The Worst of Evil

In 1980s Korea, a married couple who work as detectives go undercover to infiltrate a sprawling criminal syndicate that runs an illegal drug pipeline across Korea, China, and Japan. To gain trust, they adopt new identities, attend violent gatherings, and form uneasy alliances with smugglers and informants. As investigations progress, their personal lives and professional duties collide, pressure rises, and loyalties grow blurry. The show tracks how each assignment raises the stakes, forcing careful choices about who to trust and how far to go to gather evidence without losing themselves or endangering those they love.

The series premiered in 2023, directed by Park Geun-buem and created by Han Dong-wook and Jang Min-seok. It features Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-jun in lead roles, with Lim Se-mi, BIBI, and Im Sung-jae in key supporting parts.

Critics and viewers praised the lead performances and the show's tense pacing, reflected in a solid average score of 8.401 out of 10 from available ratings. The narrative emphasizes moral ambiguity, the cost of undercover work, and systemic corruption, with episodes that balance action-oriented set pieces and quieter character moments to build suspense and emotional weight.

The show helped raise the international profile of its principal cast, especially among viewers who follow contemporary Korean crime dramas. Its gritty, period-specific production design and focus on cross-border smuggling sparked conversations about how 1980s geopolitical relations are portrayed in entertainment, and it attracted attention for blending procedural beats with serialized character drama.

As of now, there are no widely reported major award wins tied to the series. It has, however, been noted in reviews and rankings that highlight performances and production values, and it continues to find new viewers through word of mouth and streaming exposure.