Episode 1 of "The Witch" unfolds in the glitz and glamour of a casino, where we are introduced to Lee Dong-jin, a data miner whose expertise lies in extracting insights to maximize corporate profits. During his captivating presentation, Dong-jin elucidates how pinpointing a customer's pain points—particularly after an adverse experience that might deter them from revisiting—can be instrumental in retaining their loyalty through complementary services. The chairman of the casino is visibly impressed by Dong-jin's profound insights.
Upon exiting the casino, Dong-jin is startled to find his car vandalized. This incidence hints at a possible grudge harbored against him, yet he steadfastly maintains at the police station that he harbors no enemies.
Later, we delve deeper into Dong-jin's life, revealing that he lacks a robust circle of friends. His sole confidant, Kim Jung-hyeok, a detective, is unable to keep their scheduled meetup due to a pressing case. Left to his own devices, Dong-jin dines alone, savoring the solitude tinged with a hint of loneliness.
As he makes his way home, fate intervenes in an unexpected twist when he crosses paths with Park Mi-jeong, a woman who has captivated his fancy since their high school days. A nostalgic flashback transports us to Mi-jeong's isolated past—a lone figure at school, inexplicably linked to the eerie demise of male students. Whether by the whims of lightning, electrical mishaps, or other macabre coincidences, death seemed to trail in her wake. Compelled to maintain her silence, she exuded an unsettling aura that set her apart from her peers.
Each time a tragedy struck, Mi-jeong submerged herself in self-blame, becoming progressively more reclusive as her peers, unaware of her inner turmoil, only deepened their estrangement. Dong-jin, who had always been captivated by her enigmatic presence, found himself repeatedly denied the chance to engage in conversation with her.
In the present moment, Dong-jin observes as a man pours his heart out, confessing his love to Mi-jeong. As expected, she gently but firmly declines his affections, haunted by a fear for his well-being. Intrigued by her continued rejection, Dong-jin, driven by impulse, trails her to her neighborhood, where he overhears her confiding in the stillness of the night about a life enveloped by relentless self-recrimination and a yearning to be left undisturbed—a fear that her very presence might bring harm to those near her.
Returning to his abode, Dong-jin is met with the startling news that the very man who had professed his love to Mi-jeong had collapsed soon after she departed. Later, in a conversation with Jung-hyeok, Dong-jin ponders the possibility of breaking certain omnipresent laws, akin to the infamous Murphy’s Law. The episode concludes with Dong-jin posing a haunting question, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of dread, "Do you believe in the existence of a witch?"
