Lacrimosa
Dies illa
Why the hell are you doing this to me? Huh?
You mean you still haven't figured it out?
All I want is to be you, Moon-Jae.
Do you understand?
We're done!
You're just… jealous of me.
- Huh? - You hate me because you want to be me.
Don't you?
Shut up!
Ex favilla
He didn't…
he didn't really die.
He's still alive.
Dona eis
Requiem
Dona
Dona eis
- Eis requiem - Dona eis
- Eis - Eis
Requiem
Amen
MOUSETRAP
You won the Best New Writer award for your novel Interview.
And after Evil Always Prevails, some even called you a genius.
So what was it that made you suddenly become a recluse?
The word "recluse" is perhaps a little strong.
How should I put this?
I felt like a hack. Uh…
My new novel wasn't coming along.
Until… I thought maybe I was written out.
I lost both my parents back when I was a senior in high school.
Shortly after, I developed a panic disorder.
- And it was fine for a while. - I see.
Until I got stuck and it started again.
It was a really difficult time for me.
Yes, I see.
When it happened, all I wanted to do was to go into hiding.
Much like the Rat character in the novel, you see.
Are you saying he's not dead? All that was fake?
You said the guy who told you was a professional fucking con man.
Identity fraud.
Are you kidding me? Jesus Christ.
- I need to go talk to somebody. - Now where are we going?
SAFER COMMUNITIES WITH DONGBU POLICE
How are you?
Hello.
Ms. Han, thanks for meeting me.
It would appear you've come back to us with more than just a new novel.
You've brought controversy with you as well.
- Ah. I'm really sorry about all this. - Mm, it's okay.
We're gonna catch the culprit.
But why are we at this police station? It's not even close to your place.
No reason. I just thought it'd be convenient.
Oh.
Well, anyway, I'm sure our lawyer here will take care of it. Mm.
- All right, let's head in. - Yeah.
Let's go.
Ugh. Man, I can't believe how hot it is, can you?
We would also like to request some personal protection.
Moon-jae, did the impersonator threaten you or try to intimidate you?
Not really, but…
He did try to go to my high school reunion,
where he told everyone he was me.
After that, then I heard that one of our classmates…
they found his body, and someone had taken his kid.
- Oh, that case? - Yes.
How was he able to fool your classmates?
I don't know. I mean…
They all said that this guy looked…
like my twin.
So, she was your editor-in-chief back when you got the Best New Writer award?
So, why the hell is she publishing a book with that asshole?
You really believe she can't tell that guy's an imposter?
Yeah, that's because we almost never met in person.
We talked through email.
I'm a recluse. That's why I write under a pen name.
Did you commit a crime or something?
I don't get it. Why would you need to hide your name?
That's just how writers are, I guess.
We're not like everybody else.
But this guy didn't use a pen name.
And he's convinced everyone he's you.
That he's the real Je Moon-jae.
It's crazy. I mean, the title of his book is The Rat.
Hey, by the way…
How… how did that story end?
You know, the story… I mean the folktale,
where the guy becomes human by eating the fingernails.
- Hmm. - So, uh… how does it end?
It's…
a happy ending.
Well, great! So it has a happy ending.
It doesn't have some weird fucking twist at the end, right?
Yeah. And the good guys always win.
Are you sure you're the good guy?
How do we know you are who you say you are?
Ah. Right.
You want evidence to prove that I'm Je Moon-jae.
Ah.
When he won his award, the publishing house I worked for handled his work.
- I was editor-in-chief. - Yeah.
So tell me. Why would someone want to pretend to be you?
Um, I guess maybe because he
wanted to steal my life.
So he got surgery?
Even if he did get surgery,
he wouldn't look exactly like me.
There'd be some little differences, right?
I don't give a shit what you look like.
All I know is one of you is a bad guy that's killed people.
The bad guy?
I don't know. I don't necessarily think it's that.
I think it's about survival.
At least, that's the type of situation he's created.
Are we finished here?
COMPLAINT
COMPLAINANT: JE MOON-JAE ACCUSED: JE MOON-JAE
- Hey, not so fast. - Hmm?
Je Moon-jae… Je Moon-jae. That sounds familiar.
Have we met somewhere before? I feel like we must have, no?
No.
Tell me. Why you?
What?
Why is he going through all this trouble to steal your identity?
Do you two… know each other?
I don't know. I… I was wondering that very same thing, actually.
Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong, but…
Still, it's just…
There's something that's not adding up here.
There has to be a police station near your house, right?
So why did you come all the way here just to file a simple complaint?
I was at a friend's funeral earlier,
and I heard that you guys were investigating his case.
I thought it'd be helpful to file it at the same station.
Isn't it helpful?
Mm.
I should be going.
Okay.
This should be it.
Did it move?
NOVEL THE RAT
It's Han Ji-hye, right?
- Editor-in-chief? - Yeah.
She started her own publishing house. You should've verified that first.
Ah, shit. What do we do?
Well, obviously, we should go to this address
and tell her that someone's been lying to her.
I mean, who knows?
Maybe she'll be our cat.
Like in the folktale. Where the cat catches the rat that turned into a human.
The cat's the one
that knows who the imposter is.
All right, let's go.
THE RAT
What is it?
Oh, nothing.
You just seem different.
- Really? - You used to be so shy.
You hated meeting people. You hated visiting the publishing house.
Hmm.
When I offered you some coffee, I thought you would head out.
But here you are. You're drinking coffee. It's surprising.
Is it really so strange?
I guess your panic disorder's all better now. That's good.
Excuse me.
Yes?
Is this Han Ji-hye?
I'm not sure if you remember me. I'm Je Moon-jae.
You were my editor back when I won the Best New Writer award.
There's something I need to tell you in person.
I saw the video of the book launch. That wasn't me.
That man is deceiving you.
Hey, hold on.
He stole my identity while I was stuck at home because of my panic disorder.
It's difficult to explain, but I'm near the publishing house right now.
I'll explain it to you in person. It won't take long.
Could you spare a few minutes?
Listen, you're the only person who can help me right now.
How can you prove that you're the real Je Moon-jae?
Well, that's the thing.
You'll have to do it for me.
Uh…
So, The Rat. Did you actually write that?
Uh no, I didn't write that one.
I think that guy wrote it. He obviously used my childhood
and the story of my parents' death for his book.
This guy stole my whole life and used it as a motif in his story.
I don't have time to get into it all. He knows who I am and…
Wait. Stop, stop, stop. Just hold on.
I know for a fact that Je Moon-jae wrote The Rat.
I'm sure of that.
A person can lie all they want, but their writing can't.
I've read Je Moon-jae's books since his first novel.
You think a guy who stole my entire life, who's pretending to be me,
can't imitate how I write?
Your panic disorder.
What happened with that? Are you all better now?
No, I'm not. I was forced to leave my apartment
because of everything that's been going on.
Je Moon-jae wouldn't even be sitting here unless he were all better.
His panic attacks were really severe.
Right, but that's what I'm saying.
I may look fine on the outside,
but I'm barely holding it together with my meds.
Look. I take these to--
- Let's go. We're outta here. - Huh?
- Why? - Just hurry!
- Come on! - But why?
Right, did you get all the footage?
- That's right. - No. I'll keep digging.
- I wanna see earlier footage. - Remember what the suspect looked like?
Right there.
There.
Next time something like this happens,
I want you to call me directly.
Don't use the police hotline.
Ah, this is crazy. Uh…
You thought if you asked for his ID,
he'd go, "Sure, here you go," and hand it over?
I wanted to see it for myself, that's all.
I wasn't sure, because he mentioned being stuck at home due to his panic disorder.
Je Moon-jae did have a severe panic disorder.
What's your conclusion?
Hmm? Is he the fake one?
He was with that thug from the picture you showed earlier.
Well, it would've been nice if I'd been there. Okay?
We're both busy people, and this is just a waste of time.
Yes, I understand that.
I'll be sure to call you if he contacts me again.
Please, just catch the scammer who ran away.
Hold it.
He's not a scammer.
He's a murderer.
Fine. Murderer.
He was stuck at home because of panic disorder?
KIDNAPPING CASE FATHER FOUND DEAD IN THE HANGANG RIVER
SUSPECT LINKED TO SHOOTING CASE
Everyone's against us.
No matter where we go, no one wants to help.
Hey, asshole! What the hell could you have possibly done to him
to cause this fucking mess anyway?
I don't know! I don't even know what's going on, okay? You understand?
No one's telling me anything either!
I guess I don't have proof!
Can you prove you're you? How would you prove it, huh?
That's it, motherfucker! I've had it!
Someone else would prove it!
People would be able to provide evidence of my identity!
Why the fuck doesn't that work for you?
Why can't anyone else vouch for you? Asshole!
Ah, fuck it!
Forget about proving it.
We need a place to lay low somewhere.
So, what do you want me to do?
I need you to look into him.
And be thorough.
I want everything. Find out who this guy is.
Je Moon-jae or not.
Okay?
He never caused us any problems. He said hello every time I saw him.
I wish I had more. But he did live here, sir.
Hmm… Well, yeah.
Yeah, I know that guy. He lives right around here.
He used to come here all the time to get takeout.
Oh, the Heineken guy.
Yeah, once a week, usually on Friday, he gets four cans of Heineken.
Okay, asshole. What were you doing in there all that time?
Got a tip.
THE BODY WAS NOT A SUICIDE
So tell me.
Why would someone want to pretend to be you?
Um, I guess maybe because he
wanted to steal my life.
Who is the real one?
Shit.
Hang on, detective. You wanna know where I was
during the first week of this month, is that right?
Uh, I don't think anyone else could verify where I was.
Everyone says that when they know they've been caught. Is that what's going on?
No, it's not that.
I was… alone.
It was the day before my book came out.
Unfortunately, no one can vouch for me.
Yeah? And where were you?
I rented a house.
I needed to work and focus on making some notes for a new book.
Why, am I a suspect? I'm confused.
Ah… occupational hazard.
I question people for a living.
Either way, one of you is lying, I know that.
If you give me your alibi, I can cross you off the list.
Hey, how about I text you a link with the address of the house I was staying at?
You can check it out.
Uh…
You there?
Hello?
Ah, what a fucking asshole.
HANEULSORI VACATION HOME
Yes, that's the same person in the photo you sent me.
I think he stayed for ten days?
Yeah, that's right. He was there for all of ten days.
Every day, I saw him sitting in front of his laptop.
And his car stayed in the parking lot the entire time.
There are plenty of sights to see, but he never went out.
I think he was a writer.
I went ahead and checked the CCTV footage just in case, and it was definitely him.
Je Moon-Jae.
Let's go. If the locals see us, they'll get suspicious.
- You sleep? - A little.
Getting old. I can't sleep in the car anymore.
Maybe I should talk to my editor again.
I could tell her everything. Should I call her?
That's the same look my dad gave me.
Yeah? How'd he look at you?
Like I was pathetic.
But was he right? Were you pathetic?
I don't know. We never talked about it.
He looked at me like, "I know everything, and you're an idiot."
He always looked at me that way, since I was a kid.
He thought he had everything all figured out.
It wasn't enough to save his life.
He was right. You are an idiot.
If we go see the editor again, we're gonna get caught.
It's a terrible idea.
I don't get it. How could she believe that fraud?
Hey. You said he wrote that novel himself. What if he's a better writer than you are?
You better come up with something quick. Something only you could know
that this asshole would never figure out.
You need an alibi to save your ass.
So much for the promotion.
So you gave it to Major Crimes?
Hey, I do what I'm told.
We had a tip, a murder, identity fraud.
We've been busting our asses on this case every day, just for them to take it.
Hey, Mr. Kim, just let them have it.
Maybe it's good not to get involved. This was a really tough one.
- Am I right? - Yeah, that's right.
Okay. Let this go. I want you off the case.
Understood. I'm done. I already gave them the files.
- Oh, yeah? - Yes, really.
I'm not gonna tell you again.
Yeah, I already told you. I'mma let this one go.
You better not be bullshitting me!
It's only been a few days, and you're already looking rough.
Spend a few years in prison, and you might just wither away entirely.
Now, your real CEO, Park Seung-gyu.
He fled overseas by himself before the exit ban came down.
Ah, man. The rats are jumping ship and you're on your own now.
Soon, you'll have to answer to the Major Crimes Unit.
And then you'll be really fucked.
I have a question about your little gambling ring.
Where do you store your cash?
'Cause we already checked the register. It was empty.
Did you really think that if you stashed some money away,
you'd only have to do a few years in prison?
Maybe you're right.
I would've taken that deal.
Okay, where was I?
Let me ask you this, Mr. Myeong-su. Kwak Sang-cheol.
You know him, right?
See, I was looking into the gang that Noja was in.
This guy's name kept coming back up.
Apparently, he killed someone and then he ran off to the Philippines to hide out.
Man, he's ugly, isn't he? Do you know him?
Take a look.
MURDER KWAK SANG-CHEOL (43)
Wait. Hold on a second.
Say, why does this guy look exactly like you?
What the hell? Why do you look so alike?
Huh. He's your spitting image.
Aah!
That's right. Park Seung-gyu.
He runs an identity fraud ring.
Which means this asshole could very well
have used his own operation to turn one asshole into another.
You motherfucker.
If the prosecution finds out that you're Kwak Sang-cheol,
they'll have you rotting in prison until you're 70.
But here's the thing, Sang-cheol.
No one else knows about this.
Goddamn it. The cops really cleaned us out this time.
There goes all our hard work, down the fucking drain.
Seung-gyu, I already sent someone abroad with your ID.
You better get some new clothes.
That's true.
But the pigs didn't take this.
Cops like to brag.
If they had taken the money, they would've told the press.
Yeah, trust me.
They're civil servants desperate for a promotion.
Motherfucker.
And I know who.
Myeong-su has all our cash.
And he was probably the one who sent in that anonymous tip, as well.
Seung-gyu has a bunch of different identities and passports.
He has fake IDs that pay taxes and even get health checkups.
What Seung-gyu would do is,
he would find places where the higher-ups could hide out.
And just to be sure, he'd give them all fake IDs.
After that, he started to make a business out of the identity fraud.
And he caught the higher-ups' attention.
He expanded to online gambling and loan sharking.
That little fucker's come a long way.
The guy who fled, he wasn't really Seung-gyu.
He wouldn't leave without first tying up loose ends.
- What are you saying? - The anonymous tip.
- You're wrong. You weren't mentioned. - Wrong. We're all tangled up in this.
If you dig into our past, we're all implicated.
Seung-gyu has to kill everyone connected to that tip.
The reason is that if Noja or I ever open our mouths, he's screwed.
He has countless victims. People whose identities he's stolen and tossed aside.
Is that why you tipped us off? To screw everyone else?
So you could be the sole survivor?
The person who tipped you off clearly knows more about this than I do.
And who's that?
Got a cigarette?
Of course. Sure.
Before all this shit started, everybody was doing just fine.
This is all his fault.
He's the one who tipped you off.
His fault? Who?
The guy who should've stayed dead.
He's the reason it's all gone to shit.
Yeah.
So?
What?
Damn it. Just get me something I can actually use, all right? Shit.
Something solid.
Who was that?
None of your business.
So where are we going? What's the plan?
We need to disappear, don't we?
Near my hometown.
Isn't it a little dangerous to go home?
I mean, when the police are after us?
Yeah, well, we're screwed either way, aren't we?
And I miss it there.
What's in your hometown?
Evidence that I'm really Noja.
Hey, while we're hiding out there,
I want you to take some time to reflect on the choices you've made.
When you're lying there, in the middle of the night,
just think about what kind of person you are, all right?
And that there's not a single person you know who can prove who you really are.
Maybe you're nobody.
"The engine started. The car sounded like the waves in the ocean."
"The sound of the ocean in the middle of the city."
I really do envy your writing.
Oh, yeah. When are you gonna finish the sequel?
Because we could really capitalize on the success of this first volume.
Why'd you stop by like this?
Without calling first?
Oh. You were on the way.
And I was curious about how the sequel was coming.
Hey. You left in a hurry after that call yesterday.
So I thought you were busy.
But it seems like you're free.
Come on, be honest. Why are you really here?
It's not for the sequel, is it?
Uh, I really did want to see your writing.
It's really good. So, when will you finish it?
Uh…
My writing.
You still suspect me, don't you?
I…
Well, there are always surprises in life, aren't there?
I'd better be going. I'll get out of your hair now.
ALPRAZOLAM
Hey, just hold on.
Right now, I'm, ah…
at a real crossroads.
And I'm not entirely sure what I should do.
I need time to finish.
The guy who should've stayed dead is the reason it's all gone to shit.
NAME: SEO YU-MIN
Let's help each other out.
You don't wanna be the front man either.
I've got a plan. Don't worry.
Wanna hear it?
That scumbag learned some real bad shit
while he was being held by Seung-gyu.
He killed a homeless guy just so he could steal his identity.
Hold on. What exactly did you do?
I turned him into a dead guy.
I know a guy at a public hospital morgue.
He had some gambling debts.
So, we cremated the homeless guy under this punk's name.
Then he disappeared for a while.
And now he's decided to return
with a new face.
This scumbag
became this scumbag.
He calls himself The Rat.
He started talking all this bullshit.
He was saying things like, "Jealousy makes monsters of us all."
- What do you think he meant by that? - I have no fucking clue.
Why should I give a shit?
All I wanted was to stop being the front for this jerk-off so I can retire.
He told me to get in shape because I was going to be arrested.
And when I got released, I could cash out.
Can you tell the difference between the two?
That depends on whether or not we can come to an arrangement, I'd say.
INTERMENT: FEB 10, 2023 NAME: SEO YU-MIN
He's The Rat…
I looked into the picture you sent me.
The girl. The one with the ankle tattoo.
Turns out she died.
Now, I checked the CCTV footage.
The suspect is, uh…
It's him.
His father was a writer as well.
So I started digging into the father's background.
I was shocked. I've got proof, Noja.
Hey, why'd you take so long at the convenience store?
Are we even allowed to be here?
Are we trespassing?
This is
where a married monk I know used to live.
He has a temple in town. He doesn't come here.
You really gonna sleep here?
Hey, don't you wanna get some shut-eye?
I don't know. I'm hungry.
Let me ask you something.
What?
Where were you early this month?
Are you serious? In my apartment.
I told you. I didn't leave my house for three years.
Why?
But is there anyone else that could prove that you really stayed inside?
Well, there was.
He's dead now. Soo-hyun.
Oh, right.
So there's no one now?
Why?
The girl with you and The Rat.
- With the ankle tat? - Yeah?
She's dead.
You know how she died?
You killed her.
Huh?
Police got the CCTV footage from the crime scene. You were right there.
That means
that… that The Rat killed her.
I didn't do it. I never left home.
You know what their files say?
There were a bunch of witnesses who saw you
around the apartment that you were supposedly hiding inside of.
How could a guy who never left his apartment buy a beer from the store?
It wasn't me! He did all of that!
Noja, you don't believe me?
No.
JE GEUN-U CRITICS AWARD WINNER
Those are your parents, right?
Je Geun-u and Han Yeong-hui.
Looks like the whole family turned up for his award. But then…
What's this?
Is that you?
That's not you, is it?
Hey.
Who the hell are you, motherfucker?
Once I decided to give myself to the Buddhist way,
I was taught that
the root of suffering is attachment itself.
I can see that you've suffered. So tell me.
What is it that has brought you here?
Noja.
Tell me where Noja is.
Who is Noja?
You went to the same school.
He paid for this place.
Sir, I fear
you have come all this way for nothing.
I'm sorry, sir.
Is this photoshopped?
It's a screenshot, idiot.
The photo, it appeared in a literary magazine. Those are your parents, right?
Yeah, but…
That issue was published a year before you were born.
But look at the kid.
That's Moon-jae. He's standing right there.
Huh. No way. My parents said that they had me late
because they were struggling to conceive a child.
So who is that?
That's Je Moon-jae. It says it right there!
I'm gonna ask you again.
And this time, I want the truth.
Who the fuck are you?
MANBULAM
FOUND HIM
So now you've decided to turn on me too, is that it? Why?
Because none of this makes any fucking sense, all right?
Please believe me.
How the hell can I prove that I'm me?
You said,
when your parents died, you had to handle the funeral
'cause you had no relatives, right?
Well! It looks like you have an uncle.
- Huh? - Oh.
Or did you forget that too?
What are you talking about?
I don't have an uncle.
When people borrow money and refuse to pay us,
we dig up everything on them.
All of their relatives, their ex-girlfriends.
We're better than the police.
Get up, you motherfucker.
We're gonna go and meet the uncle you never had.
And I'm telling you, if he says you're not Je Moon-jae either,
I swear to God, you're gonna fucking die.
If I'm not Je Moon-jae, then who am I?
Why the hell are you asking me that?
Kidnapping. Murder.
You think I'm no different than this Rat, do you?
What happens if this uncle can't prove it?
I told you. I'll fucking kill you.
No, that's not what I meant.
Let's say you do kill me.
I should at least have a name, right?
What's my name when I die?
When you die? You won't need one.
Names are for the living, not the dead.
If I have an uncle, whoever set this up probably got to him too.
They probably know we're here. Don't you get that?
How about you shut up and get in the car, all right?
I want answers.
I wanna know you really are.
He really shouldn't have killed that guy.
We may have to bury him alive.
I mean, fair is fair, after all.
And I still can't forget the look in his eyes.
Hang on. Why did he bury him?
Noja got jealous.
Because he was the capable one,
but Dong-seok got the praise.
That pissed Noja off.
Dong-seok got arrogant.
Jealousy.
It's a scary thing.
Hey.
Tell him not to kill Noja, okay? Say I'll give him a bonus.
Yeah. Okay, got it.
Then I'm gonna bury him alive.
Just like Dong-seok.
Hey. You okay?
Shit.
Hey.
Let's go.
Here, come on. Son of a bitch.
Goddamn it.
Shit.
Come on, come on.
Fuck you, motherfucker!
Aah! Aah!
What the hell is going on here so late?
Hello? Yes. I'd like to report hearing gunshots at Manbulam.
Son of a bitch! Aah!
Are you fucking kidding me? You didn't know you were shot?
Just stay awake till I get us to the hospital!
We can't go to the hospital.
If we get caught,
we'll take the fall for everything.
Yeah? Fuck you! That's better than dying, asshole!
If I'm caught, everyone…
everyone will think I'm The Rat.
Hey.
Ah, goddamn it.
Hey. Hey.
I'll send someone to get you!
Shit!
Son of a bitch!
Hey, it's me. The kid's been shot.
On the road to Manbulam. He needs a doctor.
Yeah, well, hurry over!
He's gonna die without you. You hear me?
Whew…
Patrol unit heading to Manbulam, over.
Suspect vehicle confirmed.
- Huh? - What the fuck?
- Ah, shit! - Follow him!
Whoa!
Requesting confirmation on a silver SUV near Manbulam. Over.
Hey, block him!
Whoa!
Suspect vehicle fleeing. Requesting patrol car at scene. Over.
Let's go. Come on, come on!
He's entering Hwajeong Intersection.
Suspect vehicle direction confirmed. Will block escape route.
Suspect vehicle heading toward town.
All on-site patrol units requested to assist, over.
- Whoa! - Agh!
Ah, shit!
Suspect vehicle is in the alley!
Blocking escape route.
Whoa!
- Just ram it, come on! - Come on!
Aah!
PROVE IT. OR I'LL KILL YOU.
"Uncle."
17, HAEBYEON-RO 3-GIL, GANGWON-SI
"Han Hui-su."
The amount is pretty big.
I know, right?
Huh?
Here…
Hey…
Here.
Mouse