Think you have seen all the twists and turns a mystery variety show can offer? Well, think again, because Crime Scene Zero is here. Yes, Netflix has revived one of South Korea’s beloved shows, Crime Scene, and the stakes have never been higher.
For the uninitiated, Crime Scene is a Korean role-playing mystery variety show franchise which began in 2014. Season 1 introduced fans to Hong Jin-ho, Park Ji-yoon, NS Yoon-G, Jun Hyun-moo, Lim Bang-geul, and Kang Yong-suk. Over the years, the Korean show evolved with fresh faces and returning veterans — from Hani and Jang Dong-min in season 2 to Jung Eun-ji and Yang Se-hyung in season 3, and more recently SHINee’s Key, Joo Hyun-young, and IVE’s An Yu-jin in Crime Scene Returns (season 4).
Across each season, directed by Yoo Hyun-joon, the format has remained the same at its core. Every player is both a suspect and a sleuth, trying to survive the psychological battle of deduction. Now, Crime Scene Zero takes this thrill to an entirely new level. Familiar masterminds Jang Jin, Park Ji-yoon, Jang Dong-min, and An Yu-jin are back, joined by Kim Ji-hoon from season 3 and new cast member Kang Min-hee of CRAVITY. That’s not all. Each week also features a surprise celebrity guest.
Crime Scene Zero premiered globally on 23 September. It consists of 10 episodes, which will be released over three weeks on Netflix. So, let’s meet the contestants of the show.
Jinny’s Kitchen to The Backpacker Chef: These are the best Korean food reality shows to binge-watch" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, (max-width: 650px) 75vw, (max-width: 900px) 40vw, 1000px" loading="lazy"> Who are the contestants on Crime Scene Zero?
Jang Jin
Jang Jin is a screenwriter, director, playwright, and producer in the South Korean film industry. He is best known for his works, like Welcome to Dongmakgol and Murder, Take One (both 2005). He has hosted Saturday Night Live Korea (2011-2012) and has a knack for quirky, satirical storytelling.
Jang has built himself a following for his sharp humour and social commentary. He has been a part of the Crime Scene franchise since its second season (2015). During the press conference of the show, he said, “It’s a program I love. I enjoyed the process like going to an amusement park and feel proud of the result.”
Park Ji-yoon
View this post on Instagram
Park Ji-yoon is a veteran host and TV personality, recognised for her long-running presence on Gourmet Road (2012-present).
Park started out as a TV announcer and has become a trusted face of variety and investigative shows. She’s been with Crime Scene since day one. “I wanted to keep the flow that made it so popular,” she shared at the press briefing.
Also read: Singles Inferno season 4 and other Korean reality shows of 2025 you cannot miss
Jang Dong-min
View this post on Instagram
A comedian famed for his sharp tongue, Jang Dong-min is the winner of The Genius seasons 3 and 4. Known for his bold and unfiltered humour, he’s also proven himself as a quick-witted strategist on survival shows.
This time, he has entered with a fresh perspective. He admitted at the press conference for the show that the ‘Zero’ concept encouraged him to approach it with a beginner’s mindset.
Kim Ji-hun
Best known for his roles in K-dramas such as Stars Falling from the Sky (2010) and, more recently, Ballerina (2023), Kim Ji-hoon is a beloved South Korean actor. A versatile performer, he’s built a career balancing light-hearted roles with darker arcs. Crime Scene Zero marks his return to variety shows after almost a decade. “I think fans who have nostalgia for ‘Crime Scene’ will enjoy this as much as the past seasons,” he said at the press conference.
An Yu-jin
View this post on Instagram
An Yu-jin is the leader of the K-pop girl group IVE, who debuted with Eleven in 2021. She started her journey from the idol-survival show Produce 48 and has grown into a confident K-pop star, MC, and now a surprisingly sharp mind on deduction shows.
This season marks her second appearance in the franchise, following her debut in season 4. At the press conference of the show, she shared, “People call me the ‘clear-eyed madwoman.’ I’m just leaning into it.”
Kang Min-hee
View this post on Instagram
Kang Min-hee, better known by his stage name Minhee, is a member of the K-pop boy group CRAVITY. Best known for his vocals and lyricism, he joins the cast of Crime Scene Zero as the assistant detective.
He first caught attention on Produce X 101 (2019), where he finished in 10th place and debuted with project group X1. However, after the group’s disbandment, Minhee found his way to fans’ hearts once again with CRAVITY.
Also read: BLACKPINK’s Lisa and more K-pop idols you didn’t know are not Korean
Who are the celebrity guests on Crime Scene Zero?
Adding to the excitement of the show, each episode of Crime Scene Zero also features a surprise celebrity guest.
Joining the cast for the first case is New World (2013) and The Deal (2015) fame Park Sung-woong. The second case features Extra Ordinary Attorney Woo (2022) star Joo Hyun-young and Ha Seok-jin of Problematic Men (2015-2020). The next celebrity guest to join episodes five and six is True Beauty (2020) and Family by Choice (2024) star Hwang In-youp.
(Hero and Featured image credits: Netflix Korea)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.