“Through the Darkness” is a gripping South Korean series that delves into the dark world of criminal profiling. Set in the early 2000s, the show is inspired by true events when the citizens of Seoul were paralyzed with fear due to a series of brutal attacks and murders. The story focuses on the emergence and effectiveness of criminal profilers in identifying serial killers, a method relatively new to Korean law enforcement at the time.
Plot:
The series is about Gook Young Soo, who leads the Criminal Behavioral Analysis team. He believes that understanding a criminal’s mind can help the police catch dangerous criminals more effectively. To strengthen his team, he brings in Song Ha Young, a former detective who is quiet but very observant and perceptive.
In their first case, Gook and Song focus on catching ‘Red Cap,’ a feared serial killer who has been terrorizing Seoul. The story follows the dedicated detectives as they study the minds of various criminals, trying to figure out their patterns and motivations. As they investigate, they learn that factors like past traumas, childhood experiences, and environment play a big role in turning someone into a criminal. The series highlights the idea that people aren’t born criminals; instead, their history and surroundings gradually lead them down a darker path.
Throughout the series, viewers see Gook and Song’s team working hard to understand these criminals, aiming to prevent future crimes by getting to the root of what drives people to commit such acts. The detectives’ journey reveals the complexities of human behavior and the impact of life’s experiences on shaping who we become.
Themes:
“Through the Darkness” delves into deep themes, such as how a person’s childhood and upbringing can affect their behavior as an adult, the power of dreams and desires, and the complexities of mental health issues. The show suggests that everyone has a unique story shaped by their life experiences, and it’s important to understand these stories before judging someone.
It encourages viewers to think about the underlying reasons for criminal behavior and to recognize the humanity in even the most troubled individuals. This new perspective makes the show intellectually engaging as it takes viewers through the careful process of understanding criminal minds. The realistic depiction of police work, combined with the emotional and psychological complexity of the characters, makes “Through the Darkness” a standout show in its genre.