Karma (2025) s01e04 Episode Script

[sirens wail]
[firefighter 1] Hey!
We need more hands on the line!
[man 1] How long will it take them
to put out the fire?
Any moment. The firefighters
are getting ready to enter the building.
[firefighter 2] Start left
and search for survivors.
-Check the center stairwell too!
-[firefighter 3] Yes, sir.
[sirens wailing]
[Chief Park] What happened here?
[captain] What's the status?
Are there any people inside?
[firefighter 3] It's so dark in here.
I can barely see anything.
[captain] Huh? Is that a…?
[firefighter 4] Captain! The stairway
on the second floor. There's a survivor.
[footsteps scurry]
[captain] What happened?
[firefighter 4] I saw him move.
I think he's alive!
[captain] Are you awake? Can you hear me?
[firefighter 4] A survivor
on the second floor,
by the center stairwell.
A survivor by the center stairwell.
[sirens wailing]
-[paramedic 1] Almost there.
-[paramedic 2] Coming through!
Hang in there. We're almost there.
-[nurse] What's wrong with him?
-[paramedic 1] Badly burned.
-[nurse] Vitals?
-[paramedic 2] Heart rate at 80.
-[nurse] His BP?
-100 over 70.
-[nurse] Hold on.
-One, two, three.
-[nurse] Family?
-[paramedic 1] Police haven't ID'd him.
-Okay.
-[doctor] What happened?
[paramedic 1] An abandoned building
set fire. He was inside.
There are no big hospitals there,
so we brought him here.
-I need morphine.
-[nurse] On it.
-Wait. Don't give him morphine.
-[nurse] Get a new oxygen cylinder.
He might go into shock.
He's in a lot of pain.
[patient moans quietly]
Listen, sir. This part
is going to be painful.
But you have to push through it.
Don't faint.
If you're in pain, don't hold it in.
Scream as loud as you need to.
Do you understand?
-Cut the clothes off first.
-[nurse] Okay.
Can you hold him down? Hold here.
-[doctor] On it. Here's saline.
-[nurse] The sleeve is off.
I'll get the dressings ready
so we can disinfect his wounds.
-[liquid splashes]
-[patient moans]
[tense music playing]
[patient moans]
[groans]
[screams]
[soft rock music playing]
KARMA
[panting]
[breathes deeply]
[cell phone rings]
This is Lee Ju-yeon.
You've already exceeded your daily dose.
[man 1] I just told you,
the pain is unbearable. Please!
I can't bend the rules
because you're having a meltdown.
Damn it!
-[mug smashes]
-[man 2] What's going on?
[man 1] Call yourself a doctor?
How can you ignore your patient like this?
[man 3] Oh gosh. It looks like
you're in a lot of pain, sir.
Where does it hurt? Is it here? Here?
[man 1] Stop, stop! [groans]
You shouldn't throw a cup at someone just
'cause you're angry about your discomfort.
Now, apologize.
[man 1] I… I'm sorry.
[chuckles] Nicer, okay?
[man 1] Uh, I… I apologize, ma'am.
Great. Wow, the pain
must be terrible, huh?
It's nice you apologized.
That's better, right? [chuckles]
By taking narcotic analgesic
medication now,
you reduce the ability
for the meds to work later on.
Your pain is severe now, but will subside.
It's because the surgery
was a few days ago.
-As for you, sir.
-Yes.
Never do that to a patient again.
Considering the amount of pain he is in
right now, lashing out is understandable.
Yes, doctor.
It's just… your face. Here.
Dr. Lee.
Are you all right?
It's okay.
Uh, Dr. Lee. Wait.
[man 3 chuckles]
Uh, so, uh, I wanted to talk,
because I meet a lot of people
and I sense certain things.
And you… you seem under duress,
Dr. Lee Ju-yeon. [chuckles]
If you ever have a problem,
or need to track anyone down,
I'm here if you're in any type of trouble.
-Don't hesitate to call. I can be--
-[cell phone buzzes]
I can be of service. Sorry, one moment.
Hello, Harmless to Everyone Agency.
Private Detective Hwang Cheol-mok
speaking. How may I help you?
Give me a call.
Yes?
Oh, yes. Hello, sir.
-Yes. I was going to send you an update.
-[cell phone beeps]
JEONG-MIN:
ARE YOU COMING?
[sighs]
We did our very best, sir,
but the reconstruction
of your skin wasn't perfect.
Unfortunately, we struggled more than
we thought with the wounds on the face.
You inhaled a lot of smoke,
which severely damaged your airways.
It won't be easy to vocalize
like you did before.
Hang on a second.
Hmm. His name isn't listed.
This was an emergency, he was rushed here.
Oh.
Park Jae-yeong is my name.
[doctor] Have you contacted your family?
[the witness] I… have no family.
[doctor] Thank you, everyone.
Please take good care of Mr. Park.
-[woman] Yes, sir.
-[man] Okay.
What are you doing?
Let's go.
[uneasy music playing]
PARK JAE-YEONG
[the witness] You saved my life.
Thank you.
[uneasy music builds]
[music fades]
[doctor] Apply wrap dressings on Mr. Park
and keep me updated.
[nurse] Yes, sir. Will do.
[man] Professor, should we
put him on oxygen?
[doctor] Put in an order
and see how it goes.
Okay.
[doctor] Lee Ju-yeon.
Why are you so unfocused?
[Ju-yeon] I'm sorry.
Dr. Yoon, you're in charge of his care.
Yes, sir.
What's with you today?
Is something wrong?
No, it's nothing.
Something's bothering you.
I'm fine. It's nothing.
You know I'm here for you, come on.
I'm just tired.
I'm distracted.
Hey, Ju-yeon.
[sighs]
[exhales]
[breathes deeply]
Park Jae-yeong is my name.
[breathes deeply]
[pills rattle]
[breathes deeply]
[uneasy music playing]
[music stops]
[dramatic music playing]
THE WOMAN TRAPPED IN THE PAS
SUNGSIM GENERAL HOSPITAL
PATIENT DATABASE
PARK JAE-YEONG
INPATIENT, M, ROOM 402
PRINT PATIENT RECORD
[printer whirring]
[door opens]
[Dr. Yoon] Why are you in Professor Lee's
office with the light's off?
This is Park Jae-yeong's chart, Ju-yeon.
Why'd you print it?
Uh, I wanted
to look at his chart, that's all.
Do you two know each other or something?
It's really nothing. Don't worry about it.
Seriously? I mean, how could I not worry?
-[cell phone buzzes]
-Just a minute.
Hello?
It's happening right now?
No, I'm on my way.
Okay.
Next time, talk to me first.
I'm running lead on this. All right?
I have to go.
I have this thing I have to go to tonight.
See you later.
[door closes]
[exhales]
PATIENT RECORD
[somber music playing]
ADMITTED: NOVEMBER 19, 2023
NAME: PARK JAE-YEONG
ID UNVERIFIED
HARMLESS AGENCY
WE SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS
CEO HWANG CHEOL-MOK
[music fades]
HARMLESS AGENCY
WE SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS
[Cheol-mok] That's what I've been
trying to tell you.
We can't shoot
inside a hotel room. [chuckles]
We can tail them and collect
security footage along the way.
That should be all the evidence you need.
[sighs] Right.
Yes, I know.
Yes, ma'am, I know
what you're going through. It's upsetting.
When I found out my wife was cheating,
I went to the Han river to take my life.
Right.
Y… Yes, exactly.
Uh, in situations like this,
we have to stay calm and collected
because if you get emotional,
it could backfire on us.
This is a process,
so please trust us and be patient.
We'll contact you immediately
as soon as we have any updates for you.
Yes.
You can put your worries to rest, ma'am.
We're on it.
My gosh.
Did you have trouble
finding my office? [chuckles]
Yes, well, the… the building
is a bit spooky, isn't it? [chuckles]
There were a couple of detective agencies
in the building years ago.
However, they went under
when the economy tanked.
Hard work isn't enough to succeed
when you're in this business.
Being well-connected is vital.
We have reliable sources,
and I'm proud of that.
You were a cop before?
Yes, I was a detective for many years.
I don't like to brag, you know,
but it helps.
Clients trust me because I'm reliable.
Should I, uh,
explain more about what we do here?
[paper rustles]
The payment we spoke about.
[paper rustles]
Oh, wow. Not just the retainer,
but the full amount. [chuckles]
Thank you so much.
All right, Now tell me,
how can I be of service to you, doctor?
[bag buckle clicks]
[paper rustles]
I would like you to find these people.
I want to know
how they're doing and their whereabouts.
[uneasy music playing]
You're sure there's nothing more?
Will this be an issue?
It's just that it doesn't feel right
charging five million
for something so simple.
It's all right.
Knowing where they are is worth it to me.
And to check on their well-being.
This was 1987.
-So it's almost--
-We're back.
-[woman] Hey, boss.
-The widow. How's she holding up?
She's heartbroken.
Oh, right. We made the payment from you,
the condolence money.
After losing her husband like that,
no wonder she's hurting.
Hey, the woman who just left.
Is she a new customer?
As a matter of fact she is.
You don't need to worry about it.
I'll take the lead on it.
All right.
Hey, Detective Kang. It's been a while.
[chuckles] Are you having lunch right now?
A burger?
Yeah, I bet. I needed a favor.
Yeah, um…
I need help finding a guy.
[man] Sir!
How's that case going?
The abandoned building.
The sole survivor, he's in bad condition.
We haven't interviewed him.
The bodies we think belong to the suspects
are completely burned.
It's taking a while
for the forensics report.
I hate to be a bother with this.
Come on. You were my mentor,
and this is your livelihood.
I'll help out.
I owe you, right? [chuckles]
-I appreciate it. I'll get us drinks.
-[man] Don't worry about it.
Come to the precinct next time.
instead of meeting in secret,
sneaking around
like you're some kind of criminal.
It's all right.
They fired me for taking bribes.
-I'm not allowed to go there.
-We both know that's not true.
Your boys took bribes, not you.
-That's enough. Just drop it.
-God, you're so cranky.
-I gotta go.
-[man] Wait! I wanna know.
Why are you looking for those rapists
out of the blue?
[uneasy music playing]
What rapists?
You didn't know?
It happened years ago.
The case shook the entire city of Guhoe.
Take a look. I put a copy
of the original case report in there too.
I'm working late again tonight,
so I'm outta here. Sir.
HARMLESS AGENCY
CASE REPOR
GUHOE HIGH SCHOOL GANG RAPE
DECEMBER 17, 2005
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION THIRD UNI
ASSAILANT DETAILS
"Park Jae-yeong, Yoo Tae-jun."
[music fades]
Who was the victim?
VICTIM DETAILS
NAME: LEE JU-YEON
"Lee Ju-yeon."
[monitor beeping]
[whispers] It hurts.
[haunting music playing]
Doctor, I'm in so much pain.
VICTIM STATEMENT, LEE JU-YEON
IN THE CASE AGAINST PARK JAE-YEONG…
I AGREED TO A BLIND DATE
WITH PARK JAE-YEONG, A SENIOR
ON DECEMBER 10TH
AT A CAFÉ CALLED DANDELION TERRITORY
[music stops]
DANDELION TERRITORY
[pop music playing over PA]
[panting] Sorry.
[sighs] I'm late, right?
My boys needed to prep something
and it took longer than expected.
-[Ju-yeon] It's okay.
-[exhales]
Thanks to you, I got to relax.
I got my reading done, so…
[exhales] It was my idea to meet.
You could've just left.
Thanks for waiting.
[music stops]
You have calluses on your hand.
Oh yeah, my bros and I work out every day.
They take a while to heal.
My dad's hands were like that.
-It reminds you of your late father, huh?
-[giggles]
I thought of him
when I felt your hand is all.
Oh, wait. You knew
about my dad passing away?
[Jae-yeong] Um, your friends told me.
The truth is,
I've been interested in you for a while.
-It's past 10:00 now. We better hurry.
-Okay.
[sinister music playing]
[Jae-yeong] What is this?
-[Jae-yeong grunts]
-[Ju-yeon screams]
[Jae-yeong groans]
[whimpering]
[breathes shakily]
[detective 1] Get in.
INTERROGATION IN PROGRESS
-Stand over there.
-Yes, sir.
[detective 2 over speakers]
Listen, you punks. Stand straight.
Yo, the camera.
-We're stars right?
-This is so fucked.
This is so freaking cool.
[detective 2] They're the suspects.
I know it's hard, but if you remember
anything, you need to tell us. All right?
[suspect 1 over speakers]
Quiet if you want out of here, idiot.
[suspect 2 over speakers]
They'll let us go soon. Chill out.
-[detective 1] You, get in here.
-[suspect 2] Hey, bro. Sup.
[Jae-yeong] Ugh, I fucking bolted.
Fuck this.
[groans]
Wait. Why did they bring in Jae-yeong?
I mean, he's a victim, isn't he?
That punk, Park Jae-yeong,
he was the one who planned it.
-[Jae-yeong] That girl should be here too.
-[suspect 1] She's just--
[Jae-yeong] Hey, shut the fuck up.
[breathes shakily]
[somber music playing]
[hyperventilates]
[Ju-yeon sobbing]
[somber music builds]
[music stops]
It hurts so much.
[monitor beeping]
[cell phone ringing]
HARMLESS AGENCY
Yes, Dr. Lee. I looked into those names.
Okay.
I see that Yoo Tae-jun,
after that incident…
Uh, gosh, I'm sorry.
I… I can't really avoid talking about it.
It's okay, really. Please, tell me.
[Cheol-mok] Okay.
As for Yoo Tae-jun,
he kept going in and out of the system
for stuff like robbery and sexual assault,
even after that incident.
He died three years ago
in his prison cell.
Um, I think his experience
in jail was hard
when the other inmates
found out that he'd raped a minor.
Yeah, and uh, Yang Yong-seon.
He got into drugs.
He had a number of drug-related priors,
and last year,
he died of a methamphetamine overdose.
I never believed in karma until this.
I guess what goes around comes around.
-[somber music playing]
-[monitor continues beeping]
Park Jae-yeong, where's he?
Yeah, the rest of them died,
but Park Jae-yeong made it.
It looks like, uh, he has lived
a somewhat quiet life since then.
He's been wandering around
and can't hold down a job.
He's in Paju,
and he rents an apartment there.
Do you want his address?
Thank you. I'll call you soon.
Yes, this is Dr. Lee.
The patient in 402.
Yes. He needs a morphine injection.
[somber music continues]
[music fades]
[cell phone buzzes]
[Cheol-mok] Ah, shit.
[buzzing continues]
Oh, shit.
Hello, Detective Kang.
Hey, Cheol-mok.
It's noon, are you still sleeping?
I'm a private detective. We're night owls.
You have an update? What's going on?
I'm all ears.
I have some info on one of the guys
you asked about. Park Jae-yeong.
Oh, Park Jae-yeong.
What about him?
It turns out that it was him.
The sole survivor.
It was him?
[Ju-yeon] Where have you been?
You didn't even call me.
I thought I told you yesterday.
I did an examination.
It was for a family member.
I went to Namyangju.
Does it matter anyway?
Well, I don't want any funny business.
Come on. What are you talking about?
It's just my side hustle.
I should buy a house first,
then we can get married.
Do you want to get a drink tonight?
-[cell phone rings]
-[Yoon] I'd love that.
Are you gonna eat lunch?
-[cell phone rings]
-Excuse me.
I was actually just going to call you.
Oh, Dr. Lee. Hello. I'm calling
because I was mistaken about something.
Uh, how should I say this…
So, Park Jae-yeong,
it seems he's not currently in Paju.
I'm not following.
[Cheol-mok] Well, it's…
I'm sorry about this. [inhales]
[Ju-yeon] Just tell me.
Park Jae-yeong,
he's literally right next to you.
-In the hospital, right?
-[Cheol-mok] Oh, you already knew?
He was admitted at your hospital,
in room 402.
There was a fire in an abandoned building.
Out of the people trapped inside,
Park Jae-yeong was the sole survivor.
[tense music playing]
[music fades]
[monitor beeping]
[suspenseful music playing]
[coughs]
[music fades]
[haunting music playing]
[moans]
PARK JAE-YEONG, M, 36
[suspenseful music playing]
[laughs]
[laughs]
[suspenseful music builds]
[Kang] Excuse me, doctor.
[music fades]
Ah.
We're from Guhoe Police.
We need a moment alone
with your patient, Mr. Park,
to ask about the fire in the building.
May we go in?
Go ahead.
[monitor beeping]
Hello, sir.
I spoke to your doctor,
and she said you were allowed visitors.
Detective Kang Yeong-sik,
Guhoe Police. Hi.
[the witness whispers] Yes, hello.
It's just my lungs burn still,
so it's hard for me to speak.
You're the only one
who can give a firsthand statement to us
about exactly what happened.
We just have a few simple questions.
We'll be recording this. Mm.
[video camera beeps]
Why did you go to that abandoned building
in the first place?
I had no choice.
I was forced to go.
[suspenseful music playing]
Oh, boy. [exhales]
[grunting]
Then what?
Uh, then I woke up inside that building.
My head was still tingling.
Where were you exactly?
Right. I was tied to a chair.
[the witness moans]
[the witness moans]
[Kang] Uh, could you please
describe the situation in detail?
[the witness] Two men
were fighting in front of me.
[thudding]
What's happening? Oh my God.
What were they fighting about?
Honestly, I'm not sure.
If I had to guess,
probably over whether they should kill me.
-[the witness coughs]
-Oh, uh, here.
[tense music playing]
Oh, thank you.
Then,
one of the men,
he began pouring gasoline
all over the place.
Stop. Stop it. Wait!
[screams]
[shudders]
-[screams]
-[gas canister clatters]
[breathes shakily]
Stop. Listen.
Don't do it! Shit. No!
[the witness whimpers]
[the witness screams] No!
Why are you doing this?
Shit! Oh God!
[music stops]
After that, I really don't remember.
[sighs] I appreciate your cooperation.
This is a criminal case.
I know this is hard.
Even so, we have to confirm
the victim's identity too.
So we need your fingerprints.
I don't know if I can.
My fingertips, they're burned.
What do you think?
Don't worry,
I'm sure we'll find another way.
Okay. I wish I could be more helpful.
Oh, one more thing.
Mr. Park, your aunt contacted me.
She was worried.
She knew you'd be alone.
She wanted to come to the hospital.
I gave her the information.
Great.
-It's much appreciated.
-[Kang] All right.
[exhales]
[exhales]
[grunts]
Yeah.
Could you ask the doctor to come see me?
Please send her.
[uneasy music playing]
[door slides]
Ah. [chuckles]
There you are.
Hello, doctor.
Why are you back again?
-What?
-I tried so hard to forget.
Why the hell are you back?
[uneasy music continues]
[chuckles]
[the witness laughing]
I had no idea I would see you here.
You're a doctor now, Ju-yeon.
You made it.
Twenty years have passed since then.
Come over here.
Don't worry. Sit down.
It's been so long. Let's catch up.
[chuckling] Fuck. How crazy.
I think you'll laugh when I tell you…
[coughs] …how I ended up in here.
[laughs]
[flesh squelches]
[groans]
What the fuck?
I've dreamed of stabbing your neck…
over a thousand times.
[tense music playing]
[knife stabs]
[the witness gasps] Ju-yeon!
[knife stabs]
[knife stabs]
[knife stabs]
[music fades]
[exhales]
[the witness] Here, a small gift,
for everyone on your team.
[nurse] Aw.
[the witness] Thank you so much
for all your help.
[nurse] Wow. You didn't have to do this.
Thank you for these.
Um, I overheard
you were worried about me last night.
Thanks for everything. Take care.
-Have a good day.
-[nurse] Get home safe.
What happened?
[nurse] Sorry?
Ah, Mr. Jae-yeong?
He was discharged.
We told him he couldn't go home yet,
but he insisted.
He's leaving today?
He was approved for outpatient treatment
from Dr. Lee.
He got a one-month supply
of pain medication.
He must really hate it here.
[ominous music playing]
-Nurse, sorry to bother.
-Huh?
My husband's leaving today,
but his clothes have been taken.
What? His clothes are missing?
Mm. Uh, doctor.
Did you forget?
Uh, I'm sorry. What do you mean?
You don't remember who I am?
Really?
[chuckles softly]
[Ju-yeon] Park Jae-yeong,
you forgot what I look like?
How?
[ominous music continues]
Get in.
[somber music playing]
Don't act like you don't recognize me.
I know exactly who you are.
I still remember.
[exhales softly]
[tense music playing]
No need to be scared. Just look at me.
Well, doctor?
Do you recognize me?
[chuckles] I bet you don't.
You've never seen me before.
Listen carefully.
The guy you knew as Park Jae-yeong,
he doesn't exist anymore.
If you don't even have the fucking guts
to look in my eyes,
don't act like you know me.
[uneasy music playing]
[snickering]
[breathes deeply]
[uneasy music continues]
[coughs]
[tense music builds]
[driver] Where to, sir?
-I'm headed to Paju.
-Got it.
-[driver] Whoa!
-[tires screech]
Shit. What's she doing?
You there! Are you crazy?
Get out of the road!
[music stops]
[sighs]
I see you, doctor. Playing with fire.
Got something else to say?
Tell me what you want! [coughs]
I still have trouble sleeping at night.
You haunt me.
Okay, so?
I'd be happy with one night.
A peaceful sleep is all I wish for.
Without any nightmares.
Huh.
[laughing]
You're one crazy bitch, you know that?
Doctor, you're completely clueless.
-Step on it.
-[driver] What?
-I said, let's go already, come on.
-[driver] Yes, sir.
[Ju-yeon] You know what?
I think I will finally sleep soundly.
You know why?
Because I'm going to kill you.
[dramatic music playing]
[music fades]