Deception, Betrayal, and Karmic Doom
Karma is a crime thriller, yes. But more than that, it is a slow, merciless descent into the inescapable consequences of human greed, desperation, and revenge.Rather than following a singular, linear plotline, Karma constructs a mosaic of six intertwined lives, each thread weaving a tighter, more suffocating knot around the next. What begins as seemingly separate tragedies: crippling debt, an accidental killing, an unhealed past, gradually and methodically converges into something far darker than anyone could have anticipated.
At first, the show might give the impression of being an anthology, as each early episode focuses on different characters with narratives that appear self-contained. However, by the third episode, the true nature of the series emerges, the realization that these stories are not isolated events but rather fragments of a much larger and deeply interwoven nightmare.
Each character is more desperate than the last, and each possesses a dangerously flexible morality. Their choices ripple outward, affecting one another in unexpected ways. Even as they attempt to escape their fates, the past has a way of creeping back, ensuring that every action, no matter how seemingly small, has devastating consequences.
The beauty of Karma lies in its storytelling precision. This is not a series of twists for the sake of shock. Every turn, every betrayal, every revelation is earned. Just when you think you’ve grasped the full picture, you suddenly realize you’ve been looking at it from the wrong angle the entire time.
At its core, Karma reveals the gradual desensitization to violence. The characters begin hesitant, fearful of what they are capable of. But as time passes, that hesitation fades. Violence begets greater violence, and soon, the line between necessity and cruelty blurs.
This is not a drama to be watched passively. It is a drama that demands your full attention, your patience, and your willingness to be drawn into its suffocating world.
It is for the people who crave stories that leave a mark, stories that challenge and haunt, stories that unravel like a beautifully constructed nightmare.
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"Karma Delivers"
I watched Karma and honestly, the story was really good—it definitely pulls you in. Though I feel like it could have been even better with some tighter cinematography and a more refined handling of the timelines. That said, the acting was absolutely on point. Every character was built up so well, and you could really feel the depth in their roles. The drama had this intense vibe, yet everything was well balanced. Also, the OST, especially the title track, added so much to the emotional weight of the scenes. It’s definitely something I’d re-watch—not just for the story, but for the overall experience.
It's a mix of emotions definitely give it a watch
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Karma: Twists, Trauma, and a Tangled Timeline
If life is a straight line, Karma takes a box cutter to it, slicing it into crooked segments that loop, double back, and bleed into each other like spilled ink. This six-episode noir anthology masquerading as a thriller doesn’t so much tell a story as it forces you to live inside one—one that smells like blood, regret, cigarette smoke, and the bitter aftertaste of decisions you can’t take back.At its heart, Karma is a Rubik’s Cube of fate. The drama follows six seemingly separate lives, each with their own crumbling dreams, moral compromises, and ghosts of moments that could’ve gone another way—if only. They move through the world like fractured glass, reflecting just enough light to be human, but sharp enough to cut when the pieces finally touch.
Shin Min-a is haunting as Dr. Lee Ju-yeon, a woman who has built her entire life as a fortress to keep out one thing: the past. When she runs into the very person responsible for the trauma that shaped her, it doesn’t feel like a plot twist—it feels like karma itself has cracked her ribcage open. Min-a doesn’t play grief; she wears it, like a second skin. Her moments are restrained, heavy, and brimming with silent screams.
Meanwhile, Kim Sung-kyun’s Jang Gil-ryong gets axed from his job unfairly and finds himself approached with a suspicious “opportunity.” He is the cautionary tale we’ve seen before, but it’s his ordinariness that makes his story sting. He’s the kind of character dramas like to sacrifice so that plot wheels can turn. But here, Karma gives him space. You feel every inch of the moral cliff he’s shoved toward.
Then there’s Lee Kwang-soo—yes, that Lee Kwang-soo—who in this role feels like he crawled out of a noir detective novel and landed in Gangnam. His private clinic is the mask, but beneath it is rot. His girlfriend, played by the ever-enigmatic Gong Seung-yeon, is the embodiment of danger disguised as desire. She’s the kind of character who could burn down your house and make you thank her for the warmth. Their relationship is a powder keg of charm, toxicity, and manipulation. Deliciously disturbing.
Each of these stories, on their own, could have been a standalone mini-drama. But where Karma shines brightest—maybe even blindingly—is in the way these tales start to bleed into each other. Seemingly inconsequential interactions reveal themselves to be butterfly effects. A phone call here, a bump on the street there. By the end, what felt like chaos has been meticulously organized into a grand design. It’s the kind of narrative structure that demands patience, and rewards those who pay attention. It’s also the kind of structure that risks losing the viewer along the way if they’re not fully strapped in.
Visually, the drama is soaked in noir grit. The color palette is all bruised greys, angry reds, and despairing blues. Every shadow feels like a premonition. The direction is tight, the camera work unsettling—lingering just long enough to be uncomfortable, pulling away just when you’re desperate to look deeper. It’s all very intentional. You are meant to feel like a voyeur watching something you weren’t supposed to see.
That said, Karma is not without its flaws. For one, the back-and-forth narrative style, while artful, can feel convoluted. There are times it confuses not because the story is complex, but because it’s trying to be. Some timelines feel more fleshed out than others. Certain characters get layers upon layers of development, while others feel like subplots that were trimmed too harshly in the editing room.
Another sore spot? The soundtrack—or more accurately, the lack of one. There are no memorable themes to tether you emotionally. No soaring strings or aching piano melodies to underscore a moment of reckoning. It’s all very bare, which works tonally, but misses the opportunity to deepen impact. The emotional weight of the series falls entirely on the actors and the script—and while both are strong, a great OST could have elevated it further.
And let’s talk about content warning territory. This show doesn’t shy away from graphic violence or the trauma of sexual assault. While not gratuitous, these scenes are unflinching. For some, that honesty may feel brave. For others, it might cross into triggering territory. Proceed with caution.
Still, for all its jagged edges, Karma is thematically potent. It poses questions without easy answers: What do we owe to our past? Can a single moment define a life? Is redemption possible, or just another illusion we chase to make the pain feel useful?
In the end, the drama delivers what it promises. It’s not a tale of heroes and villains. It’s about choices—good ones, bad ones, and the ones we didn’t even know we made until the consequences showed up, uninvited and unforgiving. It’s a story about how people fall—sometimes loudly, sometimes in silence—and how every fall, no matter how private, sends ripples through other people’s lives.
Verdict:
Karma is a requiem for bad choices. It’s dark, emotional, and ambitious in scope, but occasionally collapses under the weight of its own complexity. It’s not perfect—far from it. But there’s something admirable about a drama that dares to tangle six lives together, not for the sake of drama, but to ask: what if fate is real, and it hates us all equally? This is the kind of drama you watch with your heart clenched and your phone on silent. You won’t fall in love with it, but you might respect it the way you respect a storm. It’s messy, unpredictable, and a little terrifying—but it never pretends to be anything else.
Final Score: 6.5/10
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"Only good things lie ahead"
The makers of Karma liked to take the viewer on a ride that jostled back and forth and side to side for the most part in familiar territory. While I’m sure they thought we’d be shocked and awed, there were few surprises. I do admit to falling for one of the red herrings for part of the drama. Sometimes this style of filming and script writing can feel overly contrived, but for me, it worked in Karma…for the most part.Six people’s lives became entangled both from despicable actions in the past and foul deeds in the present, the majority of whom deserved whatever karma dished out. And karma was as ruthless as a finely honed scalpel but not nearly as kind.
I don’t want to say much more because this short drama is best enjoyed coming to it fresh. The cast was strong, not that you’ll like most of the characters. Even the “good” characters harbored abhorrent secrets. Karma was a dark and twisted knot of the worst of humanity’s foibles. A better title for this drama might have been “Just Deserts.”
8 April 2025
Trigger warnings: Foul language. Gruesome scenes.
Tiny spoilerish comment below:
There were a few scenes that came across as comical when the drama began to feel like Weekend at Bernie’s gone awry. lol
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karma well delivered
i would say that the weakest aspect of this series is the writing. if it weren't for the well-known cast, it probably wouldn't have even made it onto my watching radar. it also doesn't help that 99% of the characters are irredeemable because of their past actions. the only thing i actually like about the writing is this approach - there's no sugarcoating the characters or their motives. also, the new title fits the plot perfectly. i would especially like to highlight shin min-ah’s acting; she's the key piece that holds everything together.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Stayed for the Cast, Enjoyed the Chaos
Pretty straightforward plot, which I really enjoyed. Nothing groundbreaking, just pure enjoyment in watching everything unfold and witnessing all the chaos. I especially loved how Shin Minah's character was the only one who got to live happily in the end! Everyone else got exactly what they deserved—karma. They portrayed the title well through the storyline.This show is also another reminder that the cast is a major factor for me when it comes to watching K-dramas, because honestly, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t already know and love the actors.
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nice to see that Karma exist
Well, I was expecting much more from the drama. I was so excited as the story was very interesting, but it didn't deliver. I liked how they introduced each character and how connected they were. The plot twists were great, but something was missing. To be honest, I didn't care about the characters, and it all felt flat. There was no excitement or thrill, making me hesitant to quickly watch the next episode. Luckily, it only has six episodes.On the other hand, I liked seeing that karma existed and how satisfying it was.
The acting was great and the best part of the drama.
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Dark, Gripping, But a Bit Detached
I aim to keep my reviews short, spoiler-free, and focused on the key points to help you decide if a drama is worth your time. I never fast-forward and always strive to watch the entire series to give a fair and thorough perspective."Karma" is far from your typical K-drama. With its raw violence, dark humor, and grim atmosphere, it pulls you into a world where nothing is as it seems. The intricate connections between characters are well-crafted, showcasing a level of complexity rarely seen. The writing excels in weaving these threads together, but unfortunately, it doesn’t give enough attention to developing its characters fully.
The dark, gritty vibe sets a strong foundation, but the characters themselves are often shady, with only a few exceptions. This makes it hard to root for anyone, yet it keeps you hooked on how their stories intertwine and how the events will unfold. The fast pace sometimes sacrifices depth, leaving you detached from the characters despite some strong arcs.
While the performances are strong and captivating, the lack of screen time for certain characters can leave you craving more emotional investment. The story remains compelling but leaves you wishing for more depth and presence from the cast.
Ultimately, "Karma" is visually striking and engaging, especially for those drawn to darker, more complex narratives. It’s a tense watch that dives into human nature’s darker side, but its rushed pace and the underdevelopment of certain characters may leave you wanting more.
Worth the watch for its intense performances and gripping storytelling, but it might leave you wanting a little more character depth and pacing balance.
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The story was too confusing for me due to the timeline so I didn't understand the story to any depth- only the basics.
I felt like it was slow in the beginning then we got standalone episodes for characters and then just a whole mashup of everyone.
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This review may contain spoilers
it’s not even karma but a forced “connection” between random strangers who happen to share a cheesy childhood connectionI do think this did the “what villain is the worst villain” theme better than hyper knife but it was all repetitive trying to show what’s going on in so many bits and I do wish it was more focused on the drs
It’s one of those overdark type with a huge great cast but first ep was snoozing
and overall it was all so frustrating, honestly you’d think they’d try to be different but they keep repeating the same moves
Everything just screams “dejavu”, I've seen a handful of movies with the same exact plot and same exact results
It was good that kwangsoo was smart, but he should’ve driven away
Also he should’ve also sused her, like who the heck kisses someone driving at that exact time
And what were the other two in the other car doing? Cuz I thought they were the planners not the “eyewitness”
And the first ep was so boring, I thought the debt guy’s dad was killed by the debt collectors not that he planned it
Also every single nice looking person is either killed or he’s not nice?
Like if this was eyewitness’s plan with the gf, wouldn’t he know kwangsoo wouldn’t have that money anymore?
A dr that steals organs to pay for his student loans and his upcoming wedding becomes a hero when faced with a rapist who scams ppl for money and “ruin” their lives by pushing the smaller “grey” characters to become villains too
Now I am confused on the high schoolers, cuz if GYS is minas “enemy” and both the girls bfs were witness and debtor, so both were rapists? So one gets karma for the rape and murdering his dad for money, and the other thinks he’s getting the better life but ends up in another karma loop
atleast all the bad guys died xD
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This review may contain spoilers
I feel so surprised this drama isn’t more highly rated! Karma had me hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t stop watching. This drama is one of those that starts off a little confusing, but you keep watching to see where it’s going and the ride was very worth it for this one. There are many different characters and the stories feel very disparate, but once the drama shows how they are all connected, it made so much sense and was fascinating. It’s one that would be so interesting to rewatch knowing the ending, to see what clues were left throughout. I’m a big spoiler person, but this is one that you should go into blind. Without saying too much, Karma does revolve around revenge and people getting what they deserve. Unlike some other dramas involving revenge, Karma didn’t try to redeem the villains or offer them any kind of sympathy. The ending was incredibly satisfying, as well as pretty shocking, and it really lived up to its title. For how evil most of the characters are, anything less would have been a disappointment. Fair warning that this does get pretty gruesome, especially in the later episodes. The entire cast was great and able to portray their characters in a way that kept me guessing as much as the other characters in the show were also in the dark. I have never seen Shin Min Ah in a darker role, but she was very compelling to watch and her performance was great. Park Hae Soo as well was a standout.
The main thing that knocked my rating down was that it felt rushed. It is impressive how much ground they were able to cover with only six episodes, but if they had bumped it up to even just eight the story could have been a little more developed. Since there are quite a few characters, there wasn’t much time spent developing them all. Especially with Shin Min Ah’s character and several of the people around her, it would have been great to get a little more time spent developing the characters and relationships.
Even with some minor issues, Karma was very compelling and incredibly bingeable. This is one that you will want to watch in one sitting. If you like revenge, this is one to add to your list!
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they perfectly interpreted the title of the drama
the storyline and the direction was written in a really engaging manner. The pacing is good and not too slow. The reveal of elements throughout the episodes is showcased in a very smooth manner. After a few episodes you start to see a pattern and might predict some plots but they still manage to surprise you with some hidden connections."what goes around come around" really summarises this drama well. Many veteran actors and each one of them did really good. The drama has gore! Alot of it actually but its not a scary drama. I would same more crime than thriller. Overall its been a while since I saw a decent thriller/crime drama. So I would say this was a good binge!
The drama being 6eps was just perfect not draggy and straight to the point.
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