Karma, a gripping K-drama, unravels a suspenseful tale that explores interconnected fates and the price of past actions. The narrative structure of the show is nonlinear, starting in the middle of the story and gradually revealing crucial backstory elements, adding depth and mystery to the unfolding events.
At the center of the plot is the life of Park Jae-yeong, whose name and fate are entangled with several characters through a violent and karmic past. The drama’s thematic focus on karma highlights the consequences of actions, both big and small, and how they ripple through the lives of others.
The story opens with a hospital scene where a severely burned man is brought in for treatment. Dr. Lee Ju-yeon, portrayed by Shin Min-a, saves the man’s life but recoils upon discovering that he is Park Jae-yeong. This introduction sets the tone of suspense and reveals that Ju-yeon has a troubling history with Jae-yeong, a past which is not immediately explained but becomes crucial as the story unfolds. The show’s nonlinear narrative structure leaves viewers in suspense, gradually revealing why Ju-yeon shudders at the sight of Jae-yeong’s return into her life.
The show takes a leap back in time, introducing Jae-yeong as a factory worker deep in debt to a ruthless loan shark. He is forced into a deadly position when the loan shark reveals his illegal organ-harvesting operation, warning Jae-yeong that he will be the next victim unless he pays off his debt. Desperate, Jae-yeong hatches a plan to murder his father, Park Dong-sik, in order to collect on a large life insurance policy. This tragic decision sets off a series of violent and karmic events that will lead to the deaths of multiple individuals.
To execute his plan, Jae-yeong hires Jang Gil-ryong, a Korean-Chinese mafia member struggling to make ends meet. Gil-ryong, portrayed by Kim Sung-kyun, becomes an essential figure in the unfolding plot. Jae-yeong convinces Gil-ryong to kill his father, Park Dong-sik, and stage the murder to look like a hit-and-run accident. The tension in this plot comes from the desperation of both men and the moral implications of their actions, as Gil-ryong is aware that his involvement will spiral into deeper criminality.
Karma (Photo: Netflix)As the plot progresses, viewers learn that the character of Kim Beom-jun, a former prison mate of Gil-ryong, becomes intricately involved in the crime. Beom-jun is a manipulative figure known as “The Witness” and is portrayed by Park Hae-soo. He is the one who actually drives the car that hits Dong-sik, but the murder doesn’t go as planned.
Instead of dying, Dong-sik survives the crash, and the failed execution leads to further complications. The intertwining of Beom-jun with other characters, including Gil-ryong and Jae-yeong, makes him a pivotal player in the drama’s exploration of fate and karma.
Yu-jeong’s Manipulations and Betrayals Deepen Beom-jun’s Destructive Path in Karma’s Plot
Yu-jeong, played by Gong Seung-yeon, is another significant character whose connection to Beom-jun adds layers to the story. She is a femme fatale, working alongside Beom-jun in various scams to exploit wealthy men. When she crosses paths with Beom-jun and Gil-ryong, she becomes involved in the fallout of their botched plan to kill Dong-sik.
The events of the evening lead to further manipulation, deception, and the ultimate death of several characters, including Yu-jeong, as Beom-jun continues his trail of destruction.
A crucial moment in Karma occurs when Yu-jeong and Beom-jun conspire to frame Han Sang-hoon, a man who unknowingly becomes part of their plan. Sang-hoon, a married man, is tricked into driving them after a night of swindling.
In a grisly sequence, Beom-jun arranges for Dong-sik’s dying body to be thrown onto Sang-hoon’s car, leading him to believe he is responsible for the death. The subsequent blackmailing of Sang-hoon, and his ultimate murder by Beom-jun, are another key development in the story’s progression, driving home the cyclical nature of betrayal and retribution.
Beom-jun’s actions become increasingly violent and selfish, as he kills Gil-ryong and Jae-yeong, believing that stealing Jae-yeong’s identity will allow him to escape the law. However, his actions come full circle when he, too, becomes a victim of his own karma.
The drama reaches its climax when Beom-jun is trapped in a fire that he set in the abandoned warehouse where many of the show’s key events have unfolded. This tragic end highlights the inevitable consequences of his actions, illustrating the unforgiving nature of karma.
Karma (Photo: Netflix)Ju-yeon’s Traumatic Past Revealed, Connecting Her to the Criminals in Karma’s Climax
As the story nears its conclusion, viewers are given insight into Lee Ju-yeon’s past and the traumatic events that connect her to the criminals around her. We learn that Ju-yeon was once the victim of a horrific sexual assault orchestrated by Yu-jeong, with Jae-yeong’s involvement as a traitor to her trust.
The emotional weight of this revelation adds a layer of depth to Ju-yeon’s character, explaining her complex feelings toward Jae-yeong and, later, Beom-jun. This backstory adds a sense of closure to her emotional journey as she grapples with the betrayal and violence she endured.
In the final moments of Karma, Ju-yeon confronts Beom-jun, whom she mistakenly believes to be Jae-yeong. As the truth about Beom-jun’s identity is revealed, Ju-yeon contemplates vengeance but ultimately chooses a path of peace. Her decision to walk away from Beom-jun, despite the pain he caused her, signifies her healing process.
However, the resolution is not as kind to Beom-jun, who is kidnapped by the loan shark’s men and subjected to organ harvesting. Ironically, Ju-yeon’s boyfriend, Jeong-min, a black market surgeon, ends Beom-jun’s life, completing the karmic circle that has defined the series.
The story of Karma is deeply rooted in the concept of karmic retribution. Each character’s actions lead to their eventual downfall, with the drama emphasizing the interconnectedness of human lives and the consequences of selfishness, betrayal, and violence. The characters, particularly Yu-jeong, Beom-jun, and Jae-yeong, are all ultimately undone by their own actions.
In a broader sense, Karma invites viewers to reflect on how the choices we make affect others, sometimes in ways we can’t predict. The series serves as both a social commentary and a reflection on human nature, illustrating the heavy price that often comes with wrongdoing.
