Original subtitles

(This drama is based on a true case,)

(but all jobs, companies, and organizations are fictitious.)

Who are you? How did you get in here?

(I am Circus Man. I killed a poor family.)

(I'll take the condign punishment and live an eternal life.)

Who are you? Tell me, who are you?

Take off your hood, and lift your head up.

Please come out here!

A man claiming to be Circus Man has turned himself in!

- What? - Darn it.

You should stay here.

What's that? Isn't that human hair?

- It's him? - Yes.

The note also says that he's Circus Man...

and that he'll be punished for his crimes.

Uncle Bok Man, it's Man Taek.

The one who works for Min.

Man Taek? You mean Kwak Man Taek?

Yes.

So Dong Bang Min is not the culprit...

but a man working for his family?

Man Taek, did you really kill someone?

Director Yang, he's too dangerous.

Detective Park, arrest him.

Take him away.

Director Kang.

Hold on, Detective Cho.

Dong Bang Min.

This is Director Kang.

We found Dong Bang Min at his home,

but he's been stabbed in the stomach.

Send backup and an ambulance.

This is Dispatch One. Director Kang, Detective Cho.

Kwak Man Taek, who works at Dong Bang Min's residence,

just turned himself in, claiming that he's Circus Man.

He came with a victim's hair, saying he'll pay for his crimes.

He claims that it belonged to Gong Su Ji.

(11pm, serial murder suspect Kwak Man Taek turns himself in)

Did you really do this, Man Taek?

Did you really kill all those people on your own?

What's this?

You know what will happen if you lie here, right?

(Statement)

(Name: Kwak Man Taek)

I can't speak because I hurt my neck.

I killed all those people.

Young Master found out...

about my crimes,

so I stabbed him.

You stabbed Dong Bang Min? Did you?

Director Kang.

Kwak Man Taek also claims that he stabbed Dong Bang Min.

What's with you two? What are you two up to?

- Detective Cho. - Get up.

Stop trying to pull a trick. Get up, you jerk!

(Voice 4)

(The Birth of Circus Man, Episode 11)

(Look in the mirror. The face that pins you...)

(with its double gaze reveals a chastening secret.)

(Diane Ackerman)

(Episode 11)

We need to call his guardian. Could you tell us who this is?

The patient's name is Dong Bang Min.

His guardian is Dong Bang Hyeon Yup of Sonang Village.

His guardian is the village elder of Sonang Village?

Wait a second.

How is the patient?

Luckily, the weapon missed his small intestine,

so his life is not in danger.

(Operating Center)

Please wait here.

The person who first called it in...

was Kwak Man Taek, a guy in the room next to his.

Detective Cho, Kwak Man Taek, who turned himself in as Circus Man,

was the initial witness who found Eom Seok Gu's body.

What?

Min...

Are you the one who stabbed Min?

Didn't you make Kwan Man Taek...

turn himself in?

Man Taek turned himself in?

Is that true?

That's a huge relief then.

If Kwak Man Taek turned himself in,

you should go question him.

Don't ever...

show up in front of Min again.

You seem very calm.

If that were true, it would mean an atrocious murderer...

was with your grandson the whole time.

That's enough!

If you lurk around Min ever again,

I won't let it slide!

It looks like your grandson is pulling a trick.

Even if he pulls a petty trick like this,

he won't be able to escape.

Director Kang, Detective Cho. come back immediately.

He's refusing to be questioned until the two of you get here.

Let's get back for now.

I'll tell our staff to keep an eye on him.

Detective Gu.

Dong Bang Bin is in an emergency operation...

at Vimo Island Hospital.

Please keep an eye on him with Detective Shim.

Roger that. Dae Shik, let's go.

Agent Park, find out any information you can find on Kwak Man Taek...

- with Agent Han. - Yes, ma'am.

Agent Han, prepare all case files we can use against Kwak Man Taek.

My goodness.

Sir.

Young Master remembers what happened back then.

That jerk who died 24 years ago went into Young Master's body.

If Min took Man Taek with him,

then is Eom Seok Gu actually in Min's body...

just as Man Taek said?

So you're not going to speak to us at all?

(Kwak Man Taek)

Dong Bang Min knew this would happen and wrote it beforehand.

He even made sure to check that he was on the plane...

on the day of the incident.

All right, I'll ask again.

On September 25, 2020, Moon Ah Reum and her father.

In December, Joo Bum Tae and his grandparents.

In March 2021, the family of Lee Hyun Min and the witness.

Even Cho Seung Ah who is American.

Did you kill them?

His pupils are slightly dilated and his hands are shaking.

And he has clubbed fingers...

which the nails curve around the fingertips and become blunt.

It's likely due to fibrosis from drug addiction.

Gong Su Ji who went missing...

is also your doing.

Kwak Man Taek, you're not the Circus Man.

What kind of threat did you receive?

Write the same thing again.

The victims' names, times, locations, and even the weapons.

You must remember since you killed them yourself.

Write them down.

(I confessed all my sins to the deity.)

(I am the Circus Man.)

Don't make me laugh.

You don't know. Do you know why?

Because you didn't kill them!

You jerk, there are ten victims in total.

An entire family was killed!

Just because Dong Bang Min puts on a show,

do you think you can fool us?

Tell me the truth. Who is it?

Detective Cho, if you threaten a suspect in Korea,

you'll be charged for assault. Let him go.

Man Taek.

Let's say you're the culprit.

Then do you know where Su Ji is buried?

In the rubbish bin in the alley of Doram Shopping Center,

along with the weapon.

If we really find her corpse there,

you will become the murderer.

You might spend the rest of your life in prison.

Why would you go this far...

Why would you go this far for Dong Bang Min?

Director Kang.

A minute, please.

- Keep your eye on him. - Yes, sir.

Kwak Man Taek is addicted to drugs.

It's likely that he's suffering from a rare disease like fibrosis.

It's no use, grilling him like this.

Let's go find Gong Su Ji first.

Agent Han, go through Kwak Man Taek's medical records...

and see if he has any history such as drug addiction,

mental illness, or fibrosis.

Got it.

Detective Park, we're going to Doram Shopping Center...

to find Gong Su Ji's corpse.

Meet me in the lobby.

Got it, Director Kang.

Captain Park, please keep a close eye on Kwak Man Taek.

Will do.

(Restricted Area)

We believe that Dong Bang Min is the culprit.

We have enough evidence.

Taking the rap for someone...

is definitely not that easy.

(I'm parched. Please give me some water.)

Wait for a while.

- Please bring some water. - Okay.

Dear deity...

Please forgive me.

Did you think I won't be able to find you if you ran away?

Here.

The deity told me to give you this message.

That instead of having eternal life,

you'll suffer in the fiery pit for eternity.

Even more than now.

I...

just did what the elder told me to.

After I got this incurable disease,

I prayed in Sonang Village every day.

Please forgive me.

The deity says the prayers are not enough.

What should we do?

Oh, he told me this too.

For raising her son poorly, your mother...

will suffer in the pain...

of having her limbs torn apart and melting away in the fiery pit.

No.

I came here seeking eternal life.

Please, at least...

let my poor mother live.

Dear deity...

Dear deity...

Please forgive me.

Dear deity...

What? Kwan Man Taek is terminally ill?

Yes. As Detective Cho said,

Kwak Man Taek was diagnosed with fibrosis 30 years ago.

This is a rare disease that's caused by genetic abnormalities,

and the treatment is really expensive.

Looking at how there is no record of hospital visits recently,

I think he gave up on treatment.

Oh, and he doesn't have any record...

of mental illness or drug addiction.

That means he turned himself in when he doesn't have...

much time to live.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

Kwak Man Taek, what are you doing?

What's wrong?

Kwak Man Taek!

What's wrong? Hey!

Did something go wrong?

Kwak Man Taek!

We'll search this side. Golden Time Team, you go that way.

See you later.

Team One.

At the end of the alley by the mall,

in a large waste container is a woman's body.

Dear deity.

You have come.

You have come.

Mr. Kwak! Pull yourself together!

What's wrong with you?

Save me.

Give me eternal life.

Hey, you! Get some help!

Yes, sir.

Darn it.

What's this?

Mr. Kwak! Open your mouth!

Are you trying to die?

Kwak Man Taek, open your mouth!

This is Dispatch One!

Can someone call the paramedics?

I think it's best you don't look.

Based on lividity, she's been dead for a day.

Call Forensics.

Okay.

Kwak Man Taek, that fool...

He actually killed Su Ji?

This is Dispatch One.

Kwak Man Taek bit his tongue and had a seizure,

then he lost consciousness.

Get here, quick.

- Get two lines in. - Okay.

One, two, three, four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine, ten,

eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen,

fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty.

twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three...

It's charged.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Eternal life...

What?

- Eternal... - What? Talk to me.

To where there is no pain.

Mr. Kwak.

This is Dispatch One. Director Kang.

I think Kwak Man Taek is dead.

What's the cause of death?

Agent Han says he has terminal fibrosis.

He bit his tongue off,

and it looks like stress-related hyperventilation and arrhythmia.

Did you find any drugs nearby?

No.

He said he was thirsty and asked for water.

Then he bit his tongue before I could stop him.

We're on our way back. We'll check him then.

Just a moment.

What's this green vegetation?

Let's go.

- Let's see the CCTV footage. - Okay.

Look at this.

He acted like he was talking to someone and said "eternal life".

He looked possessed.

Hang on.

He put something in his mouth as he pretended to pray.

He bit his tongue afterwards.

If he went into sudden shock,

it could be a drug that causes hallucinations and paralysis.

Have the medical examiner run a drug test during the autopsy.

Okay.

I need to check on Dong Bang Min.

He killed himself?

No.

That can't be.

He wouldn't.

Grandpa?

Oh, hey.

Are you awake?

What happened this time?

I couldn't find Mr. Kwak,

so I remember going to look for him.

I don't remember anything after that.

That fool Man Taek stabbed you,

then turned himself in.

That family murder that you were wrongfully accused of.

Apparently, it was all his doing.

What?

Mr. Kwak wouldn't do that.

I heard that just now,

Man Taek bit his tongue...

and killed himself.

He's such a dreadful man.

Also, he said something odd.

In your house,

he said he saw the body of Prosecutor Gong's daughter.

He came up with that story to frame you for everything.

Oh, dear. What is it?

Okay, fine. Forget about it.

I'll let you rest. Get some sleep.

It's true.

I was going to slit his cheeks but I didn't.

What else did he tell?

Other than Gong Su Ji's body, what else?

Did you not ask about me?

Gosh, this hurts.

Old man.

Quit trying to be a sly old snake and just tell the truth.

What else did you hear about?

That punk, Kwak Man Taek, is dead anyway.

It'll all be over once this old man dies too.

No. Not now.

There are too many watchful eyes. This is a hospital.

What's wrong, Grandpa?

Did I...

do something strange again?

Grandpa.

Later.

Let's talk later.

Grandpa.

Dae Shik.

What's this?

It was lying about the office. Drink it.

Man Taek.

Man Taek was...

- Sir. - What?

Man Taek was right.

Inside Min,

there's someone else.

Listen. Call the Sonang villagers...

and have them protect Min. This instant.

Your IV needle came out.

[VIU Ver] tvN E11 'Voice 4' "The Birth of Circus Man" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥- Synced with Subcake Android

(Sonang Stone Family Village)

It'll all be over once this old man dies too.

Byung Chul.

Gather the families.

I must give a special instruction.

Mr. Gong.

You shouldn't see this. Go home.

But, sir...

(Police line)

Wait. Stop.

Su Ji.

No...

Su Ji.

Su Ji.

My baby.

You must've been terrified.

It must've hurt so much.

I'm...

I'm so sorry.

Su Ji!

Su Ji!

Director Kang.

- Is he inside? - Yes.

Don't let anyone inside for the time being.

Kwak Man Taek killed himself.

Get up.

Get up, you jerk.

You two again?

Please stop.

Drop your garbage.

What comes next after making someone confess?

What are you talking about? I'm a victim.

If you keep this up, I'll have to call my lawyer.

You jerk.

Did you think we'd fall for it if you groomed Kwak and killed him?

Did you think we'd fall for something that stupid?

I'm the one who was stabbed.

- What? - Detective.

If you're so innocent, come to the station tomorrow...

to give your statement.

You should be willing to do a polygraph or any other test.

(Summons - Victim)

Gladly.

So...

please leave.

Eom Seok Gu.

From Geumdo, Dongwon City.

Died June 18, 1997.

You're in charge of the murders, right?

With Director Kang's personality that lures kids with her hearing...

and the mastermind. A total of three personalities!

The three of you go around killing families.

Right?

What's wrong?

You want to come out like crazy, right?

Yes, come out.

I'll take you on any time.

Come out. Now!

Come out, you jerk! Come out!

Fine.

Okay.

Yes?

I guess...

cops these days...

investigate with their imagination.

Sure.

It would be boring if you get caught this easily.

Okay.

Tell the guy inside of you...

that I have a gift for him.

Something so big...

that you'll wish you died by the knife that stabbed you today.

And remember this.

Whatever is inside of you,

it's you, Dong Bang Min.

Don't ignore it.

The children left us clues even through the pain...

in order to protect their families.

The desperate cries of the victims...

brought us this far.

We'll see this through to the end.

(Patient - Dong Bang Min)

Dong Bang Min will come in to give a statement tomorrow.

Please watch him well until then.

Yes, ma'am.

You provoked him on purpose just now, didn't you?

When you mentioned Eom Seok Gu and that you have a present.

It'll be better for our investigation...

the more his personalities fight.

But we don't have enough direct evidence.

If we don't provoke him enough during our investigation tomorrow,

this could come to nothing.

(Black Hill Hotel, Duchon-dong)

Yes, Chad. Update me.

I've got it, Cap.

I'm checking the CCTV here at Black Hill Hotel...

where Dong Bang Min partied at.

At 18:48, a woman in a black raincoat and short boots...

is coming out of the back door.

I don't have the whole face, but the suspect has a physique...

like Director Kang.

And she also has a sizable bag...

that can carry a double-headed ax.

I'm sending it right now.

That was Chad.

He's checking Dong Bang Min's alibi on the day of the Sanggae-dong Case.

The film director who stated that he was with Dong Bang Min that day...

changed his testimony saying he could've been mistaken...

since he was drunk.

So this is an important lead...

to prove that Dong Bang Min's alibi is false.

Let's get back to the station.

How dare he wake me up?

There's been a big incident today,

so I urgently gathered everyone.

Kwak Man Taek, our family with whom we shared blood,

was the murderer who ruthlessly killed...

three families and a witness on the mainland.

- My goodness! - I can't believe it.

Not only did he try to frame my innocent grandson...

but he also tried to murder him!

My goodness, dear deity!

Have mercy on us!

- Have mercy on us! - Have mercy on us!

- Have mercy on us! - Have mercy on us!

- Have mercy on us! - Have mercy on us!

- Have mercy on us! - Dear deity!

Have mercy on us!

Despite the clear truth,

the outsiders...

are still chasing after my grandson, accusing him of being a murderer.

- My gosh. - That's nonsense.

The deity said...

that outsiders will tear apart the family of Sonang Village.

The bloodbath has just begun.

We have become poor souls...

that have been betrayed by our own family!

If we don't stick together and stop them,

we'll end up losing everything.

Everything that we have!

We'll protect you and your grandson,

as well as our village!

- Yes, let's protect our village. - We'll protect you.

Everyone, listen up!

Don't let them set foot on our soil!

Let's begin the cleansing ceremony!

Protect Sonang Village!

- Let's protect our village! - Protect Sonang Village!

What was that about?

Young Master is being accused of murder?

Are you sure it's just an accusation?

So he did do it!

What do we do? Do we just sit back and do nothing?

- What about our money? - Stop causing so much fuss.

Kwak Man Taek is the murderer. That's all we need to know.

I'm sorry about what happened to Su Ji.

I should've been more careful.

Gosh, I know.

But those outsiders...

are using my grandson's sleepwalking...

to accuse him of being a murderer!

I thought it was weird that they're still after Min...

even after Kwak Man Taek turned himself in.

It turns out, the mother of that Detective from America...

killed herself on this island 28 years ago.

And his sister died too,

so he must be dying to blame it on someone.

Send him back to the US.

If you sort this out for me,

I'll make sure you'll never be in need of money...

when you go into politics on the mainland.

It is my duty to protect Vimo Island.

Don't worry, sir.

Dae Shik, I'll go get some fresh air.

Okay.

Hello?

Who is this?

We met in front of Young Master's ward.

I'm Yeon Byung Chul.

Why is Sonang Village calling the police so late at night?

It's uncomfortable for both of us.

It looked like you wouldn't work for the police for a long time,

so I'm calling to make an offer.

Are you done talking?

You're a loner without family,

and you're even labeled as a corrupt cop.

It must be really uncomfortable...

to be on the Golden Time Team.

You must know very well that your career has no future.

What's this?

You know me even better than I do.

So?

Cut to the chase. I hate people who beat around the bush.

As you know, I need information on Young Master's investigation.

If you help me this time, we'll make sure...

you live comfortably for the rest of your life.

If you're going to use this call record as evidence, forget it.

It can't even be used as legitimate evidence,

and I always get my revenge.

I hope you'll make a wise decision.

Well,

there's no need to be coy when you know everything about me.

But you should know...

that it'll cost you a lot.

Pick a time and location and let me know.

What's with the drinks?

The Criminal Affairs Unit is giving them out to everyone.

Tell them I said thanks.

Take a look at this.

This is a screenshot of the CCTV footage...

that was taken on the day of the Sanggae-dong incident...

where Dong Bang Min disguised himself as Director Kang.

We'll shake him up with this first,

and we'll use a lie detector...

to prove that he has multiple personalities.

And there's one unidentified personality.

It's a man in his 30s with a calm and low voice.

Let's check people around him and find out who it could be.

- Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am.

Director Kang.

This female personality is you.

Dong Bang Min and you...

must've met somewhere before.

Try to recall it.

All right.

- Dad. - Yes?

What is it? Why are you calling so late at night?

What are you up to these days?

Because of you, Seo Ha will never be able to walk.

What are you talking about?

The village elder...

excluded Seo Ha from the New Person Ceremony.

It's all because you're accusing Young Master of being the murderer.

Kids of Seo Ha's age were framed for killing their parents...

and murdered horrendously.

It wasn't just one kid!

If Min is the culprit, I can't let this go...

as a father of a child let alone as a cop! So that's that.

Of course.

You've been like that your whole life.

Mi Yeon, what are you talking about?

You don't care that you're hurting your own family.

Don't be silly.

I will...

grind myself to the bone to gain the village elder's favor.

So I will fix Seo Ha's leg...

and live happily at Sonang Village!

Mi Yeon. Mi Yeon!

How do we find a man who was in his 30s...

when he caused Dong Bang Min to experience trauma?

We've been up all night.

It's like finding a needle in a haystack.

I'm saying this out of pure concern.

People call our team the Work and Die Team.

We just work and then die.

Isn't that too harsh?

Not me. That's what others call us.

If you're too tired, you can take a break.

No, it's not that.

I will keep looking.

It could be his middle school homeroom teacher. Look.

His senior year homeroom teacher.

He transferred to another school the very next year.

I don't think there was anything that could cause trauma.

I must've left the Sonang Village files at the dorm.

I'll get them.

Dae Shik. What's wrong?

It's nothing.

I had a freaky dream.

Wait. Where did they go?

Darn it.

Dong Bang Min!

Let's look for him. Come on!

(Vimo Training Center)

Why do I feel so dizzy?

- Hello? - Detective.

Someone broke into my room and left a dead bird.

What?

Are you all right?

Wait at the Dispatch Team office.

I'll deal with things here.

It's fine.

I just checked surveillance and the cameras caught nothing.

There are no witnesses either.

I think it was someone who knows where the cameras are.

Let's check the other rooms.

Okay.

It'll be Dong Bang Min or Dong Bang Hyeon Yup.

They think they can scare us off with this?

It's unbelievable.

It looks like some kind of hawk.

It'll be a goshawk.

I read about people believing it chases away evil spirits.

Are you saying they think we're evil spirits?

At Sonang Village,

I felt they were secluded and cut off from society.

The worst side of familicide crimes...

is the sense of exclusion.

"It's my family so stay out of it."

Detective Gu.

Director Kang. Dong Bang Min is not in his room.

Dong Bang Min disappeared?

Yes. Detective Shim and I are looking for him.

Detective.

Someone was watching us from outside.

Detective Park, call Director Yang...

and come to the training center.

There was a break-in, and I think it was Dong Bang Min.

I'll be right there.

Do you hear something?

Over there.

Wait. Stop where you are!

Detective Cho.

Detective Cho.

Director Kang, are you on your way?

Director Kang, where are you?

Dae Shik, did you find anything?

I searched the toilets and rest areas. He's not here.

Where did he go?

This is Dispatch Four.

I think Dong Bang Min left the hospital.

We'll search the vicinity.

Let's go.

This is Dispatch Five. Director Kang.

Director Kang, do you hear me?

Detective Cho, where are you?

I'm in a forest.

A forest?

Are you with Director Kang?

No. I thought she was behind me, but she isn't.

Detective Cho!

Detective Cho!

You said we were family.

You and I are Siamese twins.

Who are you?

You said no one could separate us.

Kwon Joo, help me. I'm so scared.

Who are you?

Don't you remember me?

You took such good care of me.

Seung Ho.

Seung Ho.

Why didn't you come and save me?

I waited for you for so long.

Seung Ah.

Seung Ho.

It's really scary here.

Seung Ah.

Seung Ah...

Seung Ah!

Director Kang.

Director Kang, stop there!

Stop!

(2:30am, an attack at Vimo Training Center)

(Scenes involving animals were filmed using dummies.)

(Voice 4)

We are taking our hands off this case.

If you choose to overlook what Sonang Village is doing,

you'll face even worse monsters.

I'll take care of it.

I'm sure this is more than enough.

Make sure to keep my identity a secret.

Dong Bang Min got a ticket to Fiji for tomorrow night.

There's a high chance that he'll kill someone before he leaves.

We must lure him and catch him by today.

Remember the single mother who wanted to move to our village?

That cop from the US is her son.

- Her son? - How nice. Family.