Beyond Evil (2021)
A taut Korean crime thriller where two detectives with hidden secrets race to catch a killer — and suspect each other.
Beyond Evil - Series Information
- Original Title: 괴물
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Sim Na-yeon, Kim Soo-jin
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: February 19, 2021 (United States - TV-MA), February 19, 2021 (Canada - 18+), February 19, 2021 (United Kingdom - 15), February 19, 2021 (France - 12), February 19, 2021 (India - U/A 16+), February 19, 2021 (Australia - M), February 19, 2021 (Brazil - 14), February 19, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: JTBC
- Alternative Titles: Gwimul (KR), Freak (US), فراتر از شیطان (IR), За гранью зла (RU), 怪物 (CN), За межами зла (UA), ปมปีศาจ (TH)
- Production Companies: JTBC, Celltrion Entertainment, JTBC Studios
- Production Countries: South Korea
Beyond Evil - Plot
As a killing resembling a cold case resurfaces in a small town, the chase for the truth falls on two policemen who each harbor secrets of their own.
Beyond Evil - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see why this psychological thriller has captivated audiences worldwide:
These days... It's dangerous to trust someone.
Where to Watch Beyond Evil
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Beyond Evil - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sim Na-yeon
- Kim Soo-jin
Main Cast
- Shin Ha-kyun
- Yeo Jin-goo
- Choi Dae-hoon
- Choi Sung-eun
- Kim Shin-rock
- Cheon Ho-jin
- Park Ji-hoon
- Choi Jin-ho
- Kil Hae-yeon
- Heo Sung-tae
Writers
- Kim Soo-jin
Executive Producers
- Park Seong-eun
Beyond Evil - FAQs
Is Beyond Evil considered one of the best Korean dramas?
Beyond Evil is widely regarded as one of the finest Korean crime dramas ever made. It earned exceptional critical praise for its psychological depth, tightly wound plotting, and the electric chemistry between leads Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo, earning a near-perfect audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is the central mystery in Beyond Evil?
At its heart, Beyond Evil asks a chilling question: which of the two detectives investigating a resurfaced cold case might actually be the killer? The show masterfully blurs the line between hunter and hunted, keeping viewers guessing about Lee Dong-sik and Han Joo-won's true natures throughout all 16 episodes.
Where can you stream Beyond Evil?
Beyond Evil is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads, as well as Rakuten Viki, Kocowa, and the Kocowa Amazon Channel. Free ad-supported viewing is also available on The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, and Tubi TV.
Who plays the two lead detectives in Beyond Evil?
Shin Ha-kyun plays Lee Dong-sik, a weathered small-town officer with a shadowy past, while Yeo Jin-goo portrays Han Joo-won, an ambitious detective from Seoul assigned to the same case. Their tense, layered dynamic is widely considered the emotional engine of the entire series.
Is Beyond Evil based on a true story?
Beyond Evil is an original fictional work, not based on a specific true crime case. However, its portrayal of serial killings, institutional corruption, and small-town secrets draws on themes familiar from real-world Korean criminal investigations, lending the story a grounded, unsettling authenticity throughout.
Did Beyond Evil win any awards?
Beyond Evil swept major Korean television awards in 2021. Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo both took home Best Actor honors at multiple ceremonies, including the Baeksang Arts Awards, where the series also received nominations for Best Drama. It is considered one of that year's most decorated Korean productions.
What themes does Beyond Evil explore beyond the murder plot?
Beyond the central murder mystery, the series digs into trauma, guilt, institutional corruption, and the psychological toll of living with dark secrets. It examines how small communities protect — and destroy — their own, weaving a portrait of moral ambiguity that elevates it well above a conventional police procedural.
What Korean dramas are similar to Beyond Evil?
If Beyond Evil gripped you, Mouse (2021) and Shadow Detective (2022) offer similarly intense psychological crime storytelling. Partners for Justice (2018) and Come and Hug Me (2018) also explore trauma and investigation with comparable emotional depth. For international picks, Luther (2010) and Cardinal (2017) share the same brooding, character-driven atmosphere.
More About Beyond Evil
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