A Killer Paradox has reached number two on Netflix’s global Top 10 non-English TV list just 3 days after its release. It has also entered the Top 10 list in a total of 19 countries, including South Korea, Bolivia, India, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam.
Despite initial praise, the show has received criticism for its later episodes. Some viewers felt the story lost its momentum after the setting shifted from Daejeon to Busan, particularly regarding the execution of the illegal filming storyline and the development of the villain Song Chon (played by Lee Hee Joon). Additionally, the show’s graphic portrayal of violence has sparked debate, with some finding the revenge porn scenes too disturbing to watch and others questioning the need for extensive nudity.
Cine 21 reporter Im Soo Yeon criticized the drama on Twitter, saying, “I cannot accept the production’s decision to recreate the scene after spending a lot of time showing the revenge porn victim struggling to rebuild her life. It is an image that the victim, who is essentially living a dead life, would want to erase the most.”
<살인자o난감>에서 리벤지 포르노의 피해자 여성이 삶을 잃어버린 모습을 한참 공들여 보여준 뒤 굳이… 굳이… 유출 영상의 한 장면을 재현한 연출을 받아들일 수 없다. 사실상 죽은 인생을 사는 피해자가 가장 지우고 싶어하는 이미지를 공식으로 또 박제함;
— 임수연 IM Sooyeon (@vagabond_sy) February 12, 2024
Netizens also criticized the scene. Some said, “Seriously, the character’s already freaking out about the video, why did they have to include that scene too?” “It felt so unnecessary.” “Come on, who needs all that recording scene in the story? It’s just mean and doesn’t make the plot any better.” “It seems like this is getting worse as Netflix popularizes provocative material.” “I turned it off as soon as that scene came on.”
The drama has previously been criticized for its portrayal of a corrupt construction company chairman who resembles Lee Jae Myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of South Korea. The chairman’s character has also been criticized for operating a food truck in the Cheongnamdae, a water source protection area.
Netflix has responded to the criticism by stating that the construction company chairman’s character is not based on any specific person and that the allegations are groundless. The company also explained that the staff operated the food truck with the permission of the Cheongnamdae management office.
