The ninth episode of Shin's Project opens with Choi Chul informing Shin that he's about to meet the director of the psychiatric hospital. Just in time, Shin arrives to witness Yun Dong-hee stabbing Chul. As Shin tries to apprehend Dong-hee, he manages to escape. Meanwhile, Heo-jun rushes Chul to the hospital, where Shin speaks to him but gathers little information. Kim Soo-dong confirms that no money was sent to Dong-hee for the attack.
Elsewhere, Philip delves deeper into the case of Sun-mi and her exploitative workplace. He discovers that Doo Dong-seok, the lawyer, was suspended and lied to the gym's management. He then meets with Sun-mi and her colleagues and concocts a plan to expose Dong-seok's misconduct.
In the hospital, Yeo-kyung fusses over Chul as he recovers. Shin arrives and shares with Chul the other two dates when Dong-hee was paid - December and November 2009 respectively. Chul remembers that two victims, Han Ji-young and Lee Han-jun, died in those days in accidents. But Dong-hee was seen around both of them on the day of their death.
Back at the chicken shop, Philip lays out his master plan to expose Dong-seok's wrongdoings to the gym's CEO, Charles Hong. That evening, Philip spies on Shin talking to CEO Kim. Shin reveals that he had Kim's people steal the gym machines before Dong-seok could remove them. Shin suggests selling them and using the money to pay the employees. But he leaves the final decision to Philip, who wrestles with the moral dilemma of technically stealing.
The next day, Shin and Si-on meet Charles Hong at the airport and tell him about Dong-seok's doings. Charles Hong reveals that there was never a Bali branch and Dong-seok was lying to the employees. Meanwhile, Philip threatens to expose Dong-seok and ruin his social standing and his family's reputation. Ultimately, Dong-seok turns himself in and even pays the employees back. Charles gets into a scuffle with him at the police station and then formally sues him.
The team then helps the gym trainers gather signatures from the public and proposes an ordinance to protect freelancers and gig workers from being exploited. Philip reveals that he gained legal ownership of the gym machines from Dong-seok and sold them, using the money to assist Sun-mi and her colleagues in their quest for justice.
Shin then pays a visit to Madame Joo, whose brow furrows with concern as she tries to reach her daughter Ji-woo by phone but to no avail. However, soon after, Ji-woo calls back, apologizing that her phone battery had given out. Shin is relieved, but as he and Manager Bae continue their journey, they catch a glimpse of Yong-woo spying on them from downstairs. Upon interrogation, they discover that Yong-woo is after Ji-woo's beloved teddy bear, which apparently contains some crucial information he plans to use as leverage in a blackmail scheme.
After sending Yong-woo on his way, we see that Ji-woo and her friend Estelle have traveled to Korea for a concert. Ji-woo is planning a surprise for her mother afterward. That evening, Shin embarks on a delivery run, but Philip, concerned for his well-being, follows him all the way to the hospital.
Inside the hospital, Heo-jun (who has just resigned from his post) hands over Chul Dong-hee's medical records. As he is leaving, Heo-jun crosses paths with Shin and reveals that he actually met Dong-hee before, 20 years ago at a juvenile detention center. He then extends his support to Shin, should he ever need it, and departs.
As Heo-jun walks away, we see Yong-woo messaging him, requesting that he keep the money ready. Yong-woo inquires if he has the evidence - he's the target of Yong-woo's blackmail! And he's in cahoots with Yun Dong-hee as well!
