Netflix is preparing for the release of The Blue Road, a new limited series that combines the crime thriller genre with buddy-cop comedy, which has already made its debut before audiences at the Busan International Film Festival. The production, directed by Han Jun-hee, will arrive globally on the platform on November 20, 2026.
During the South Korean festival, the first three episodes of the series were screened, providing a glimpse into the tone and narrative approach of The Blue Road ahead of its official launch. The series is presented as a production that blends elements of prestige crime drama with moments of unexpected humor, relying on the chemistry between its two leads.
What is The Blue Road about?
The Blue Road is set in 2002, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. This historical context serves as the backdrop for a plot investigating a series of similar murders occurring in both countries.
The story follows Japanese detective Inose, played by Nagayama Eita, and South Korean detective Kim Seok, played by Son Sukku, who must collaborate upon discovering that the crimes they are investigating separately might be connected. The series leverages historical tensions between Japan and South Korea to build part of the dynamic between the two characters, including references to the Zainichi community—ethnic Koreans who became Japanese citizens during the Japanese occupation of Korea—and the case they are investigating, which is linked to the iconography of the Imjin War, the Japanese invasions of Korea.
A thriller with touches of police comedy
According to reviews published after its screening in Busan, The Blue Road combines scenes of explicit violence and unsettling kidnappings with moments of humor derived from the relationship between the two detectives, who constantly trade jokes and provocations related to their respective nationalities. Han Jun-hee's visual direction stands out for its use of color and dynamic camera work, which manages to bridge tones as distinct as dark crime and observational comedy within a resource-strapped South Korean police station.
Critics also note similarities to the NBC series Hannibal, especially in the way the killer in The Blue Road connects their victims with artistic references, although it is noted that, for now, the psychological depth of the investigation remains more superficial than in that production.
The role of Nagayama Eita as the lead
Among the cast, which includes various police officers and bureaucrats with very different personalities, Nagayama Eita stands out in the role of Detective Inose. His performance brings a particular charisma to the archetype of the unconventional and disorganized detective who nonetheless possesses a strong sense of justice. His dynamic with Son Sukku, in the role of the more reserved Detective Kim Seok, is one of the strong points of the first episodes, especially as both characters learn to understand each other.
First impressions after its debut in Busan
The review of the three episodes screened at the South Korean festival positively assesses how The Blue Road manages to sustain such disparate tones, from brutal crime to police comedy, thanks to the strength of its performances and the solidity of its visual proposal. It is still too early to know if the criminal mystery spanning South Korea and Japan will maintain the same level throughout the entire season, but initial impressions point to a series that is entertaining even when it mixes registers that, in theory, should not work together.
Frequently asked questions about The Blue Road
When does The Blue Road premiere on Netflix?
The Blue Road will premiere globally on Netflix on November 20, 2026.
Who are the stars of The Blue Road?
The series stars Nagayama Eita as Japanese detective Inose and Son Sukku as South Korean detective Kim Seok.
What is The Blue Road about?
The series follows two detectives, one Japanese and one South Korean, who investigate a series of similar murders that occurred in both countries during the 2002 World Cup, while also exploring historical tensions between Japan and South Korea.
Who directs The Blue Road?
The direction of The Blue Road is handled by Han Jun-hee.
Where was The Blue Road presented before its Netflix premiere?
The first three episodes of The Blue Road were screened at the Busan International Film Festival before its worldwide release on Netflix.
