REVIEW: ‘Crime Scene Zero’ Is Sleepy Time True Crime

Crime Scene Zero (originally Crime Scene) arrives on Netflix for its fifth season following a decade-plus of success in Korea. This reality series combines true crime with dinner theater elements, as contestants— including actors, idols, and variety performers—must solve a fictionalized murder mystery. The stakes are loose, plopping us straight into the middle of the current murder, and while there are moments of fun or intrigue, sometimes, as viewers and critics, you have to simply admit a core truth: this one isn’t for me. 

Jang Jin, Park Ji-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Kim Ji-hoon, and An Yu-jin all return from previous series, taking on roles as detectives and suspects to solve the fictional crime. The Netflix budget is clearly put to use, building out elaborate sets for the contestants to walk around in. Following the immediate setup, they walk around and look for clues while building a story about who the killer is and why. 

In theory, Crime Scene Zero is a fun idea. And there will be plenty of people who eagerly watch along, trying to build their own case too. People who enjoy true crime, escape rooms, sudoku, and improv. You know, thinking types. Meanwhile, left to my own devices, I’d probably rot inside an escape room before finding a single clue. 

Crime Scene Zero suffers from one major production choice.

The biggest hurdle Crime Scene Zero must overcome is the pacing. Like many Korean reality series, the latest has a jaw-dropping runtime of over an hour, which is simply ludicrous. It didn’t work for Singles Inferno, and it doesn’t work here.

The best, most addictive part of reality series is their bite-sized, inconsequential, turn-your-brain-off-now-please nature. Instead, this mystery dinner theater series aims to engage us for nearly 90 minutes while watching other people attempt to solve a fake murder. 

It drags the series down, creating a near-hypnotic pace. There’s a distinct lack of energy in the production, despite the pains taken to create well-rendered sets and props for the contestants to maneuver. From an abandoned hospital to a nightlife district and a funeral hall, the series covers its bases in terms of changing up the scenery and allowing for different types of stories to anchor the general conceit. However, the execution is too patient and lacks energy. 

The success of the reality series depends on the viewer. 

And truly, it all comes down to what type of reality fan you are. Just look to Netflix to find out what your barometer is. If you enjoy the quick and zippy energy of a competition series like Chef & My Fridge, which has also been a long-standing mainstay in Korean broadcasting, that hinges on celebrity guests, this might be too slow.

If you’re a Physical 100 fan who needs a sense of competition that also takes its sweet time in getting to the end, you might enjoy aspects (especially the Part 2 to every round). Culinary Class Wars remains the best in terms of reality TV pacing. There’s a sense of urgency in the competition, but not in a way that takes away from the bizarre comforts of these shows. 

Honestly, the best way to gauge your interest will be if you’re, again, a true crime fanatic or a fan of a series such as The Devil’s Plan. The focus can’t just be on the contestants and how well they do a “yes, and” prompt. You have to be ready and willing to follow the pieces of the puzzle and begin building your own narrative to reach an answer simultaneously with the contestants. Otherwise, it’s just actors shouting about things you don’t care about. 

True crime fans will find something worthwhile about the Netflix series.

All in all, for true crime agnostics, Crime Scene Zero is decent background fodder. Late-night insomnia? Turn on an industry-accepted TTRPG and let the meditative pace and only vaguely grizzly descriptors lull you into a state of sleepy bliss. 

For fans of the genre, however, it’s a fun enough continuation of an ongoing series with contestants clearly putting their all into the bit and showcasing a greater, intuitive thought process than others might. The stories come together nicely, and each role the guests play offers up much more than meets the eye. It’s not necessarily exciting, but there’s charm to how it all comes together. 

The biggest hurdle for Crime Scene Zero, beyond the episode lengths, is a divisive audience. You either are a true crime fan or you are not. Lacking in energy but abundant in creativity, the Netflix reality series delivers a mixed bag. Fun for some but not others. 

Crime Scene Zero is available now on Netflix.