Episode 3 of Seoul Busters kicks off with Yu-bin immersed in a tense phone conversation with Tan-sik, his shock palpable as he learns of the killer's swift apprehension. The revelation stems from Joong-Ryeok's astute observation that Min-sik's initial statement was riddled with deceit. Joong-Ryeok masterfully orchestrates a rewrite, compelling Min-sik to pen a detailed confession, exposing every twist and turn that transpired within Dong-il's abode.
Upon arriving at the precinct, Yu-bin finds Joong-Ryeok laying out the evidence like a chess master: Min-sik's fabrications about borrowing money, a car, and even the apartment from Dong-il. Joong-Ryeok suspects these lies to be the catalyst behind the murder, yet Yu-bin remains skeptical, his disbelief etched on his face. He issues a stern warning, threatening to expose Joong-Ryeok's procedural lapse should he deviate again, insisting that Min-sik be charged solely for his proven crimes. Joong-Ryeok's frustration boils over, prompting the team to intervene, soothing frayed tempers. Before departing, Yu-bin entrusts Jung-hwan with the task of relentlessly pursuing Mr. Jang's elusive secretary.
The following day, Yu-bin and Min-seo confront Mr. Jang, seeking answers about Min-jae. Mr. Jang's demeanor—a fragile facade of grief—fails to sway Yu-bin, who detects a calculated deception beneath the tears that move Min-seo. Yu-bin's skepticism is ignited by a telltale soy sauce stain, a fresh mark on a shirt belonging to a man who claims to be too distraught to eat.
Meanwhile, Joong-Ryeok employs his charm offensive, eventually luring Mr. Jang's secretary out of hiding. She whispers a whispered rumor: Min-jae's intention to abandon ship, leaving Mr. Jang's empire teetering on the brink of collapse without its golden goose.
As the investigation deepens, the truth unravels: Min-jae was indeed plotting his exit, searching for damning evidence against Mr. Jang to evade a hefty breach-of-contract penalty. In a separate thread, Yu-bin's visit to Eun-gyeong yields a chilling find—a fragment of paper retrieved from Min-jae's throat, a cryptic clue that promises to unravel even more secrets.
Meanwhile, the team members are stunned by Yu-bin's unexpected invitation to Min-seo for a movie. Jung-hwan and Joong-Ryeok exchange puzzled glances, wondering about the propriety of Yu-bin's intentions towards Min-seo and whether it aligns with their own agenda. Min-seo, on the contrary, finds herself in an awkward position, sensing that Yu-bin might be about to confess his feelings. To her relief, he abruptly abandons her at the theater's doorstep, citing a need for the restroom. He returns a grueling two and a half hours later, as the movie draws to a close.
Elsewhere, Mr. Jang indulges in nostalgic reflections of his arduous journey alongside Min-jae. Amidst plans to depart the country, Yu-bin unexpectedly appears, initiating a recitation of Miranda rights that sends Mr. Jang scurrying. A thrilling foot chase ensues, with Yu-bin relentlessly pursuing Mr. Jang up a steep hill. After miles of grueling running, Mr. Jang's exhaustion sets in, yet his resolve remains unwavering. He whips out a knife, ready to strike, as Yu-bin instinctively reaches for his gun—only to realize it's missing, lost during the frenetic pursuit. Just when all hope seems lost, Joong-Ryeok arrives, heroically intervening.
It transpires that Mr. Jang had discovered Min-jae's schemes and concocted a sinister plot of his own. He snuck away from the movie, never intending to watch, instead using the opportunity to confront Dong-il and end his life. He then cunningly leaked a video of Min-jae bullying Dong-il, meticulously orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish Min-jae's reputation and ensure his isolation from potential business partners.
Ironically, Min-jae stumbled upon evidence of Dong-il's murder while snooping around Mr. Jang's office. He deciphered the chilling clue—Mr. Jang's scribbled address of Dong-il, a testament to his guilty visit and subsequent crime. This shocking revelation serves as a chilling reminder of the intricate web of deceit and betrayal weaving through their lives.
Min-jae's fatal misstep lay in seizing that incriminating paper and boldly confronting Mr. Jang within the confines of his own abode. Little did he realize that Mr. Jang was not only fully equipped for a confrontation but had sinister intentions, disguising himself as a deliveryman and concealing his identity beneath a helmet. Their struggle escalated, culminating in a devastating blow from the helmet that left a fragment as a macabre souvenir. Unbeknownst to his assailant, Min-jae, in a desperate act, ingested that piece of evidence before propelling Mr. Jang over the precipice of the balcony. As the dust settled, Mr. Jang, with an eye on escape to China, found himself cornered.
Meanwhile, Joong-Ryeok's investigative prowess shone through when Min-sik's memory stirred, recalling a shadowy figure exiting a taxi on the fateful night Dong-il perished. Armed with a sketch, the truth dawned on Joong-Ryeok—Mr. Jang was the culprit, and Yu-bin was hot on his trail. In a desperate bid to catch up, Joong-Ryeok stumbled upon Yu-bin's firearm, adding an unexpected twist to the pursuit.
As the day drew to a close, the team reconvened at the office, where Yu-bin was met with a peculiar sight—laxatives gracing his desk. Jung-hwan, mistakenly believing they were tickets to a missed movie due to his own digestive distress, inadvertently contributed to the comedic atmosphere.
The episode gracefully concludes with a poignant encounter at Dong-il's grave, where Yu-bin and Min-seo's paths unexpectedly converge. Min-seo, with warmth in her voice, proposes a team dinner as a gesture of welcome to Yu-bin, who readily agrees. As they exchange pleasantries, Yu-bin offers his assessment of the team, his tone softening as he admits, "They're not as bad as they seem."
