Watch Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow

Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow is a South Korean historical mystery movie directed by Kim Suk-yoon and released in 2011. The film is set in the Joseon Dynasty era, which lasted from 1392 to 1910, and follows the story of a brilliant detective named Kim Min (played by Myung-Min Kim) tasked with investigating the murder of a powerful nobleman's wife.

The film begins with the brutal murder of Lady Jo, the wife of a powerful nobleman named Jo Yoon-seok. The case is assigned to Detective Kim Min, who is known throughout the kingdom for his intelligence, wit, and calm demeanor. Upon arriving at the crime scene, Detective Kim discovers that Lady Jo was poisoned with a rare and deadly substance. He also learns that the widow of the previous nobleman to hold the Jo family's title, Lady Jeong (played by Han Ji-min), is a prime suspect in the case.

Despite being warned by Jo Yoon-seok not to investigate Lady Jeong, who is widely respected in the community, Detective Kim believes she may be linked to the murder. He begins to investigate her carefully, slowly unraveling a complicated web of deceit, lies, and secrets that implicates many members of the Jo family, including Jo Yoon-seok himself.

As he delves deeper into the case, Detective Kim is aided by his loyal sidekick Seo-pil (played by Dal-su Oh), a bumbling but well-intentioned young man who is eager to help solve the crime. Together, the two men use their skills and resources to uncover the truth about Lady Jo's murder, even as they face considerable resistance from those who would like to see the case buried.

The film is notable for its clever and engaging plot, which manages to keep the audience guessing until the very end. The setting of the Joseon Dynasty period is beautifully realized, with lavish costumes and sets that capture the period's opulence and grandeur. Myung-Min Kim gives a standout performance as Detective Kim, imbuing the character with just the right amount of intelligence, charm, and wry humor to make him thoroughly compelling. Han Ji-min is also excellent as Lady Jeong, whose motives and allegiances remain shrouded in mystery until the very end.

The movie also benefits from a strong supporting cast, including Dal-su Oh as Seo-pil, whose comic relief provides a nice counterpoint to the film's darker moments. Yoo Hae-jin also stands out as the sleazy and corrupt Governor, who has his own reasons for trying to suppress the investigation.

Overall, Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow is a well-crafted and engrossing mystery movie that should appeal to fans of the genre. The film's clever plotting, strong performances, and lavish production values make it a standout entry in the crowded field of historical dramas. Whether you're a fan of the genre or simply looking for a good mystery, this film is definitely worth checking out.

Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow is a 2011 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.