Decoy | K-Drama | Crime and Mystery Series

Decoy is a Korean drama crime and mystery series that has two (2) seasons. Season 1 and 2 were both released in 2023 and are six (6) episodes each. It is amazing how much intensity could be packed into 12 episodes.

How Does a Dead Person Become a Serial Killer?

Noh Sang Chun (played by Heo Sung Tae) is a thug who turned into a scammer. He got scammed by “a friend” and that’s how he learned. He was already a criminal but wasn’t involved in scamming. However, having learned the hard way “how it’s done”, he became a master scammer. He stole a lot of money from various people and then when he was about to get arrested … he disappeared. Actually, he died! At least, that’s what the official police report said.

Do you know what happens to the victims when the person who scammed them dies? The police close the case because there’s no point investigating when the prime suspect is dead. When the case is closed, the victims might as well give up on ever getting their money back. The scammer is dead and who knows where their money went??? The victims are told they were stupid for being greedy! The police don’t really care. After all, it’s a fraud case. Money was lost but … it’s not murder!

“Not murder?”, the victims ask. What do you call it when people commit suicide because they have lost their life’s savings? Isn’t the scammer directly responsible for their death?

If this case were presented to the famous fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes, he would gladly accept it because solving this crime mystery is extremely challenging. There are people dying left and right and evidently, they are being murdered by Noh Sang Chun, a man who is already dead!

A Lawyer Turned Detective

Detective Goo Do Han (played by Jang Geun Suk) was at one time a successful and well-paid lawyer for business tycoons. But he changed careers. He went from being a lawyer to working as an underpaid detective for the police department. It’s a thankless job! Why would he choose that career path? Because his sister had been murdered and he saw how badly the police handled the investigation of her murder. He decided that he could better apply his skills as a lawyer to solving murder cases. He knew the law and he was very good at investigating. Sometimes his crime-solving methods are not deemed “in accordance with the procedure” and he gets disciplined by his superiors. The disciplinary action involves being suspended from duty pending an internal review.

The Detective is Called Back to Duty

Deputy Head, Kang Jang Hoon (played by Lee Sung Wook) knows who to call when a complicated murder needs to be investigated and solved. He disregards the fact that Goo Do Han has been suspended from official duty and is not allowed at work. He calls him back and assigns him to work on a case where the victim called the police saying: “Help! I am being killed by Noh Sang Chun.” When the police arrive at the scene they find the murder victim. One of the people who had been scammed by Noh Sang Chun is also at the crime scene and intentionally gets arrested. They are not the killer but they show up to interfere with the police investigation. They rationalize their actions by claiming that it’s the only way to get the public to remember them and get the police to work on recovering their money.

You can understand their logic but … who’s the real killer?

What is even more interesting is that the murder victims are people who were once included in Noh Sang Chun’s circle of scammers. They each played a part in helping him commit the scam. In other words, he may have been the mastermind, but they are just as guilty for being his accomplices.

One of the scam victims was suspected of being the real killer however when Detective Goo Do Han finally tracks him down, he’s dead. Apparently, he committed suicide. It’s questionable as to whether it was a murder made to look like a suicide. If it is murder, the main difference is that he is the only murder victim that was not a part of Noh Sang Chun’s group.

Is Noh Sang Chun’s Dead or Alive?

Detective Goo Do Han is stuck between a rock and a hard place. It seems not only is he trying to bring criminals on the outside to justice, but there are corrupt government officials and police investigators on the inside who may be involved as well. He really needs to do his job while watching his back! If he doesn’t, he might end up being one of the murder victims. He needs to determine:

• If Noh Sang Chun was reported dead but is in fact, alive and committing murders; or

• If someone is committing murders and confusing the police by claiming to be Noh Sang Chun.

Viewership and Ratings

This Korean drama series has created a lot of buzz. In particular, lots of people want to share their impressions of Jang Keun-suk, the actor playing Detective Goo Do Han.

“Do-han is Jang’s first drama role in five years and one that adds a new dimension to his resume. … it’s interesting to see him as a determined detective in this police thriller. He does a convincing job playing the reticent Do-han, a man who is sure he could never be conned, primarily because he doesn’t allow himself to trust anyone.”  Jang Geun-Suk Is A Detective Tracking A Dead Con Man In ‘Decoy’ | Forbes

“Top star Jang Keun-suk is returning to the small screen for the first time in five years in Coupang Play’s new crime thriller “Decoy” … The … project is the 35-year-old actor’s first for a streaming service original series since his discharge from the military in May 2020.”  Jang Keun-suk returns to small screen with ‘Decoy’ | The Korea Herald

Before watching “Decoy” I was not familiar with the actor, Jang Keun-suk and did not know he was a top star. It appears he has a loyal fan base. So I have decided to join them and look for more K-dramas that cast him as the lead character or in a supporting role. No doubt, he’ll give a good performance either way.

Both seasons are currently streaming on Rakuten Viki. The Viki viewers gave Season 1 a rating of 9.3 out of 10 stars, and Season 2 was rated 9.7 out of 10 stars. I agree.

If you liked Taxi Driver, you’ll like Decoy.

https://youtu.be/-EZ4rvbjwhM