The first episode begins in 2013 with the murder of a young girl named Bo-yeong at a rundown warehouse. Simultaneously, Da-eun, another young girl, converses with her mother over the phone and is attacked by someone wielding a knife. That evening, the police arrive at the warehouse to look into the killings.
The Section Chief, Hyun Gu-tak, discovers that there were multiple victims, and that his brother Goh Chang-soo’s son, Jeong-woo, was behind the wheel with the victim’s blood on him. The following day, Jeong-woo is resting in his bedroom. He wakes up suddenly and is taken into custody from his bedroom for the killing of the two girls.
Jeong-woo is surprised when he sees his uncle – Chief Hyun, and his team bring him to the police station. A scene from earlier that day depicts Jeong-woo in high school following the CSAT Exam.
With his parents on a trip to Hawaii, Jeong-woo invited his friends over to his empty house for some drinks. Nevertheless, after Da-eun declines his call, one of his friends goes to her house to find her. Jeong-woo discovers costly dresses in Da-eun’s room and decides to search his family’s storage for the keys to his father’s car.
He discovers his friend Bo-young crying in the car and confronts her for insulting Da-eun, calling her a whore. Angry, Bo-young steps out of the car while Jeong-woo buys some alcohol. He returns to his house and drinks throughout the night until he loses consciousness.
The following day, Jeong-woo wakes up and is taken to the police station. Detective Kim Hee-do accuses him of killing his friends, Bo young and Da eun and leaving their corpses behind.
Simultaneously, Jeong-woo’s friends are interrogated and confirm that they had witnessed Bo-young with Jeong-woo. It is also mentioned that Jeong-woo was upset that he couldn’t reach Da-eun. Jeong-woo’s parents hurry to the police station in disbelief over the accusations against their son.
Dae-eun’s mother also provides her statement to the police, stating that Dae-eun was at the warehouse with her boyfriend, Jeong-woo. She also remembers listening to a man’s voice on the phone prior to her death. During Jeong-woo’s lie detector test to establish his guilt in the crime, Dong-min’s statement is also documented along with Bo-yeong’s father.
The inquiry is ongoing and Jeong-woo’s footwear is discovered with blood remnants. Chief Hyun informs Chang-soo that Jeong-woo probably experienced a blackout after murdering his friends, explaining his lack of memory of the crimes.
Jeong-woo talks with his mother in prison and confesses that he cannot recall “not killing” his friends before breaking down. His mother, devastated, leaves without another word. Jeong-woo is taken to the crime scene where he is compelled to recreate the killing. Jeong-woo discovers that the police have not yet located Bo-young’s deceased body, and he receives a 10-year prison sentence.
During his time in jail, Jeong-woo experiences harassment from the other inmates. Every year, one of his friends Deok-mi is the sole person who makes the effort to visit Jeong-woo in prison and make sure he is okay. Seeing the injury marks on Jeong-woo from the relentless bullying triggers her emotional breakdown. In the meantime, Jeong-woo dedicates 10 years attempting to remember the events involving his friends.
During his time behind bars, Jeong-woo is informed of his father’s passing. He additionally discovers that his mother has declined to see him. Jeong-woo becomes increasingly aggressive in prison and gradually becomes immune to the bullying.
As his time in prison nears completion, he eventually begins to resist. Jeong-woo discovers that Deok-mi now goes by the name Na-kyeom and is currently working as an international model.
After finishing her shoot, Na-kyeom hurries to the prison on the day Jeong-woo is released. She drives to the prison to pick him up and then takes him to visit his father’s grave. Jeong-woo remembers fishing with his father ten years ago and the advice to be patient that his father had given him.
While Jeong-woo reflects quietly on his deceased father, Na-kyeom discovers criminal psychology books in his bag along with annotations on the blackout phenomenon.
Later that night, Jeong-woo requests Na-kyeom to accompany him to visit his mother. Meanwhile, Bo-young’s father also closely watches over Geum-hee’s restaurant where Jeong-woo’s mother works. A criminal on the loose is caught by Sang-cheol, a young no nonsense cop based in Seoul, and is physically assaulted by him.
His coworkers urge him to relax before he drives off to his destination in his vehicle. Sang-cheol crashes into Na-kyeom’s car after being struck by a truck driver. Sang-cheol pursues the truck driver and attempts to make him take responsibility for his error. Nevertheless, Jeong-woo exits Na-kyeom’s vehicle and requests Sang-cheol to cover the expenses for the harm he inflicted on their car. He reluctantly does so.
Sngcheol then heads over to the police station where he has been transferred and greets his new teammates. Detective Hee-do greets Sang-cheol introducing him as the latest detective transfer at Mucheon Police Station. Jeong-woo’s former classmate Byeong-moo, who testified in his case, is currently employed as a detective at the station.
Hee-do discovers that detective Hyun, who is now the chief, is accompanying his son – Su-ho to a certain place. Chief Hyun instructs Su-ho’s caretaker to ensure he receives his medication on time before leaving. Jeong-woo expresses gratitude to Na-kyeom for driving him home and attempts to reunite with his mother after ten years apart.
While heading in, Jeong-woo remembers a gathering with all his high school buddies and also Chief Hyun and Su-ho. Jeong-woo remembers the first time he met Da-eun at the party after she had relocated to the rooftop house near his.
Present Jeong-woo encounters Ha-seol, who is employed at his mother Geum-hee’s eatery. Indoors, Dong-min and his friend attempt to disrupt the peace by accusing Geum-hee of intentionally serving them salty food. Geum-hee offers an apology, but Dong-min makes her stumble.
At that moment, Jeong-woo arrives and attempts to assist Geum-hee. Geum-hee distances herself as Dong-min seizes the man by his collar, inquiring about his daughter Bo-young. Geum-hee forcibly removes Jeong-woo from the restaurant and informs him that he is no longer considered her son.
In the meantime, the investigators at Mucheon police station enjoy some beverages in honor of Sang-cheol’s move. One more of Jeong-woo’s classmates from high school and a witness in his case – Min-soo encounters Jeong-woo on the street.
The two meet up and Min-soo receives a phone call from Byeong-moo. Byeong-moo requests a meeting with Jeong-woo and Min-soo. During the bus journey, Min-soo tells the story of how his father bought Jeong-woo’s family house following his father’s passing. He further mentions that his mother Geum-hee requested to carry on with her job as a chef.
Min-soo says he was employed as a nurse in the ER and details how he got occupied when Jeong-woo questions why he didn’t come see him in jail. While heading to see Byeong-moo, Jeong-woo and Min-soo encounter a gang of criminals.
The criminals attempt to exploit Sang-cheol, who is intoxicated, and are on the verge of assaulting him. Jeong-woo intervenes and rescues the police officer’s life. Min-soo becomes frantic and contacts Byeong-moo, who arrives with the police to apprehend the criminals.
Byeong-moo introduces Jeong-woo to Sang-cheol as the old high school friends reunite. Byeong-moo tells Jeong-woo to contact him if he requires assistance while Jeong-woo heads to the station to meet Chief Hyun.
Chief Hyun requests Jeong-woo to go to Seoul and begin a new life as a former prisoner. Jeong-woo looks in on Su-oh before departing from the police station. Jeong-woo remembers his previous encounters with his old companions and his mother, causing him to feel anxious.
Meanwhile, Sang-cheol is in his new apartment, reminiscing about his wife’s death and experiencing a breakdown. That evening, Jeong-woo returns to his house to see his mother. He invites Geum-hee to accompany him to Seoul, but she declines.
The following morning, Jeong-woo makes the choice to return to Seoul upon Su-oh’s arrival at his house. Su-oh presents Jeong-woo with one of his paintings before departing. In the house, Jeong-woo uncovers the painting and discovers a drawing of the warehouse on the night of the murder. The episode concludes with Geum-hee tragically passing away when she unexpectedly tumbles off the rooftop of a building and lands on a car.
I love this drama. It’s actually very unique and unexpected. Let’s see how it pans out.