User reviews

After you've seen quite a few television detective shows, you start to notice a few clichés that keep repeating themselves. Well, the Korean film, "The Accidental Detective", is filled with many of these familiar story elements...yet still is satisfying and worth your time.

When the story begins, a police detective is being arrested for the murder of his wife. However, his friend just can't accept it. Why would Jun-su kill his wife? After all, he's a gentle man...and Dae- man has known him all his life. So Dae-man decides to investigate the case himself to prove his friend is no killer. There is a slight problem with this plan, however....Dae-man is not a detective and he's just some guy who owns a failing comic book store! At the same time, Detecive Noh of the police force is in trouble with his boss. Noh isn't a particularly bright or accomplished policeman and is being pressured to quit the force. Can he team up with Dae-man to bring the real killer...or killers...to justice?

The idea of a private citizen solving crimes is ludicrous....but so common in police shows like "Murder, She Wrote" and "Diagnosis Murder" that we accept the idea. So a comic book man solving crimes is something, while completely impossible, is something most viewers can readily accept. Likewise, the bickering mismatched partners is a cliché practically as old as time...and what you've already seen in many films over the years ("48 Hours" quickly comes to mind). Even the solution to the crimes is something we've seen before in a Hitchcock film! So don't expect a lot of originality in The Accidental Detective. Yet, despite all this against it, the overall film is rather enjoyable and filled with tension...so it might still be worth your time. I liked some of the story elements and the solution to the crimes kept my interest. Not a brilliant film by any standards, but worth seeing despite its flaws.

It's entertaining - not just for the "whodunit" aspect but for the view into the Korean psyche.

We get a peek into Korean humor and gender roles. Also how hierarchy still has a strong role in daily interactions.

There is a nice balance of action and humor with enough violence to keep ones interest - although the violence is moderate and fairly toned down by Korean standards.

Story development is nicely balanced too. We are drawn into the buddy-buddy, husband-wife, and co-worker relationships. Are there clues there to help solve the crimes?

This is one of the more satisfying flicks to watch while being stuck indoors due to covid.

This movie is very entertrained and comical but at the same time little bit boring but the thrilling elements works so you dont get disappointed after the end.

The plot was similar to many korean movies and the chemistry between leads was good but the characterisation of leads were very typical and apart from crime mystery the story lacks engaging screenplay which makes the movie too much typical family drama.

Comedy works and the crime investigation was also works and performances of the cast were also ok. If you can endure a little bit drama then this was a definite watch for mystery crime movie lovers.

Korean have done a lot of whodunit crime movie, so I guess that's why some critics call this movie cliché. For me, this movie is so funny as hell! And we cant even know who is the killer is, its so unpredictable and fun to enjoy. Someone said that its impossible for Daeman character to become a genius detective just by reading detective novel, what kind of argument is that? Do movie need to be realistic as our daily life, a great movie is the kind that show something that's not ever or unlikely to happen in our everyday life, so that's what make this movie special. An average funny joe solve a murder case, finding culprit while carrying his baby too. That's what make this movie funny and I'm laughing so hard watching this. There is some flaw but they cover it up by showing Daeman's life with his family that's so hilarious. As I said a lot of time before, this is korean movie style that you cant find in any American movie. They stick you on your sit till the end. If you love "Memories of Murder" and "The Chaser", you will love this!

Saw now few times funny funny with action what more can u ask for when ur down in the dumps No 2 can't wait to watch. Either prob few mths b4 that thou

The story is bery interesting, the plot twist at the end just makes u think, oh this is not an ordinary crime story. Love the chemistry between Kwon Sang Wu and Su Dong Il, Both of u did a great job 👏👏👏