Episode 9 of Seoul Busters commences with an enchanting scene, where Tan-sik graciously escorts a group of high school students on a captivating tour of the police station. Among them, he seems to harbor a particularly warm connection with one boy, prompting Min-seo to divulge that Tan-sik had once played a pivotal role in unraveling a mystery that intimately involved the youngster's father.
Concurrently, Jung-hwan finds himself seeking reimbursement for the expenses incurred during his successful case solving endeavors. Desiring to evade the labyrinthine paperwork, Jong-ryeok and Min-seo readily offer to foot the bill, alleviating Jung-hwan's concerns.
As the tour draws to a close, a heartwarming moment unfolds as Beon-joon, the endearing boy, presents Tan-sik with a thoughtful gift – a pair of socks thoughtfully procured from his father. Tan-sik, overcome with joy, gladly accepts the tokens of appreciation.
Shortly after bidding adieu to Beon-joon, Yu-bin arrives on the scene, and Tan-sik's keen sense of smell inadvertently captivates the captain's attention. Yu-bin, in a rare display of admiration, marvels at Tan-sik's olfactory prowess, comparing it favorably to that of a hound dog. This unexpected praise fills Tan-sik with delight, marking a momentous occasion where he finally receives a commendation from his esteemed superior.
The narrative then takes a somber turn as the evening descends, with a tragic discovery shaking the city's tranquility. A passerby stumbles upon a gruesome sight – a lifeless body lying abandoned on the street. The following morning, Yu-bin arrives at the crime scene, greeted by Min-seo who briefs him on the grim details. Tragically, the victim is revealed to be none other than Beon-joon's beloved father, casting a dark shadow over the day and deepening the emotional weight of the already poignant episode.
As anticipated, the abrupt and tragic loss of his friend dealt a crushing blow to Tan-sik, who struggled to come to terms with the profound grief. Yu-bin, steely-eyed and determined, promptly tasked Min-seo with scouring the nearby surveillance footage for clues. As Yu-bin delved deeper into the gruesome scene, a chilling revelation dawned on him: the victim, felled by a crimson brick, yet the weapon itself had vanished from the crime scene. The investigation team immediately swung into action, hunting for the missing murder instrument, and their perseverance paid off with its swift recovery nearby.
Gathering in the office for a huddle, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily. Hae-sik, once a traveling salesman peddling socks from his trusty truck, now lay slain. Jong-ryeok's intuition sparked anew, insisting it was a botched robbery, but Yu-bin and Min-seo countered, noting the absence of stolen goods, suggesting a more sinister motive. Yu-bin redirected the investigation, urging his team to delve into Hae-sik's past, seeking those who might have harbored ill will towards him.
Initially, Tan-sik stood firm, portraying Hae-sik as a paragon of peace, vowing to avenge his friend's death. Yet, as the investigation unfurled, a different picture emerged. Hae-sik's life was marred by conflicts, his neighborhood relations frayed to the breaking point. He was viewed as a public nuisance by many, including the local pastor, and even the police had their share of troubles with him.
Back at the office, Yu-bin found himself in a predicament, having inadvertently devoured his stash of cherished Swiss chocolates. Panic-stricken at the thought of a life without them, he frantically attempted to replenish his supply, only to be sidetracked during the team's briefing. In a flurry of activity, he instructed the team to cast a wide net, investigating anyone who had crossed swords with Hae-sik.
Jong-ryeok bristled at the prospect of such an extensive list, while Tan-sik, eager to shoulder the burden, offered to take on more. Jong-ryeok, his patience frayed, lashed out at the junior detective, cautioning him against rash actions that might only complicate matters further. The tension in the room thickened as the investigation deepened, each clue peeling back another layer of Hae-sik's complex and troubled life.
His words appeared to resonate with Tan-sik more profoundly than they ever had, stirring emotions unseen. As the day drew to a close, the young detective boldly confronted Yu-bin, cornering him with a confession: he felt his contributions to the team had dwindled to insignificance. A sudden call momentarily diverted Yu-bin's attention, but he swiftly reassured Tan-sik that they were an inseparable unit, each member holding a vital piece in the puzzle. Tan-sik's spirits lifted at Yu-bin's heartfelt words, reigniting his drive to uncover his unique role within the team's dynamic.
However, fate dealt an unexpected blow when Yu-bin's cherished chocolate order was hopelessly tangled, casting a shadow over his mood for days to come. The team couldn't help but speculate if their captain's rest was being neglected amidst the mounting case pressure. As the investigation deepened, Yu-bin's temperament grew increasingly erratic, while Tan-sik's prowess shone brighter, exposing details overlooked by his peers. His achievements were met with applause, a testament to his growing prowess.
An unexpected twist emerged when Tan-sik received a haunting photograph, a poignant memory from Hae-sik's final day sent to his son. Leveraging his astute detective instincts, Tan-sik unraveled the mystery, pinpointing Hae-sik's last known whereabouts before the tragic attack.
Further delving into the case, Tan-sik uncovered that Tae-sik's fateful night ended in a confrontation outside the club. The surveillance footage, though grainy, held crucial clues. Yu-bin, recognizing its importance, ordered it to be enhanced by forensic experts. In parallel, the team posted a poignant plea in the neighborhood, seeking witnesses who might hold the key to unlocking the truth.
Into this tense atmosphere stepped a young woman, her story a testament to Hae-sik's bravery. She recounted how, trapped in a dangerous situation at the club, Hae-sik had intervened, saving her from a persistent aggressor who refused to take no for an answer. Her gratitude lingered, yet she never imagined that act of kindness would be Hae-sik's last.
Meanwhile, Jung-hwan's world was turned upside down when he stumbled upon the truth about Tan-sik's hidden identity. Realizing that his jest about Tan-sik's watch had been grossly misguided—for it belonged to a descendant of one of the country's most prominent restaurant dynasties—Jung-hwan was consumed by guilt. From then on, he became acutely aware of his every word and action towards Tan-sik, determined to make amends for his past insensitivity.
The following day, the Forensic division dispatched the enhanced video footage, and Yu-bin's keen eye immediately latched onto Nam Jung-hyun's vehicle, a familiar sight for those who recalled his involvement in the notorious One Shot Chicken case. Jung-hwan and Jong-ryeok, eager to uncover more, ventured to the club in search of CCTV recordings, only to be met with a stone wall of resistance from the guards. Insisting on a warrant, they were turned away at the door.
Deflated but undeterred, the duo retreated to apply for the necessary paperwork, only to suffer another setback when their request was denied. In a stroke of ingenuity, Tan-sik proposed an undercover operation, enlisting the aid of a trusted friend. They hatched a plan to rendezvous outside the club's premises under the cover of night.
However, an unexpected comedic twist arose when Jung-hwan arrived dressed as if he had stepped straight out of a '90s music video, leaving Tan-sik momentarily flustered. Ignoring the fashion faux pas, Tan-sik pressed on, entering the club alongside Min-seo. Their mission was fraught with peril as they narrowly escaped detection twice, but through cunning and quick thinking, they triumphantly secured the crucial footage.
