Episode 3 of "Unmasked" resumes following the chaotic aftermath of religious fanatics' smoke bomb attack on Trigger's office. Amidst the confusion, a distressing news breaks: a seven-year-old boy named Min-geun has vanished without a trace. So-ryong's heart sinks as she watches her boyfriend, Jin-woo, board a van alongside fellow KNS press members, seemingly oblivious to the unfolding drama.
Meanwhile, Detective Yu leads a police squad to the residence of Sun Jun-yeong, a young male student whose connection to the missing child becomes apparent. Jun-yeong's mother tries in vain to halt their progress, but the officers, spying Min-geun's shoes in the hallway, push past her. Jun-yeong is notably absent, but beneath the carpet in his bedroom, they discover alarming bloodstains, hinting at a darker truth.
The narrative then shifts to Yoon Nam-gi, the elderly garbage seller from earlier scenes. He awakens to an unsettling sight: Jun-yeong staring at him intently. Inside a small black bag carried by Jun-yeong, Nam-gi stumbles upon a macabre discovery—a pair of human eyes. Instinctively grabbing for a knife, Nam-gi finds himself in a desperate struggle with the youngster.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Detective Yu reaches out to Oh So-ryong for assistance, recognizing her team's familiarity with the case. Without hesitation, So-ryong, accompanied by Han Do and Gi-ho, race to Nam-gi's residence, only to arrive to find it engulfed in flames. Firefighters battle the blaze and manage to rescue Jun-yeong, rushing him to an ambulance. Moments later, the old man is discovered, charred and barely clinging to life, a sight so disturbing that it triggers a haunting vision in Han Do—a younger version of himself with a bleeding pinkie—before he collapses unconscious.
At the hospital, the doctor reassures So-ryong and Gi-ho that Han Do will recover. However, the news of Nam-gi's passing casts a heavy pall over them. So-ryong learns that authorities lack sufficient evidence to detain Jun-yeong, sparking her determination to investigate further. As she steps out, she encounters Jin-woo, who seeks information on the case. Despite their shared workplace, she refuses, caught between duty and loyalty.
This episode of "Unmasked" paints a vivid picture of a world where the lines between truth and deception blur, propelling the characters into a web of intrigue and danger. In the sterile environment of the hospital, Han Do slowly regains consciousness and, to his astonishment, overhears a hushed conversation among the hospital staff regarding his case. Seizing an opportunity, a sympathetic nurse assists Han Do in evading security's watchful eyes and stealthily guides him into the VIP room where As Han Do slips away, just as the police guards return to their posts, one detective gives chase, ultimately securing a promise from Han Do that Trigger will tell their story.
Elsewhere, So-ryong ventures to the dilapidated home of the old man. She had planted a hidden camera within its walls, intending to retrieve it as evidence. Tragedy strikes as she discovers the fire has rendered the device useless. Fortunately, Detective Yu arrives on the scene, and they decide to pool their resources, consulting a specialist with the expertise to salvage the damaged footage.
Back at the hospital, Jun-yeong's legal representatives address the cameras, vigorously defending the young offender. Han Do, ill-advisedly, rises to challenge them, stirring a chaotic scene. So-ryong's arrival is timed perfectly; she reprimands Han Do, urging him to focus on his role. Sensing Han Do's search for reassurance amidst such despair, So-ryong imparts a profound truth: hope does not reside in external circumstances but within one's own heart.The specialist successfully retrieves the camera footage, and the Trigger team, alongside the police, meticulously scrutinize the heated altercation between Jun-yeong and Nam-gi. Subsequently, So-ryong inquiries about Cho Hae-won's travel records from Detective Yu, but he responds with a definite no, stating that no individual bearing that name has crossed South Korea's borders in recent days.
Following this revelation, Gi-ho reveals that he has established contact with Min-geun's father, who has granted permission for an interview. Han Do, realizing that Min-geun's mother is the same person he had a contentious encounter with on the street, attempts to avoid participating in the interview. However, his colleagues insist that he contributes to the team's efforts.
The team proceeds to Min-geun's residence. Despite Han Do's attempts to conceal his identity, Min-geun's mother immediately recognizes him and summarily ejects both him and Gi-ho from her home. Before departing, a neighboring resident appears poised to share something with Han Do but abruptly changes course.
Gi-ho and Han Do relay the disappointing news to their Trigger team counterparts. The team is enraged, but Han Do manages to calm them by unveiling the video footage he captured of Jun-yeong. He also mentions the encounter with the neighbor, prompting a brief flashback. The neighbor confides in Han Do, revealing that four years ago, Jun-yeong's younger brother passed away in a bathtub, and whispers speculate that Jun-yeong was the perpetrator.
Han Do and Gi-ho delve deeper into the investigation by interviewing the deceased boy's nanny. She recounts the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and how Jun-yeong's mother coerced her into silence regarding the incident with the police. Although hesitant to speak on record, Han Do persuades her to assist in bringing Jun-yeong to justice.
With renewed vigor, Gi-ho and Han Do work tirelessly on filming and editing the Trigger episode. Meanwhile, the team uncovers the shocking revelation that Nam-gi had been safeguarding the little boy's eyes from the flames, clutching them tightly in his hands.
The episode premieres, and Detective Yu finally apprehends Jun-yeong. As they escort him out of the hospital, So-ryong captures the entire scene on camera, ensuring that justice is not only served but also documented.
When Jun-yeong's mother engages in a heated argument with him, So-ryong chillingly recounts the tale of a notorious serial killer who made headlines for murdering his own mother. The gruesome details send shivers down the woman's spine, prompting her to insist on riding in a separate vehicle from her son.
Back at the office, Chief Park Dae-young, in celebration of their latest episode's success, hands Gi-ho the company card with a proud smile. Subsequently, he approaches Hong Na-hee, requesting the keys to the archives. Unbeknownst to him, she ponders whether he is aware of her secret application to transfer to the soap opera department as a writer.
Elsewhere, Han Do visits a funeral parlor and arranges for Nam-gi's final rites with a heavy heart. Seated in the solemn funeral hall, he finds solace in sketching. Upon So-ryong's arrival, she discovers drawings of Nam-gi, Min-geun, and their beloved cats, each stroke capturing a moment of their shared past. She swiftly texts Han Do, inquiring if he has found the peace he so desperately sought. Meanwhile, Han Do decides to embark on a change, visiting a barber and requesting a new, distinctive hairstyle.
Back in the office, Park Dae-young frantically rummages through the archives, searching for something vital. So-ryong enters her office, her eyes catching a piece of paper on her desk that reveals Han Do has withdrawn the police complaint against her. With a mixture of relief and curiosity, she retrieves a box containing an old flip phone and a faded photograph. Just as Unmasked Episode 3 concludes, her phone buzzes with a new notification from Dr. Trigger—a chilling post featuring a compromising image, a naked So-ryong asleep and unaware, exposing her vulnerability to the world.
