The Price of Confession

The Price of Confession
Promotional poster
Hangul
자백의 대가
RRJabaegui daega
MRChabaegŭi taega
Genre
Written byKwon Jong-gwan
Directed byLee Jung-hyo
Starring
Music byNam Hye-seung
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes12
Production
Running time46~60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseDecember 5, 2025 (2025-12-05)

The Price of Confession (Korean: 자백의 대가) is a 2025 South Korean mystery thriller television series written by Kwon Jong-kwan, directed by Lee Jung-hyo, and starring Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Go-eun, Park Hae-soo, and Jin Seon-kyu. The series is about a bloody chronicle of an art teacher and a mysterious woman surrounding a murder case. It released on Netflix on December 5, 2025.

Synopsis

Ahn Yoon-soo believed her life would be quietly rooted in home and art until the day her husband is killed and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Locked within the cold logic of a prison cell and under the glare of public suspicion, Yoon-soo's calm exterior begins to crack. Into this fraught world enters Mo-eun, a prisoner with a reputation as "the witch" for her uncanny ability to read others. Mo-eun offers Yun-su an impossible bargain: a confession in Yoon-soo's name, but only if Yoon-soo will commit a murder to earn it. Meanwhile, prosecutor Baek Dong-hun investigates every lead with unwavering conviction, even as the case challenges his moral certainty. Yoon-soo's lawyer, former boxer turned counsel Jang Jung-gu, fights to prove her innocence even as the price of each truth seems to rise.

Cast and characters

Main

Supporting

Production

Development

The mystery thriller drama produced by Studio Dragon is all about the bloody solidarity between two women entangled in a murder case. Written by Kwon Jong-kwan, who penned Sad Movie (2005) and Proof of Innocence (2016), and was supposed to be directed by Lee Eung-bok, who helmed Mr. Sunshine (2018), Sweet Home (2020–2023), and Jirisan (2021).[4]

In January 2023, Lee has withdrawn from the drama due to scheduling conflicts with the ongoing production of the second and final seasons of Sweet Home. Studio Dragon clarified that Lee was only being considered and had not been officially confirmed as director of the series.[5] The next month, Shim Na-yeon was expected to take on the role of director but decided not to take part after discussions.[6][7] In December 2023, director Lee Jung-hyo has been confirmed to helm the series after production delays. This also marks his return to the thriller genre in six years since the acclaimed 2018 OCN drama Life on Mars. Production H would also producing the series.[8]

In July 2024, Netflix announced that the production began and they would distribute the series globally on their platform.[9]

Casting

In August 2022, Song Hye-kyo and Han So-hee were both in talks to stars in the drama, and their each respective agency had confirmed that the project was under consideration.[4] In May 2023, both actors decided to withdrew in the series due to creative differences with the production team.[7]

In December 2023, Jeon Do-yeon has been cast as the new lead actor.[10] The next month, Kim Ji-won was reportedly in final talks but decided to not join.[11][12] On January 17, it was reported that Kim Go-eun has been cast. This marks Kim and Jeon second collaboration since working together in the 2015 film Memories of the Sword.[13]

In April 2024, Park Hae-soo was reportedly cast as the male lead. Both Park and Jeon also collaborated together in the play The Cherry Orchard at the LG Art Center Seoul on May 6.[14] In June 2024, both Jin Seon-kyu and Choi Young-joon joined the cast.[15][16]

In January 2025, Nam Da-reum has been cast to appear.[17]

Release

In February 2025, Netflix revealed that The Price of Confession is part of the 2025 lineup of Korean films and television series, and was scheduled to be released at the fourth quarter of 2025.[18] In November 2025, Netflix confirmed the release date of the series to be on December 5, 2025.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Korean Mystery Thriller Series 'The Price of Confession' Set to Explore the Ultimate Cost of Innocence" (Press release). Netflix. July 30, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Kim, Ha-young (November 28, 2025). 김선영, 전도연·김고은 사이 '왈순' 된다…'자백의 대가' 합류 [Kim Sun-young joins "The Price of Confession" as Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun's "Walk-in"]. My Daily News (in Korean). Retrieved November 28, 2025 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Shin, Ah-ram (February 17, 2025). '강매강' 김중돈, 제로하이에 새 둥지[공식] ['Seoul Busters' Kim Joong‑don Finds a New Home at Zero-Hi [Official]]. Celuv Media (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Lee, Da-won (August 29, 2022). 송혜교·한소희, 이응복 PD '자백의 대가'로 의기투합(종합) [Song Hye-kyo and Han So-hee team up with director Lee Eung-bok for new series 'The Price of Confession']. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  5. ^ Kang, Nae-ri (January 3, 2023). 이응복 감독, '자백의 대가' 연출 하차...송혜교와 재회 무산 [Director Lee Eung-bok Steps Down from 'The Price of Confession'...Reunion with Song Hye-kyo Called Off]. YTN (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  6. ^ Lee, Min-ji (February 23, 2023). [단독]'괴물' 심나연 감독, '자백의 대가’(' 연출...송혜교X한소희 역대급 만남 [[Exclusive] 'Beyond Evil' Director Shim Na-yeon to Helm 'The Price of Confession'...Historic Collaboration Between Song Hye-kyo and Han So-hee]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Yoon, Hyo-jung (May 17, 2025). [단독] 송혜교·한소희, '자백의 대가' 출연 불발...왜 [[Exclusive] Song Hye-kyo and Han So-hee Drop Out of 'The Price of Confession'...Here's Why]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (December 20, 2023). [단독]'자백의 대가' 새 판 짠다, 이정효 감독 연출 확정 [[Exclusive] 'The Price of Confession' Reboots with Director Lee Jung-hyo Confirmed to Lead Production]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  9. ^ Geisinger, Gabriella (July 30, 2024). "Production begins on Korean thriller mystery series 'The Price Of Confession'". Screen Global Production. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  10. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (December 20, 2023). 전도연, 송혜교·한소희 떠난 '자백의 대가' 주인공 [Jeon Do-yeon Cast as Lead in 'The Price of Confession', Replacing Song Hye-kyo and Han So-hee]. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  11. ^ Kim, So-yeon (January 9, 2025). [단독] '자백의 대가' 김지원 합류 예고, 전도연 만남 이뤄지나 [[Exclusive] Kim Ji-won in Talks to Join 'The Price of Confession', Possible Collaboration with Jeon Do-yeon]. Hankyung (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  12. ^ Lee, Kyung-ho (January 17, 2024). 김지원, '자백의 대가' 출연 최종 불발 [★NEWSing] [Kim Ji-won Finally Withdraws from Drama 'The Price of Confession' [★NEWSing]]. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  13. ^ Lee, Kyung-ho (January 17, 2024). 김고은, '자백의 대가' 여주인공 합류..전도연 만난다 [Kim Go-eun Joins Drama 'The Price of Confession' as Female Lead..Will Star with Jeon Do-yeon]. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  14. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (April 24, 2024). 전도연과 또..박해수, '자백의 대가' 남자 주인공 [Again with Jeon Do‑yeon..Park Hae‑soo Cast as Male Lead in 'The Price of Confession']. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  15. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (June 7, 2024). 진선규 소원 성취..전도연과 '자백의 대가' 주인공 [Jin Seon‑kyu Fulfills His Wish..Joins 'The Price of Confession' Alongside Jeon Do‑yeon] (in Korean).
  16. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (June 25, 2024). 최영준, 김고은 변호사 된다..'자백의 대가' 합류 [Choi Young‑joon Becomes Kim Go‑eun’s Lawyer..Joins 'The Price of Confession']. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  17. ^ Lee, So-jung (January 19, 2025). [단독] 남다름, 전도연X김고은 만난다...'자백의 대가'·'마이유스' 차기작 2편 확정 [[Exclusive] Nam Da‑reum to Star with Jeon Do‑yeon and Kim Go‑eun...Confirmed for Two Upcoming Projects: The Price of Confession and My Youth]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  18. ^ Rahman, Abid (February 3, 2025). "Netflix Reveals 2025 Korean Slate of Films, Series Including New Seasons of 'Culinary Class Wars' and 'Single's Inferno'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  19. ^ "Mystery Thriller 'The Price of Confession' Starring Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun Premieres December 5". Netflix. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025 – via The Futon Critic.
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