Episode 5 starts with So-hee and Yeon-ho driving home after meeting deputy commissioner Pyo Myung-hak. Yeon-ho mentions having met Pyo before but doesn’t provide details. So-hee is preoccupied with the other detective present, Mr. Lee Tae-ju, who is the general director of Major Crimes. Meanwhile, Pyo, Tae-ju, and Chief Gu are discussing a significant rape and robbery case.
Yeon-ho and So-hee then investigate the case of the intoxicated elderly man who was hit by two cars. They locate the taxi involved, but the dashcam footage has been erased. At the police station, Pyo advises Tae-ju not to waste time trying to recruit So-hee to his team, but Tae-ju is determined to have her on board.
Yeon-ho and So-hee track down the taxi driver at a bar. Initially, he denies the incident but eventually confesses to hitting the man after dropping off a passenger. He explains that he fled the scene because his daughter is getting married soon and he didn’t want to face the consequences. Yeon-ho reveals that the man was already deceased when the taxi hit him, and the driver is overcome with regret and starts crying.
After leaving, So hee feels sad because the taxi driver reminds her of her father. Yeon ho notices her mood but doesn’t say anything as they drive away together.
When they return home, So-hee checks on her father who was asleep but wakes up and prepares dinner for her despite her objections. So-hee makes him promise that if he ever accidentally hits someone with his car, he should call the police.
Meanwhile, the man in the black bucket hat breaks into a car elsewhere. The following day, So-hee continues to train Yeon-ho vigorously, causing him to pass out. Dong gi, who enters the training room at that moment, helps her revive him.
The team then review footage from the taxi’s dashcam and spot the silver car, one of the vehicles that hit the drunk man. They see the silhouette of the man in the black hat inside the car. Yeon-ho deduces that he must have hit the drunk old man and then waited for another car to pass by.
The team receives a call informing them that the silver car has been found, reported stolen ten days ago. Another car has also been stolen, and its owner, a woman, mentions forgetting her wallet inside. While reviewing CCTV footage, Yeon-ho sees the man in the black hat throwing a cigarette on the ground. He instinctively goes out to collect the cigarette butts, and the others join him.
At the police station, So-hee and Yeon ho meet with the captain of the major crimes division, who often belittles their team. So-hee confronts him for not taking the car thief report seriously. Lee Tae-ju suddenly appears and interrupts the conversation. He tries to engage So-hee in conversation, mentioning his offer for her to join the major crimes division, but she firmly declines, implying that he shouldn’t offer it as a favor and suggesting he may be using his position for personal gain as he did in the past.
After collecting the necessary documents, she departs. While having a drink, Yeon-ho inquires about her past relationship with Tae Ju, to which she indirectly reveals he is her ex and mentions the pitfalls of dating a coworker. She confesses her reluctance to owe anyone for an opportunity she feels she didn’t earn.
Chief Go shares a meal with Tae-ju and his partner detective, Tae Ju asks about Yeon ho and they tell him about Yeon-ho’s background, and his attitude which they find peculiar. Tae-ju’s dismissive attitude irritates Chief Go, who deems him unpleasant. Later, Yeon-ho returns to Tae-ju’s office to return files and catches a glimpse of a map related to a burglary and rape case. Their encounter is tense and awkward before they part ways.
Meanwhile, the man in a black hat watches footage from a stolen car’s dashcam, observing the car owner and smiling. The owner receives her wallet back unexpectedly, prompting So-hee to investigate with Yeon-ho. They find a warm cigarette outside the owner’s home and discover the attacker inside, who flees upon seeing them. So-hee stays with the victim as Yeon-ho pursues the attacker relentlessly engaging in a scuffle before the man manages to escape by hitting Yeon ho’s eye.
Later, Lee Tae-ju visits the woman’s residence and mocks Yeon-ho indirectly for letting the culprit escape. He then announces he would take charge of the case, suspecting it may be connected to a serial rape investigation. During a joint briefing, Yeon-ho suggests that the car thief they are tracking could also be the serial rapist, drawing skepticism from everyone. They don’t take him seriously until he presents evidence showing similarities in the dates and locations of the thefts and rapes. He proposes comparing DNA from the cigarette butts his team collected to confirm if the same person committed both crimes.
That evening, the TCI team shares a meal, disturbed that the Major crimes division might want to take their case but the atmosphere turns somber when So-hee criticizes Yeon-ho for not confiding in her about his suspicions. Hyun-kyung advises Yeon-ho to reconcile with So-hee, recounting a past incident where So-hee uncovered illegal activities involving a gang boss but was sidelined by Tae-ju, leading to their breakup.
Later, So-hee and Yeon-ho practice fighting, with So-hee indicating forgiveness towards Yeon-ho for his inexperience in handling the situation. She emphasizes the importance of his safety over catching the culprit.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Pyo reacts furiously upon recieving the article about the death of the young couple Yeon-ho was involved with. He yells at the oficers under him suspecting a breach in his office security.
Meanwhile, Jae won and Jung woo go to see their old friend. Jae won drives like a mad man until they reach Kyung-soo, now a truck driver. They accuse him of blackmail but Kyung-soo denies involvement but suggests someone else may be aware of their actions. He says that they are responsible for the woman’s dearth. This revelation leads to a violent outburst from Jung-wook towards Kyung-soo. However, after they leave, Kyung Soo pulls out the article laughing and calling the two fools.
At home, Yeon-ho receives a message from So-hee containing a link to a police forum where his past is exposed by an unknown individual.
I love this series. It has all the right elements embedded into it. I can’t wait to see how everyone would react to Yeon ho’s past. By the way, will Yeon ho and So hee develop a relationship because I’m really feeling their chemistry.