Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 24, 2026

Shadow Detective

Shadow Detective (Korean: 형사록) is a 2022 South Korean crime thriller television series directed by Han Dong-hwa, starring Lee Sung-min as a veteran detective who becomes a murder suspect after receiving a phone call. The series co-stars Jin Goo, Kyung Soo-jin, Lee Hak-joo, Jung Jin-young, and Kim Shin-rok. It premiered on Disney+ on October 26, 2022. In November 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which was released on July 5, 2023.

Last revised
Jun 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 5 min
Length
1,148 w
Citations
22
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Shadow Detective
Also known asOld Detective
Hangul
형사록
Lit.Criminal Record
RRHyeongsarok
MRHyŏngsarok
GenreCrime thriller
Written by
  • Lim Chang-se
  • Hwang Seol-hun
  • Son Jeong-woo
Directed byHan Dong-hwa
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes16
Production
Running time47–62 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney+
ReleaseOctober 26, 2022 (2022-10-26) –
July 26, 2023 (2023-07-26)

Shadow Detective (Korean: 형사록) is a 2022 South Korean crime thriller television series directed by Han Dong-hwa, starring Lee Sung-min as a veteran detective who becomes a murder suspect after receiving a phone call. The series co-stars Jin Goo, Kyung Soo-jin, Lee Hak-joo, Jung Jin-young, and Kim Shin-rok.12 It premiered on Disney+ on October 26, 2022.3 In November 2022, the series was renewed for a second season,4 which was released on July 5, 2023.5

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
18October 26, 2022 (2022-10-26)November 16, 2022 (2022-11-16)
28July 5, 2023 (2023-07-05)July 26, 2023 (2023-07-26)

Synopsis

Detective Taek-rok, who is nearing retirement, receives a threatening phone call and finds himself framed for murder. The mysterious caller, who calls himself a friend, challenges Taek-rok to a twisted game, ordering him to reinvestigate the cases he once handled. To catch the culprit, Taek-rok revisits his long and difficult life with determination. As he follows the trail, he comes face to face with a shocking truth.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Geumo Police Station

People around Kim Taek-rok

Kim Taek-rok's family

Drug Organization

People in Geumo

People around Lee Young-ho

Others

Production

The series was announced on Disney+.7 The series was initially titled as Old Detective but later changed as Shadow Detective.8 The principal photography of the series commenced in October 2022.9 The trailer of the series was released on October 11, 2022.10

Reception

Pierce Conran of South China Morning Post graded both seasons with 3+1⁄2 out of 5 stars.1112 Rhian Daly of NME rated the season with 4 out of 5 stars in her review.13

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
Year Award ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref.
2023 Blue Dragon Series Awards Best Actor Lee Sung-min Nominated 14
Best Supporting Actress Kyung Soo-jin Nominated
2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards Best OTT Original Shadow Detective Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Kyung Soo-jin Nominated 15
2023 Korea Drama Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) Lee Sung-min Won 16
2023 Grand Bell Awards Best Actor in a Series Nominated 17
2023 APAN Star Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated 18
Excellence Acting Award, Actor Lee Hak-joo Nominated 19
References

References

  1. "Shadow Detective: Lee Sung-min leads moody investigative K-drama". South China Morning Post. October 31, 2022. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  2. Lee, Si-jin (July 4, 2023). "'Shadow Detective' cast confident season 2 is worth the wait". The Korea Herald.
  3. "New series 'Shadow Detective' will make viewers question everyone". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 25, 2022. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  4. "Disney+ unveils upcoming Korean originals, 'Soundtrack #2,' BTS' new docu-series and more". The Korea Times. November 30, 2022.
  5. "'Shadow Detective' returns for Season 2 as more intricate thriller". The Korea Times. July 5, 2023.
  6. "Shadow Detective press con: Lee Sung-min revealed his glucose level went down on set". sg.style.yahoo.com. December 29, 2022.
  7. Chin, Carmen (September 14, 2022). "Jin Gu, Lee Seong-min, and more to star in new Disney+ K-drama 'Shadow Detective'". NME. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. Lee, Si-jin (November 17, 2022). "Lee Sung-min reflects on himself with 'Shadow Detective'". The Korea Herald (in Korean).
  9. Shrestha, Naman (July 5, 2023). "Where is Shadow Detective Filmed?". The Cinemaholic. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  10. Yeo, Gladys (October 11, 2022). "Disney+ unveils tense 'Shadow Detective' trailer starring Lee Seong-min and Jin Gu". NME.
  11. "Review | Shadow Detective: brooding, involving and convoluted crime K-drama". South China Morning Post. November 23, 2022. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  12. "Review | Shadow Detective season 2: Lee Sung-min leads way to gripping conclusion". South China Morning Post. July 29, 2023. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  13. Daly, Rhian (October 26, 2022). "'Shadow Detective' review: gripping police drama puts you in the sleuth's seat". NME. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  14. Moon, Ji-yeon (June 26, 2023). [공식] '더 글로리'·'SNL코리아3' 최다 노미..제2회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 발표 [[Official] 'The Glory'-'SNL Korea 3' Most Nominations...2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards Nominations Announced] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  15. Park, Jae-hwan (September 12, 2023). 아시아콘텐츠어워즈&글로벌OTT어워즈 후보작 발표.. "더 글로리, 무빙, 만장적계절, 그리고 퍼스트러브하츠코이 [Asian Content Awards & Global OTT Awards Nominees Announced... "The Glory, Moving, All Seasons, and First Love Hatsukoi"] (in Korean). Korean Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023 – via Naver.
  16. Kim, Yang-soo (October 14, 2023). [종합] '코리아드라마어워즈' 이성민 대상…오정세x김선아 최우수상 [[Overall] 'Korea Drama Awards' Lee Sung-min Grand Prize...Oh Jung-seh x Kim Sun-ah Best Actress]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  17. Ha-neul Lee (October 24, 2023). 제59회 대종상영화제, 남우주연상→여우주연상 후보 및 각 부문별 선정 [59th Grand Bell Awards, Best Actor → Best Actress Award nominations and selection in each category]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  18. Ha-na Lee (December 19, 2023). "'재벌집'부터 '더글로리'까지‥'APAN STAR AWARDS' 치열한 수상 후보 공개" [From 'Reborn Rich' to 'The Glory'… 'APAN STAR AWARDS' fierce competition candidates revealed]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  19. "'APAN STAR AWARDS' 치열한 수상 후보 공개 ::". 스타데일리뉴스 (in Korean). December 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
External links