The premiere of Red Swan ushers in with a poignant glimpse into Oh Wan-soo's life, a beacon of hope as the Goodwill Ambassador and helm of the NOW Foundation, an organization that shields young souls from the ravages of war, nurturing their dreams towards a brighter tomorrow. Amidst her noble endeavors, Wan-soo stands tall in the hallowed halls of the UN, advocating fervently for her Foundation and rallying support for Balak, a young girl in dire need.
Just as her impassioned plea resonates, a harrowing interruption shatters the moment—a staff member hurries in, bearing news of ISIS's ominous threat to silence Wan-soo for her relentless work. Tempted to yield to fear and abort her upcoming Philippine journey, Wan-soo's steely resolve remains unyielding. She steadfastly adheres to her itinerary, her sole discomfort stemming from the imminent arrival of her mother-in-law, the imperious and overbearing Chairwoman Park, a character straight out of a clichéd tale of aristocratic disdain.
Elsewhere, the narrative shifts to our protagonist, Seo Do-yun, a man haunted by the unresolved mystery surrounding his dear friend and comrade, Ju-hyuk's untimely demise. Driven by a relentless quest for justice, Do-yun shadows the shadows, infiltrating a hotel where whispers of a clandestine transaction echo. Eavesdropping on hushed conversations in the restroom, he uncovers the presence of Ju-hyuk's assassin, lurking in the city's shadows.
The stage is set for a treacherous deal, orchestrated by a shadowy boss disguised as a humble cleaner, slipping into the room as the final act nears. To Do-yun's surprise, a familiar face emerges—Kyeong-ju, his former colleague, exchanging funds with the mafia chief, claiming it to be a mere delivery from a flower shop. A chilling realization dawns on Do-yun as he recalls the assassin's cryptic remark about a completed "delivery" shortly after Ju-hyuk's fateful encounter.
Stealthily retreating, Do-yun receives a call from Kyeong-ju, seeking a rendezvous in Manila. Seizing this unexpected lead, Do-yun agrees, his heart heavy with the weight of unfinished business but fueled by a determination to honor Ju-hyuk's memory.
Meanwhile, Wan-soo gracefully lands in Manila, Philippines, wasting no time in immersing herself in her mission. A triumphant interview with an Arabian Crown Prince yields a generous donation, further bolstering her cause. Her husband, Yong-guk, joins her side, painting a picture of a seemingly idyllic couple, the envy of all who behold them. Yet, beneath the veneer of perfection, lies a world of intrigue and danger, as the threads of Wan-soo's philanthropy and Do-yun's quest for truth begin to intertwine, weaving a tale of courage, betrayal, and redemption.
In the interim, Do-hyun braces himself for the journey to Makati District, where he had eavesdropped on whispers of an impending assassination plot. Simultaneously, Wan-soo embarks on the same trajectory, intent on attending to a few pressing matters before her auction soirée later that day. Just as she prepares to depart, the tranquility of the streets is shattered by the sudden crackle of sniper fire, leaving her bodyguard wounded and chaos rampant as panicked crowds scatter for cover.
Do-hyun springs into action instantaneously, shielding Wan-soo with his own body while retaliating against the lurking assassin with precise shots. Amid the tumult, the pair manages to escape into a vehicle and speed away. Wan-soo, shaken to her very core, struggles to process the events, her thoughts jumbled. Regaining some composure, she inquires about Do-hyun's identity and the motive behind his heroic deed. He modestly responds, claiming to be a mere bystander, driven by a sense of duty to lend a helping hand.
Their respite is short-lived as the car's engine sputters to a halt. Do-hyun, ever resourceful, leaps out to inspect the issue, only to discover a GPS tracker, a chilling reminder of their persistent peril. Without hesitation, he discards the device and urges Wan-soo to seek refuge at his abode, where they can regroup and unravel the mystery. Despite her fear, Wan-soo, striving for composure, nods in agreement.
At his humble abode, Do-hyun attends to his own wounds with Wan-soo's assistance, offering her his phone to contact her allies and reassure them of her safety. He counsels her to maintain her location under wraps and mislead them with the notion of an embassy rendezvous. However, Wan-soo finds herself at a loss, unable to recall contact numbers amidst the confusion. Do-hyun tenderly assists her in cleaning the bloodstained remnants from her face before escorting her to the embassy, where her anxiously awaiting husband provides a haven.
He, too, submits a testimonial, and Kyoeng-ju uncovers the truth: Do-hyun had rescued Wan-soo. Urgency drives him to summon Do-hyun, demanding an immediate meeting. During their encounter, Do-hyun maintains a nonchalant demeanor, feigning ignorance of any progress in the Ju-hyuk case. In response, Kyeong-ju extends a job offer within the Hwain Group, which Do-hyun politely accepts to consider, to which Kyeong-ju readily acquiesces.
Meanwhile, Wan-soo remains resilient, determined to soldier on with her daily routine. A call from her mother-in-law disrupts her composure, but it's not one borne of concern. Chairwoman Park demands that Wan-soo leverage her Foundation to bribe Chinese businessmen, an affront that Wan-soo fiercely rejects, standing her ground. She even dares to ask her mother-in-law to abstain from attending an upcoming party, inciting Chairwoman Park's wrath to the point of issuing a chilling threat against Wan-soo's life.
After much deliberation, Do-hyun accepts Kyeong-ju's offer. To him, Ju-hyuk was more than a mere colleague or friend; he was a brother who had selflessly donated a kidney. Their bond was sealed by a promise to protect each other. Do-hyun harbors hope of uncovering answers within the Hwain Group, particularly after Kyeong-ju's slip, referring to it as the "flower shop."
The following day, Wan-soo sternly warns her husband against succumbing to his mother's wishes and engaging in corrupt practices. She then stages a bold press conference, exposing the ISIS attack on her life, much to the chagrin of Chairwoman Park and Yong-guk, who seek to keep the incident under wraps.
In her impassioned speech, Wan-soo declares her unwavering resolve, vowing not to back down even in the face of terrorism. She proceeds with her party plans, extending invitations to her nephew and his mother. A fleeting memory reveals that Wan-soo once had a son, whose fate was tragically cut short, most likely in a skiing accident. The episode culminates with Yong-guk and Wan-soo's arrival at the party, where Kyeong-ju introduces Do-hyun as their new bodyguard, leaving Wan-soo visibly startled and overjoyed to see him again.
