If you’re looking for true crime documentaries about South Korea, this list of recommendations is for you!
1. In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal
Released on Netflix in 2023, this docuseries is about religious cult scandals and their aftermath, which still affect South Korea today. Through their testimonies, brave survivors like Maple Yip expose crimes committed by JMS, the Five Ocean mass suicide, the Baby Garden cult, and the Manmin Church. Be warned: like the rest of the documentaries on this list, In the Name of God is not for the faint of heart.
2. Catching a Killer: The Hwaseong Murders
This documentary dives into the crimes of one of Korea’s most notorious serial killers. Fans of crime K-Dramas such as Signal might already be familiar with some aspects of the case. In the 1980s, a killer terrorized the city of Hwaseong by committing 10 murders in four years, leading to the nation’s largest manhunt. Catching a Killer is full of twists and turns that, by the end, will make your jaw drop to the floor.
3. The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea
Like Catching a Killer, this three-part 2021 docuseries follows a Korean serial killer who evaded capture for far too long. In the early 2000s, Yoo Young Chul, the Raincoat Killer, committed a number of horrific crimes, including serial murder. From Yoo’s crimes to police negligence, this docuseries might infuriate you as much as it informs you.
| Netflix
4. Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror
In 2022, the “Nth Room” case rocked South Korea and made international headlines for its wide-reaching depravity. This chilling documentary follows cyber-police officers as they investigate blackmail, cybersex trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of over 100 victims, including 26 minors, from 2018 to 2020.
If true crime content isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry! We have recommendations for you too:
