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Kill It
Kill It
Kill It
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Kill It
Promotional poster
Hangul
킬잇
RRKirit
MRK'irit
GenreThriller
Created byStudio Dragon
Written by
  • Son Hyun-soo
  • Choi Myung-jin
Directed by
  • Nam Sung-woo
  • Ahn Ji-sook
Starring
Music byKim Joon-seok (Movie Closer)
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes12
Production
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time60 minutes
Production companyCrave Works
Original release
NetworkOCN
ReleaseMarch 23 (2019-03-23) –
April 28, 2019 (2019-04-28)

Kill It (Korean: 킬잇) is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Jang Ki-yong and Nana. It aired on OCN from March 23 to April 28, 2019.[1][2] The story is about a man abandoned by the devil and a woman raised by the devil and a client who seeks revenge on them. It is a melodrama between a man who must be killed and a woman who must be caught.[1] Archived February 24, 2019, at the Wayback Machine

Synopsis

[edit]

A passionate animal lover and skilled veterinarian, no one would suspect that Kim Soo-hyun (Jang Ki-yong) is actually one of the most lethal men in the world. Using his facade as a defender of animals to hide his true identity, Kim Soo-hyun has forged a reputation between the worst of the worst as the epitome of precision, skill and, above all, anonymity. A complete mystery, he is a ghost, a shadow, a lethal whisper, hired by individuals and organizations around the world to deal with problems that only he is capable of dealing with. On the opposite extreme, is Do Hyun-jin (Nana), a tenacious detective whose external cold image hides an empathic soul. Using an effective combination of skill and instinct, Do Hyun-jin ends up working on a case that leads her directly to Kim Soo-hyun. Believing that he is the serial killer she seeks, Do Hyun-jin thoroughly investigates the identity and past of Kim Soo-hyun, but what she finds shakes her to the bone. Now, bound by fate, Do Hyun-jin and Kim Soo-hyun set out to solve the mystery that linked them years ago.

It is revealed that Kim Soo-hyun was raised by Pavel, a European hitman who was sent by Kim's own father to kill him. Pavel took pity on the boy and raised him as his adopted son and eventual successor in the assassin business. As an adult, Soo-hyun becomes a skilled assassin while Pavel's health is deteriorating. One day, Pavel decides to complete one last job before officially handling the helm to Soo-hyun but his illness prevented him in killing his target, a mafia boss. This causes him to be apprehended and tortured but Soo-hyun comes and rescues him while killing the mafia boss. Unknown to him, the mafia boss's son, Karimov survived and swore revenge. Pavel eventually dies from his wound while encouraging Soo-hyun to live a normal life.

Cast

[edit]
Main actors Jang Ki-yong and Nana in 2019

Main

[edit]
A skilled killer that many gangs seek and a veterinarian.
  • Nana as Do Hyun-jin / Lee Young-eun[4]
A detective who graduated at the top of her class at the police academy and who tries to find her past lover's murderer.

Supporting

[edit]

People around Soo-hyun

[edit]
Soo-hyun's hitman broker.

At Seoul Police Station

[edit]
Hyun-jin's junior detective
A prosecutor and a gamer.
  • Kwak Ja-hyung as Park Sung-ho
An assistant Inspector
  • Ahn Se-ho as Jang Gwang-joon
Medical Examiner.
  • Park Geun-soo as Lee Sang-yeon

People around Hyun-jin

[edit]
Hyun-jin's adoptive father and primary antagonist of the series. He is the mastermind behind the artificial semination and organ harvesting operation.
Hyun-jin's mother
Nana's (Do Hyun-jin) ex-boyfriend. He was a witness to Seul-gi grandfather's 'Kim Il-ho murder case' and a reporter who died in a mysterious way.

Others

[edit]
  • Robin Deiana as Karimov II[5]
  • Jo Han-chul as Go Hyun-woo
  • Ok Go-woon as Yoon Ji-hye
  • Jeon Jin-gi as Joo Young-hoon
  • Kim Sun-bin as Jeon Yong-ki
  • Son Kwang-eop as Seo Won-suk

Production

[edit]
  • Early working title of the series is Blue Eyes (Korean: 블루 아이즈).[8]
  • The first script reading was held in January 2019.[9]

Controversy

[edit]

Kill It was supposed to be produced by BaramiBunda Inc., but the company's CEO Cho Jung-ho was accused of embezzlement. Studio Dragon and Crave Works later assumed production duties.[10]

Original soundtrack

[edit]
Kill It OST
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Recorded2019
GenreSoundtrack
Language
Label
  • Vlending
  • Music Buddy

Part 1

[edit]
Released on March 23, 2019 (2019-03-23)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Forever Love"Han JoonLee Yoo-jinMin Kyung-hoon (Buzz)3:46
2."Forever Love" (Inst.) Lee Yoo-jin 3:46
Total length:7:32

Part 2

[edit]
Released on March 30, 2019 (2019-03-30)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."My Everything"Han JoonLee Yoo-jinHan Seung-hee3:32
2."My Everything" (Inst.) Lee Yoo-jin 3:32
Total length:7:04

Part 3

[edit]
Released on April 6, 2019 (2019-04-06)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Take Out My Heart"Han JoonLee Yoo-jinJung Dong-ha3:12
2."Take Out My Heart" (Inst.) Lee Yoo-jin 3:12
Total length:6:24

Part 4

[edit]
Released on April 13, 2019 (2019-04-13)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."A Secret That Can't Be Told" (말할 수 없는 비밀)Jin Min-ho, Kim Sung-yoonJin Min-hoJang Hee-young03:38
2."A Secret That Can't Be Told (Inst.)" (말할 수 없는 비밀) Jin Min-ho 03:38
Total length:07:16

Part 5

[edit]
Released on April 20, 2019 (2019-04-20)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."You,Like,Me"Han Gil, Han JoonHan Gil, D&TKim Bo-kyung03:24
2."You,Like,Me (Inst.)" Han Gil, D&T 03:24
Total length:06:48

Part 6

[edit]
Released on April 29, 2019 (2019-04-29)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Just Stay"Han JoonHan GilALi03:18
2."Just Stay (Inst.)" Han Gil 03:18
Total length:06:36

Ratings

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Kill It : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
1TBD628315628TBD580TBD376TBD571TBD601TBD
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Media Research.[11]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(AGB Nielsen)[12]
Nationwide Seoul
1 March 23, 2019 1.114% —
2 March 24, 2019 2.321% 2.819%
3 March 30, 2019 1.311% 1.460%
4 March 31, 2019 2.757% 3.420%
5 April 6, 2019 1.085% 1.742%
6 April 7, 2019 2.216% 2.535%
7 April 13, 2019 0.926% —
8 April 14, 2019 1.772% 2.338%
9 April 20, 2019 1.021% —
10 April 21, 2019 2.298% 2.860%
11 April 27, 2019 1.359% —
12 April 28, 2019 2.546% 2.896%
Average 1.727% —[a]
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • N/A denotes that the rating is not known.
  • This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kill It

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kill It (Korean: 킬잇) is a South Korean thriller television series that aired on OCN from March 23 to April 28, 2019, consisting of 12 episodes. The series stars as Kim Soo-hyun, an elite assassin who operates under the guise of a , and Nana (Im Jin-ah) as Do Hyun-jin, a probing a string of serial murders tied to and . Directed by Ahn Ji-suk and Nam Sung-woo, it blends elements of action, mystery, and , focusing on the protagonists' fated connection and their pursuit of amid revelations of a shared traumatic past. The narrative centers on Soo-hyun's double life, where he eliminates targets for a shadowy while maintaining his veterinary , until his path intersects with Hyun-jin's investigation into killings that echo events from their childhood at an . Produced by and Crave Works, Kill It received positive reception for its intense pacing and strong performances, earning an rating of 7.6 out of 10 based on 1,645 user votes (as of November 2025). Despite its concise run, the series garnered praise for addressing heavy themes like child exploitation and without excessive .

Synopsis

Kill It centers on , an elite assassin who leads a double life as a while working for a shadowy organization. Orphaned in childhood, he eliminates high-profile targets in pursuit of clues about his mysterious past. His path crosses with Do Hyun-jin, a skilled and former investigating a series of brutal murders linked to and . As their investigation deepens, they uncover a shared traumatic history from their days, forcing them to confront powerful enemies and personal demons in a quest for and truth.

Cast

Main cast

Jang Ki-yong portrays Kim Soo-hyun, an elite assassin known for his precision and anonymity in executing targets before vanishing without trace. Suffering from , Soo-hyun leads a double life as a , using this cover to maintain his elusive identity while grappling with internal conflicts over his forgotten past and the moral weight of his profession. His quest for personal truth drives much of the central narrative, as each assignment potentially uncovers fragments of his lost memories. Nana, also known as Im Jin-ah, plays Do Hyun-jin, a top-ranked who graduated at the pinnacle of her class and is renowned for her sharp investigative acumen and unyielding determination. Beneath her outwardly stern and arrogant demeanor lies a deeply empathetic individual motivated by the unresolved mystery surrounding her lover's death, which fuels her relentless pursuit of justice. Hyun-jin's emotional depth and propel her into the heart of the story's intrigue, balancing professional rigor with personal vulnerability. The alliance between Soo-hyun and forms the emotional core of the series, as their intersecting paths—marked by suspicion, reluctant trust, and shared secrets—create a tense yet compelling partnership that advances the main storyline.

Supporting cast

The supporting cast of Kill It features an ensemble of actors portraying characters that bolster the central narrative through relational clusters, such as those connected to the protagonists' professional and personal lives, without overshadowing their arcs. These roles provide depth to the investigative and emotional layers, drawing from Soo-hyun's hidden world as an assassin-veterinarian and Hyun-jin's police work.

At Seoul Police Station

This group highlights the competitive environment of the investigative team, where colleagues and superiors contribute to case developments and interpersonal conflicts. Lee Joon-hyuk plays Jeong Min-gyu, Hyun-jin's colleague and rival , whose ambition creates friction within the station while aiding in the pursuit of serial murder clues. Additional personnel include Kim Hyun-mok as Lee Yoon-seung, Hyun-jin's junior colleague who assists with fieldwork and , and Ji Il-joo as Yoon Jung-woo, a collaborating on legal aspects of the organ trafficking investigation. Kwak Ja-hyung portrays Park Sung-ho, an assistant inspector handling administrative and supportive duties at the station. These characters underscore the bureaucratic and team-based nature of police operations in the series.

People around Soo-hyun

Roles in this category revolve around Soo-hyun's cover life and past, offering glimpses into his isolated existence and occasional alliances. Park Ji-hyun depicts Kang Min-joo, Soo-hyun's veterinarian colleague, who injects moments of levity and serves as a confidante during tense episodes. Lee Jae-won appears as , Soo-hyun's hitman broker, facilitating his covert assignments while maintaining operational secrecy. Orphanage connections are represented through figures like as Kang Seul-gi, a young heiress with ties to Soo-hyun's mysterious origins, seeking his protection amid threats linked to illegal experiments. These supports emphasize Soo-hyun's dual identity and the emotional toll of his suppressed history.

Hyun-jin's Circle

Family and close associates in Hyun-jin's life provide backstory and motivation, revealing her personal stakes in the case. portrays Do Jae-hwan, Hyun-jin's father, whose protective yet strained relationship influences her determination as a . Jung Jae-eun plays Jung So-yeon, Hyun-jin's , offering subtle emotional grounding amid the chaos of her investigations. This cluster illustrates how Hyun-jin's familial ties intersect with her professional risks, adding layers to her resilience.

Antagonists

Opposing forces, particularly those involved in organ trafficking, drive the thriller elements and force confrontations with the leads. embodies Pavel, a ruthless foreign operative leading the illicit network that ties into the protagonists' pasts. portrays Woo Hyung-min, Hyun-jin's adoptive father and the primary mastermind behind the criminal operations involving and organ harvesting. These villains represent the broader criminal underbelly, propelling the plot through schemes that entwine with Soo-hyun and Hyun-jin's discoveries.

Production

Development

"Kill It" originated as a thriller project initially titled "Blue Eyes," centering on the intricate interplay between an elite assassin disguised as a and a resolute , while delving into past enigmas and moral quandaries surrounding medical experimentation. The script was penned by Son Hyun-Soo and Choi Myung-Jin, drawing from conventions of crime thrillers to examine themes of identity, revenge, and bioethical conflicts. Directed by Ahn Ji-suk and Nam Sung-woo. Produced by Crave Works and distributed by , the series was announced in early 2019 as part of OCN's slate of intense weekend thrillers. OCN, renowned for its midnight thriller programming, greenlit a 12-episode run to fit its Saturday-Sunday 22:20 time slot. The inaugural script reading occurred in January 2019, where the cast and crew convened to refine the narrative's tension and character arcs.

Filming and controversies

Principal photography for Kill It began in January 2019, immediately following the first script reading in January 2019, at which the cast and crew gathered to discuss the action-oriented narrative. Filming primarily took place in Seoul, utilizing local police stations and veterinary clinics to portray the protagonist's dual life as an assassin and veterinarian, alongside urban settings that facilitated dynamic action sequences such as chases and confrontations. The series features well-choreographed action sequences.

Music

Original soundtrack

The original soundtrack for Kill It consists of six individual parts released weekly from March 23 to April 27, 2019, each featuring a main vocal track alongside its instrumental version, produced by Vlending Co., Ltd. and Music Buddy. A comprehensive 44-track , including all vocal songs, instrumentals, and additional score pieces, was released on May 11, 2019, capturing the series' blend of thriller tension and emotional depth. The vocal tracks, primarily ballads, explore themes of romance, melancholy, and inner conflict, complementing the narrative's mix of action and personal . For instance, Min Kyung Hoon's "Forever Love" from Part 1 evokes enduring affection amid uncertainty, while Han Seung Hee's "My Everything" in Part 2 conveys vulnerable longing. Subsequent parts build on this with Jung Dong Ha's "Take Out My Heart" (Part 3), addressing emotional turmoil; Jang Hee Young's "Unspeakable Secret" (Part 4), highlighting hidden pain; Kim Bo Kyung's "You, Like, Me" (Part 5), reflecting bittersweet attachment; and ALi's "Just Stay" (Part 6), pleading for connection. These songs were composed by a team including Han Gil, Jin Min Ho, and Lee Yoo Jin, who incorporated orchestral elements to heighten dramatic tension. Instrumental scores, comprising the majority of the full album, were crafted to underscore action sequences and suspenseful moments, with dynamic arrangements featuring strings and percussion to amplify the thriller atmosphere. Featured in climax scenes, these pieces contribute to the series' immersive tension without overpowering the dialogue.

Release

Broadcast

Kill It premiered domestically on OCN in on March 23, 2019, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 10:20 p.m. KST until its finale on April 28, 2019, for a total of 12 episodes, each running approximately . The series occupied OCN's weekend thriller time slot, previously held by Trap and succeeded by Voice Season 3. Produced in the , the episodes were formatted for international accessibility through English on streaming platforms. Following its domestic run, Kill It was licensed for international distribution and became available on services such as Rakuten Viki and in select regions starting in 2019. Promotion for the series included the release of official trailers by in early 2019, building anticipation ahead of the premiere.

Ratings

The viewership ratings for Kill It were measured using AGB Nielsen's nationwide metrics for . The series recorded an overall average rating of 1.727%, with its peak at 2.757% for Episode 4 and its trough at 0.926% for Episode 7. Aired on OCN from March 23 to April 28, 2019, the drama's ratings exhibited weekly fluctuations, including a noticeable mid-season dip around Episode 7 before a partial recovery in the finale.
Air DateEpisodeNationwide Rating (%)
2019-03-2311.114
2019-03-2422.321
2019-03-3031.311
2019-03-3142.757
2019-04-0651.085
2019-04-0762.216
2019-04-1370.926
2019-04-1481.772
2019-04-2091.021
2019-04-21102.298
2019-04-27111.359
2019-04-28122.546
Source: AGB Nielsen nationwide ratings As a cable network production, Kill It competed with higher-profile dramas on channels like KBS and SBS, where series such as consistently drew 12-14% ratings during the same period.

Reception

Critical response

"Kill It" garnered mixed to positive upon its 2019 premiere, with reviewers highlighting its gripping thriller elements and strong lead performances while noting inconsistencies in narrative execution. On , the series holds an average rating of 7.6 out of 10 from approximately 1,600 user reviews (as of November 2025), reflecting appreciation for its unique premise involving an amnesiac assassin. Similarly, MyDramaList aggregates an 8.2 out of 10 score from 17,835 users (as of November 2025), where commenters praised the efficient 12-episode structure that maintains engagement through well-timed plot reveals. Critics commended the action sequences for their slick and graceful , which effectively underscored the protagonist's dual life as a and killer. Dramabeans reviewers emphasized how the direction amplified Jang 's portrayal of , delivering silent emotional depth that resonated in high-stakes confrontations. The chemistry between Jang and Nana, playing the determined detective Do Hyun-jin, was frequently highlighted for its tension-filled dynamic, adding layers to their partnership without veering into overt romance. Furthermore, the series earned acclaim for its nuanced exploration of ethical dilemmas, such as organ trafficking and the nature-versus-nurture debate surrounding Soo-hyun's engineered origins, handled without heavy moralizing to provoke viewer reflection on identity and . However, reviews pointed to pacing issues in the later episodes, where the slowed amid convoluted subplots and delayed resolutions, diminishing the initial momentum. Kdrama Kisses critiqued the story for dragging in its middle sections, with confusing character connections and predictable twists that failed to sustain thriller intensity. Some unresolved threads, particularly around secondary antagonists, left audiences frustrated, contributing to a sense of incomplete world-building. The ending proved particularly divisive, offering an intense yet bleak conclusion that aligned with the drama's dark tone but alienated viewers seeking closure; MyDramaList discussions often described it as a "hard ending" that prioritized realism over satisfaction. Despite these flaws, the series was valued for its bold thematic risks in a often reliant on formulaic tropes.

Accolades

"Kill It" garnered limited formal recognition in major award ceremonies, with no wins or nominations recorded at prestigious events such as the or the . The series was, however, featured among the nominated dramas at the 2019 OCN Awards, an event honoring the channel's productions including thrillers like "Kill It" for their contributions to genre innovation. This grassroots acclaim highlights its appeal among viewers despite the modest presence in official industry honors, often attributed to its cable network origins on OCN rather than major broadcasters.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9772814/
  2. https://www.viki.com/tv/36552c-kill-it
  3. https://asianwiki.com/Kill_It
  4. https://mydramalist.com/32296-blue-eye
  5. https://www.soompi.com/article/1308773wpp/nana-transforms-into-a-cold-hearted-detective-for-ocns-new-drama-kill-it
  6. https://mydramalist.com/32296-blue-eye/cast
  7. https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Kill_It
  8. https://www.soompi.com/article/1303136wpp/nana-jang-ki-yong-and-more-gather-for-script-reading-of-upcoming-ocn-drama-kill-it
  9. https://www.soompi.com/article/1300493wpp/ocn-confirms-upcoming-drama-lineup-including-new-seasons-for-save-me-and-voice
  10. https://discover.hubpages.com/entertainment/10-OCN-Originals-that-should-be-on-your-Watch-List
  11. https://subtitledreams.com/2019/07/29/review-kill-it/
  12. https://music.apple.com/us/album/kill-it-original-television-soundtrack/1706452063
  13. https://dramaforlife.fandom.com/wiki/Kill_It_OST
  14. https://popgasa.com/2019/04/03/min-kyung-hoon-forever-love-kill-it-ost-part-1/
  15. https://popgasa.com/2019/04/03/han-seung-hee-my-everything-kill-it-ost-part-2/
  16. https://popgasa.com/2019/04/08/jung-dong-ha-take-out-my-heart-kill-it-ost-part-3/
  17. https://popgasa.com/2019/04/23/kim-bo-kyung-you-like-me-kill-it-ost-part-5/
  18. https://genius.com/albums/Various-artists/Kill-it-original-television-soundtrack
  19. https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/kill-it
  20. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Kill-It/0OIHYU9FZDDFSL9SIMPKG1177J
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHhxocusS7M
  22. http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/
  23. https://dramabeans.com/2019/04/drama-viewership-ratings-for-the-week-of-apr-22-28-2019/
  24. https://dramabeans.com/2019/05/kill-it-series-review-episodes-7-12-final/
  25. https://mydramalist.com/32296-blue-eye/reviews
  26. https://kdramakisses.com/2020/01/04/kill-it-korean-drama-review/
  27. https://www.hancinema.net/nominees-for-ocn-awards-2019-136665.html
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