Wanted: Episode 14

by TeriYaki

The man who has nothing to lose comes face to face with the man who will do anything to protect what he has. Only one man can triumph in the end. Not knowing who they can trust, the small circle formed by the production and police teams comes together to finish what they started—a show meant to reunite a young boy with his mother.

 
EPISODE 14 RECAP

Dong-wook is shocked to find Joon-gu sitting in his apartment. Joon-gu tells Dong-wook that he didn’t expect him to return until after the show was finished. Dong-wook wonders how Joon-gu knew his entry code. Joon-gu replies, “You’re pretty simple with these things. I tried your birthday and it worked.”

Dong-wook can’t understand why Joon-gu never told him about his wife or how the station shut him down. He wants to know why Joon-gu never asked him for help before doing something so extreme.

Dong-wook asks Joon-gu if he was really responsible for all the deaths linked to the show. Joon-gu answers with a simple “Yes,” forcing Dong-wook to take a steadying breath. He asks why Joon-gu is there, and he answers that he thought that Dong-wook would want to see how the show concludes. It was his reason for pulling Dong-wook onto the team.

Dong-wook urges Joon-gu to turn himself in and hand over Hyun-woo. Joon-gu insists that he must finish the show, and Dong-wook promises to do whatever Joon-gu wants. Joon-gu calmly answers, “Do you know what I learned over and over these last eight years? I was so naive. Even if I had made the show back then… nothing would have changed.”

Joon-gu stands up and hands Dong-wook a video tape. He asks Dong-wook to make sure to use it should he finish the show. Dong-wook watches the footage alone, moved by what he sees.

Hye-in calls Mi-ok, who confesses that Lee Ji-eun was taken by SG Group. Mi-ok explains that because Seung-in was detained, Young-gwan came to their aid, but ended up seriously injured. She makes it clear to Hye-in that the inquiry by Internal Affairs and the attack on Young-gwan means SG Group has targeted Seung-in.

Hye-in tells Mi-ok that Joon-gu called her to ask for Lee Ji-eun. She shared her fears with Joon-gu about what could happen to Hyun-woo if SG found them first. Standing in Dong-wook’s apartment, Joon-gu had responded, “Saying that to me won’t change anything. I wouldn’t have started this to begin with if that mattered. If you want to get Hyun-woo back, proceed with the show like you have been up until now. Also, about Lee Ji-eun…Bring her to Ohseok Terminal at midnight. That way… you will get proof that Hyun-woo is alive.”

Mi-ok apologizes for not keeping Ji-eun safe. She informs Hye-in that she will remain at the hospital until Young-gwan’s family arrives. Mi-ok admits she can’t trust the police, unsure who is connected to SG Group.

Ham Tae-seok sits across from a restrained Lee Ji-eun and asks for Hyun-woo’s location. She tells him that she doesn’t know. Ham Tae-seok points out that she must know where Hyun-woo is supposed to end up.

Reminding her that he’s a busy man, Ham Tae-seok gives a nod to one of the men standing guard. He proceeds to hit Ji-eun across the face, causing her nose to bleed. Ham Tae-seok stands up and wipes the blood from Ji-eun’s face. He encourages her to talk while he is there, because he can’t be sure what his men will do once he leaves.

Amid protests, Seung-in bursts into Ham Tae-seok’s office at SG Life. Seung-in orders his secretary to call Ham Tae-seok right away and tell him that Detective Cha Seung-in is waiting for him. Someone from security moves towards Seung-in, and the man ends up face down on Ham Tae-seok’s desk. That gets the secretary to call her boss. Seung-in notes the time of the call.

Ham Tae-seok wipes the blood from his hands as he speaks to his secretary, promising that he will return right away. Seung-in checks the time as Ham Tae-seok enters his office, and sees that ten minutes have passed. Seung-in shakes Ham Tae-seok’s offered hand and notices a bloodstain on his shirt cuff. Seung-in asks Ham Tae-seok where Lee Ji-eun is. He pretends not to know, and Seung-in explains that he is checking all possibilities before leaving.

Seung-in pauses at Ham Tae-seok’s car and feels the hood for warmth. On the phone with Captain Jung, Seung-in asks him to find any location within a ten minute drive from SG Life where someone could be confined. Seung-in details a place with good soundproofing, or one apart from other buildings. He evades Captain Jung’s questions, promising to explain himself later.

Writer Yeon calls her mother to ask about her daughter, JUNG-EUN. Writer Yeon tells her mother not to use the humidifier or the air purifier disinfectant, saying she heard they weren’t good. After she hangs up, Bo-yeon enters the room to announce that the latest mission has arrived.

The production team reviews the mission: “No matter what happens, do not stop the show.” Hye-in observes that Joon-gu knows that neither she nor Dong-wook would stop the show as long as he has Hyun-woo. Writer Yeon realizes that Joon-gu is planning something big that shouldn’t be aired.

Dong-wook knows that Joon-gu plans to control the show as it airs. Hye-in notes the only way the team can prepare for the show is to figure out what Joon-gu has planned. Dong-wook asks the team what they think the ninth and tenth missions would have been.

Mi-ok returns to UCN and runs into Detective Park and Dong-joon. They ask about Young-gwan and wonder what Seung-in is up to with his partner so seriously injured. Detective Park tells Mi-ok to let him know if Seung-in needs help. Both Mi-ok and Dong-joon look visibly surprised as Detective Park walks away.

Mi-ok rejoins the production team, and asks if the mission has arrived after assuring them that she is okay. Mi-ok explains that she has noticed a pattern in the missions. Joon-gu has been accomplishing two goals simultaneously: First, he used the victims and perpetrators of the air purifier product to tell his story, then he punished the perpetrators.

Dong-wook knows that Joon-gu would save the most important revelation for the last episode. Mi-ok notes that Joon-gu’s method is to get his targets to admit their crimes so they can be punished. Hye-in explains that Ham Tae-seok was in charge of SG Chemical seven years ago. Mi-ok states that his product caused the deaths of many people, and that he had others killed to cover that up.

Mi-ok predicts that the ninth mission was meant to reveal Ham Tae-seok’s crimes while the tenth mission would deal with his punishment. Dong-wook emphasizes that this mission is to proceed with the show, not to get Ham Tae-seok to appear. Bo-yeon thinks that Hye-in may have been right about Joon-gu’s intent to kill Ham Tae-seok, and that he may plan to do so on the air.

Detective Park sees Reporter Jang enter Jung-ho’s empty office. Plopping onto the couch, Reporter Jang calls Jung-ho and tells him that he met with Joon-gu’s mother-in-law. He whispers quite loudly that she has Hyun-woo, and that they are meeting Joon-gu at a park at 7:00 p.m. Reporter Jang tells Jung-ho that he thinks it would look good if he made an appearance at the same time.

Reporter Jang exits the office and wonders what Joon-gu is up to as he recalls his request for a favor. Joon-gu had asked Reporter Jang to go into Jung-ho’s office when he was away and pretend to talk to him on the phone. Joon-gu told him exactly what to say and cautioned him that no one could find out about the favor. Suspicious, Detective Park stops Reporter Jang and asks him to answer some questions.

Manager Kwon is eating ramen in a convenience store when video from Jung-ho’s office appears on his phone. After hearing the recorded conversation, he jumps up and runs off. He arrives at the park that Reporter Jang mentioned when Joon-gu approaches him.

Back at UCN, Writer Yeon grabs a video camera, telling Dong-wook that she is going to properly interview the woman who needed oxygen, HAN JI-YEON. Explaining that she understands Joon-gu’s desperation, Writer Yeon plans to use the interview as a preview for the show. Her hope is that Joon-gu may have a change of heart if he sees their efforts to expose the dangerous product. Bo-yeon joins Writer Yeon.

As Bo-yeon records the interview, Han Ji-yeon expresses her regret about her daughter. Han Ji-yeon wanted to help her daughter to be healthy and is convinced she is responsible for her death. Han Ji-yeon then explains how she has suffered with the same illness, and expresses her guilt over her chance to live thanks to a lung donor.

Seung-in checks out the locations where Ji-eun could be hidden. He comes across an empty building undergoing construction. Seeing the address on his list, he goes in to investigate.

Seung-in enters a hallway and detects a chemical scent that he noticed earlier when he was with Ham Tae-seok. He draws his gun and approaches a door at the end of the hall. He enters and finds two men guarding Ji-eun. The men attack Seung-in, but he overpowers them and carries Ji-eun to safety. Seung-in drives away as Ji-eun sleeps in the back seat.

Mi-ok meets with Hye-in to discuss her part in Joon-gu’s plan. Mi-ok notes that everyone on the show has either been a victim or a perpetrator connected to the events seven years earlier except for Hye-in. Her only connection is through her late husband, making her look like a victim. However, Hyun-woo’s kidnapping appears to be a punishment.

Hye-in recalls the fourth mission, which was a response to her request to expose her crime. The mission was to discover how Ham Tae-young died, but she was never told she wasn’t guilty of a crime. Mi-ok ask Hye-in if she is hiding anything about that incident, but Hye-in insists there is nothing.

Mi-ok tells Hye-in that they need to determine why Joon-gu targeted her. Mi-ok urges Hye-in to think carefully, because it could help them to reason with Joon-gu during the show.

While having dinner with an important politician, Ham Tae-seok excuses himself to use the restroom, posting two bodyguards outside. As they wait, Manager Kwon exits the bathroom pushing a utility cart, disguised as a housekeeping employee. He then drives away with an unconscious Ham Tae-seok in the back seat.

Manager Kwon recalls his meeting with Joon-go at the park. He demanded to know how Joon-gu could take Hyun-woo from Hye-in. Joon-gu promised that Manager Kwon could be the one to return Hyun-woo to his mother.

Joon-gu then accused Manager Kwon of also hurting Hye-in. He revealed that he learned about her retirement plans and other details from the hidden camera footage Manager Kwon sold online to her stalkers. Park Se-young bought one of those videos, which is how Joon-gu learned about the hidden cameras.

Joon-gu insisted that Manager Kwon shared responsibility for Hyun-woo’s kidnapping, then offered him a way to make up for his betrayal. He informed Manager Kwon that Ham Tae-seok was meeting a congressman for dinner. Joon-gu wanted Manager Kwon to kidnap Ham Tae-seok during that dinner. Joon-gu promised to tell Manager Kwon where Hyun-woo was after the episode aired that night.

In the present, a bodyguard goes inside to check on Ham Tae-seok, but then runs out and announces that he’s missing. We see him inside of a locked industrial building, trying to open the doors.

Wanted begins as video of Ham Tae-seok is seen on the screen behind Hye-in. The mission is given: “Keep the show on the air no matter what.” Hye-in explains that the video is coming from an unknown location, and shows someone locked inside a walk-in refrigerator. Hye-in poses the questions, “Who, exactly, is this person? And why has the kidnapper locked him up?”

In the control room, Dong-wook orders that the video’s audio be turned on. A voice can be heard instructing Ham Tae-seok to use the provided remote control to turn on the monitor in the room. He does as instructed, and Hye-in appears on screen. Ham Tae-seok sits in the provided chair, which has a video camera directed towards it.

Meanwhile, Reporter Jang’s informant in the control room wonders what Hye-in must be feeling as she is forced to work with her husband’s murderer and her son’s kidnapper at the same time.

Hye-in asks Ham Tae-seok to provide the details of his kidnapping to assist the police’s search for him. He briefs her on the location and time of his abduction, but doesn’t know much more. Bo-yeon, Mi-ok, and Seung-in watch the show from the Wanted meeting room.

Bo-yeon tries to find Ham Tae-seok by searching for Joon-gu’s server, but it will take too long. Mi-ok doesn’t think Joon-gu or Hyun-woo are necessarily at the refrigeration unit. Seung-in instructs Bo-yeon to focus her search on Hyun-woo or Joon-gu.

Hye-in informs the viewers that the kidnapped man in the video is the president of SG Life, Ham Tae-seok. The voice that instructed him to turn on the monitor belongs to Hyun-woo’s kidnapper. Joon-gu’s voice is heard again as he announces that it is time for Ham Tae-seok to tell the truth. Joon-gu invites Hye-in to ask Ham Tae-seok anything she might be curious about.

Hye-in looks at the teleprompter and then asks Ham Tae-seok why the kidnapper brought him to that location. Dong-wook speaks into Hye-in’s microphone and prompts her, “What do you really want to ask Ham Tae-seok?”

Hye-in pauses, and then recalls that the previous episode revealed that SG Group hired Jo Nam-cheol to kill Ham Tae-young. She reviews the theory that Na Jae-hyun was killed after meeting with Ham Tae-young. Na Jae-hyun was investigating the cause of his sister’s death and believed it was linked to the humidifier disinfectant produced by SG Chemical.

Hye-in reveals documents that detail Na Jae-hyun’s communication to Ham Tae-young regarding the product. Another document proves that Ham Tae-young intended to conduct a proper investigation and compensate the injured parties. Hye-in announces that she has a question for Ham Tae-seok, “At that time, you were the president of SG Chemical. Did you have Ham Tae-young murdered to cover up what your company did?”

Ham Tae-seok responds, “Are you saying that I… would kill my little brother over the company’s profit? How could I do that to my Tae-young?” Ham Tae-seok cries on camera over Hye-in’s question. Writer Yeon declares that it won’t be easy to get a confession from him with the way things are going.

Detective Park enters the Wanted meeting room to share his suspicion about Reporter Jang’s use of Jung-ho’s empty office. Mi-ok is certain that Na Soo-hyun and Lee Ji-eun were Joon-gu’s only accomplices. Seung-in reasons that Joon-gu could have kidnapped Ham Tae-seok himself, and somehow used Reporter Jang to accomplish his plan.

Bo-yeon suddenly recalls reviewing audio files from Jung-ho’s office. Seung-in informs Detective Park that there was a hidden camera placed in Jung-ho’s office by Manager Kwon. Seung-in believes that if Hye-in can get through to Manager Kwon, she can find out what Reporter Jang was up to in Jung-ho’s office.

Hye-in asks Ham Tae-seok about the previous episode’s revelation that the kidnapper’s accomplice, Na Soo-hyun, was killed by SG Group. His sister, Na Young-hyun, was a victim of SG’s humidifier disinfectant and her brother, Na Jae-hyun, was killed seven years ago when he tried to expose that connection. Hye-in asks if it’s true that all three siblings were killed because of SG Chemical.

Ham Tae-seok accuses Hye-in of bringing up serious accusations while her child is being used by the kidnapper, a man guilty of killing several people over the past week. Ham Tae-seok announces that Wanted’s executive director, Choi Joon-gu, is the kidnapper. Ham Tae-seok then declares he is worried about the adverse effects of the show on society. He asks if there is a chance that there is another accomplice on the broadcast team.

Hye-in apologizes to the audience for not identifying the kidnapper sooner. Dong-wook advises Hye-in to apologize and regain control of the show. She confesses her shock over finding out the kidnapper’s identity to the viewers. Hye-in assures the audience that her appearance on the show is strictly out of concern for Hyun-woo’s safety.

Seung-in runs into the control room, saying he needs to speak to Hye-in. He takes the microphone to inform her that Reporter Jang helped Joon-gu by going into Jung-ho’s office. Seung-in thinks Reporter Jang was filmed on Manager Kwon’s hidden camera, and asks if Hye-in can get that information from Manager Kwon. Hye-in runs to retrieve her phone.

Dong-wook gives Hye-in five minutes as Writer Yeon prepares to air highlights of the previous episodes. Hye-in texts Manager Kwon, telling him he has important evidence that will lead her to Hyun-woo. Manager Kwon is watching the show from a video cafe when he gets the text. He answers that he doesn’t trust Hye-in anymore, but then confesses that he did something very dangerous for her. He reminds Hye-in that he promised to find Hyun-woo, and says he will be keeping that promise tonight.

Hye-in texts Manager Kwon that Joon-gu only promised to give proof that Hyun-woo was alive after that day’s show. Joon-gu’s plan was to keep Hyun-woo until after the final show the next day. Hye-in urges Manager Kwon to tell her where she can find Joon-gu. Aware that Hyun-woo is in danger, Hye-in says she needs to find her son right away.

Hye-in is out of time, and Dong-wook tells her to get ready to go on the air with a counterattack. Hye-in goes back on the air and returns to the first question she asked Ham Tae-seok: “Why would the kidnapper kidnap and confine you and then demand that you tell the truth on live TV?”

Ham Tae-seok declares himself a victim, and Hye-in shares that victims ask themselves, “Why did this happen to me?” Hye-in emphasizes that the show has been structured around issues related to SG’s products. As the president of SG Chemical at the time, Hye-in asks if Ham Tae-seok will admit that there was a problem with the product.

Ham Tae-seok claims that the product follows all standards and is safe to use. Joon-gu’s voice is heard as vapor begins to pour out of a hose. He explains that he is releasing SG’s product into the air in a stronger concentration than the one used in a humidifier. Joon-gu promises to stop if Ham Tae-seok admits to the product’s problem.

On-air, Hye-in begs Joon-gu to stop. Writer Yeon asks Dong-wook if he thinks the vapor is real. He answers that it is the perfect way to prove if the product is hazardous, and to punish Ham Tae-seok.

Mi-ok watches the show and tells Seung-in that she now thinks Joon-gu is with Ham Tae-seok. She is convinced that Joon-gu intends to kill Ham Tae-seok before killing himself. We then see that Joon-gu is actually on the other side of Ham Tae-seok’s locked door.

Ham Tae-seok speaks directly to Joon-gu, promising to investigate the product. He begs Joon-gu to let Hyun-woo go. Just then, Hye-in gets a text from Manager Kwon with an address. She holds up her phone and Dong-wook instructs her to go. Writer Yeon calls Seung-in to tell him that Manager Kwon contacted Hye-in.

Jung-ho enters the control room accompanied by uniformed officers and demands that the show stop airing immediately. Dong-wook goes into the adjoining control room, barricades the doors, and asks the crew to let him finish the episode.

Ham Tae-seok tells Joon-gu that he knows he has large debts. He suggests that Joon-gu exploited his family’s deaths for money, and then offers his personal help.

Enraged by Ham Tae-seok’s words, Joon-gu picks up a knife and enters the room. At the same time, Seung-in drives Hye-in and Mi-ok to the address Manager Kwon texted to Hye-in.

Dong-wook continues the broadcast from the commandeered control room as footage airs of Joon-gu and Ham Tae-seok fighting. The police pound on the door and Dong-wook is told that he will be fired, but he instructs the crew to keep broadcasting—he’ll take responsibility.

Seung-in enters the freezer with his gun drawn. Joon-gu stands while a bloody Ham Tae-seok lies on the floor. Mi-ok and Hye-in enter the freezer and look in shock at the scene. Turning, Joon-gu stares at Hye-in as blood seeps out of his side.

He falls to the ground, and Seung-in sees that Joon-gu’s hands are empty. Ham Tae-seok rolls over and stands up, holding a bloody knife. Seung-in orders Ham Tae-seok to put the knife down, and it falls from his hand. Ham Tae-seok looks down at Joon-gu as tiny cries escape from Hye-in.

 
COMMENTS

That ending had me guessing until the very last second. It was tightly written, and the twist as to which of the men was injured, Joon-gu or Ham Tae-seok, caught me by surprise. At this point of the story when threads are being brought together, watching a cliffhanger like that is pretty thrilling. This drama is doing a good job of maintaining the story’s tension as it heads into its final week. It looks as if this story may surprise until the very end.

Not only was the ending of the episode noteworthy, but so was the opening scene between Dong-wook and Joon-gu. It was a touching scene, but not without a bit of humor. Joon-gu’s comment about Dong-wook’s entry code was both funny and insightful. Obviously, the two men know each other well enough that Joon-gu could figure out his friend’s obvious code, but not well enough for Dong-wook to know about Joon-gu’s heartache. Dong-wook ran the gamut from angry, desperate, horrified, concerned, and sad all in that one scene. When Joon-gu handed that tape to Dong-wook, I was acutely aware that it might be the last time they would ever see one another, and the moment was particularly poignant. It was beautifully acted, and I’m sure that I’ll watch it again.

The anger and grief over Joon-gu has been balanced by the tighter bonds that have formed within the production and police teams. Writer Yeon can actually comprehend how Joon-gu was driven to such desperate measures as her own daughter suffers from health issues. The deaths of Joon-gu’s wife and baby must feel too close for comfort in her mind. As Joon-gu loses his grip on reality, Dong-wook’s ability to hone in on his job could mean the difference between life and death for Hyun-woo, and the team suddenly seems to have more respect for him.

Realizing how far the corrupt arm of SG Group reaches into the police department has resulted in Detective Park acting more like a team member than an adversary. His willingness to share his suspicion regarding Reporter Jang may have a significant effect on the case, something he probably wouldn’t have done a few days earlier. Detective Park’s willingness to play nicer has even surprised his partner, Dong-joon. Seung-in continues to protect his colleagues from any negative fallout by keeping certain information to himself, but is certainly the glue that helps keep the team together. At this point, mutual respect is what they need to survive the considerable obstacles in their way.

As we near the end, we are confronted with the desperation of a man who has lost everything. With nothing more to lose, Joon-gu has set out destroy the man who he believes is responsible for the deaths of his wife, unborn baby, and countless other victims. His opponent, Ham Tae-seok, has money, power, prestige, and an army of morally bankrupt supporters. His ruthlessness enabled him to eliminate his own brother. Both men are corrupt in very different ways. The main difference between them is that Joon-gu was once an idealistic and principled man, whereas Ham Tae-seok was born into his entitlement. In spite of his brokenness, it would somehow be fitting if something good can result from Joon-gu’s efforts. Right now, the more urgent question is whether or not Joon-gu is alive or dead.

 
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