Original subtitles

Why the hell are you doing this to me?

Why?

"Why?" That's a bit hurtful.

I just

want to be you.

Do you understand?

You are just

jealous of me.

You're dying of jealousy because you want to be me.

Aren't you?

Shut up, you son of a bitch!

This bastard

isn't dead.

He's still alive.

MOUSETRAP

You won the Best New Writer award for Interview.

And you were even praised as a genius after Evil Always Prevails.

So what made you suddenly go into seclusion?

I think "seclusion" might be a bit dramatic.

How should I put this?

A talentless writer

was floundering on blank pages

and eventually realized the well had run dry.

When I was a third year in high school, my parents passed away at the same time,

and I went through panic disorder afterward.

- It was fine for a while. - I see.

Then it started again.

I think it hit me pretty hard at that time.

I see.

So naturally, I guess I started hiding from the world.

Kind of like the rat in the book. Yeah.

What the hell are you talking about? He's not dead? So that's fake?

You said that's his job. The guy who said Yu-min was dead.

Yeah, identity fraud.

Damn, those fucking bastards…

- Let's go. We have someone to meet. - Who now?

SAFER COMMUNITIES WITH DONGBU POLICE

Man, it's hot.

Hello.

You're here.

You didn't just show up with your novel after all those years.

You brought trouble too. Like your name.

Right.

I'm sorry for the trouble.

Oh, it's okay. We've gotta catch the impersonator.

But why this police station? It's not even close to your place.

Just because.

It's a bigger police station.

Right.

Anyway, I'm sure our lawyer here will take care of this.

- All right, let's get in. - Let's go.

It gets so hot so quickly.

Can we also request personal protection?

Did the impersonator threaten or intimidate you?

Not exactly.

But I heard he showed up at my reunion saying he was Je Moon-jae.

And then,

I heard one of my old classmates died mysteriously.

And his kid was kidnapped too.

- Oh, that case? - Yes.

How could your old classmates mistake him for you?

I know, right? Well…

They said he looked exactly

like me.

She was your editor-in-chief when you got the Best New Writer award?

Then why the hell is she publishing a book with that rat bastard?

How could she not tell the difference between you and that rat bastard?

We barely ever met.

We mostly communicated by email, so it's possible.

It's because I'm a reclusive writer who only uses a pen name.

Did you fucking commit a crime or what?

What are you, a thief? Why hide your name? Damn it.

That's just how writers…

That's just how a lot of people are.

But that bastard didn't use the pen name.

He's using your actual name, Je Moon-jae.

Like he's the real Je Moon-jae.

Come on. Even his book's called The Rat. Fuck.

Hey, by the way,

how did the story end?

You know the story. The old folklore.

About a rat eating fingernails and turning into a person.

- Yeah. - Yeah, you know…

How did it end?

It was…

a happy ending.

Right? Damn it.

Right? It's a happy ending, huh?

Not some fucked-up ending or anything, right?

Yeah. Folklores are all about good defeating evil.

But are you sure you're the good guy?

You look exactly like some bastard I know.

Oh.

I think you're saying

I should prove that I'm Je Moon-jae.

My publisher put out his book when he won the Best New Writer award.

I was the editor-in-chief.

Right.

Can two people really look that alike? They're not even twins.

Maybe

he wanted to look like me

because he wanted to steal my life.

Plastic surgery?

Well, whether he got surgery or not, he can't look exactly like me.

I guess, if you look closely enough, there have to be some differences.

I don't care who's who.

I just need to know who the killer is. The bad guy.

The bad guy?

I don't know.

I don't think there's a bad guy.

I think there's only the survivor.

I'm just saying that's the situation he's creating.

Is there anything else?

Oh, right.

COMPLAINT

COMPLAINANT: JE MOON-JAE ACCUSED: JE MOON-JAE

Hey, do you know me?

Je Moon-jae. The name sounds familiar.

Have we met before?

The name rings a bell.

No.

- But why you? - What?

Why the hell is he so desperate to take what's yours?

Do you two know each other?

I don't know. I was wondering the same thing. Why me?

Then what about me? Damn it.

Why me?

Why am I mixed up in your problem?

There must be a police station near your house.

Why did you come all the way here to file a complaint?

I went to my friend's funeral

and heard you guys were investigating his case.

I thought filing the complaint at the same station might help.

Doesn't that help?

I'll get going now.

Hey.

This should be it.

Did it move?

NOVEL "THE RAT"

Hey, it's Han Ji-hye, right?

- The editor-in-chief of your first novel. - Yeah.

She started her own publishing house. Damn it.

You should've checked before coming.

Damn.

What now?

We go to this address, obviously.

We also have to tell her that bastard is deceiving her.

Hey, who knows?

Maybe she'll be our cat.

You know, in that story,

the cat catches the rat that turned human.

The cat will probably know who the fake one is.

Let's go. Fuck.

THE RAT

What's wrong?

Nothing, just…

It feels unfamiliar.

- What do you mean? - You weren't like this before.

You hated meeting people. You hated coming to the publisher too.

I only asked you to stay for coffee out of courtesy.

Yet here you are, having a cup of coffee. I find it unfamiliar.

Was I that bad?

I guess your panic disorder is all better now.

That's good.

Just a moment.

Hello?

Is this Ms. Han, the editor-in-chief?

You probably don't remember me. This is Je Moon-jae.

You helped me a lot when I won the Best New Writer award.

I have something to tell you in person.

I saw the video of the book launch event.

That wasn't me.

That guy's deceiving you.

Hey, um…

He took everything from me

while I was stuck at home with a panic disorder.

It's a bit complicated to explain.

I'm near the publisher right now.

I'll explain everything in person.

Could you spare me a few minutes?

You're the only person who can help me right now.

Can you prove you're really Mr. Je Moon-jae?

You'll have to do it for me.

The Rat. Did you write it yourself?

No, I didn't write that.

I think that guy wrote it.

He used my childhood,

the story of my parents' death, and things like that.

I think he used my whole life as a motif in the story.

It's a long story.

- I think he knew me from before. - Wait. Hold on.

The person who wrote The Rat is Je Moon-jae.

I'm sure of that.

People can lie, but the writings can't.

I've read his books since his very first one.

You think the guy who copied and stole my entire life

couldn't imitate my writing?

What happened to your panic disorder? Are you all better now?

No, I'm not.

With all this happening, I had no choice but to come out.

Je Moon-jae wouldn't even be sitting here. Unless he's all better now.

His panic disorder was really severe.

That's what I'm saying here.

I may look fine on the outside,

but I'm barely getting by on meds.

This is for my panic disorder--

- Get up. We have to go! - Huh? Why?

- Come on. Hurry. - Why?

- Did you get all the CCTV footage? - No, I couldn't.

Do you remember the suspect's appearance?

Oh, there.

Yeah.

If something like this happened, you should've called me.

But instead, you called 112.

This is driving me crazy. Seriously.

Did you think he'd just show you his ID if you asked for it?

I wanted to check myself first.

I wasn't sure since he said his panic disorder kept him stuck at home.

Je Moon-jae did have severe panic disorder.

What's your conclusion?

Huh? This is the fake one?

He was with the thug from the picture you showed me.

It would've been great if you'd just let me catch him, you know?

We're both busy people. No need to waste our time like this.

I fully understand.

I'll call you if he contacts me again.

Just catch that scammer who ran off.

Look.

He's not a scammer.

He's a murderer.

Yes, whatever he is.

He was stuck at home because of his panic disorder?

KIDNAPPING CASE FATHER FOUND DEAD IN THE HANGANG RIVER

SUSPECT LINKED TO SHOOTING CASE

Not one bastard is helping.

Everywhere I look, there are just damn enemies!

You bastard!

What the hell have you been doing to cause this mess?

I don't know!

How the hell can I tell you anything when I don't know what's going on?

No one is telling me a damn thing!

How can I prove I'm really me?

Can you prove you're you? How would you do that?

You fucking bastard!

You need others to prove it, punk! They know me better than I do.

But why doesn't that work for you, punk?

Why can't anyone prove it for you?!

You bastard!

Fuck!

Forget proving it.

We have to lay low first.

What do you want me to do with him?

Look into him.

Dig up everything about him.

Turn over every rock to find out if that bastard really is Je Moon-jae.

Yeah.

He never caused trouble while he lived here.

He was always the first to say hello.

Like I said before, he did live here.

He's the guy who lives in this building.

He got takeout three or four times a month.

It's the Heineken guy.

Once a week, every Friday, four cans of Heineken.

Doesn't sound like someone who stayed holed up with panic disorder.

We received a tip.

Can two people really look that alike? They're not even twins.

Maybe

he wanted to look like me

because he wanted to steal my life.

Which one is it?

So you're asking where I was the first week of this month?

That might be difficult for me to prove.

Nobody remembers when it hurts them.

Is this one of those cases?

No, it's not that.

That was right before my book came out, so I was alone.

There's no one who can vouch for me.

Where were you?

At a vacation home.

It was right before my book came out, so I wanted to focus on my writing.

But why are you suspecting me?

I'm the victim.

Comes with the job. That's how I make a living.

Either way, one of you is a fake.

Just give me your alibi already so you can walk free.

Then I'll send you a link. It has the rental's address.

You can check it out.

Well…

Hello?

Hello?

This bastard, seriously. Damn it.

SKY SOUND VACATION HOME

He's the man in the photo you sent.

About ten days?

Yes, he stayed for about ten days.

He was on his laptop whenever I saw him.

His car was parked in the lot for the entire ten days.

There's so much to do around here, but he never went out.

I think he was a writer.

I checked the CCTV footage just in case, and it really was him.

Then was it you?

Let's go. If the locals see us, they'll get suspicious.

- Did you sleep? - Sort of.

I must be getting old. Fuck. I can't sleep in the car anymore.

Maybe I should see the editor-in-chief again.

I couldn't tell her everything last time. Should I call her?

You look at me like my father did.

How did he look at you?

Like I was pathetic.

What pathetic thing did you do?

I don't know. He never told me.

He looked at me like he knew everything and I knew nothing.

He'd been that way since I was a kid.

Like he knew everything about the world.

I bet he didn't even know he'd die like that.

That's how I'm looking at you.

If we go see the editor-in-chief again, we'll get caught.

It's a pathetic and stupid thing to do.

I don't get it. How could she believe that bastard?

Hey.

He wrote a novel himself. Maybe he's a better writer than you.

Think of something while we lay low.

Something only you have.

Something he doesn't know and can't get. Your very own alibi.

Prove it with that.

You said I'd get promoted, punk.

- So you agreed to hand it to Major Crimes? - What choice do I have?

A tip, murder, and identity fraud. The full package.

We busted our asses for this, and now Major Crimes gets all the credit.

But sir, this is great.

It's better not to get involved with headache cases. Yes.

- Am I wrong? - You're right.

So you should drop it too.

Drop the case, got it?

I got it. I'll stop. I already handed over the files.

Really?

Yes, really.

You really need to stop.

Have you been lied to your whole life? I said I got it.

You're not gonna stop, punk!

Oh man. It's only been a few days, and you already look…

You might rot away after a few years inside.

Your real boss, Park Seung-gyu.

He bolted overseas by himself before the travel ban kicked in.

It was quick. So quick.

It was insanely quick.

Major Crimes is taking over the case. What are you gonna do?

You're the only one who's screwed.

Well, that thing you were hiding in your shop.

That cash box. What happened to it?

It was empty.

You thought you could do a few years and live off your hidden cash?

Understandable, yeah.

I would've thought so too.

Wait. Why am I here?

Right.

I've got something to ask you.

Kwak Sang-cheol.

Do you know him?

I looked into the gang that Noja was in, and I found this guy there.

He killed someone and ran off to the Philippines.

Look here. This one's a real vicious bastard.

Do you know him?

MURDER KWAK SANG-CHEOL (43)

Wait. What's this?

Why does this bastard look like you?

What the hell?

Why do you two look alike?

Huh? You really do look like him.

I get it now.

That's right. Park Seung-gyu.

He runs an identity fraud ring.

So this means

that bastard

might have turned this bastard into this bastard.

You fucking bastard.

If the prosecution finds out you're Kwak Sang-cheol,

you won't be celebrating your 70th birthday outside.

Sang-cheol, you know what?

I'm the only one who knows about this.

Fuck. The pigs even cleaned this out.

We busted our asses just to pay taxes.

Sir, I already sent someone abroad using your ID.

You should get changed now.

But this…

The pigs didn't take this.

The pigs love showing off. They'd have leaked this already.

Those bastards are just civil servants who'd do anything for a promotion.

So…

Myeong-su's the one who took it.

He was probably the fucking one who sent the tip too.

That bastard has multiple names and identities.

Fake identities that pay taxes and get regular checkups.

Seung-gyu used to find places for the wanted higher-ups to hide

and make fake identities for them.

And then he turned identity fraud into a business.

He caught the higher-ups' attention.

And he branched out into online gambling and loan sharking.

That puny runt's come a long way.

The guy who left the country? No way that was really Seung-gyu.

He would never leave the country without fixing this problem.

What problem?

The tip.

But your names aren't on the tip.

We're all tangled up in this.

If you dig into our pasts, we're all connected somehow.

Seung-gyu has to kill everyone connected to the tip.

Why?

If Noja or I open our mouths, he's screwed.

He threw away countless empty shells after taking what was inside.

Is that why you sent it?

So you could screw everyone over and be the sole survivor?

It had to be someone who knew more about this than I did.

And who's that?

Do you have a cigarette?

Yeah, I've got one.

We were all doing fine before this, right?

This is all because of that bastard. He must've sent the tip too.

That bastard?

Who?

The guy who should've died and disappeared.

Everything went to shit because he came back from the dead.

Yeah.

So?

What?

Goddamn it. Bring me something solid.

Something irrefutable.

Who was it?

None of your business.

Where are we? Where are we going?

A good place to lay low.

Near my hometown.

Isn't it risky going back to your hometown with the cops after us?

Maybe it's because my life is about to be over,

but I miss my hometown.

Who's there?

The proof

that I'm really me.

Hey, when we get there,

hide for a few days and think about who you really are.

Just sit alone in the middle of the night

and think about what kind of bastard you are.

And think about how there's no one who can prove who you really are.

You no-good bastard.

Damn it.

The cars sound like the waves in the ocean.

The sound of waves in the middle of the city.

I envy your senses.

By the way, when are you finishing the second volume?

It should come out while the first volume's still hot.

How come

you showed up so suddenly without telling me?

Oh.

I was just passing by. I was curious about the second volume too.

Come on.

You left in a hurry after that call yesterday.

So I thought you were busy,

but I guess not.

Come on, tell me. Why did you really come?

Not about the second volume, right?

No, I really came to ask about it.

It's good. When will you finish it?

Come on.

My writing…

Still doubting me after reading it?

I mean…

Things don't always go as planned, huh?

I guess I dropped by too suddenly, right?

Just hold on.

Right now, I'm…

Well,

I'm at a crossroads.

And I'm not entirely sure what to choose. Could you give me some time?

The guy who should've died and disappeared.

Everything went to shit because he came back from the dead.

Let's help each other out.

You don't want to live as the front either.

I've got a plan.

Do you wanna hear it?

That bastard learned some bad shit while he was held by Seung-gyu.

He killed a homeless guy and committed identity fraud.

How?

How did you help him?

I made him a dead man.

I've got a guy I know at a public hospital morgue.

He was in some gambling debt.

We cremated the homeless guy under this punk's name.

And he disappeared for a while.

Then he showed up the other day.

And his face had changed.

This bastard

became this bastard.

And he called himself the Rat.

He started talking complete horse crap

about petty jealousy creating a monster.

What bullshit is that?

Exactly. Why the hell should I care?

I just wanted to quit being the front and live a decent life.

He came to me saying I'd better get in shape for prison.

He said I'd be rich after a year or two.

Can you tell them apart?

Well, that depends on

whether we can make a deal, doesn't it?

NAME: SEO YU-MIN

The Rat…

Noja, you know the picture you sent me?

The girl. The one with the tattoo.

She died.

I checked the CCTV footage.

And the suspect is…

It's him.

His father was a writer too.

So I started digging into his father,

and I found some shocking evidence.

Why did you take so long to go to a convenience store?

Are we even allowed to be here? We didn't get permission.

This is

where a married monk I know used to live.

He opened a small prayer hall in town and stopped coming here.

Can you even sleep here?

I guess your life's not tiring enough.

I don't know. I'm hungry.

Let me ask you something.

What?

Where were you early this month?

What do you mean? I was home.

I told you. I didn't leave my house for three years.

Why?

Is there anyone who can prove that you never left home?

There used to be.

But he died. Soo-hyun.

Oh, right.

So there's no one now?

Why?

The girl who was with you and the Rat.

- The one with the ankle tattoo. - Yeah.

She died.

But how did she die?

You killed her.

Huh?

The police got the CCTV footage from the crime scene.

And you were there.

Then

it must've been that bastard.

I never left home. How could I kill her?

The police files say

tons of people saw you

around the apartment you were supposedly hiding in, bastard.

How did a bastard who never left home buy beer every week?

Then that must also be that bastard…

Noja, do you suspect me?

Yeah.

JE GEUN-U CRITICS AWARD WINNER

They're your parents, right?

Je Geun-u. Han Yeong-hui.

Wow, the whole family turned up for his award.

But…

What's this?

Is that you?

That's not you, is it?

Hey.

Who are you? You fucking asshole.

After I entered the Buddhist path,

I was taught that attachment is the root of suffering.

What future are you so desperate to know that you came all this way?

Noja.

Where's Noja right now?

Who is Noja?

Your junior from high school.

The guy who set this up for you.

I think

you might have come here by mistake.

Isn't this photoshopped?

It's a screenshot, punk.

That picture was in a magazine called Literary Review.

They're your parents, right?

They are, but…

That was issued a year before you were born.

But, fuck, that's Je Moon-jae there, all grown up.

No.

My parents said they had me late because they struggled to have a kid.

Who is this kid?

It says Je Moon-jae. You bastard!

I'll ask you again.

Just answer my question.

Who are you, you bastard?

MANBULAM

FOUND HIM

Why the fuck are you giving me this shit too?

You can't explain anything right now, you bastard!

Explain how?

How do I explain that I'm me?

You said when your parents died,

you handled the funeral alone because you had no relatives.

But it looks like you have an uncle.

Huh?

Now you don't even remember that?

What uncle?

I don't have an uncle.

When we track down bastards who skip out on loans,

we dig up everything, even all their relatives and their exes.

That's what makes us more competent than the police.

Get up, you fucking bastard.

I'll have you meet the uncle you never had.

If you're not Je Moon-jae there either,

you're really fucking dead.

If I'm not Je Moon-jae, then what am I?

Why the hell are you asking me, you bastard?

A kidnapper, a murderer…

You really think that I'm this nameless rat?

What if this uncle guy can't prove it?

I told you.

You'll fucking die.

No, that's not what I meant.

Even if I die, I should at least have a name.

Who am I gonna die as?

When you die?

You don't need a name.

You only need a name when you're alive.

If I had an uncle, the rat bastard probably took care of that too.

That's how things have been so far. Don't you get it yet?

Shut up and just come, punk. I just wanna know!

What kind of bastard you really are.

Should've told the guy not to kill him. We should bury him alive.

And give him some noja money.

I still can't forget Dong-seok's eyes

when he was buried.

But why was he buried?

Jealousy, what else?

Noja was the capable one, but Dong-seok was the one who made it big.

That must've rubbed him the wrong way. He was acting superior to him.

Jealousy. It's a scary thing.

Hey.

Tell him not to kill Noja. I'll give him a bonus for it.

Yes, got it.

I have to bury him alive.

Just like Dong-seok.

Bastard!

Hey. Are you okay?

Goddamn it.

Hey, punk.

Get on my back.

For fuck's sake.

Fucking hell.

Fuck.

You fucking bastard!

What is going on this late at night?

I'm calling to report gunshots at Manbulam.

Fuck.

Fucking idiot. You didn't even know you were shot! Damn it.

Stay awake until we get to the hospital, punk!

Noja. We can't go to the hospital now.

If we get caught, we'll take the fall for everything.

That's better than dying, you dumbass!

If I get caught now,

am I supposed to live as the Rat forever?

Hey.

Fuck.

Hey.

I'll send someone. Stay out of sight!

Fuck this!

Hey, it's me.

I left a guy who'd been shot on the mountain road to Manbulam.

Take him and save him.

Hey, hurry up!

You have to save him no matter what. Got it?

Suspect vehicle confirmed.

Follow him!

Requesting confirmation on a silver SUV near Manbulam. Over.

Hey, block him!

Suspect vehicle fleeing.

Requesting patrol car at scene. Over.

Chase him. Hurry!

Entering Hwajeong Intersection.

Suspect vehicle direction confirmed. Will block escape route.

Suspect vehicle fleeing toward town. All units assist. Over.

Shit!

Suspect vehicle is in the alley!

Blocking escape route.

Just ram it!

PROVE IT. OR I'LL KILL YOU.

"Uncle."

"Han Hui-su."

It's a pretty big amount.

I know, right?

Here…

Here…

Here…

Subtitle translation by: Sung In Jang