beomin

Also written: bomin; culprit; offender; perpetrator

The person who committed a crime or wrongful act; commonly translated in mysteries as the culprit or perpetrator.

Literal meaning

the person who committed the offense

Cultural context

범인 identifies the actual offender, not merely someone under suspicion. Korean crime dialogue distinguishes it from 용의자, a suspect, and 피의자, a person formally suspected or accused during investigation.

How dramas use it

Detectives search for the beomin, witnesses identify one, evidence exposes one, or the story reveals that the apparent culprit was framed.

Usage & formality

Criminal may be too broad when the sentence asks who committed one specific act. Culprit, offender, or perpetrator may be more precise.