Original subtitles

A deceased man in his twenties

is said to have been writing the autobiography of a serial killer.

Kim, a ghostwriter who hanged himself in a small studio apartment in Seoul,

posted on an online forum before his death

that he was ghostwriting a book for the murderer Ji Hyang-cheol.

Ji is a notorious serial killer who was sentenced to death

for murdering eight women in the early 2000s.

The police stated that they did not find any evidence

linking the imprisoned Ji to the alleged book,

and the rumors that Kim had been murdered were dismissed as unfounded.

CONTROVERSY OVER GHOSTWRITER'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JI HYANG-CHEOL

A giant tree fell in a forest...

FOOTAGE FROM 2001

and no one was around to hear it.

Did it make a sound...

or was there nothing but silence?

THE FROG

SEOUL CENTRAL POLICE AGENCY

- Hi. - Hello.

So you found the body in the water tank on the hill.

- Not true. - That's what Detective Cho said.

Seriously, how do you pull it off?

You're good at finding leads and catching culprits.

When I see the faces of violent criminals,

I often think, "Really? That's who did it?"

Is there a secret to it?

Is it the way they walk or act?

Does it have anything to do with that nickname "It"?

What do you wanna know?

It.

No, the water tank case first.

- Are you going to write about it? - I'll keep it to myself.

The water bill.

There's been an accident. Please hurry.

Yes, right in front of the station.

Yes, please hurry. Thank you.

Are you okay?

Is that you?

Did you take a cab home? I should've gone to pick you up.

I'm sore everywhere too.

But how strange.

My painting is going really well.

Did you take my bag?

It was stressing you out.

That dashcam footage.

If only that footage hadn't existed, your life would've been much easier.

I threw it all out.

So you can relax now.

Get out.

Now that the evidence is gone, there's nothing I can do.

I couldn't care less anymore.

What happened here,

I'll keep my mouth shut about it, so leave.

I don't want to.

All you ever do is get angry and tell me to leave.

How come we're always so distant, you and I?

Can't we try and get along?

- I'll leave if you can convince me. - Convince you?

You really don't wanna sell this place?

The thing is, I don't understand why you need this house more than I do.

I just don't.

So tell me

why you have to be the owner of this place.

You're asking me why my house should be mine?

Mister.

Take a look around.

It already looks like mine, doesn't it?

You just lived here before I did.

That's not a good reason for this house to be yours forever.

It was a whole different game.

What had started as a battle for evidence to reveal the truth

was now a turf war led by that crazy woman.

You're still experiencing muscle pain,

so I'll prescribe you some muscle relaxants and painkillers.

This was a fight I was less likely to win.

- Great work, Captain. - Good job, everyone!

How'd it go?

Captain Yoon... got a perfect score.

Kim did great too.

The chief complimented him at lunch.

- Kim! - Don't you get cocky, kid.

I think I'll be done soon.

I was able to pick up the pace.

What about the poster and invitations?

It's not exactly an exhibit I want to advertise.

Sorry. I wasn't thinking.

Actually, let me call you back as soon as all the pieces are done.

Bye!

MISTER

Are you the rental owner?

Jae-hwan!

Give it!

Hey, give it!

Give it to me!

So the owner hasn't been answering your calls,

and you arrived only to find her staying here?

Yes. I can't believe this is happening.

Could you please show me your reservation details?

Learn to run faster, then!

Give it!

Weren't you in that crash a few days ago right in front of the police station?

The person you called is unavailable.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Could you show me your reservation details?

This device is turned off. Your call will be directed...

Damn it.

I'm sure he'll be back soon since he has guests.

Shouldn't you be going now? I imagine you're quite busy.

But

there must be details of your reservation or the deposit you paid.

Do you really have nothing?

This place didn't have a website, so I booked it in person and paid cash.

I mentioned this to that other officer, Choi or whatever his name was.

But there is a website.

FOREST VACATION RENTAL

Any text messages? You usually exchange them with the owner.

To confirm the reservation, share details about the stay, and so on.

I delete my messages often.

Wait.

Are you asking me all this because you think I'm trespassing?

No, it just seems to me like you're in a tough spot by yourself.

I'm trying to help.

I don't like your tone.

Hey, let's go.

MISTER

The person you called is unavailable. Please try again later.

Hello, sir.

I've finally got through to you.

Yes, I was a bit confused at first, but...

Oh, she's a live-in employee?

Hello?

Mister. Why won't you pick up my...

Hot! Yeah, it's good.

It's really good.

Why are you only giving me tomatoes?

I want some meat too!

Ma'am.

How have you been?

Do you know where my grandma went?

The flowers from your son are all wilted. Would you like me to throw them out?

Go back to sleep.

Hey.

Are you the one who spoke with the owner?

- Yes! Hello. - Hi. Here you go.

- Did you enjoy your stay? - We did.

- I hope you didn't have any issues. - Not at all.

- What are you doing? - Who are you to take the key?

Excuse me?

Don't worry about her.

She works here, apparently.

- She works here? - Who the hell are you?

The owner of this rental asked me to handle the cleaning and laundry.

You're from the laundromat? Oh my God!

Goodness!

You remember me, don't you?

Do you know this woman?

No.

I'm afraid not.

Just ignore her. She's a weird one.

Hey, give that back.

What do you think you're doing?

- Take care. - Thanks. We had a great time.

- Fucking bullshit! - Come back soon.

- Will do! - Goodbye!

What do you want?

What's wrong with you? Hey, leave me alone!

An obnoxious guest?

Just tell them off on the spot whenever they break the rules.

If that doesn't stop them, you gotta call the police.

The police?

There are obnoxious customers everywhere, but they're toxic in this business.

Don't let them slide.

Illegal gambling, drugs...

If they get drunk and look like trouble, I call the cops right away.

What if that isn't an option?

Yeah, the real problem

is when the trouble is not serious enough to call the cops.

In that case, all you can do is wait for that guest to leave.

- What if they won't leave? - What?

Why wouldn't they? Everyone has to go home eventually.

They have to head out when it's time to check out.

That way, you can welcome the next guest.

The next guest?

Hurry up!

Darn it.

Hey, this is fucking awesome.

- Too nice! - It's this place?

- Holy shit! - Hey!

What the hell are you doing?

God-fucking-damn it.

God!

Can I get a toothbrush?

What?

Whoa.

He said he had toothbrushes on the second shelf

of the bathroom cabinet, and the auntie here would get them for me.

Who?

Who?

The owner.

No, who are you calling "auntie"?

Well, you don't look like a "miss" to me!

Miss!

Two toothbrushes, please.

Two of the same color? Seriously?

- Keep it down out there. - What?

Are you guys of legal age?

Let me see your IDs.

We are adults, okay?

Your IDs.

Should I call the cops?

This is a fucking joke.

Clean up and go inside in ten minutes.

I dare you to call the cops on us.

They'll shut your rental down.

Shut this place down?

That's exactly what I want.

- Get out. - What do you think you're doing?

- Get out. - Are you for real?

Go.

What the hell's wrong with you?

- You! - What?

Bye, Auntie!

- Run! - Nice fucking throw!

- Where are you? - You're still there?

Hiding out and pulling cheap tricks, are you?

Cheap tricks?

A rental is meant to have guests. If anything, you're the weird one here.

Everyone thinks you're weird, don't they?

Just get here. Let's talk this out.

More guests will be coming.

I have a lot of group bookings. Maybe because it's peak season.

Do you think this is helping you?

Clean the place up if you have time. I can't send anyone there, thanks to you.

Fucking hell.

Mister.

Want me to kill your fucking daughter?

SLIDE TO POWER OFF

MISTER

This device is turned off...

What happened to the window?

Apparently, he was working on Ji's autobiography right before he died.

Only one individual was captured on a nearby security cam

at the time of his death,

but it isn't certain if the two are connected.

Plus, it was a month ago.

Did they do an autopsy?

No. He was hanged, and he left a note, so it was ruled suicide. He was cremated.

Cho looked into everyone the victim knew and found no viable suspects.

He even looked at all those who knew one of Ji's victims, but nothing.

Was he really writing Ji's autobiography?

Ji said he didn't know about it, and the victim never talked to publishers,

so it's possible he was delusional.

But after the news, everyone's fixated on that story.

Do you think Ji's related to this?

Well, I was hoping you could tell me.

I don't know anymore.

You doing all right?

Yeah.

Aren't you bored?

No.

Going on vacation. Lucky you.

- What are your plans? - Don't even think about calling me.

Speak for yourself, kid.

Your uniform! You're not going to change out of it?

I need to take care of something.

- Hello? - Hi there.

We got here a little early, but the lady here won't hand over the key.

I'll be right there.

The key, please.

Mister.

What if she gets into the house?

That would be trespassing. Call the police right away.

- Let me clean up quickly. - Okay.

Good to finally see you.

You can leave that over here.

I'm Officer Kim Seon-tae at Hosu Police Station.

What brings you here?

I made the reservation. Those guys are my buddies.

So you were close by.

Why did you make it so hard for that woman for days on end?

I hope you weren't trying to harass her and mess with her

simply because she's a woman by herself.

A woman by herself...

Are you talking about her?

The world has changed. You'll land yourself in big trouble.

Let's head in, guys.

You called the cops?

He offered to help me first.

Your face...

What in the world have you been getting yourself into?

Three, two, one!

Join us.

No! Don't!

Hey!

Hey, you drive.

- No way. You drive. - Then you pay for everything.

- We'll be going, then. - Good night.

- Bye! - You're so pretty!

Thank you.

Get home safe.

- You sure you can stay by yourself? - Of course.

You think you're brave, don't you?

Leave the bags. I'll help you tomorrow.

- Don't you have work? - I'm on vacation.

See ya.

How's the food?

It's not bad.

Don't you think you owe her an apology?

As an officer, I've met way too many men who act entitled because they're older.

All they have left is their stupid pride.

They still think they're in the prime of their lives. It's pathetic.

That sounds rough.

And you can tell that at first glance?

I can.

You must be good at reading people.

I have a bottle of wine.

Why don't we have a glass and clear the air?

Why did you become a cop?

Have you drunk anything she's poured you?

I wouldn't if I were you.

That fucking son of a...

I need a toothbrush.

Thanks to you, Mister,

that jerk won't go home.

- He's gonna sleep on the second floor. - So?

He's so annoying.

I hate him so much. So dumb and chatty.

Can't you work with me just this once?

We'll tell him we've made up and get him out of here.

But he's the guest, not you.

He's a cop, you know.

You can't let him stay.

- I'd feel safer with a cop here. - For God's sake.

Mister. How about we

split this place in half?

Split in half?

Yeah.

We can meet in the middle.

To be honest, I don't need this room.

So I'll live here, and you'll live over there?

- That's your idea? - Yeah.

You crazy bitch.

Don't call me that.

Do you expect me to say yes to living with a murderer?

Wanna know how I killed him?

What I did to Si-hyeon,

in great detail, step by step.

Do you think you can keep living here even after hearing what I did?

Just face it.

This place is already mine.

I'm giving you this room because I feel sorry for your ass.

This place is mine.

That's the only reason I need.

I won't let you have a piece of it.

What happened?

Hold on.

POLICE

This is my house. My room.

And that's my bed.

Get out.

Get out.

You might be a paying guest, but this is still trespassing.

How dare you two...

- Have you completely lost your mind? - Hey.

I'm not holding any weapons. Let go. Let go of me first.

You're a cop, aren't you?

Wake the hell up, you idiot!

Give me a break!

You'll break my arm! Let go of my arm. I'll stop.

Wake up, you idiot.

Are you insane?

I heard Officer Kim responded to a call at your rental recently.

- Was there some kind of problem? - No.

What about the time you came down here?

You came in and then left right away.

What brought you here that day?

My guests are only permitted to use the main house, the yard, and the pool.

Those two people were in my personal living space.

I was angry that they barged in.

Have you ever hit someone out of anger?

Well, don't get me wrong.

It's just that only anger causes those without experience to throw a punch.

Getting into street fights or practicing martial arts

requires a catalyst like computer games, alcohol, drugs,

or having been an assault victim.

Something has to open the door for one's rage to lead to actual punches.

Are you telling me

that someone like me

has no choice but to sit back and do nothing?

Is there anything you want to do something about?

I came here that day to file a report.

What was it about?

It's all in the past.

There's nothing left.

I can still give it a listen.

OFFICER KIM SEON-TAE

Excuse me for a moment.

Can I go home?

- Let me give you a ride. - No.

What happened today with Officer Kim, can we pretend it never occurred?

I don't want him ever coming back to my rental.

I'll refund him the deposit.

I'll pass on the message.

On your first day of vacation, really?

You didn't have to come.

I was patrolling the area anyway.

Boss smoothed things over with the rental owner.

What about the lady?

Seon-tae.

You don't want to stay at a tiny station until you're my age.

Don't get yourself tangled up in trouble when you're so close to a promotion.

You understand, don't you?

Yes, sir.

Let's go. I'll give you a ride home.

That's okay. I'll take a cab.

You do that.

See you, then!

Have a good night.

SERGEANT CHOI JEONG-HO

THE CRAZY WOMAN

Why did you have to take things this far?

I'll sell the rental to you.

Do you mean that?

Those words...

mean so much to me right now.

Just wait a few days.

Moisture, to be precise.

There wasn't a single bit of moisture in that house.

The property hadn't been billed for water for the past two months.

"The pipes are working fine. Why didn't the suspect use any water?"

I checked the water tank on the rooftop, and there was nothing inside.

But from that rooftop, I could see the water tank on the hill.

It turns out they couldn't use the tap water

because it reminded them of the body they dumped.

How do you figure that out from just seeing those things?

It's not what you see.

It's the opposite.

Not what's there, not what you can see,

but what's gone, what isn't there when it should be.

- That's what I chase after. - What isn't there...

Do you mean in that person's daily life or surroundings?

In the people themselves too.

I think about what emotion, what behavior they aren't showing,

what words are missing in their statement, what time frame they've left out,

and what they avoid looking at.

But...

you need to sort out some suspects first, don't you?

I mean, you can't suspect everyone.

But I do.

I suspect everyone.

Victims, their families, their neighbors, and witnesses.

My colleagues too.

My family, my neighbors, Team Leader Kang, Detective Cho.

Everyone in this building

and everyone outside of it.

And even you, the person sitting next to me.

I see everyone equally.

I don't make an exception.

You're thorough.

I'm saying that I'm not some heroic cop who catches criminals for justice.

I'm just...

I'm just

the "It" in the fun game we are playing.