(All characters, organizations, places, entities, and events...)
(in this drama are fictional.)
Sir, it's this way.
Excuse me.
We spoke earlier.
I'm Kumamoto from Shinyo University.
I came to pick up the item I asked about.
(Folklore Department of Shinyo University, Kumamoto Yoshinori)
Thank you.
(The Cursed)
(Episode 4: Boomerang Effect)
Hello, Captain.
- Did you find anything? - No, not yet.
The building is old, so there are no cameras.
They somehow avoided all the dashcams in the area too.
What about the highway?
It looks like a crime was committed in an abandoned building...
near the highway.
They found bloodstain there.
It's probably Jin Soo's blood.
It's clean everywhere else.
I'll start with the time he called home,
and compare it with the surveillance videos from the area...
and the abandoned building and put together a list.
- Okay. Thanks. - Sure.
(Pregnant Woman On Board)
(Forensics)
(Police Line Do Not Cross)
Hey! Over here!
Forensics!
Mr. Chairman.
My instincts were right.
I was sure this spirit came from Japan,
so that's where I focused my search.
I got a call...
from a Japanese folklore professor that I know well.
According to him, if the spirit curses someone...
using the person's name in Chinese characters and a personal item,
it may be an inugami.
What is inugami?
A dog spirit.
Woof woof.
It's a dog ghost.
Ms. Jin.
A dog ghost?
Mr. Chairman.
Inugami.
You may underestimate it because it's a dog ghost,
but don't.
These dog ghosts are created by people.
They are extremely vicious.
Did you say people create ghosts?
For example,
they'd bury a dog with just its head above the ground.
They'd leave food in front of it and starve it to death.
Then, they chop off the head...
and put the food in its mouth.
I'd be annoyed too.
Try putting yourself in the dog's shoes.
Wouldn't you be livid too?
That's what you do. You intentionally give it a grudge.
There are many other ways...
to create an inugami ghost.
Those inugamis are grudges manifested.
So they detest humans...
and curse them.
That is their sole desire. That's all.
Isn't that scary?
In other words,
it's like a psychopath...
even among ghosts.
Hurry.
What is that?
Are you going to school?
Some donations came in.
We have a lot to do,
so help us sort them after school, okay?
(Actress Hyun Ji shares happiness and love)
- Thank you for your support. - Thank you.
- I hope you use it well. - Thank you always.
Not at all.
We really appreciate it.
Oh my gosh!
Oh no. Are you okay?
I was scared.
I hate kids coming at me all of a sudden.
- Darn it. - Seriously.
Why can't you control the kids?
Seriously.
- What were you doing? - Hold on.
The big picture is more important.
This way.
Reporters, please come over here.
So let's get a picture with the banner...
Wait. Please come here.
If you ask,
I can punish her.
That woman who pushed you.
Should I punish her?
Can you stop it?
Yes.
But, based on what it has done,
he thinks it's a powerful inugami.
An ordinary talisman won't have any effect.
He says we'll need to use a tsukumogami.
A talisman won't do?
A tsukumogami isn't just a talisman, a spirit is within the object.
So,
we'd make two spirits fight against each other.
Luckily, that professor...
knew of a powerful tsukumogami,
so I asked him to rush it to me.
But that Japanese punk demanded 800,000 dollars...
once he heard I was in a rush.
So I said it was too expensive,
and negotiated for about an hour.
I got it down by 50,000 dollars,
and agreed to 750,000 dollars.
Wait. Ms. Jin.
I don't care how much it costs,
but when will it arrive?
I asked him to send it as soon as possible,
so I should have it here...
in your room in two days at most.
Excuse me. I apologize for interrupting,
but if it'll take two days,
would you please let us know what the chairman should do...
during those two days?
Don't meet anyone.
It would be best if he stays somewhere no one knows about.
But our company's IPO is less than a week away.
There are many items awaiting his approval.
He has several meetings that we're behind on. So...
Then he should be careful for just two days.
Mr. Chairman. Don't give anyone anything of yours.
Yes. Keep using disposable items.
Use them once and throw them away.
Or keep them safe for two days.
Okay.
That's what I'm doing...
already.
Thank you.
You jerk. Serve the chairman properly, will you?
What's wrong?
You let him use his energy again last night, didn't you?
His energy? What energy?
The chairman can kill someone with his thoughts...
if he sees that person just once before in person.
Don't you know how big a toll it takes on his body...
every time he tries to kill someone?
Sir!
I'm sorry, ma'am.
The chairman must remain healthy until the company goes public.
Got it?
Yes, ma'am.
Mr. Lee Hwan.
Yes?
Am I asking for too much?
No, ma'am.
You're not a moron.
- Listen carefully. - Yes, ma'am.
Take good care of the chairman...
until we find that performer of procedures.
That's not that hard, right? Easy, right?
Yes, ma'am.
Don't just answer me.
Do as I say, okay?
Kill?
Just kill me now. Darn it.
Please.
Hey, is that so hard?
What if I get germs from the kids at a place like this?
I told you to make sure they don't touch me. Just me.
Yes, you're right. It's my fault. I was completely at fault.
So let's go back and take a few pictures of you working.
The reporters will leave after 10 minutes.
I wouldn't do this if my album didn't bomb.
I'm so annoyed.
It wasn't just the album that bombed. So did the movie.
Your drunk driving cost you the commercial.
- Why you... - Okay, okay. Let's go.
I won't do it!
Let's go. Please.
That woman who pushed you.
Should I punish her?
If you ask, I can punish her.
If you ask,
I can punish her.
Hi, Jin Hee.
You didn't go to school yet, right?
Meet me in front of the orphanage.
Okay.
Get in. I'll give you a ride to school.
When Forest was created,
the programmers were told...
to make those cursing posts become popular posts.
That's the system they wanted.
In other words, they wanted the posts of curses...
to become popular.
That's right.
We were told to manipulate it to make the "Forest of Curses"...
popular among the people.
"Manipulate"...
Why do you think that was?
I'm not sure.
Maybe...
This is a recording of Detective Yang Jin Soo...
with a former Forest employee,
Mr. Kim Min Jae, just before he died.
After this meeting,
Detective Yang headed home and spoke with his wife,
and then he was abducted.
According to the medical examiner,
prior to impact with the car that caused his death,
he was tortured viciously with weapons.
I'll get Jin Jong Hyun's picture, name in Chinese characters,
and personal item as soon as possible.
As soon as I do, let's do a procedure on the scum.
Just bring them to me.
I'll give him a very cruel procedure.
Did something happen?
While I was hesitating,
that scum...
killed someone I know just because he had the pen cap...
we used for the procedure against Mr. Kim Ju Hwan.
Very cruelly, too.
What?
That also means...
he knows how we performed the procedure.
How could he?
There may be someone helping him spiritually.
For example, a shaman.
A shaman?
Jin Jong Hyun may have a very powerful shaman.
Regardless, let's do the procedure on him as soon as possible.
They abducted a police officer and tortured him.
This is a declaration of war against the police authority.
It's largely my fault...
for being careless at the onset...
with the Min Jung In case, the whistleblower.
(Seodong Police Station)
(Chief Jang Won Seok)
From this moment forth, we will show no mercy.
We'll do whatever it takes...
to catch the jerks who tortured Detective Yang Jin Soo,
and bring them to justice. Understood?
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
Dismissed.
(Seodong Police Station)
(Police Academy Application for Instructor)
Sung Joon.
After what they did to Jin Soo,
you have to catch them yourself.
I will, Chief.
- Here's your coffee. - Thank you.
Mr. Lee Myung Joon?
The roads were really backed up, weren't they?
I'm sorry I'm late.
I just got here myself.
Shall we sit by the window?
- Come this way. - Okay.
Here.
I got you a hot Americano. I hope you like it.
Thank you.
That's right. Hold on.
Like I said over the phone,
I'm Kim Pil Sung, a reporter with "The Weekend Man".
I see. Hello.
No need to read it so closely.
Like I said over the phone...
Can you do it?
You said you need a personal item of our chairman.
No, no. So...
Mr. Lee Myung Joon.
You are Chairman Jin Jong Hyun's driver.
My apologies.
The term now is transport assistant, right?
I'm so old school. I apologize.
Anyway, you look so much like him.
One of my minions...
during my military days. Doofus.
You look like him.
Doofus?
It's so good to see you again. No, it's not "again".
Where was I?
- The chairman. - Yes.
So, your name was...
Lee Myung Joon.
I keep thinking of Doofus.
Mr. Lee Myung Joon. Since you are close to Chairman Jin Jong Hyun,
I assume it'll be a piece of cake...
to get one of his items.
Usually, it is. It's not a big deal.
But recently...
- It'll be hard. - Why?
I don't know.
But the chairman is very careful with even the smallest of things.
I asked a friend who's one of his personal assistants,
and what did he say?
What did the personal assistant say?
He's only using disposable items.
He drinks coffee out of paper cups.
He gathers them himself...
and takes care of them himself.
He's quite unusual.
He's usually unusual. But...
why do you need his item?
Are you trying to do a DNA test, a drug test, and things like that?
No. That's not it.
You are so quick.
I can't give you details.
It's not for a DNA test.
Anyway, it can be something small. That's fine too.
Like a button.
Anything that is clearly his.
I told you.
Normally, it wouldn't be hard. But...
Fine.
- What? - Here.
Here.
This is 1,000 dollars.
If you bring me one of Chairman Jin's items,
I'll give you another 1,000 dollars on the spot.
Here. Put that away.
- Really? - Yes.
This is awesome.
Exactly.
As soon as possible.
It won't be easy.
I won't be, but...
I'll call you tonight.
You're so cool.
Okay. Get up. Get up.
Attention. Salute.
And march. Good.
Okay, get going. Go.
- I'll call you. - Okay.
Hello. I just spoke to him.
I said I was a reporter and gave him money,
so he was happy to take it and just left.
But ma'am.
Why are you spending so much money to get a personal item?
No, no. That's not what I meant.
I can do it myself.
I feel bad taking money as a middleman, that's why.
Call me as soon as you hear from that driver.
It doesn't matter how late.
And bring me the item right away.
It's a bit urgent.
- Yes, ma'am. - As quickly as you can.
Okay.
(Kim Pil Sung)
- Jin Hee. - Hey. Come in.
- Did you look into it? - Yes. So...
I looked up Forest's Chairman Jin's interview from six years ago.
As you said, he was an entrepreneur 15 years ago...
before he founded Forest.
It was called Daein, a distribution company.
Their CPA was an agency named Pyungrim.
Is that office still around?
It's a small office,
but they're still in business.
I confirmed that they had Daein's tax documents.
Did they say we can look through them?
I said we're investigating Chairman Jin's tax evasion,
and accused them of being an accomplice,
so they were scared stiff.
They said we can look at them...
if we go in person.
Okay. I'll go and check myself.
Okay.
If you tell me what you're looking for,
- I can go myself. - No.
If they were his personal CPA,
they may have a copy of his government ID and stuff.
That's all I need to see.
If you're looking into his identity,
isn't it faster to ask your police connections?
No. I'm going to do this on my own.
Have our team dig into suspicious things about Forest...
and the coding department.
Okay.
Send me Pyungrim's address right now.
Okay. Drive safely!
My gosh.
I'm tired.
- Joo Bong. - Yes?
Did they call to say when the item will arrive from Japan?
Yes. They called earlier. It was boarded on a plane.
- Already? - Yes.
He's good.
Ma'am. I looked into it, and...
Okay. Shoot.
After a Japanese ghost came to Korea,
it mutated...
and changed to adapt to the surroundings.
Of course. Even ghosts must adapt...
to their new environments.
Yes. If you read the paper by Dr. Kim Kyung Min,
Japanese ghosts...
came mostly through Busan.
Especially Asin-dong, they were concentrated...
in a Japanese cemetery...
Where did you say?
Asin-dong.
Asin-dong?
Maybe dying without knowing why...
is better for our priestess.
What was that?
Asin-dong.
Hello, Ms. Jin.
Mr. Chairman.
Remember that shaman who did the ritual for you...
because your mother hired her?
Who?
Remember...
the one you said we needed to eliminate.
We went together that evening, remember?
Yes.
What about her?
What town was she in again?
Asin-dong. It's where I grew up.
Sir. I think we can catch that performer.
Nice. Really? That's great.
No. I'll call you back once I know for sure.
Okay. Also,
I'll bring that tsukumogami to your room tonight,
so just be careful for today.
I'll talk to Mr. Lee and take care of that performer.
Okay.
Joo Bong.
Yes, ma'am.
Yes?
Goodness. It was worth keeping you around.
My cute baby. My gosh.
How did you figure that out?
You solved the problem.
What's on my agenda today?
You have dinner with Chungil Group's Mr. Lee Jung Hoon.
That third generation conglomerate heir.
It may look messy,
we're very strict when it comes to our accounting.
You'll see in the documents that we follow the rules...
regardless of what the client says.
We're not accusing you. We're just investigating.
I can't believe anything reporters say.
You're not recording us, are you?
No. Not at all.
Here it is.
Daein.
I can look through them alone.
No. Ask me anything right away if you have a question.
Okay.
(Jin Jong Hyun)
The Chinese characters mean "the end" and "the present".
What an unusual name.
Is something wrong?
No.
Thank you.
- Are you done? - Yes.
You're very organized.
What was that all about?
It'll be a while, so eat and stand by.
Yes, sir. Take your time.
This way.
Hello.
I need a lighter.
- What kind would you like? - A disposable one.
No. The blue one.
I'll get it tonight. Stand by.
- How much is it? - 50 cents.
Thank you.
Good night.
Hello.
I'm sorry I'm late.
Hello, Mr. Jin. Sit over here.
Okay.
Gosh. There was so much traffic.
It's fine. It's no big deal.
Did I make a faux pas?
I should call you "Chairman Jin" now, right?
Mr. Lee, is he a chairman?
Haven't you heard of Forest?
You know.
The app where kids curse others. He's the chairman.
I've heard of it.
A lot of kids use that lately.
It's nice to meet you, Mr. Chairman.
Hello.
Anyway, back in the day, everyone was a CEO.
Now, everyone is a chairman.
Even that must follow trends.
Well... You can call me whatever you please.
Sure, I'll do as I please.
I really like people like you, Chairman Jin.
An SMM.
What's an SMM?
What? A self-made man.
It's so hard to find an SMM nowadays.
All of it is thanks to you, sir.
Gosh. Don't say things like that about how I took care of you.
Wait. What is that smell?
What?
Hey. Don't you smell something? I smell the incense.
What is that?
You're right. What is that?
Darn it. Hey. This isn't some village karaoke bar.
Clean properly, will you?
I'm really sorry, Mr. Lee.
I'll tell the kids to light some scented candles.
I'm losing my buzz.
Bring some air filter and some scented candles.
Move.
So? How do you feel?
Pardon?
Forest is going public in a week.
Our company invested a little in it too.
As for me,
I trust our SMM chairman will build the company well.
That's why I'm working with you.
Yes, sir.
Awesome. Nice.
That's our company's air filter.
You're smart.
Come on now. Give me some credit.
- Hello. - Hello.
Hold on. Chairman Jin.
How many shares do you have once it goes public?
Based on the current estimate,
you'll be worth 200 million dollars.
I'm so happy for you.
He went from the bottom up and made it all the way to the top.
I'm so happy. Here. Finish that. Let's make a toast.
- Gosh. - Mr. Lee.
I can't drink for a few days.
I'm sorry.
What's this? You'll be worth 200 million dollars in a week.
What can possibly hold you back from drinking?
Mr. Chairman, if you keep refusing my drinks,
our company will pull out our investment.
Well... Then I'll have just one drink.
Okay.
Just kidding.
I won't pull out.
Come on. Let's drink. I'm so happy for you.
That's nice.
Where's my lighter?
Here, sir.
Okay.
My apologies.
It's all out.
Mr. Jin.
Is that special to you?
No, sir. I just...
don't like throwing my things out.
I'm sorry.
What... You'll be making 200 million dollars next week,
but you won't throw away an empty disposable lighter?
I'm sorry.
I give up!
I give up.
These are the types of people who become chairmen.
I have so much respect.
Gosh. Jong Hyun.
Applause, everyone. Let's applaud the chairman.
Let's drink.
Congratulations.
Drink up.
Make him drink.
You too.
Drink it all.
Yes. Okay.
Ma'am, the item arrived at the airport.
It'll be transported to Forest headquarters.
Really?
Call Mr. Lee Hwan...
- and we should go as well. - Yes, ma'am.
Jong Hyun.
I had so much fun with you tonight.
Thank you, sir.
You're the best.
Good night, sir!
See you later, Mr. Chairman.
Good night.
Don't touch me.
What's his problem?
I got a call that the item just arrived at the airport.
I'll have it brought to the office for now.
You can relax and rest peacefully now.
Myung Joon.
Yes, sir?
Do you know...
what a billion is?
Pardon? A billion?
That's right, punk. Do you know what a billion is?
Do you know...
how many grains of rice are in a sack?
I don't know. I'd assume it's a huge number.
You punk.
You never read "Ohseong and Haneum", did you?
I'm sorry.
Ohseong...
calculated how many cups of rice were in a sack,
and how many grains of rice...
were in a cup. He calculated all of that.
Do you know how many there were?
No, sir.
A sack of rice had eight million grains of rice.
You expected like a billion, right?
A billion is an immense number.
But...
that young punk is worth a billion dollars.
The fortune his father inherited, and then he inherited...
is a billion dollars.
That brat probably doesn't understand...
the meaning of the number billion.
He probably never saw a billion of anything.
He's lucky beyond anything most people can even dream of.
Humans pretend to be smart...
between happiness and misery.
It isn't something human beings can make happen by thinking about it.
Something that we don't know...
determines it for us.
I can't even imagine.
But punks like that don't even know what it is they are enjoying.
Just wait.
One week from now,
the world will change.
One week from now, the world will change, punk.
Sir.
Sir?
Sir.
Where am I?
You're home, sir.
I'll walk you to the door.
No, I'm fine. Go. I'm sober now.
But sir...
I'm sorry, sir.
Good work.
Go home.
I'll see you tomorrow, sir.
That jerk.
(Chairman Jin Jong Hyun)
Darn it.
Open up. Hurry.
Doofus.
- Here. Give it to me. - Nice.
You're good.
Give me the money.
- What? - Give me the money.
- That's right. - What?
Got it.
Here.
I don't have time. Give it to me.
You're not scamming me, are you?
Give it.
Okay. Fine.
Doofus. Do you want to work for me?
No, I don't.
Darn it. I'll train you.
Thanks.
Call me if you change your mind.
Hello?
Where are you?
I was heading home. Do you need anything?
You punk.
What did you do with my lighter?
The lighter?
Do you need one? Should I go pick one up?
You punk. Where are you, punk?
Sir? I'm...
(Mr. Lee Hwan)
Lee Hwan.
- Lee Hwan. - Yes, sir.
Listen.
- I think I lost something of mine. - What?
When is the thing from Japan arriving?
I was told it will arrive at the office very soon.
Just come to the office.
Okay.
I got the item.
Hello?
I got the item.
I'll pick it up and go to the orphanage.
Okay. Come as quickly as you can.
Hello, Mr. Lee. I'm here.
Okay.
Taxi!
Let's go.
Ignore all the lights. I'll pay however much you want.
Learn how to drive, jerk!
(Kim Pil Sung)
Are you cold? Why are you covering your face? I still see it.
You have the heat blasting.
Give me the item.
You spent way too much money for a 40-cent lighter.
Don't you agree?
- What... - Thank you. I'll be in touch.
What? Are you busy?
Good night.
Wait.
- You punk. - I...
You should make them visible.
I tried.
Where are you going to do it?
Here. Right now. We're in a rush.
Sir.
I don't need the change.
- Where's the item? - It's almost here.
Please hurry.
I'll start now.
Sir, it's all ready.
Let's go.
It's a powerful one.
- Sir. - Great spirits,
come hither and protect this man.
Great spirits, come hither and protect this man.
Ma'am! It's here!
Open it now.
Yes, ma'am.
Great spirits, come hither and protect this man.
Die.
Hold it down.
Die.
Die! Jin Jong Hyun!
Die.
Die!
Die.
Die. Jin Jong Hyun.
Die.
Die!
Who are you?
Die!
Something went wrong.
So Jin.
So Jin!
Sir!
Ma'am!
- Are you okay? - Over there.
- Lee Hwan. - Yes?
What happened?
You passed out briefly.
Ms. Jin.
What about the performer?
I bet...
the curse boomeranged back to the performer.
So Jin!
(The Cursed)
I'm looking for a person.
How did you get that lighter?
It has to do with that tag "Forest of Curses".
I need to see the dead body...
for me to be at peace.
He knows who I am.
Why don't we do a procedure on him?
Who ordered you to do it?
If we can't do a procedure with his item...
You have to physically touch him, right?