Through the Darkness (2022)
A gripping Korean crime drama that follows the pioneers of criminal profiling as they confront the nation's first serial killers.
Through the Darkness - Series Information
- Original Title: 악의 마음을 읽는 자들
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Kim Mi-joo, Lee Seul-gi
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (67 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: January 14, 2022 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: SBS
- Alternative Titles: People Who Read the Hearts of Evil (KR), เจาะจิตอำมหิต (TH), Those Who Read the Hearts of Evil (US)
- Production Companies: Studio S
- Production Countries: South Korea
Through the Darkness - Plot
A team of tenacious detectives study the minds of murderers at a time when Korea's first serial murders terrorized the nation. Based on true events.
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Through the Darkness - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Kim Mi-joo
- Lee Seul-gi
Main Cast
- Kim Nam-gil
- Kim So-jin
- Jin Sun-kyu
- Ryeoun
- Lee Dae-yeon
- Jung Soon-won
- Kim Won-hae
- Hong Woo-jin
- Jo Young-jin
- Lee Haney
Writers
- Seol Yi-na
Through the Darkness - FAQs
Is Through the Darkness based on a true story?
Through the Darkness is directly inspired by real events. It draws from the memoirs of former Korean criminal profiler Kwon Il-yong, who helped establish South Korea's first criminal profiling unit in the 1990s. The series dramatizes actual serial murder cases that shook the nation during that era.
Who plays the lead role in Through the Darkness?
Kim Nam-gil leads the cast as Song Ha-young, a pioneering criminal profiler. He's joined by Kim So-jin as Yoon Tae-goo and Jin Sun-kyu as Kook Young-soo. The ensemble also includes Ryeoun, Lee Dae-yeon, Jung Soon-won, Kim Won-hae, and Hong Woo-jin.
Where can I stream Through the Darkness?
Through the Darkness is available to stream on OnDemandKorea (including a free ad-supported tier) and Kocowa. It can also be accessed through the Kocowa Amazon Channel for those who prefer watching via Amazon's platform.
What is Through the Darkness about?
Set in 1990s South Korea, the series follows a dedicated team of detectives who pioneer criminal profiling to catch the country's first known serial killers. It's a cerebral, suspenseful procedural that gets inside the minds of murderers while exploring the human cost of that work.
How many episodes does Through the Darkness have?
Through the Darkness ran for 12 episodes across a single season, with each episode averaging around 67 minutes. The complete series aired on SBS in South Korea between January and March 2022, telling one cohesive story from start to finish.
Is Through the Darkness worth watching for crime fans?
Absolutely. The series earned strong praise for its restrained, intelligent approach to the serial killer genre — less about shock value, more about psychological depth. Kim Nam-gil's nuanced performance and the show's grounded, true-story foundation make it a standout among Korean crime dramas.
What real cases inspired Through the Darkness?
The show draws from several notorious real-life cases that defined criminal profiling in South Korea, including cases investigated by profiler Kwon Il-yong. These include murders that baffled conventional police methods, ultimately driving the creation of a dedicated behavioral analysis unit within Korean law enforcement.
What are similar shows to Through the Darkness?
Fans of Through the Darkness often enjoy Copycat Killer (2023), a Taiwanese thriller with a similar profiling premise, and Des (2020), a British true-crime drama. City of Shadows (2025) and Fool Me Once (2024) are also strong picks for viewers who love dark, character-driven crime series.
More About Through the Darkness
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