like to recognize when they have a serial killer to catch but also understanding them? So they had to make Police accept their work too.

I really liked the female cop too. She was well written for once, not the noisy type we often get to compensate she's a woman...

It was the best acting by Kim Nam-Gil! He was incredible in this role.

I love this drama very much as it knows where it is heading too and yes, it based on South Korea's real-life first criminal profiler, Professor Kwon Il-yong and the cases he solved, according to the 2018 non-fiction book of the same title which he co-written with journalist-turned-author Ko Na-mu, which highlights Kwon's field experiences. One more thing, this drama helps Kim Nam Gil wins his second Daesang from SBS last year.

Through the Darkness is one of my all time favourites. I highly recommend that it is also watched with the documentary, The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in South Korea, on Netflix, telling of the rl events that inspired TTD. It's also worth catching Kim Nam-gil's interviews with the profiler Kwon Il-yong on YT.

@poulomi thanks for crafting this thoughtful piece that does justice to this outstanding drama.

The most impressive aspect of this drama to me as an audience is how “plain speaking” it is for conveying highly complex and nuanced subject matters and delving into the characters on the two sides of law. As I “live” watched it, I can’t help but appreciate the production team for not sensationalising the cases that in turn allows us thinking space.

I love my goofy Kim Nam-gil but what we see here is an almost traumatic trajectory of a decent human being who only wants to do the right thing for the victims and their families - and understand where the antagonists come from. It is a truly a career performance.

Having seen Jin Sun-kyu as villains in so many movies, it is refreshing to see him play the supportive and forward thinking boss. I simply love his character and also that of Kim So-jin as the straight talking and capable (female) detective.

Have you seen Jung Kyung-ho’s Life On Mars? Highly recommended if you haven’t. While it is an adaptation of the BBC drama, it is an excellent remade.

Thanks so much for sharing your love for this drama. I share it too.

As you said, the exploration of the huma psyche and an outstanding performance by KNG, who, with just one stare could say more than all the lines in the script. I was so moved by his acting, he's now an absolute favourite (and even if Junho won Baeksang for TRS and no one loves Junho more than I do, a part of me wanted him to be acknowledged for this).

I agree it's not an easy drama to watch, but it's totally worth it. I love crime dramas and this one, along with Stranger and Watcher are my favourite dramas.

I can only recommend to give it a try. Yes, not an easy watch, but absolutely rewarding.

And may I also have a word for Kim So Jin and her character, Detective Yoon? Excelent portrait of a police woman, who knows how to do their job.

You MUST. End of discussion)))

Thank you for this, and I absolutely second this recommendation. Through the Darkness is one of the finest pieces of TV I have watched. It does so many things other crime shows don't, and at the same time: it shows how grating this line of work is on the people who perform it; it shows the thin line between trying to understand criminal and dangerous people without excusing their crimes; it shows their crimes without lingering too much on the violence performed on the victims; it doesn't portray the perpetrators as heroes or something like it; it refrains from glorifying violence but doesn't shy away from showing it to show what it does to the victims and their families.
One of the many strengths of this drama are the interview scenes. They are sometimes very hard to bear, but that is because they are written and acted so well. It's not for effect but for showing what's going on. This TV show is miles away from your garden variety police procedural. There is even a whole group of police investigators who are eventually willing to learn and expand their lines of investigation because they are able to see that their evolving makes a difference.
And, finally, yes, I could wax poetic until the cows come home 😉 about Kim Nam-Gil's acting here. It is an ensemble piece, but he shines extra brightly. And the goofy KNG had some time off, you won't see him here.

Great write up! I too was drawn in at the start and thought it was an excellent drama with a tight story and awesome actors. Kim Nam Gil is an excellent actor and brings so much to his roles. It might be the only thriller I would rewatch.

I absolutely loved this show, it's brilliant and remains in my top 10 of kdramas of all time.
Although the subject matter can be quite dark at times, it was such an interesting and absorbing watch.
This was my introduction to Kim Nam Gil who was phenomenal in this role, a mastercraft in acting, such a joy to follow his character's journey.
Everything about this show is of the highest quality so do yourself a favour, as @poulomi has already very eloquently written and watch this show.
As the show is based on a true story I ended up going down all sorts of rabbit holes after watching, it was fascinating.

This really was the unsung hero of last year and it's great to read such a passionate case for watching it.
Such a thoughtful and gripping history of criminal profiling with great performances a well.

It was a great article @poulumi.
This is one of the best dramas last year. Also one of my faves.
Kim Nam Gil was excellent in the role.

I have heard a lot of good things about this show.
I think it’s about time I make time for this! Your last two paragraphs sealed it for me.

Totally agree~ highly recommended drama!