Karma': Filming Locations and Cast Highlights

With its intricate plotlines, stellar performances, and visually stunning locations like Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and Lotte Hotel, Karma offers an immersive viewing experience. Whether you’re drawn to its suspenseful storytelling or its exploration of karma and fate, this drama is sure to leave you captivated.

Meet the Cast: Bringing Depth to Karma

The success of Karma owes much to its talented cast, who breathe life into its complex characters:

Park Hae-soo as The Witness: Known for his roles in Squid Game and Money Heist: Korea, Park portrays a man whose accidental involvement in a mysterious event sets off a chain reaction.
Shin Min-a as Joo-yeon: A doctor battling inner demons, Shin delivers an emotionally charged performance that anchors much of the series’ intensity.
Lee Hee-joon as The Debtor: His portrayal of a man driven to extremes by financial ruin adds raw vulnerability to the show.
Kim Sung-kyun as Gil-ryong: A former factory worker turned hitman, Kim’s character embodies themes of survival against all odds.
Lee Kwang-soo as Glasses: Stepping away from his comedic roots, Lee takes on a darker role as an oriental medicine doctor whose perfect life unravels.
Gong Seung-yeon as Yu-jeong: Her character brings emotional depth to the narrative as she navigates love and betrayal.

Karma is a 2025 South Korean crime thriller drama that intricately weaves the lives of six individuals into a web of ill-fated relationships. Directed by Lee Il-hyung and featuring a stellar cast led by Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, and Lee Hee-joon, the series explores themes of trauma, betrayal, and revenge through a nonlinear narrative.

Main Characters and Their Stories of “Karma”

The Witness (Park Hae-soo)

Park Hae-soo plays a man who witnesses a mysterious accident and is coerced into making an irreversible deal. His character’s journey sets off a chain reaction that entangles the lives of the other characters.

Lee Ju-yeon (Shin Min-a)

Ju-yeon is a trauma-laden doctor haunted by an incident from her childhood. Her life takes a dark turn when she encounters Park Jae-yeong, the man she believes orchestrated her past suffering. Over the course of the series, Ju-yeon grapples with her desire for vengeance while trying to find peace.

Park Jae-yeong (Lee Hee-joon)

A factory worker drowning in debt to loan sharks, Jae-yeong’s failed cryptocurrency investment leads him into dangerous territory. His desperation culminates in his involvement in organ harvesting schemes and a series of violent confrontations.

Jang Gil-ryong (Kim Sung-kyun)

Gil-ryong is a factory worker who loses his job unfairly and becomes embroiled in criminal activities involving large sums of money. His interactions with Jae-yeong spiral into betrayal and violence.

Han Sang-hoon (Lee Kwang-soo)

A successful private clinic owner in Gangnam, Sang-hoon has a dangerously charming girlfriend, Lee Yu-jeong (Gong Seung-yeon). Their toxic relationship escalates into murder and betrayal, further intertwining with the other characters’ lives.

Lee Yu-jeong (Gong Seung-yeon)

Yu-jeong uses her beauty to manipulate those around her but becomes entangled in deadly schemes with Sang-hoon and other

Key Plot Points

The Gruesome Past Act

The story revolves around a traumatic event from the past that connects Ju-yeon, Jae-yeong, and Yu-jeong. As revealed later in the series, Ju-yeon was betrayed by Jae-yeong during an incident of sexual violence orchestrated by Yu-jeong and Beom-jun.

Nonlinear Narrative

The drama begins with Ju-yeon saving a burn victim at her hospital, only to realize he is Park Jae-yeong—or so she believes. The narrative then jumps back two weeks to unravel how each character’s decisions lead to this moment.

Revenge and Betrayal

Each character faces moral dilemmas as they seek revenge or survival. For example:

Ju-yeon initially plans to kill Beom-jun (mistaken for Jae-yeong) but ultimately chooses to walk away.
Sang-hoon’s actions escalate into murder after being betrayed by Yu-jeong.

Identity Theft and Karma

Beom-jun kills both Jae-yeong and Gil-ryong, stealing Jae-yeong’s identity to escape his own crimes. However, his actions catch up with him when he falls victim to an organ-harvesting operation—a fitting end for his deceitful life.

Ju-yeon’s Redemption

Despite her suffering, Ju-yeon finds closure by choosing not to kill Beom-jun after realizing vengeance would ruin her life further.

Filming Locations: A Blend of Glamour and Grit

The production team of Karma chose a variety of iconic and atmospheric locations across South Korea to reflect the drama’s intense and layered storyline. Here’s a closer look at the main filming sites:

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon

Located in the heart of Itaewon, Mondrian Seoul is a luxurious hotel known for its modern architecture and vibrant atmosphere. In Karma, this location serves as a backdrop for high-stakes confrontations and pivotal moments involving Park Hae-soo’s character, The Witness. The sleek interiors and panoramic city views add a layer of sophistication to the drama.

Lotte Hotel

Another prominent setting is the Lotte Hotel, a symbol of elegance in Seoul. Scenes featuring Shin Min-a’s character, Joo-yeon, were filmed here, highlighting her complex journey as a doctor haunted by past trauma. The hotel’s grand halls and serene ambiance contrast starkly with the tension-filled storyline.

Mindeulleyeongto (Dandelion Territory) at Kyung Hee University

This cozy café near Kyung Hee University offers a warm, nostalgic vibe that contrasts with the darker themes of Karma. It serves as a meeting point for characters grappling with their fates, providing a rare moment of introspection amidst the chaos.

Incheon Gyeongin Arcade

The gritty setting of Incheon Gyeongin Arcade reflects the harsher realities faced by Lee Hee-joon’s character, The Debtor. This location perfectly captures the desperation and danger of his storyline, involving financial ruin and entanglement with loan sharks.