Cool-Headed Son Suk-ku and Fiery Eita Nagayama: ‘The Blue Road’ Character Stills Revealed!

The story of two detectives pursuing gruesome murders that span borders, featuring contorted corpses and mysterious messages, 〈The Blue Road〉 has raised anticipation even further with the release of character stills featuring ‘Kim Seok’ (Son Suk-ku) and ‘Inose’ (Eita Nagayama).

The newly released stills vividly show the two detectives pursuing a serial killer whose crimes cross borders. The image of ‘Kim Seok,’ a detective with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, examining a firearm with a cold expression, offers a glimpse of his sharp judgment and drive. Neither orders from his superiors nor the barriers of national borders can stand in the way of Kim Seok’s tenacity, brought to life through Son Suk-ku’s nuanced performance. “On the surface, he seems like someone who never wavers, but the turbulence inside causes him a lot of pain, and there’s a part of him that tries to overcome it,” Son Suk-ku said, building anticipation for the layered character Kim Seok will reveal. What story lies behind Kim Seok’s dry, seemingly bloodless and tearless gaze? And how will he dig into the case? Those questions only deepen the intrigue.

A still of ‘Inose,’ a detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, receiving applause from bystanders after subduing someone in a Tokyo alley, hints at his fiery nature: once his instincts kick in, he throws himself into the fray to solve the case. Introducing Inose as “a character who is more passionate than anyone when it comes to a case, and who stands his ground to the end with a fierce determination to catch the culprit,” Eita Nagayama is set to bring his rough-edged charisma and sharpness to life, injecting the series with fiery energy. Audiences are also eager to see Nagayama’s performance as he brings his own interpretation to the role, giving Inose a charm and individuality distinct from Kim Seok.

The chemistry between these two very different detectives—sometimes working together, sometimes locked in a tense standoff—is one of the must-see highlights of 〈The Blue Road〉. Director Han Jun-hee said, “Both characters could be the lead in their own series. I think the two actors did a great job bringing out both their contrasting qualities and the ways they’re alike,” further raising anticipation for the cross-border rapport and on-screen chemistry between Son Suk-ku and Eita Nagayama.

With director Han Jun-hee’s signature sensuous, stylish visual aesthetic and the fiery on-screen chemistry of Son Suk-ku and Eita Nagayama, 〈The Blue Road〉 delivers the thrills of a crime investigation that transcends borders. The series premieres exclusively on Netflix on Friday, November 20.