Episode 2 of Shin’s Project opens amidst a heated clash between two neighboring shop owners. One is being accused of selling stale goods, while the other stands accused of failing to pay outstanding debts. On his way to work, Shin gets unwittingly ensnared in the fray. Employing a clever ruse, he stages a fake phone call, implying that the authorities might soon intervene. As the tension reaches its peak, the two erstwhile foes suddenly realize that they harbor no genuine ill will toward each other and decide to bury the hatchet and make amends.
At the chicken shop, Mr. Shin presents Philip and Si-on with the memory card retrieved from his car’s black box. The footage reveals the face of the truck driver who had ambushed them in the previous episode. Si-on instantly recognizes him as one of the thugs who had pursued them relentlessly before.
Seizing the initiative, Shin pays a visit to Officer Choi Chul, a man with whom he shares a history dating back to a case 15 years prior—a case that resulted in Chul's demotion from detective to senior officer. With a mixture of familiarity and urgency, Shin requests Chul to conduct a background check on the truck driver, a request that Chul reluctantly but eventually agrees to fulfill.
Meanwhile, Producer Kim receives the files outlining HI Group’s blueprint for the Gangchun Resort from Shin. This newfound information appears to sway his opinion, leading him to agree to a settlement with the merchants. While Philip busies himself with the paperwork, Shin takes it upon himself to confront Gi-beom and give him a piece of his mind. Surprisingly, Gi-beom professes ignorance about the resort, revealing that he had only agreed to plant the maggots and circulate the video in exchange for a security deposit for a shop in Seoul.
Choi Chul returns with the background information on the truck driver, identified as Oh Jin-ho. Oh Jin-ho is a family man with a wife who operates a dumpling shop and a young daughter. Unleashing his pursuit, Chul chases after Oh Jin-ho, who, in a desperate move, ends up taking a girl hostage at knifepoint. The scene evokes a haunting memory from 15 years ago for Chul, when he had witnessed a similar harrowing incident. But just as the situation seems to spiral out of control, someone strikes Oh Jin-ho from behind, providing Chul with the opportunity to subdue him.
Once Oh Jin-ho is in custody, Shin seizes the moment to confront him. With a calculated blend of intimidation and threat, Shin hints at dire consequences for Oh Jin-ho's wife and daughter. The tactic proves effective, as Oh Jin-ho soon begins to divulge information under the weight of Shin's menacing presence.
We then witness Gi-beom engaged in a conversation with Lee Jae-hak, a public official who has been outwardly assisting the merchants but is, in reality, a mole working for the HI Group. As Jae-hak revels in the triumph of the resort alongside the head of HI Group and the mayor of Gang-chun, an episode of "On-Site Pursuit" is unveiled. This episode delves into HI Group’s Gangchun Resort, unveiling a web of corruption. It transpires that Gi-beom had discreetly worn a bug during his tête-à-tête with Lee Jae-hak. Producer Kim even extends an apology for the misinformation disseminated about the seafood cooperation. Shortly thereafter, officers burst into the restaurant, apprehending all three individuals.
Shin pays a visit to Kim Sang-geun’s office, providing him with an update on the unfolding events. While there, his attention is drawn to a file concerning HI Group’s corporate malfeasance. Shin comes to the realization that Judge Kim had intended for him to take on the case to strengthen his own legal battle—a trial poised against HI Group. Meanwhile, Choi Chul’s colleague informs him that a video capturing his takedown of Oh Jin-ho has gone viral.
Back at the chicken shop, the delivery orders have ceased. Si-on elucidates that it was Philip’s appearance on Kokkio’s, the influencer’s, live stream that had catapulted their delivery numbers. Acting on this insight, Shin returns to Kkokkio’s abode with Philip, both donning suits. They entice Kkokkio with complimentary food and subsequently make another cameo on his live stream. Meanwhile, a hooded figure observes the video and recognizes Shin.
The team convenes for dinner, where Shin proposes that Si-on instruct Philip in the art of delivery, while Philip reciprocates by tutoring her for the GED. She laments that she cannot afford it at present. Later, Si-on becomes inebriated, compelling Philip to escort her home.
The following day, Shin receives a call from Kim Soo-dong (the hacker who aided him in Episode 1). He is now employed at a community service center and is grappling with an online user posting malevolent content on their forum. He reveals that his superiors are exerting pressure, necessitating Shin’s assistance in quelling the complaints.
Simultaneously, government officials are jolted by a video depicting Hwang Seong-sik, the mayor of Yeongdo, bound to a bomb. The kidnapper has made no demands, merely stating, “You must pay for your sins.” It transpires that the malevolent online poster—a man named Lee Sang-hyeon—had echoed the same sentiment in his posts. Shin and Philip pay a visit to his residence, which is devoid of occupants. Shin uncovers a receipt for ammonium nitrate, arousing his suspicion, as it is commonly utilized in bomb-making. They then make their way back to the chicken shop.
However, Shin's mind remains consumed by thoughts of Lee Sang-hyeon, to the point where he even dares to approach Lee's mother. Yet, all she offers him is a firm reminder that her son should be engrossed in his studies. Amidst Lee's scattered belongings, Shin stumbles upon a stack of reports, each one meticulously detailing how a local fertilizer plant has been wreaking havoc on the health of nearby residents, causing a surge in cancer cases.
Meanwhile, at the police station, Choi Chul's colleagues are abuzz with celebration, for he is on the verge of being reinstated as a detective. Just then, Choi Chul receives a call from Shin, who urgently requests his help in locating Lee Sang-hyeon. Without hesitation, Shin makes his way to the derelict fertilizer plant, simultaneously informing Philip of his location and the potential peril that lurks there.
As Shin arrives, Lee Sang-hyeon opens the door, their eyes meeting in a tense exchange. Shin wastes no time in bringing up the online complaints that have been circulating. Suddenly, a noise echoes from within the plant, and the mayor's presence is inadvertently revealed to Shin.
Time seems to stretch as moments pass, and before long, a swarm of police officers converges on the area, their sirens wailing. To everyone's astonishment, Shin steps out from the shadows of the plant, directly confronting the waiting police force. Shin himself is taken aback when he recognizes the officer who approaches him as Yeong-su, a figure from his past whose exact connection to him remains shrouded in mystery.
In a twist that leaves Yeong-su reeling, Shin boldly declares his intention to negotiate on behalf of the kidnapper, sending shockwaves through the assembled officers.
