The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it. - Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie)
Introduction/Trigger Warning
If you love a good crime documentary or "doco" as I like to call it, you have come to the right place!
I'd like to think of myself as a natural-born detective and I'm sure you do too! I studied forensic science and had the crime channel playing many nights throughout the course of my study. In my experience, I would advise you, that as enjoyable as we may find these shows, we should be sensitive to those impacted by the content we are watching and ourselves. One should proceed with caution while watching these types of shows because it is true, that we are very much what we absorb! I'm not saying that you're going to become a psycho killer by watching these shows (but it has happened), just that it can have a negative impact on your mental health if you have watched too much, so please be mindful.
Trigger Warning: This article will discuss topics such as murder, rape, and other criminal activity.
Without further ado, let's proceed! 시작하자!
#1 The Raincoat Killer (레인 코트 킬러) - Trailer Below!
Having experienced living in Korea myself, these documentaries really make your spine shiver. If you're into romantic K-dramas (which there are a lot of out there) it really makes you see a new side to Korea and makes you wonder how safe it really is here. Korea is generally known to be a safe place, people often remark on their ability to walk home safely, late at night but recent events and shows like these make you question what is really around you.
We don't want to give away too much before you watch these shows yourself, but let us give you a brief background.
The Raincoat Killer is a three-episode docu-series based around Yoo, Young Chul who allegedly killed 20 women in the early 2000s. His motive for the murders and his actions were said to be a resentment towards the rich and women. His current status is that he is in prison awaiting execution. Notable parts of this documentary were his motive and the weapon that he made himself, with a grip to fit his hands and kill his victims. This drama had me on the edge of my seat. I would recommend it if you are into serial killer-type shows or murder mysteries.
Check out the trailer for the show here:
The Raincoat Killer Trailer - Netflix
#2 In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal - Trailer Below!
If I'm honest this docu-series made me feel weird so I didn't finish watching it. It has eight episodes and all are quite layered. I feel like the longer you watch the deeper you fall into this web of corruption and many, many unpunished crimes.
This docu-series revolves around Korean Cult Culture and Jeong Myeong Seok, leader of the Jesus Morning Star (JMS), and the abuse of power in his time as leader of this, well basically a cult. This drama had a lot of controversy tied to it, especially around its release and how this would look for JMS. The director of the series, Jo Sung Hyun told the Korea Herald:
“I recognized that many viewers felt uneasy with professor Kim Do Hyeong’s stories featured in the series, but they make up only one-tenth of his experiences over the past 30 years,"
“There are more untold stories, but I was not able to present them all. The released series is already horrifying and disturbing enough for some viewers. It was very difficult to hold myself back from crossing the line,”
If you're into a more detailed and layered docu-series, I'd recommend this one. The director says there may be a sequel so let's see!
Check out the trailer for the show here:
# 3 Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror
Lastly, Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror. This one really devastated me. It's always strange to me how people can present themselves so differently in different settings you would never guess their true heart and intentions for the people around them. This docu-series focuses on chat room sites and how women can be implicated in the worst ways, harming their bodies, reputations, and minds. This crime is also referred to as the Nth Room Case (N번방 사건). This case is based around a man nicknamed "godgod", also known as Moon Hyung Wook, who blackmailed his victims and was a trafficker of cyber sex. He sold exploitative videos (some involving rape and self-harm) to people on chat room apps, specifically Telegram.
This show is intense. It depicts the great efforts of investigators and journalists to catch the culprit and save many girls who were trapped in a blackmail ring. I'd recommend this series if you are into a piecing-the-puzzle-type documentary.
Those are three pretty heavy shows, so please watch with care! If you're not feeling good about what you're watching, turn it off and take a break. Self-care is key and taking in good things for the soul! Tell us what you think about the docu-series we'd love to discuss with you! Comment below!