Original subtitles

THE FIRST RESPONDERS

(theme music)

THE FIRST RESPONDERS

ALL CHARACTERS, LOCATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, INCIDENTS, GROUPS,

AND BACKGROUNDS DEPICTED IN THIS DRAMA ARE ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS

DOJIN: Size six, right?

Can I try it on?

It fits perfectly.

I'll take this.

(tense music)

REPORTER 1: Breaking news.

The strong presidential candidate, Assemblyman Ma Joongdo,

was found dead in his house

with the primary election within the party around the corner.

Assemblyman Ma apologized

for various controversies about his son and donated the whole profit

of Masong Foundation.

He lived half of his life as a politician

and passed away at the age of 70.

CHULJOONG: This complicates things.

REPORTER 2: To attend Assemblyman Ma's funeral,

which will be held by the National Assembly for five days,

his son, Mr. Ma Taehwa has been suspended of penalty...

Just why do we have to clean his desk all the time?

The National Assembly will hold Ma Joongdo's funeral for five days.

And Ma Taehwa will step out of prison, thanks to it.

Where did Detective Jin go?

Don't you know anything?

You were his mentor.

So what if I was?

He went off the grid with his phone off.

Anyway, Ma Taehwa can be outside the prison for five long days.

He must be so pleased now.

It's none of our business.

Now that Jindo Dog has left,

it's nice and quiet without any cases.

Let's not break the mood.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL ID JIN HOGAE

CHIEF JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURT KIM KITAE

PRESIDENT PARK SANGJIN

Why did he have to die this suddenly?

My golden bandwagon is now gone.

Darn it.

(cell phone buzzes)

Oh, the phone.

BITCOIN TRANSACTIONS 34,000,000,000 BIC DEPOSITED

What the...

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,

eleven digits...

Thirty-four billion?

What is this?

(cell phone buzzes)

MALE VOICE: It's from Director Ma Taehwa.

What...

(breathing nervously)

Seriously, this damn lunatic.

It's time to jump off the dead man's bandwagon.

Move on.

And survive.

(suspenseful music)

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Did you get my gift?

Yes, I received it.

My father used to adore me so much.

He must've been so heartbroken to let his only son go to jail...

that he suddenly passed away.

TAEHWA: Hey, stop this!

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 THE DAY AFTER SEOK MIJUNG'S DEATH

What are you people doing?

You!

Hey! Do you know who I am? You bastards!

(Taehwa groaning)

Uh...

Father.

I said it'd be over if you caused one more trouble.

What?

Do it.

No! Don't!

Father, spare me...

Father!

Spare me, Father!

Father! Please show mercy.

TAEHWA: Father, I love you!

I should cherish and embrace my father's boundless love, right?

Behave, okay?

Pleasantly. Good.

SON: MA TAEHWA

Stop.

What are you doing here?

I'm truly sorry for the loss.

Just have a bowl of soup and leave.

(sighs)

(groans)

People will console a minister's tragedy when he's alive,

but once he's dead, they all lose interest.

This funeral is full of wreaths,

but no visitors whatsoever.

You should've lived

an ordinary life without committing crimes.

Like you?

(sighs)

My life is a darn mess,

because of darn bastards like you.

(sighs)

You and I...

are the same darn bastards, no?

(Hogae sighs)

Hey. Consider this your father's last gift

and enjoy your time outside prison.

Stay low for the rest of your life.

Bye.

Did you come here to curse me?

Let's not see each other again.

(scoffs)

I wonder what's gotten into that damn Jindo Dog.

It seems he's going to quit being a police officer.

He has submitted his resignation.

That's good.

The flight from Miami will arrive in Korea soon, right?

Yes, sir.

I have lots to do, but I'm running out of time.

(tense music)

JOONGDO: "I'll take responsibility for murdering a precious life."

Write it down.

Father!

Continue.

(whimpering)

Father...

Father!

-(cell phone buzzing) -TAEHWA: Please show mercy!

Please don't let me die.

I love you!

-I love you! -It's Chief Prosecutor Jin Chuljoong.

Yes?

CHULJOONG: I think I've found a way, sir.

TAEHWA: Father.

Father, please spare me!

Don't kill me.

I love you, Father.

Stop.

(tense music)

Father...

If you don't want to die,

spend some time in jail.

Attorney Yang.

Knock some sense into him.

TAEHWA: My dear father,

blood is thicker than water.

So why did you do that?

CODE F63.1: DISEASE CODE ISSUED TO THE SYMPTOMS OF BEING UNABLE TO SUPPRESS

THE IMPULSE TO FIRE AND FEELING JOY AT THE SIGHT OF FIRE

(ominous music)

(ominous music continues)

(sirens wailing)

KISOO: Darn it.

-Kisoo, let's just push them through. -Yes?

No, don't. They aren't illegally parked. We might have to compensate later.

-Hurry here. -Oh, my.

I'll try to pass through slowly.

No, we don't have time.

Park it and follow me.

Okay.

-Inju, get the water hose. -INJU: Yes, sir.

-DOJIN: Step back! -WOMAN 1: What do we do?

-DOJIN: Step back. -WOMAN 2: Goodness.

-MAN 1: Over here! -WOMAN 2: Goodness.

KISOO: We're ready to spray.

I smell burning asphalt.

The ignition point is on the ground. Release water.

Start releasing the water! Hurry!

Inju! Get one more water hose!

INJU: Yes, sir! Get another water hose!

Hurry up!

It's dangerous! Please step back!

-The ignition point is on the ground! -Got it!

(suspenseful music)

Dojin, the fire hasn't spread into the building yet.

Rescue and medical teams, you're up!

Start searching for people!

What was that?

-Did you see it? -See what?

None of you saw that?

-What? -See what?

Never mind. Get the fire first.

(coughing)

FIREMAN: Everyone, get out.

-SEOL: Evacuate calmly to the first floor! -DONGWOO: Be careful as you exit!

(suspenseful music)

SEOL: Unit 207, clear!

Cover your nose and mouth with your clothes and stay low!

(people clamoring)

DONGWOO: Don't cry!

KID: Please help!

DONGWOO: We have a patient to be rescued!

SEOL: Are you okay?

(coughing)

(groaning)

DONGWOO: Are you okay?

Lift him!

(coughing)

(grunts)

DONGWOO: Unit 304, clear.

SEOL: Are we clear?

Wait.

There's a person here!

DONGWOO: We have a patient to be rescued here!

SEOL: Are you okay?

Dongwoo.

-DONGWOO: Yes? -SEOL: Move the patient.

Get the stretcher ready in the hallway. Check his condition outside.

One, two, three.

He has no verbal response.

We'll give him oxygen on the way.

Goodness.

(coughing)

DOJIN: Are we good?

I'll drive. Only the embers are left here.

Okay.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE

(coughing)

Sir!

This patient inhaled smoke.

-He has the worst symptom. -Let's move him quickly.

So you smoked a cigarette when you were throwing out the trash.

Well, I'm not the only smoker there.

It doesn't mean I did it.

By the way,

will I get compensated for the treatment if you find out who caused the fire?

You can talk about that issue with the insurance company. Rest up.

Don't look for Jindo Dog. He's not here.

I feel the void, too.

I haven't been assigned a new partner.

And Mr. Baek is nowhere to be seen.

Neither is our chief when those off duty were called in.

Oh, right. Pil.

SEOL: Look at this. This man is Ma Taehwa's father, right?

-Were you interested in politics? -No.

After all, detectives move on as soon as they catch a culprit.

Seriously, Detective Jin is...

Right, you live next door, right?

PIL: Hand this to him.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL ID JIN HOGAE

Seol, we have another call.

-It's the new town in Muyeong-dong. -Another call?

-DOJIN: You guys should come, too. -Right, we should.

-Let's go. -Let's go.

Get the hose nozzle ready!

Don't pour water on it!

-DOJIN: It will explode! Run! -(explosion)

(people screaming)

The child!

-Release foam! -Spraying!

Help!

Stronger!

FOOD TRUCK, YUMMY HOT DOG

SEOUL FIREFIGHTERS

WOMAN 3: Let's go.

Our little girl wants to say thank you.

Thank you for helping me.

Hi.

-Hi. -MAN 2: Enjoy your meal.

-All right. Let's go. -Bye.

I feel better now. So much dust is stuck in my throat.

My goodness. Look at you eating ramyeon by yourselves.

Come on. If people see us eat, they will complain that we slack off.

Isn't that too mean?

I got one for you, anyway.

-SEOL: Come here. -Okay!

♪ Song Seol, you're the only one Who cares about me ♪

You still have that? I told you it wouldn't work.

-No, it's a lucky charm. -Jeez.

PIL: What are you looking at?

I think it works in a way that it calls for fire incidents.

Kisoo, you've changed.

What's wrong, Kisoo? Don't be so mean, Kisoo my darling.

Why aren't you eating, Dojin? The noodles are getting soggy.

-I just saw something strange. -What is it?

I'll check at the station and tell you later.

-(explosion) -(yelps)

(glasses shatter)

(panting)

DISPATCHER: Dispatch for fire teams.

-Dispatch for fire teams. -What?

Other teams might go.

We haven't even returned yet.

Right, eat up. Let's eat.

-DISPATCHER: Dispatch for fire teams. -It's hot.

A septic tank at Mijoong Apartments in Muyeong-dong has exploded.

Requesting Taewon, Muyeong, Dowon fire crews to dispatch.

Muyeong-dong again?

Let's go. We're the closest.

Let's go.

You can have it all.

It's because of your underwear.

Why, you... Wait, let me finish.

(sirens wailing)

Gosh, it's already the third time in Muyeong-dong. What's going on?

FIRE DISPATCH REPORT

What time is it?

-It's 4 p.m. -Is it 4 p.m.?

The residential building fire was at around 10 a.m.

DOJIN: The hot dog truck fire was at 1 p.m.

At 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m.

It's happening every three hours.

Is someone trying to sock it to us or what?

MAN 3: I heard a sudden explosion,

-and then everything was shaking. -Here's the water hose!

I see. Fire Team, start spraying water. Rescue Team, back them up.

-Okay. -It's dangerous. Please step back.

SOON: Begin putting out the septic tank fire.

Water hoses, connected.

(squeaking)

-Taewon Pumper, release water! -Release!

Spraying water!

(suspenseful music)

-Kisoo, to the left! -Okay!

-We're moving forward. -Yes, sir!

The fire's at its peak! I need to go in and lower the temperature!

If it explodes again, the whole building's in danger.

-Take the nozzle, Kisoo. -You'll go in there?

Jihoon, get one more water hose!

Yes, sir!

It's too dangerous. The flames are still strong.

-You have low oxygen. -What?

Dojin!

KISOO: Dojin!

Get me the water hose! Hurry!

Hurry up! We must back him up!

-Here's the hose. -Okay.

Release water!

(water splashing)

(ominous music)

What the...

DOJIN: Spray water.

KISOO: The fire isn't out yet?

-DOJIN: Spray water on me. -KISOO: Got it.

DOJIN: Everyone, move aside.

(groaning)

Gosh, I'm exhausted.

(panting)

Even if a fire isn't extinguished, every firefighter must be able to escape.

You know that's our station's rule.

I saw something suspicious inside, Chief.

From the fire at the parking lot earlier to this one,

I saw a star-shaped flame near the ignition points.

My bodycam must've captured it.

Jihoon, bring me my camera.

JIHOON: Okay.

Dojin. It got all burned.

What?

Darn it. This is driving me crazy.

Dojin, are you that reckless?

Today's fire incidents have something in common, Chief.

What if something happens to you?

DOJIN: Gosh, seriously.

Return to the base. This is an order.

Let's go back.

FIREMEN: Okay.

Coffee at the firehouse is the best on a tough day like today.

Thank you for the coffee.

(Pil chuckles)

Hey, Myeongpil.

Earlier when the fire broke out at Dochoon Villa and the septic tank,

did anyone say they saw a strange mark at the fire?

A mark at the fire? I didn't even ask such a question.

(sighs)

I saw something odd.

I saw the same star mark during the two fire incidents.

I have a bad feeling.

If someone committed serial arson...

That's too far-fetched.

This isn't serial murder. Why would an arson case have a signature mark?

He's right. You probably saw it wrong.

Chief.

The Dochoon Villa fire was at 10 a.m., the hot dog truck fire was at 1 p.m.,

and the septic tank fire was at 4 p.m.

There was a fire every three hours.

Isn't that strange?

As you claim,

if today's fire cases are serial arson that was committed every three hours,

another fire may break out after three hours.

The last explosion was at 4 p.m.

So we can expect the next one to be at 7 p.m....

There's less than a minute left.

(tense music)

It's seven o'clock sharp.

Nothing's happening.

(chuckles)

Not you too, Seol.

You got me anxious for nothing.

-I vant to suck your blood! -(screams)

(laughs)

Hello.

What are you doing here, Maengpil?

Let's go. We got a call from Muyeong-dong.

-Really? -Muyeong-dong?

Is it a fire?

No, it's not.

A stray cat died. I'm just here to get this brat.

-Oh, come on. -Mr. Baek, seriously...

Jeez. Seriously.

-Seriously. -PIL: Just where have you been?

You were nowhere to be seen all day.

You can't even grab the situation, can you?

I'm sorry. Our Mr. Baek Cham is just too dense.

-Come on. Let's go. -Well, then.

-Bye. -Get back to work.

-Bye. -Keep up the work!

Okay, bye.

Dojin.

At least, no one lost their life. That's a good thing.

A good thing? Why is it a good thing, you punk?

DOJIN: Because people weren't around?

If the fire had spread, it would've been a disaster. Got that?

Okay.

DOCHOON VILLA FIRE SCENE THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT 10:00

ANNA: All the memory chips must've been burned.

Every dashcam here is dead.

It's going to be an insurance showdown.

Too many cars have been damaged. Darn it.

Before they get into conflicts, we need to find the cause

-and tell them what happened. -Yes.

Aside from the others, a cigarette butt caused this one for sure.

MR. BAEK: We already got a statement that people often smoked here.

PIL: Okay.

(cell phone buzzes)

-Yeah? -Anna.

Please let me know when the forensic result is out.

ANNA: Okay, Dojin.

MIJOONG APARTMENTS SEPTIC TANK FIRE SCENE THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT 16:00

MR. BAEK: Gosh.

Don't miss even a tiny detail.

Be meticulous, okay?

(camera shutter clicks)

Be thorough!

-Goodness. -Gosh.

PIL: Oh, no. It got burned badly.

OWNER: Everything's burned.

MR. BAEK: Too bad it all got burned.

ANNA: There's no trace of arson.

MUYEONG-DONG FIRE CASES BRIEFING

Except that they all happened on the same day,

they are common fire cases.

You're concluding all three cases as accidents, not arson? Why?

I'm glad you're here.

We investigated the sites meticulously,

but it was too obvious.

PIL: Well, so it seems

that a cigarette butt started the fire by burning the trash at Dochoon Villa.

For the septic tank,

an air exhauster adjusting the methane pressure malfunctioned.

What about the hot dog truck?

We haven't found that cause yet,

but it will be concluded as an unknown cause for now.

I heard the truck had a temperature control device.

It's quite mysterious.

(sighs)

What are you talking about?

You aren't going to write that on the report.

Every fire has a cause.

More than ten people saw it in broad daylight.

And it was captured on a CCTV camera.

Play the footage for him.

Okay.

YUMMY HOT DOG, FOOD TRUCK

MR. BAEK: Happy now?

This can't be.

I saw the signature mark left by the arsonist.

This is highly likely to be serial arson.

Hey, don't overact.

An arsonist isn't a serial murderer.

How would they leave a signature mark at a burning scene?

MR. BAEK: And it--

I risked myself to go in there and saw it!

DOJIN: You shouldn't investigate this poorly.

Are you disregarding my statement?

That's not it, Dojin.

Your camera got burned, right?

Hey.

Are you a police officer?

Your job is to extinguish a fire and it ends there.

Leave this to the police.

At 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m.

DOJIN: This person caused three fire cases every three hours each.

This guy is something.

And you're going to just conclude it without caring to catch them.

So how can I sit back and watch?

What did you just say? "Just conclude it without caring"?

Hey, Bong Dojin!

You crossed the line here!

(sighs)

Where's the evidence?

You collected the carbide and wires

-at the scenes, right? -Of course, Dojin.

You'll close the case, right?

Then the fire crew will take the evidence.

Suit yourself, punk.

(door opens)

(sighs)

(thrilling music)

Dojin, do you have to go this far?

Hand all the evidence to Ms. Yun at NFS. Everything including the oil container.

Where are you going, Dojin? We haven't gotten a call.

I'm off on patrol.

(engine starts)

(tense music)

DOJIN: Hello, Ms. Yun. I'd like to find a connection between the fire cases.

No one died, so an autopsy can't be done.

Every resident inhaled smoke, right?

-DOJIN: Yes. -Are they still hospitalized?

Probably.

-DOJIN: Chief. -Hey.

What are you doing here?

I'm out to meet someone.

(chuckles)

At the playground at 3 a.m.?

Oh, right. Is it already that time?

(chuckles)

It's late. Go home soon.

Okay.

Dojin.

Yes?

I get that you were born to be a firefighter.

But sometimes, I feel like you hate arsonists too much.

I heard you got an argument with Mr. Baek.

"There's only a slight difference between a firefighter and an arsonist."

Do you think it's true?

KIDS: ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you... ♪

(shouting)

Stop!

(laughing)

(gasps)

(dramatic music)

DOJIN: You can't control fire.

Dojin, help me! Dojin!

(whimpering)

(people clamoring)

DOJIN: After that day, I promised myself that I'd never run away.

(roof clanking)

DOJIN: But even after becoming a firefighter,

I broke that promise too many times.

What happened to your friend?

He got a scar that would last forever.

I understand how you feel.

But about this fire case...

We need to go along with the police.

You said exactly the same thing during the Next Studio fire case.

I don't want to make the same mistake.

Let's go. I'll drive you home.

TAEWON GENERAL HOSPITAL

-Thank you. -We collected their blood at the ER,

and we still have their blood samples.

That's good. It will help find the arsonist.

Thank you for your cooperation, Dr. Cha.

What? Aren't you the firefighters who rescued us?

These men helped us evacuate.

Gosh, they were admirable.

When they sprayed water, it was no joke.

Thank you for rescuing us.

-Thank you. -No, the paramedics did the rescuing.

(Kisoo laughs)

-Thank you. -Don't mention it.

Good day.

COP: The blood samples of the patients from Dochoon Villa.

This is enough.

-I'll call you when the result is out. -Okay.

(indistinct chatter)

-Ma'am. -Hello.

-I made these at home... -Was Hyunseo transferred here?

Her hospital fees are to be covered here.

I see.

-Thank you. -DOJIN: Didn't know you had such a system.

No, the donation is from an individual.

An individual?

NURSE: It's so good.

Try this sirutteok too.

Thank you.

-You can share it. -NURSE: Thank you.

-Let's go. -Okay.

(sighs)

SEPTIC TANK FIRE, HOT DOG TRUCK FIRE, DOCHOON VILLA FIRE

This is driving me crazy.

PIL: He resigned.

He said he'll quit being a cop.

I told you to stop!

You're a police officer, not a killer!

(sighs)

URGENT SALE CHEAPER THAN MARKET PRICE

DOJIN: Hi, Myeongpil. Has Jindo Dog's resignation been accepted?

No, probably not yet.

Really?

Tell me if you can think of any place he may be.

PIL: Detective Jin once said he held a funeral

for Hyunseo with her toes.

(sighs)

HOGAE: This was Hyunseo's condolence tree.

I planted this when she wasn't even dead.

Stop drinking.

Why should I?

You didn't sell that house in hopes for Hyunseo to come back.

Buy that house. I'll offer a good price.

Three fire cases broke out in Taewon.

Every three hours each.

You're good at investigating a fire.

Did you pay for Hyunseo's treatment?

Since when were you so considerate of victims?

(sighs)

Empathizing with victims and giving them comfort...

Let the others handle that.

It suits you better to raise hell against criminals and make them pay.

That's how Jindo Dog is.

(sighs)

Serial killers are the worst kind of criminals you catch.

To firefighters, serial arsonists are the worst.

Murderers at least hide and rest when they get tired.

But arson is different.

Fire never dies as long as there's oxygen.

DOJIN: Take this.

The police and the fire crew see the fire differently. You be the judge.

(thrilling music)

FIRE DISPATCH REPORT

HOGAE: The first fire broke out at 10 a.m.

The second one broke out at 1 p.m.

OCTOBER 8, 2022, 16:00 SATURDAY

The third one, at 4 p.m.

(keyboard clicking)

MUYEONG-DONG DEAD CAT CASE

What is this?

A cat died.

At 7 p.m.

"The landlady said she'd bury the dead cat in the yard."

Darn it.

-(machine whirring) -(sighs)

What are you doing, Dojin?

I'm having my suit washed. Are you here to do laundry?

-Yes. -Give it to me. I'll do it.

No, I can...

I'll do it.

Seol.

Do you also think I'm going overboard?

Bulldozer knows the best about fire.

But you should take care of yourself. Don't jump into a fire like that.

A firefighter's fireproof. Their body never gets burned.

(both chuckle)

-Did you check all the pockets? -Of course.

There's something inside.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL ID JIN HOGAE

DOJIN: What is this?

Myeongpil told me earlier to hand this to him.

I see.

TAEWON POLICE STATION

-Gosh. -Gosh, you startled me.

We have a call. A pervert showed up.

A pervert showed up now that Jindo Dog's gone.

-Okay, let's go. -What's with this town lately?

Jeez. Let's hurry.

I felt bad for the cat and buried it in the yard, you darn pervert.

HOGAE: You're mistaken, ladies.

-WOMAN 6: No, you tried to dig it up. -WOMAN 7: You're unbelievable.

-WOMAN 8: Right. -WOMAN 7: Exactly.

-WOMAN 6: How could you dig it up? -WOMAN 7: Over here.

-Arrest this darn pervert. -What were you doing?

Sir, why did you... What the...

-In the middle of the night, at that. -PIL: Detective Jin?

Jindo Dog, what are you doing here?

Isn't it obvious? I'm working to catch a culprit.

Why would you?

You're back. Our mutt is back.

Get off me. Were you happy without me?

-PIL: No. -Why, you little...

(line ringing)

This is Jin Hogae. Can I meet you now?

-Oh, well, he's not a bad guy. -What's going on?

He's not a bad guy.

-He's not? -He was on a stakeout.

-We'll clean that for you later. -Sure.

-Goodbye. -Goodbye.

-Hi. -Hi.

What's with this mood between you?

Cooperating. Follow me.

HONG: The NFS doesn't usually conduct autopsies on animals.

Do what you can to get a warrant.

Let's see.

(thrilling music)

What's that?

HONG: The stomach.

If a stray cat dies, it's most likely that it ate something bad.

What is she doing? Why is she smelling it?

Is she trying to eat it?

PIL: Jeez, I hate this.

(sighs)

You came back for this cat case?

Don't underestimate this case.

(door opens)

Ms. Yun.

-Is it out? -Is the result out?

You two are quite compatible.

This cat ate some kind of bread and toluene right before it died.

TOLUENE: COLORLESS LIQUID THAT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE

Toluene? That's a flammable substance.

It's highly flammable and easy to start a fire even with a small spark.

It died of acute poisoning, so I think it had a lot of toluene.

Toluene acute poisoning... Quite unusual for a stray cat's death.

No, what's unusual is something else.

Officer Bong requested the analysis

on the blood samples of the patients who inhaled smoke during the Villa fire.

A by-product

of toluene combustion was found from these.

What about the carbide?

I did some target detection, and all the pyrolysis by-products

from the fire at Dochoon Villa's parking lot

and the septic tank at Mijoong Apartments

had hydrocarbon, which is characteristic of toluene combustion.

All the fire cases are related to toluene.

Does it mean that the dead cat has something to do with the arson?

It's plausible.

What...

How did you know?

Three cases every three hours each.

The last case was at 4 p.m., so 3 hours after that was 7 p.m.

The dead cat was reported at that time.

I told you not to underestimate that.

Move. Let's go to the scene.

Jindo Dog hasn't lost his touch.

I hear cats sleep over here from time to time.

Those stray cats made a mess with this toilet paper.

-Hey! -What?

Must you ask? You were about to damage the scene.

PIL: What?

The cat didn't do this.

What? Then who unraveled the roll?

-The arsonist. -DOJIN: The arsonist.

See? I said they were compatible.

HOGAE: This must be what killed the cat.

HONG: It's toluene, right?

Yes, it is.

HONG: Toluene in sponge cake.

That's creative.

Sponge cake has lots of air layers.

And it won't change shape even if a liquid is injected, which won't raise suspicion.

DOJINL They made a trailer with toilet paper

that had a flammable substance on it.

TRAILER: A DEVICE TO SPREAD A FIRE FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER

HOGAE: The stray cat ruined their plan.

What a complicated way to start a fire. They could've just done it.

Woo Miyoung got a burn on her hand. Don't you remember?

It was to protect themselves.

PIL: Still, the trailer was a little too long.

HOGAE: That way, they could start a fire from far away

and delay the CCTV tracing time.

And toilet paper can be burned completely, leaving no evidence.

What happened to him while I was away?

I found it.

The arsonist's signature mark.

This place was for the fourth arson.

They even left a signature mark?

I think they were targeting.

What do you mean?

Only the firefighter who first responded at the scene could see this mark.

Someone like you, Bulldozer.

Does anyone hold grudges against you?

(tense music)

Even for serial murders, those who leave signature marks are the worst lunatics.

Yes, they're damn psychos.

But don't you think the scale has been relatively small for someone like that?

It must've been a warm-up so far. He hasn't even started yet.

HOGAE: Bastards like this one never stop. They only do worse.

Jeez, I wanted to leave quietly.

I guess I have to catch this bastard first.

(chuckles)

What are you going to do if he starts a fire again before you catch him?

You don't trust me?

Where are you going?

On patrol.

You do that all the time. It must be tough.

-Gosh. -Always beware of fire.

Firefighters are obsessive. It's in their nature.

What's the use of going on patrol?

The culprit won't stop until they're caught.

(sniffles)

You want to bring it on?

(scoffs)

Let's forget it and just go.

(action music)

(chuckles)

MUYEONG-RO 10-20-GIL CCTV FOOTAGE 1 ...39-GIL CCTV FOOTAGE 1

Jeez.

What are you doing? It was hard for us to get this footage.

HOGAE: The footage is no use.

All right.

A serial killer leaves a crime scene as soon as he's done.

But a serial arsonist doesn't leave a crime scene. Why?

-(thumps) -(groans)

They want to watch the fire.

HOGAE: Arson is a crime that takes a long time.

It doesn't end until a fire is extinguished.

In this case... Hand me a pen.

Here. From Dochoon Villa

to where the cat was killed, we have four targets.

Now what should we do?

Should I check if any numbers overlap?

There you go. Get started.

But if you collected numbers randomly, there would be tens of thousands of them.

Hey, the culprit is one of the whole population in Korea.

We just narrowed it down to tens of thousands.

Now what will you say?

Incredible.

There you go.

(pen clatters)

-(sighs) -(elevator dings)

-(approaching footsteps) -(Hogae sighs)

I forgot to take something.

-Oh, this? -No, stay seated.

You said it wasn't late and to look for one.

I need to find the serial arsonist.

(chuckles)

("Heaven for You" by CHEN playing)

Take this.

I picked it up on the way.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL ID JIN HOGAE

What if I hadn't come back?

I knew you'd come back.

Thanks.

What?

Uh... I'm just grateful.

I see.

HOGAE: Right.

When my heart stopped beating,

I'm glad you were with me.

(Hogae exhales deeply)

(camera shutter clicks)

No mechanical defects were found from the oil container.

Then the oil exceeded the ignition point due to an external cause.

You don't think an alien shot a laser or something, do you?

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE BONG DOJIN

-What are you doing? -The fire broke out at 1 p.m.

It's three hours from now.

When the sun is high up in the sky.

ANNA: Send me the list of phone access on the day of the fire.

Yes, send me the list.

Yes, everything.

That's right.

Are we halfway through? All right, let's check again.

What the... Hey.

The number is 010-1234-4567...

-ANNA: What are you doing? -Jeez.

Come here.

YUMMY HOT DOG

We have an hour left.

I found one.

It's 010-1932-0427.

It's not the day of the fire,

but this one visited the sites four times since two weeks before the fire.

It was a field survey.

I think we have to rule this number out.

-Why? -It's a firefighter.

What? Who is it?

Skip this number for now, and check 010-1332-0138 first.

LIST OF BASE STATION ACCESS

We have the info.

He's Cho Iljun, aged 49,

the executive director of Madong Construction handling redevelopments.

-FEMALE VOICE: ...directed to voicemail. -ANNA: His phone's off.

Let's go. Anna, Madong Construction.

Okay.

So Mr. Cho Iljun is at the construction site?

Then give me the address of it.

HOGAE: Star Central Building in the new town of Muyeong-dong.

Star...

DOJIN: I found it. The arsonist's signature mark.

Let's head there.

It's 1 p.m.

Will you measure my helmet's temperature?

(beeping)

It exceeds 70 degrees Celsius.

It's quite high.

There are many whole glass buildings facing the south here.

Whole glass walls reflect sunlight directly.

Strong enough to ignite a fire?

It's plausible.

In England, a car melted due to sunlight reflection.

If something is installed on a wall,

changing the angle itself can maximize the amount of sunlight.

To the point of boiling oil.

This fire is arson with intent that was thoroughly calculated

including light reflection.

Each fire broke out every three hours.

Would it be possible to set the time?

Yes.

By season and time, the amount of sunshine can be estimated

by just looking at the statistics.

You can also find the place with the largest amount of sunshine

if you run a simulator.

So it's possible.

(chuckles)

Do you even check sunshine?

The topic of my thesis was spontaneous combustion.

In this case, the arson must've been committed in one of these buildings.

But we can't search all these buildings. What should we do?

(sighs)

DOJIN: What are you doing here?

We're here to find the star.

Cho Iljun's in charge of the third floor.

-Let's follow them. -Okay.

This is the place.

-No one's here. -Did he run off?

(ominous music)

HONG: Those must be it.

He maximized the sunlight with curved mirrors to heat the oil.

PIL: So he did set the hot dog truck on fire from here.

These mirrors prove it.

(suspenseful music)

Bulldozer, can you reenact it? We need clear evidence.

Of course.

Okay, then the warrant will be issued. Call the Forensic Team in.

-Let's go get Cho Iljun. -Okay.

(sighs)

It wasn't an alien, but it did come from above.

You're right.

The NFS needs someone just like you.

The department of engineering is looking for a new fire inspector.

Oh.

But I prefer extinguishing a fire to inspecting it.

You don't have to answer right away.

Take your time considering it.

This suggestion could change your future.

All right.

-Shall we get going? -Sure.

(suspenseful music)

PIL: Darn it.

(line rings)

Mr. Baek, check all the footage near Cho Iljun's house.

This bastard ran off.

He may be crazy, but he won't commit another arson with all the night patrol.

Do you know why lunatics are crazy? Because they're unpredictable.

Darn it.

The arsonist has been specified, so we can leave the rest to Jindo...

I mean, to the police.

But are you patrolling again?

Firefighters must always be cautious.

What are you doing?

Being cautious, like you said.

(chuckles)

(engine starts)

(foreboding music)

(exhales deeply) See?

The arsonist got intimidated by Bulldozer.

(Dojin scoffs)

It's peaceful without any calls tonight after a long time.

You're right. It's unusual.

(Seol yelps)

Sorry. Are you okay?

-I'm okay. -Sorry.

(sighs)

That startled me.

We must get this bastard quickly before he causes another trouble.

DOJIN: How pretty.

I didn't know there was a place like this here.

SEOL: I know, right?

Here.

Thanks.

(Dojin sighs)

DOJIN: It's good to be on patrol with you in a while.

I know.

It's been such a long time patrolling alone with you.

You're right.

(soft music)

Seol.

I have something to tell you.

What is it?

Well...

The thing is...

DISPATCHER: Dispatch for fire teams to Galmae Parking Tower in Muyeong-dong.

Dispatch for Taewon's fire team one

-Let's go. -You had something to tell me.

I'll do it tomorrow. Let's go.

DISPATCHER: Dispatch for fire teams to the parking tower in Muyeong-dong.

Dispatch for fire teams to the parking tower in Muyeong-dong.

(sirens wailing)

DISPATCHER: Dispatch for fire teams to Galmae Parking Tower

in Muyeong-dong safely but swiftly.

SAFE BUT SWIFT DISPATCH (FIRE CREW JARGON)

MUYEONG-DONG GALMAE PARKING TOWER

ANNA: Mr. Baek.

Mr. Cho Iljun's phone got turned on just now.

But he's located at the base station

in Galmae Parking Tower, where a fire was reported just now.

Another fire? This bastard starts a fire everywhere he goes.

He did it to destroy evidence. What's the license number?

(suspenseful music)

-Are you the custodian here? -Yes.

Do you have the floor plan?

It must've gotten all burned. It was in there.

MAN 4: What do we do about all those cars?

Are you sure no one's inside?

Yes, the last car entered at 10 p.m.

We lock the building until dawn.

-I see. -Let me go check.

-No, wait! -No!

Gosh, it's hot!

-Seol. -This way.

Move aside! It's dangerous.

SEOL: Are you okay?

We'll take you to the ambulance.

Dongwoo, get me the burn shield.

PIL: It's over there.

SOON: We can't enter through here.

Since there's no one inside, let's focus on stopping the fire from spreading.

-Okay, we'll try. -Good.

-Kisoo. -KISOO: Yes.

DOJIN: Let's go to the rooftop.

-Follow me with the gear and ladder. -Okay.

-Inju, get the ladder. -Okay.

(suspenseful music)

Put it down slowly.

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

-I'm going in, too. -No, don't.

No, it's dangerous.

Whatever. You stop the fire. I'll arrest the culprit inside.

-It's dangerous. -Seol.

-Hello. -You're here.

-It's ready. -Hold it tightly.

(ominous music)

DOJIN: Approaching using the ladder.

SOON: Once the advance goes over to secure the route,

the backup should follow right away.

I'm getting on.

Be careful, and keep the distance.

DOJIN: Connect the hoses.

(clanging)

(panting)

Bulldozer.

Let's go in.

(tense music)

-SOON: Backup, get ready. -Yes, ma'am.

(explosion)

(ladder clanking)

(dramatic music)

(hose rasping)

-The hose! -Dojin!

-The hose. -Get the hose!

The hose. Hurry!

(explosion)

Detective Jin!

KISOO: Dojin!

-The ladder. By the ladder... -Yes, sir!

SEOL: You had something to tell me.

I'll do it tomorrow. Let's go.

When my heart stopped beating,

I'm glad you were with me.

(explosion)

THE FIRST RESPONDERS

(closing theme music)