Through The Darkness, the intense K-drama based on the memoir Those Who Read Hearts of Evil offers more than just suspense—it presents a deep exploration of criminal psychology. With its focus on South Korea’s first criminal profiler, Song Ha-young (played by Kim Nam-gil), the show delves into the science of profiling, analyzing the behavioural patterns of criminals, and understanding their motivations. Here’s how the series integrates real-world psychological theories into its gripping narrative.
Understanding Criminal Behavior Through Profiling
Criminal profiling is a tool used to predict an offender’s characteristics based on the analysis of their crimes. It involves constructing a psychological profile that helps investigators understand the criminal’s mindset. Through The Darkness draws from this real-life practice, which became more formalized in South Korea in the early 2000s (Source).
Song Ha-young’s character highlights a key principle of criminal profiling: the need to understand not just what a criminal did, but why they did it. This reflects one of the foundational concepts in modern psychology—analyzing behaviour through cognitive, emotional, and environmental lenses. Investigators in the series adopt this perspective as they move beyond traditional evidence-gathering, focusing instead on the patterns and motives of the criminal’s actions. This approach is deeply connected to what psychologists refer to as behavioural analysis, which is grounded in psychological principles like classical conditioning, reinforcement, and cognitive distortions (Source 1, Source 2)
Empathy: A Key Component in Criminal Profiling
One of the most significant psychological aspects explored in the show is empathy. Song Ha-young’s methodical, empathetic approach to profiling sets him apart. His character doesn’t just chase clues—he seeks to understand the emotions and thoughts of the criminals he’s tracking. This reflects the real-world belief that understanding a criminal’s cognitive processes can provide insight into their motivations, which is a vital part of behavioural psychology.
Psychologists often stress the importance of empathy in developing a criminal profile. Understanding a perpetrator’s emotional state and past trauma can provide critical insights into why they commit such acts. For example, profiling often looks at psychological disorders, past abuse, or significant life events that may have contributed to criminal behaviour (Source).
Profiling vs. Traditional Investigative Methods
The psychological science behind Through The Darkness highlights the conflict between traditional policing methods and newer, psychological approaches like profiling. In the show, Ha-young faces resistance from colleagues who rely solely on physical evidence to solve crimes. This mirrors real-world debates in criminal psychology, where profiling is often viewed with scepticism by traditional law enforcement.
Profilers like Ha-young rely heavily on inductive reasoning—forming hypotheses based on behavioural patterns and psychological knowledge—while many detectives rely more on deductive reasoning. The series brings attention to how these approaches can complement each other, creating a more holistic approach to solving crimes.
The Trauma of Investigators: A Psychological Toll
Beyond criminal psychology, Through The Darkness also addresses the emotional toll that investigative work takes on profilers. Song Ha-young’s character is depicted as a man burdened by the psychological strain of working with violent criminals, reflecting the real-life mental health challenges faced by those in similar roles. In fact, studies in forensic psychology show that investigators who deal with crimes such as serial killings or sexual violence often experience secondary trauma, a condition where they internalize the emotional pain of victims or criminals.
This trauma is explored through Song Ha-young’s quiet, reflective moments as he struggles with the mental exhaustion of empathizing with both criminals and victims. The show’s focus on mental health emphasizes how psychological science isn’t just a tool for understanding criminals—it’s also vital for ensuring the well-being of those who investigate them.
Conclusion: A Psychological Thriller Grounded in Reality
Through The Darkness is more than just a thrilling K-drama—it’s a window into the minds of both criminals and investigators, showing how psychological science plays a critical role in understanding crime. Its realistic portrayal of profiling, empathy, and trauma offers viewers a thoughtful exploration of how and why violent crimes occur, all while maintaining the suspense and intrigue of a top-tier crime drama.
For anyone fascinated by the intersection of psychology and criminal investigation, Through The Darkness offers an insightful and gripping experience that goes beyond mere entertainment.
Fuhh it’s tiring to be serious. Let’s read other light reviews of k-drama, shall we? Until then, TTO BOJAA!
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