The premiere episode of "Unmasked" kicks off with a dramatic scene where a young, amorous couple seeks privacy in a public bathroom for their intimate encounter, only to stumble upon a gruesome sight—a dead body contorted in one of the stalls. The narrative abruptly transitions to a religious sect known as Haven of Trust, where members of Trigger, an investigative KNS news program that exposes societal falsehoods, stand poised with cameras at the compound's gate. On the opposing side, a pastor brandishes a firearm, ordering them to vacate the premises.
Oh So-ryong, the indomitable leader of the Trigger team, accusations fly thick and fast, accusing the pastor of harboring a disabled boy whom he subsequently injected with a mysterious substance called Halloween, ultimately resulting in his untimely demise. The authorities have brushed it off as a mere accident, while Haven of Trust expeditiously cremated the deceased's body, thwarting any potential autopsy. Yet, lacking concrete evidence, Trigger's accusations ring hollow, and soon, chaos reigns as the police intervene.
Among the turmoil, Sang-mok, one of So-ryong's loyal comrades, succumbs to a panic attack and is whisked away to the hospital. There, he voices his weariness, fed up with So-ryong's relentless push that often places them in perilous situations, announcing his intent to resign.
Elsewhere, Gi-ho, another Trigger team member, alerts So-ryong to a shadowy article circulating on the internet. Penned under the moniker "Dr. Trigger," the piece alleges that a member of their team is entangled in an extramarital affair. The public's perception, according to Gi-ho, fingers Sang-mok as the culprit.
So-ryong hastily makes her way to their office, confronting her boss, Park Dae-young, about the precarious case against Haven of Trust. In a twist, he reveals that they are about to welcome a new recruit—Han Do, a former soap opera department employee under the supervision of Mr. Jang, an individual So-ryong holds in disdain.
We witness the arrival of Han Do, a man whose attire is a patchwork of worn-out fabrics, stepping into the office. He had submitted a request for a transfer to a program titled "Animal Paradise," yet ironically, he finds himself assigned to "Trigger" instead. Meanwhile, So-ryong is taken aback by the realization that their office in the novel building has been relegated to the bowels of the basement. Despite this revelation, her resolve remains unshaken.
Elsewhere, Gi-ho and his associate are keeping a discreet watch on the Haven of Trust, observing tour buses streaming in like ants to a picnic. They relay this information to So-ryong, who springs into action, attaching herself to Han Do with handcuffs, determined to infiltrate the premises solo with him as her unwitting accomplice. Facing the impregnable gates of the Haven of Trust, she opts for an unconventional approach—parasailing directly into the compound.
Back at the office, Ji-yun, a sprightly young staffer, whispers to Hong Na-hee, the team's seasoned head writer, about a gossip she's picked up regarding Han Do. It seems he was booted out of the drama team for an inelegant incident involving Mr. Jang—apparently, Han Do had relieved himself where he shouldn't.
In the meantime, Han Do and So-ryong stumble upon a greenhouse that thrives with a carpet of red poppy flowers. At its heart, a disheveled and drugged man is shackled to a post. So-ryong issues Han Do with a mission: to stay put with the man and ensure his safe extraction. She bestows upon him one of the crimson blooms, charging him to guard it with his life.
She scours the remainder of the complex, encountering more individuals imprisoned within. Undeterred, Han Do opts to seek out the exit rather than remain idle. Along his journey, he is suddenly assaulted by a female inmate. Meanwhile, So-ryong stumbles upon a hall crammed with individuals clad in identical, prison-like attire, all bowing in reverence to the pastor's wife. The wife lambasts a young girl for dozing off while manning crypto mining rigs that benefit the Haven of Trust. Her tirade escalates into a violent attack on the girl's mother.
Horrified, So-ryong stumbles, drawing unwanted attention to herself. The pastor's wife immediately launches a relentless assault on her, prompting the religious followers to give chase. In a panic, So-ryong flees, eventually reuniting with Han Do. Together, they manage to reach the gateway just as Gi-ho and his partner await outside. In a desperate bid to relay information, So-ryong hurls her camera towards them. At the precise moment the pastor's wife aims a gun at her, the police arrive on the scene.
However, at the police station, the detective remains skeptical of So-ryong's narrative. He even confesses that the pastor and his wife have connections with the prosecutor. Unbeknownst to him, So-ryong has surreptitiously recorded his admission using a camera pen. Just as things seem bleak, Han Do enters and springs another surprise by lodging a police complaint against her. He further claims not to possess the red flower, tossing it out of the taxi window as they head home.
Later, Han Do confronts KNS General Manager Son Hui-won, demanding an explanation for his reassignment away from the animal department. He hands over a flash drive containing irrefutable evidence of Jang Ha-kui's verbal and physical abuse. Yet, Hui-won appears unmoved. Casually, he reveals that Jang Ha-kui and Oh So-ryong once shared a romantic past and suggests that Han Do view his tenure at Trigger as a stepping stone towards revenge.
Back at the police station, So-ryong persuades the detective with renewed vigor, reassuring him that this time, he would indeed secure his warrant. He, swayed by her conviction, agrees to detain the pastor and his wife for a period of 48 hours, granting So-ryong the window she needs to broadcast her episode.
In the office, the team is immersed in the frenetic preparations for the upcoming episode. So-ryong bursts in, eager to lend her hand, but an uneasy hush descends upon their surroundings as Han Do enters. So-ryong chastises him for failing to heed her advice, while he counters by accusing her of jeopardizing their lives and clinging to outdated methods. She retaliates by revealing that she had personally secured a sample of the flower, with Han Do merely serving as a contingency plan. The argument is temporarily shelved as they prioritize completing the episode.
Later, Han Do attends a counseling session but abruptly exits without uttering a word, a pattern evident in his counselor's records since the commencement of his therapy. As "The Trigger" episode goes live, the police swoop in to arrest the pastor and his wife. So-ryong presents compelling footage captured by a drone, undeniably proving the existence of the poppy labs. It transpires that she had taken Han Do's advice to heart and embraced modern investigative techniques.
On her way home, So-ryong notices that Dr. Trigger has posted a new entry, shocking his audience by disclosing that they had mistakenly targeted an innocent individual. He unveils a video depicting a real instance of infidelity within the Trigger team—a woman adorned with a sparkling diamond ring engaging in intimate relations with a man, their faces obscured from view. The cliffhanger of "Unmasked Episode 1" finds So-ryong retrieving a box from her drawer in the new office, trying on a diamond ring with a hint of intrigue.
