(All characters, places, institutions, incidents,)
(and organizations portrayed in this drama are fictitious.)
(September 30, 1987)
(School Magazine Club Office)
Gosh, this is a lot.
These were sent to us during vacation.
We even got a parcel.
We even got letters from people outside our school?
Yes, apparently. Some are from kids who go to different schools.
This is amazing. We're pretty popular.
Yong Tak, come and help us out.
Jung Hyun, why did you bring him with you?
It's cute how he always shows up.
Okay.
(From Park Nam Su, Class 2-1, Kyunghan High School)
(Hello, I'm a first-year student.)
We have three stories about the red masked person.
The stories are all the same.
They say they saw the person in the alleyway.
But what are we going to do?
Do we just wait until that person shows up?
Yes, that person attacks pretty girls and ugly guys.
Then you and I will be fine.
That's not funny, you jerk.
We also got a lot of tipoffs about the haunted house...
in Taegang-dong.
I think that's a good one.
We can take photos too.
Next week, there's Chuseok.
So we have some time to think about it.
Let's think about what our next topic should be.
The best one was the mystery case we covered last time.
What's this?
Did this come in the parcel?
Oh, right. I forgot about that.
But we don't have a VCR player, so we can't watch it.
"Mixtape"? What is this?
Maybe it's a recording of something.
What kind of recording?
How would I know?
Is there a way to watch this?
Why don't we ask the guys in the Broadcasting Club?
Oh, I know how we can watch it.
Yong Tak, wake up.
(Gyeongcheon High School, Judo Club)
Gosh, it smells.
What is this smell?
It really smells bad in here.
Lock the door on your way out after you're done watching the tape.
- Okay. - By the way,
- did you hear from our coach? - About what?
We'll be training during Chuseok.
Are you serious?
- Isn't it so annoying? - Yes, it is.
Anyway, lock the door on your way out.
Bye.
(People can betray you, but your hard work never will!)
Gosh, that's so loud.
Turn it down.
(Hometown: The Mixtape)
(Episode 3)
Did you listen to it?
What?
Oh, you mean the cassette tape?
Hyung In, I think...
No.
Don't say anything.
If you listened to it, then that's what matters.
Whatever that may be, we need to think first.
First, we need to think.
Why are you dressed like this? There are customers here.
Will you stop?
Get your own food.
- Is there enough? - Don't eat too much.
Cut it out.
Oh, and here.
Take this to Jae Young's family.
I heard they closed the restaurant...
so they could go around and look for Jae Young.
Pickled radish is a nice side dish for a simple meal.
It's embarrassing.
What are you embarrassed about?
I just am. Jae Young isn't even there.
Goodness, stop acting so immature.
Are you not worried about her?
Stop being a little kid.
Ma'am, can we get some water?
Okay, sure.
While many criminal cases have been occurring recently in Saju City,
Lee Kyung Jin, the girl who went missing around July 13,
was eventually found dead.
Meanwhile, Cho Jae Young,
who went missing around July 15...
was confirmed to be the daughter of Cho Kyung Ho,
the 1987 Saju Station gas terrorist.
- What does that mean? - According to police,
Cho Jae Young and her family...
- hid this fact from the neighbors. - Hey.
- What's that about? - For the past 12 years,
they'd lived in Incheon...
- Did you know that? - before moving back to Saju.
Did you know that girl was that scumbag's daughter?
Thanks for the food.
Where are you going? Come back here.
Police have identified and are tracking a suspect...
(The late Jung Young Seob)
(Saju Funeral Hall)
Thank you.
Thank you so much for coming.
I don't know anyone here.
We haven't been in touch for a long time.
- Min Jae. - What?
- Shall we leave? - Already?
Sorry. I have too much on my mind.
The photo in our school magazine.
The mark we found at the secret spot...
is exactly like the one in the room of the jerk who took Jae Young.
So to be honest,
my only focus was to find someone...
from our high school and ask them...
if they knew anything about it.
I don't know why I'm like this.
Even I think it's not right at all.
I feel bad for poor Young Seob too.
Okay. I don't mind, so don't worry about me.
If you want to leave, we can.
Excuse me. Thanks for coming.
I'm Young Seob's younger cousin.
Are you? It must be hard on you.
We're Young Seob's friends from high school.
I know. Auntie told me.
Would you like more food?
No, don't mind us.
I'm sorry. We should be helping out.
No, it's fine. We have enough help already.
Were you two close to Young Seob?
You could say we were.
We were in the same club in school.
Then could you wait here for a moment?
I'd like to ask you a favor.
I'd have brought it to you if you waited at the hall.
I know.
Are you sure about this?
It's okay. I'd wanted to visit.
Then I'll drive you both back home afterwards.
I would love that.
It's that room.
We'd like to select some of Young Seob's photos...
for something like a commemorative exhibition.
I don't know much about it.
I'd like you to help pick out a few.
We don't know much about photography either.
If you were good friends with Young Seob,
then you might know...
what kind of photos he'd want to show off.
Let me see.
There should be more here.
- Jung Hyun. - What?
Look at these.
This is incredible.
He kept all these?
My gosh.
I'd forgotten we'd even taken these.
What's this?
It's a video tape.
Jung Hyun. Haven't we seen this before?
Do you have a VHS player?
I don't think so.
The people in this family don't watch TV.
Then if you don't mind, can we borrow these?
What?
That's not for me to say.
What's this about?
What's going on?
Please?
Hello, Mr. Jung.
No one's here yet.
Oh, is that so?
No, it's fine.
Well, it's just that...
I feel a little upset.
I don't expect much in return,
and yet, for our brothers,
I'm making a sacrifice, so to speak.
But the way I'm treated...
Who goes to Japan on a ship in this day and age?
It's raining so hard right now, I'm not even sure we'll set sail.
No, sir.
I do not have any complaints about how you do things.
(Busan International Passenger Terminal)
Mr. Lee.
Oh, you made it.
We're a bit late.
I told myself it wouldn't be the case,
but I was about to feel a little lonely.
I'm so sorry.
We had to pick up a few things to pass on to you.
That's why we're late.
Is that so?
Let's see what that is.
Don't bother. It won't take long.
Hey, stop it!
Mr. Lee.
I pray you reach nirvana.
(Sook's Chinese Restaurant)
Mom, I'm home.
Mom.
Are you okay?
What was that sound?
I don't know. There's a rock...
Mom. Go into the room.
What...
What is going on?
Hurry.
Mom!
Mom.
Mom. Get down.
Mom.
What is going on?
I think I've had...
a very ordinary childhood.
My mother raised my younger sibling and me alone.
There's nothing very memorable.
Every day was very ordinary.
How did you end up going to Japan?
I had to meet someone.
Would you tell me who that was?
Well...
Why are you smiling?
Apologies.
I just think...
our situation is very funny.
It's funny?
In what way?
I went to Japan to meet my daughter's mom.
Are you saying Cho Jae Young's mother is Japanese?
That's not true.
Is that what you think?
Sure, I can see that.
- Hey. - Hi.
- What are you doing? - Just... Seagulls...
Seagulls?
What seagulls? It's raining.
Exactly. I was thinking...
there were no seagulls because it was raining.
It's nice when it's not raining.
They come at you like crazy to eat this.
How's work? Is it going well?
I came here more than ten years ago already.
Has it been that long?
When I was in Seoul, I kept wondering...
if you could do a good job.
You say that every time.
It was nice when we were at the National Police headquarters.
You probably don't even remember.
Is it still the same?
What?
Can you still not remember?
I told you last time, didn't I?
I was just asking. Don't get mad.
Chief. Let's go.
They're pretty much done with the scene.
- Let's go. - Yes.
Is he the one you're looking for?
Yes, he is.
Did you find anything?
No. There's no bag or a wallet.
I think they took it all.
How did you identify him?
He had a business card there.
I guess they didn't see it.
He had a lot of yen on him,
so my guess is he was trying to go to Japan.
You're right.
How sloppy.
Were these in his bag too?
That's right.
He must've been a sugar addict.
Candy.
Where have I seen this before?
You've seen that before?
It looks Japanese.
Lee Kyung Jin. I think I saw this in her room.
Hey. You can't eat that.
Get this analyzed.
Why?
He was a druggie. Remember?
Yes, I think so.
It wasn't a countryside murder.
We had it wrong from the get-go.
Please describe what happened.
Among the items found with Lee Young Duk...
was a Japanese candy. It was also found...
in the home of Lee Kyung Jin, the first victim.
We had it analyzed,
and it was SD candy.
The hottest import in the 90s.
The strongest hallucinogen.
More of those SD candy wrappers...
were found in Lee Young Duk's home thereafter.
Most of the SDs in Korea came from Japan.
Only a few drug rings in the country distributed such a volume.
Therefore, it was not difficult to identify the source.
Lee Young Duk was involved with an academy instructor...
and the Skull Gang guys, is that it?
- Yes. - Cho Jae Young going missing...
is definitely related to Lee Kyung Jin, who died.
And the academy instructor
seems to be related to Lee Kyung Jin too, is that right?
- Yes, that's right. - So explain it to me simply.
What do you mean, the Skull Gang has Cho Jae Young?
We're not saying they have her.
We mean we shouldn't miss even the smallest of clues.
No. This is no time to talk about clues.
There's something in the middle.
In the middle?
We're definitely missing something. And I think...
that something is related to what's happening...
in this town.
Clarify. What exactly is that?
Are you saying there's someone else in the middle?
Perhaps. Or...
an organization.
They're talking about transferring your case...
to a Special Investigation Team. Did you know that?
Yes, I did.
Then you should know...
that you have to give them your entire desk.
Gosh. There he goes again.
Stop being so frustrating.
How long have you been wasting your time on this?
Even if the academy instructor is a druggie,
and even if that drug was from the Skull Gang,
what are you guys doing?
If it turns out this isn't connected to Cho Jae Young's case,
you'll have to crawl under a rock.
Do you get me?
Exactly, sir.
Would we ask you for this if we didn't know all of that?
I'll ask one more time.
Do you think this is absolutely necessary?
It is.
Let's work with Busan Narcotics.
That will look better.
Let them handle the Skull Gang.
You two do only what you need to.
At least bring me a strand of Cho Jae Young's hair.
Mr. Kang.
I borrowed 3,000 dollars,
so it's strange for the principal to be measured as 5,000 dollars.
That's not the case.
Look.
(Customer trust is as important as life.)
Every time you borrowed money,
I explained about the interest very thoroughly, right?
The up front interest of 1,500 dollars...
and the service fee of 500 dollars.
And the interest of 50 percent for 10 days, which makes it 15.
It's all stated in the debt acknowledgement form.
Still, the interest rate is ridiculous to begin with.
The bet you're in...
is the seotda game in Central Market held by the guys from Busan, right?
How did you know that?
I know because a lot of my clients are involved in the bet already.
I heard the chances of winning are increasing...
because a lot of newbies joined.
Exactly.
Things are set up just nicely,
but I ran out of money to gamble.
So I can't even get a taste of it.
I see.
(Yongma Finance)
You're saying now's the right time?
Then can you pay back the loan if you get the timing right?
Of course, Mr. Kang! That's a given.
(CEO of Yongma Finance, Kang Yong Tak)
Then let's do this.
I'll reduce the interest to 30 percent.
Instead, if you pay back after one day,
I'll specially apply the rate from today.
Can you really do that?
I wouldn't do it if there was no trust between us.
Yes, please do that.
You know seotda game can change drastically...
- once you get on the flow. - Sure.
- You should win. - Yes.
Sign here, and I'll give you the money now.
This is your first time with this instrument,
so I'll give you 3,000 dollars first.
Minus the up front interest of 900 dollars,
it's 2,100 dollars.
Thanks for the money, Mr. Kang.
See you tomorrow.
- Take this. - Thank you.
(CEO Office)
(We'll treat you kindly.)
Sir.
- Will it be fine? - About what?
I think she's almost broke.
Right? You also think she'll be done after a few rounds, don't you?
Yes.
But...
even if I take everything from her,
she still has the apartment under both her and her husband's name.
But will the husband just leave it be?
He won't be able to say a word...
because he's afraid of the news spreading in his company.
And she can't pay back the loan anyway.
She already borrowed 300,000 dollars.
She'll have the whole apartment taken away from her to pay back...
and end up regretting.
When you see something sweet, suck it up until the last drop.
- Got it? - Yes.
Call the next customer in.
Please come in.
You're Yong Tak, right?
Do you remember me?
Yes.
(Sook's Chinese Restaurant)
Gosh, what a nice restaurant.
Well...
Apparently, a few people came last night and caused this mess.
- Who? - She doesn't know who.
It's not for me to say.
Ask Jung Hyun.
It could've been dangerous. Those crazy jerks.
Jung Hyun, are you there?
She said she'd be at home. Where is she?
Hey, where have you been?
I went to buy some drinks.
It's been a long time, Yong Tak.
It sure has been.
It's been a long time, Cho Jung Hyun.
Tell me when you're done watching.
Are you ready?
Before that, let me ask something.
Okay.
Why must I watch this when we finally met after ten years?
Firstly, I'm sorry.
I'm in a rush.
I'm not talking about the emotional aspect.
I'm asking why I should watch this. The reason for it.
We've already watched this video before.
- And? - That's the reason.
- How is it? - Okay.
I do remember watching the video together.
But...
I'd totally forgotten what it was about until now.
- I knew it. - What about you?
Did you remember it?
No.
I couldn't remember at all. Same goes for Min Jae.
Is this really possible?
Even if it was over ten years ago,
how could we forget something like this?
What is it that you really want to know?
What?
Why is this important for you?
Is it related to your niece going missing?
I don't know. I just...
I don't think Jae Young disappeared for no reason.
I feel like I'm missing something.
But...
I think it's related to what happened to us in the past.
It must be nice for you...
to live so consistently.
When you disappeared from this town without a word ten years ago,
I thought I made a mistake to you or something.
If not, why wouldn't you contact me at least once?
But after meeting you today, I finally understand.
That's just how you are.
You forget about everything that's unimportant to you.
So as time goes by,
I've come to hate you more than your brother who's a murderer.
The fact that you disappeared without a word...
because you wanted to start anew. You...
Darn it.
How could you not contact me once?
I even heard that you came back.
Yong Tak.
Jung Hyun.
I'm kidding.
Humans are all selfish.
We only care about ourselves.
So the thing is,
I'm busy with my work these days.
So I won't have much time.
Yong Tak.
We haven't talked in ten years,
but it was a pleasure.
(Sungshin Music Academy)
Our eyes lock
But what does that mean?
I don't know yet
I really don't know
But my heart keeps fluttering
Who is that?
Oh, it's nothing.
Hey, you'll get grease on the window glass.
Gosh.
I can't believe you're drinking that oriental medicine...
as if you're drinking soup.
Isn't it too bitter?
But why are you learning trot? I prefer ballads.
It's the age of the silver economy.
- What is that? - You don't know what it is?
In a capitalistic society,
you need to follow money.
And who do you think has all the money?
- The bank? - No, old people.
Really?
My grandma doesn't have money.
I'll give her some pocket money once I make some money.
Anyway, what are you doing here?
Are you done drinking your medicine?
I'm going to finish it later.
- Why? - It's too hot.
Well, the thing is,
I lied to you about something.
About what?
- Promise me you won't get angry. - Let me hear it first.
The truth is,
I have the tape.
What tape?
The mixtape that someone left at the broadcasting studio.
The broadcasting studio?
What? Have you lost your mind?
Keep it down.
So you lied to the cops?
- You promised not to get angry. - When did I ever promise?
- You promised just now. - No, I didn't.
If you're going to keep yelling, I'm just going to go home.
Hey!
Jae Young gave it to me.
Sweetheart, what's going on?
Why are you yelling? It's bad for your voice.
She wants to go eat somewhere I don't want to go.
Let's just go to Crocodile's, okay?
Okay.
Mom, I'm going to go to Crocodile's. Can I have a dollar?
Don't eat anything spicy. It's bad for your voice.
Okay.
(Crocodile Snack Bar)
Gosh, that's good.
It feels nice to sweat after eating something spicy.
My stomach hurts.
- Now tell me. - Tell you what?
Tell me what happened.
There's nothing more to tell.
Jae Young gave me that mixtape.
- When? - Well...
On Wednesday evening.
Wednesday?
The day before she went missing?
Yes.
That night...
Jae Young.
What are you doing? You'll break the window.
What are you up to?
Why didn't you just call?
This is more romantic.
She's crazy.
Come inside.
No, I just came to give you something.
What is it?
Should I give it to you or not?
Give it to me.
Moon Sook.
How close are we?
What's with you? You're grossing me out.
It's important to me.
How close are we?
Well, I'd say...
you're my best friend.
Really?
Yes.
Okay. Thank you.
After that, she told me not to tell anyone...
until she called.
But now I'm telling you.
You see, I'm really starting to get worried.
She probably doesn't even have a cell phone.
I wonder if she even knows my number.
- Are you crying? - The tteokbokki is spicy.
The darn Cheongyang chili peppers.
I won't tell anyone.
So don't worry.
No, let's tell the producer of the broadcasting club.
I didn't want to tell her because of her big mouth.
But if we don't tell her, we'd be betraying her.
Do as you wish.
I miss Jae Young.
Me too.
Where could she be?
I miss Jae Young.
(Sook's Chinese Restaurant)
Who is it?
Hello.
I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd be here at this hour.
Thank you.
I'm sorry to bother you.
Thank you for coming.
I'm sure you're already busy solving Jae Young's case.
Detective Kim roughly told me about what happened.
I heard you're having a hard time...
finding the people who did this.
It was obviously done by the neighbors.
I don't really care who it was.
I'm already used to it.
I'm used to people hating our family like this.
I'm sorry I can't be of much help.
I'm also sorry to bother you with this.
I'm already grateful for the effort you're putting into my niece's case.
No.
I just feel bad that I don't have any updates on the case.
Is this neighborhood your hometown?
No.
My hometown is Incheon.
I see. You speak in a dialect,
so I naturally thought you were from here.
I lived here for a long time.
If your accent's different,
you stand out when you don't want to.
How did you end up here?
My wife was from here.
She wanted to live in her hometown,
so we moved here.
That's lovely.
Your family's from here too, right?
Yes, you could say that.
Both my parents lived here all their lives.
Actually,
I don't know where that jerk and I were born.
I don't have any memory of it,
but from what I heard, we grew up in an orphanage.
My parents adopted us both.
I see.
- I didn't know that. - Right.
That jerk was in the papers and on the news every day,
and that was never mentioned.
It's strange.
It's something people would love to talk about,
but the fact that it never came up is extra strange.
Yes.
I never met your father.
He's dead.
He died in 1985,
so it's been 15 years already.
Yes, it has. I brought up something bad yet again.
No. I brought it up first.
I guess...
I'm going through a lot.
I don't usually talk about this.
Talking to you...
made me think that...
everyone related to that jerk and I...
go through something devastating.
Even if they're innocent...
I mean,
they're not innocent,
but even a good, sweet girl like Jae Young,
the naive person who is so different...
from me and that jerk...
went through this too.
Talking to you...
made me think that.
Hello.
Who are you?
I'm Si Jeong's wife.
He said you'd be here, so I came by to say hello.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Did you get some sleep?
No.
My husband was going to leave after just a nap,
but I told him to shower because he smells.
I see.
He won't be long.
I came over to say hello and to tell you in person.
Sorry for the early morning trouble.
Here's some food.
My gosh.
Even if Si Jeong asks for some, you don't need to give him any.
- He already ate. - Okay.
I'm enjoying your food.
I never got to thank you.
It's fine. I do my best, but I'm not sure...
if it's to your liking.
I'm sorry to say this,
but is something happening today?
Pardon? What do you mean?
It's just that...
my husband's been weird today.
He's extra nervous, more so than usual.
So I got worried that you might do something dangerous today.
I see.
You don't have to worry. Nothing's wrong. It's all good.
Sorry for bothering you this morning.
But I feel much better about it now.
Good.
Do you have a cigarette?
Yes.
I must be really out of it today.
I didn't bring any with me. Let's buy some on the way.
Are you okay?
I'm a bit weird today, aren't I?
I'll settle down in no time.
Your wife came to talk to me this morning before you came down.
What?
Oh. She said she'd take out the trash.
She's a nice lady.
Yes, she is.
- Listen. - Yes, sir.
We're not going to start a war.
We'll just do our job,
so for the sake of the person worrying about you at home,
relax, okay?
Okay.
(Saju General Hospital)
(Bus Stop)
Who are you?
Cho Jung Hyun.
It's me. Don't you remember?
Are you...
Kyung Joo?
If not for Min Jae,
I wouldn't have known your mom were here.
I was out of sorts.
Min Jae's a huge help.
Right.
I heard about Jae Young on the news.
I thought of calling, but didn't want to bother you.
It's fine. Thank you.
The truth is,
my husband's working on her case.
I had no idea.
That's why I couldn't call.
I trust my husband's doing his best,
but no one has heard from Jae Young, so...
Jung Hyun.
I don't know whether or not it will help you to hear this,
but a lot of people are worried about Jae Young.
So...
hang in there.
You need to hang in there.
Okay?
Okay.
Gather around.
We will be raiding the building.
Watch your backs.
Remember your safety takes priority.
Thanks for coming.
Of course.
I mean it. It has been a while since I got to cry like that.
I'll let you know if I hear anything from my husband.
Okay. Thanks. Bye.
Bye.
That's right. Min Jae said you'd have a question for me.
But you didn't ask me.
It's okay. It's not important anymore.
I think I was being paranoid.
What was it?
About that video that we watched when we were students.
A video tape was delivered to our club.
Yes.
I remember.
Yes. But no one remembered what was on that tape.
I don't know.
I wonder what's the point now.
No.
What?
I remember.
You remember?
I remember.
The sound of the bell,
strange words,
and the woman who covered her face with her arm.
The Skull Gang...
was the Korean distributor...
of Yamayoshikai, the Yakuza from Osaka.
Even Narcotics...
couldn't raid their hideout that easily.
Will you please give us the details?
Being a Yakuza's distributor meant...
there was no weapon that the Skull Gang couldn't get.
I see.
A fully-armed Special Forces squad...
and MIU went in together.
It was rare for an operation with such a large team,
so a lot of effort had gone into it.
I heard that operation was a success.
Was it?
Do you think it was not?
Since our team's goal was something else.
I can't say it was...
from my perspective.
That means Detective Lee Si Jeong...
was also...
The day we watched the video,
I caught the flu and was very sick for days.
I don't know if you remember.
I missed school for a full week.
Did you?
Sorry, I don't remember.
It was a few days before Chuseok.
Things were hectic.
Especially with what happened.
You're right.
That happened a few days after...
we watched the video.
Jung Hyun.
I know I may sound completely crazy,
but I have the same dream ever since I watched the video.
- A dream? - Yes, a dream.
It's the same one every night.
How is that possible?
I don't know.
The doctor said it was like I was traumatized.
Whatever the reason may be, one thing for sure is...
that is...
happening to me.
May I ask what the dream is about?
No. You don't have to tell me if it's too hard.
It's an inverted dream.
Inverted?
The place is inverted...
and she's there.
Who?
The woman in the video.
She stands at the other end of the inverted room...
and stares at me all night long...
while covering her face with her arms.
(Hometown)
Did you murder Cho Jae Young?
You're the most important person in all of this.
But you're excluding yourself.
What have you done?
Looking for Cho Kyung Ho's daughter...
feels like a punishment to me.
It's written in the school magazine from 1987.
I felt like I fell into someone's trap...
and was flailing my arms hopelessly.
You people are too late.