The plot of A Killer Paradox stands out for being far more intricate than your typical serial-killer drama. This show blends the familiar tropes of crime thrillers with a supernatural twist that keeps viewers on their toes. The drama kicks off in 2024 with a university student, Lee Tang (played by Choi Woo-shik).
Lee accidentally kills a man with a hammer on the street. It’s an unfortunate event, but Lee soon discovers that his victim is a serial killer. Things get even more complicated as Lee inadvertently kills more individuals who turn out to be “evil” as well, making it clear that this is no ordinary story.
In a twist of fate, Lee Tang discovers a supernatural gift that leads to his dark justice (Photo: A Killer Paradox/Showbox Let’s Film)The Relentless Detective and the Unlikely Hero
As the bodies accumulate, Lee finds himself in a tense game of cat-and-mouse with Jang Nan-gam (Son Suk-ku), a determined detective who is intent on proving something. Neither of them realizes it at first, but Lee has developed a unique ability to identify “evil” individuals, which drives him to eliminate them in the name of justice.
Enter Roh-bin, Lee’s sidekick, and another killer named Song Chon (played by Lee Hee-joon). The show quickly ramps up with even more murders, along with a series of twists, building towards a climactic showdown in the eighth and final episode of season one.
If you’re familiar with the KKomabi Naver webtoon, you may have an idea of what’s to come, but for those who are not, you’re in for a wild ride, much like Lee himself, who manages to evade capture at every turn.
A Killer Paradox Ending Explained
By the end of episode seven, Roh-bin and Lee make plans to escape South Korea by stowing away on a boat, as the police close in on them. However, Roh-bin’s sense of justice takes over, and he deceives Lee, insisting that Lee should go alone while he stays behind to assist Jang in capturing Song.
In a note, Roh-bin tells Lee, “You’ll be fine without me,” but Lee doesn’t believe it. He discards the plan and sets off to find his companion, using a tracking app that he had installed on Roh-bin’s phone in the previous episode.
Jang, driven by a thirst for vengeance after his father was killed by Song in the hospital, is more determined than ever to bring Song to justice. Realizing Jang’s burning need for retribution, other police officers attempt to stop him, but he escapes just in time.
To his surprise, Roh-bin is waiting in his car, proposing that they join forces to bring an end to Song’s reign of terror. But there’s more to it. “I’ll help you with Song,” Roh-bin offers. “I don’t care about my fate, but can you leave Tang alone? All the people Tang killed deserved to die.”
Roh-bin’s argument holds weight, and to back it up, he shows Jang a video of them killing a prosecutor who had committed unforgivable crimes before meeting his end at their hands. Jang challenges him, asking, “Who are you to play god?” but Roh-bin points out that Jang, too, is attempting to play god in his pursuit of revenge.
Together, they track down Song to an abandoned factory—an ideal location for such a confrontation, as if all major showdowns should take place in a rundown industrial site.
The Final Showdown
Roh-bin is the first to face Song, while Jang waits in the shadows. Song, frustrated that he didn’t get the chance to kill Lee first, taunts Jang. “You don’t have the eyes of a murderer,” Song mocks. And if anyone should know, it’s him.
Just then, Lee arrives, much to Song’s satisfaction. The battle quickly escalates into a deadly firefight, which Lee avoids with near-supernatural agility. Whether this is part of his newfound powers or the result of all his time at the gym is unclear, but Lee’s focus is entirely on stabbing Song, not explaining his seemingly miraculous speed.
During the scuffle, Roh-bin tries to wrestle the gun from Song, but Jang, consumed by revenge, takes a reckless shot at Song. The bullet hits its target, wounding Song, but Song manages to fire back, killing Roh-bin in the process.
Lee, heartbroken, confronts Song. “Why did you have to show up?” he demands. “We could have lived separate lives!” Song coldly responds, “Because I needed to. This world could use people like us.”
Hearing that you’re just like the man who killed your last remaining friend is the last straw for Lee, but Jang’s thirst for vengeance is far from quenched, and Song’s survival was never part of Jang’s plan.
Song then challenges Jang, suggesting that if he dies, Jang will never learn the truth about his father, whom Song had paralyzed years ago in a previous confrontation. Flashbacks reveal even darker truths about Jang’s father. Not only was he a bully to his son, but he also mistreated Song when they worked together as cops.
Worse still, Jang’s father had framed Song for smuggling drugs, leading to the death of an innocent woman and ruining Song’s career. As if that wasn’t enough, Jang’s father physically abused Song in the workplace. In retaliation, Song fights back, leaving Jang’s father paralyzed.
Jang isn’t amused by these revelations, but Song seems to find some dark humor in them. Lee offers to kill Song so Jang doesn’t have to, but Jang’s obsession with revenge ensures that he finishes what he started, with two bullets sealing Song’s fate.
How A Killer Paradox Sets Up Season 2
Following the funeral of Jang’s father, his superiors investigate the series of events that led up to this point. A police report suggests that Roh-bin had worked closely with Song in the killings, and there’s plenty of evidence to support this claim, including research files and murder weapons found at his home.
Detective Jang Nan-gam is on a relentless pursuit to uncover the truth behind the growing body count (Photo: A Killer Paradox/Showbox Let’s Film)However, the truth is that Roh-bin had severed ties with Song long before the killings began. Nonetheless, he was willing to take the fall for everything, protecting Lee in the process, so his “hero” could continue the mission they started together.
When questioned about Lee’s involvement, we flashback to the moment when Jang held his gun to Lee’s head in the factory. “I’m done running,” Lee declares as he takes the safety off Jang’s weapon, pressing it against his skull. With nothing left to lose, Jang pulls the trigger, only to discover that the gun is empty.
As Lee realizes he’s still alive, he collapses to his knees, sobbing. Jang, with a hint of disbelief, comments, “Is this your luck again? Do you think you’re different because of your dumb luck? You can do whatever you want, but someone will catch you, even if it’s not me.”
At that moment, the factory catches fire, destroying all evidence of Lee’s involvement in the murders. Roh-bin’s body is tragically consumed by the flames, despite Lee’s efforts to save him. Is this “dumb luck” part of Lee’s powers? It seems likely, as no trace of his guilt remains after the fire.
Afterward, Lee flees to the Philippines, where he works on a fishing boat. But when immigration officers find him, they question why he’s hiding in another country when his criminal record in Korea is clean. Back in Korea, authorities confirm that Lee is innocent due to a lack of evidence, clearing the way for his return.
Meanwhile, Jang, now living with the dog he saved from euthanasia, hears news of a man named Kim, a murderer, who has just been killed. Could Lee be back to his old ways? When Lee, now dressed in winter clothing, bumps into someone on the street, it’s clear that another killer might be about to face his reckoning.
Will season two be confirmed? We can only wait and see, but one thing’s for sure: A Killer Paradox has delivered enough twists to keep fans hooked.
