[Special Mobile Unit 808]
[─Episode 7─]
Episode 7 begins with the two leads facing each other.
Both parties have an unusual intensity in their gazes. All traces of their usual playful demeanor are gone as they stare intensely at each other in a tense stand-off.
The silence was first broken by Kim Yu-han.
“Someone had to die.”
“I could’ve saved them. You’re the one who killed them.”
“Is that so?”
Kim Yu-han shrugged lightly.
“Then let’s say I killed them. You’re right. I abandoned that person. To avoid us all dying.”
Episode 7. The emotions between the two had reached a climax.
They gradually began to sync their breathing, but as a result, found themselves dealing with a more formidable adversary. This eventually led to the current situation.
There had been a casualty in the 808 Team.
Kim Yu-han continued speaking without averting his gaze.
“Senior Kang-cheol is alive right now because I decisively pulled him out of the building.”
“We could’ve saved them if we’d tried a little more.”
“No, we didn’t have the time. Were you planning on negotiating with a time bomb? Were you hoping it would explode just a little later?”
Lee Kang-cheol, armed with what he believed were strong clues, was deployed but the entire small building was a massive trap. It was the gateway to hell designed to trap and annihilate the 808 Team.
Lee Kang-cheol attempted to rescue his colleague who was tied up with the time bomb but Kim Yu-han forcibly dragged him out.
This was the reason the two were currently confronting each other at the headquarters.
“We don’t have time to grieve endlessly. They are still moving. Let’s proceed with the next move.”
“…You killed your teammate.”
“Snap out of it. Did you really think we could catch the criminal without any cost? Anyone could die at any moment. This time, it was that person.”
With each word Kim Yu-han spoke, the intensity in Lee Kang-cheol’s eyes grew stronger, like a bomb that’s about to explode.
“One question.”
Lee Kang-cheol spoke.
“If it had been me tied up, would you have abandoned me?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Kim Yu-han’s response was instantaneous.
“Special Mobile Unit 808 is a group that necessarily captures the target within 24 hours. Wasn’t it you who always emphasized adhering to principles, regardless of the situation?”
“You…”
“It’s impossible to catch the big fish without bait.”
“Are you really comparing a teammate’s sacrifice to just bait?”
“While the survivors can discuss if it was a ‘sacrifice’ or ‘whatever’, in the end, they were used as bait. Oh, if we keep wasting time like this, the bait won’t even serve its purpose.”
Kim Yu-han slightly curled up the corners of his mouth.
“Perhaps using the term ‘meaningless death’ would be more appropriate.”
Smack─!
That was when Lee Kang-cheol punched Kim Yu-han.
The power was not to be underestimated. Blood was already pooling in Kim Yu-han’s mouth, yet he was smiling.
“…You’re such an idiot.”
Kim Yu-han spat out the blood and looked directly at Lee Kang-cheol.
“Is this included in your so-called principles? Resorting to violence when you run out of arguments? Quite impressive.”
“You’re not in your right mind.”
“It’s you who’s not in your right mind─!”
Kim Yu-han suddenly roared and grabbed Lee Kang-cheol’s collar, pushing him against the wall simultaneously.
“Did you really think you were assigned to the 808 team because you’re competent? Did the higher-ups expect something special from you?”
“What?”
“You were demoted! Because you, who keeps talking about principles, hesitates on the most important issues! You lack any flexibility! That’s why you were kicked down here, wasn’t it!”
Finishing his speech, Kim Yu-han threw his ID badge on the floor. It was his resignation from the 808 team, and also the severance of his relationship with Lee Kang-cheol.
Lee Kang-cheol quietly adjusted his clothes. Though it seemed he had a lot to say, he swallowed it back after a few deep breaths.
“Is this all you have to say?”
“Henceforth, go ahead and chase your principles. Live your entire life like a dog on a leash. That suits you.”
“Perhaps I will. Now, get out of my sight. We don’t need someone who regards teammates’ lives as bait.”
The two started walking in opposite directions.
Lee Kang-cheol towards the interior of the headquarters, Kim Yu-han towards the outside.
Meanwhile,
At this moment, viewers who were watching the PC version of tvS could join the real-time chat if they were registered members.
Expectations for reconciliation were dashed, instead spiraling out of control. Naturally, the chat window began refreshing rapidly.
[So they’re splitting up?]
[This Lee Kang-cheol guy is frustrating AF.]
[Kim Yu-han is a psychopath, isn’t he?]
[Stop fighting! You just have different standpoints.]
[Let’s catch the criminal first.]
[Kim Yu-han is someone who doesn’t know gratitude.]
[Lee Kang-cheol lacks flexibility, it’s true.]
Amidst the heated arguments between viewers defending their favored protagonists, those who felt Kim Yu-han’s behavior was unnatural began to noticeably increase.
Is it the limits of his acting? Or the script?
No matter the reason, the atmosphere was making everyone uneasy.
During this time, the scene quickly transitioned.
Kim Yu-han paid a final visit to the operations meeting room.
The whiteboards were covered with data and maps, post-its were scattered in horizontal rows like laundry lines.
He began sketching again.
‘Through this incident, we’ve learned that the guys are hiding in a warehouse district. However, they’re just the tail. The important thing is to find their main base. For that…’
His hand moved as effortlessly as ever.
Once more, he clearly outlined his intended plan.
‘…We need bait again. Bait to give them a false victory, bait to uncover their main base.’
Though they had discovered the criminals hiding in the warehouse district, it was merely a tail of a lizard. They needed bait to prevent the enemy from escaping by just severing the tail. If the bait gets captured by the tail, the remaining army could completely eliminate the head and the body. It was a simple plan.
Around this time, the chat became subtly uneasy.
[Isn’t he seeking revenge alone?]
[Isn’t he after the ones who killed his parents?]
[But there’s no venom in his expression?]
[What’s going on? Exactly what is he planning?]
Meanwhile, Kim Yu-han’s hand continued moving.
Swoosh─
The moments he shared with Lee Kang-cheol flashed by in quick succession in his mind. His gradual changes, Kang-cheol’s transformations. They taught each other something new through each other.
‘Ultimately, we need bait again.’
Kim Yu-han finally put down his pen.
‘Or in senior’s words, a sacrifice?’
He pondered deeply.
‘Sacrifice… sacrifice…’
He repeated the word aloud.
As if not comprehending its meaning, his tone also hinted at a desire to understand.
Soon after, he tossed his own ID photo onto the warehouse district on the map. Lee Kang-cheol’s photo remained untouched.
‘Well, that’d be nice, wouldn’t it?’
A method to ensure no further casualties from the 808 team, to locate and annihilate the criminals’ base, and to avoid involving Lee Kang-cheol in danger—all at once.
…Directly volunteering to be the bait after resigning from the 808 team. Kim Yu-han smirked.
Following that, the chat rate accelerated almost threefold instantly.
[???? No no no hang on]
[Oh so this was planned by Kim Yu-han?]
[Shit don’t do that seriously why are you like this]
[Don’t do it;;;; don’t leave;;;]
Community boards were no different.
[Title: Shit he pretended to get angry?]
[I thought the actor was just doing a bad job, but actually he deliberately pushed Lee Kang-cheol away so as not to involve him. Shivers;]
[Title: This is ridiculous]
[How is it going to twist like this? Please]
[Title: Stop this]
[The principled Lee Kang-cheol finally formed a bond with Kim Yu-han, but Kim Yu-han, who treats people like tools, sacrifices himself for Lee Kang-cheol. No, that can’t be.]
[Title: Only 10 minutes left TT]
[I’ll go insane if it ends like this]
The uneasiness among viewers dissipated quickly, and simultaneously resolved the controversy about Kim Yu-han’s character inconsistency and actor Lee Su-an’s acting skills.
The live rating kept climbing.
All viewers are on edge, focused on the remaining 10 minutes of the episode.
The scene shifts.
Some hours had passed in the storyline.
Lee Kang-cheol stopped still in the hallway, having accidentally noticed that the light in Kim Yu-han’s data room was on.
In the chat room, there were desperate cries that couldn’t reach him.
[Hurry and open it! What are you doing!]
[Yuhan, I’m doing this for you!!!]
[Open! Open! Open! Open! Open!]
[Quickly check the operation details!!!]
[What happened to Kim Yu-han? I’m freaking out!]
Lee Kang-cheol placed his hand on the doorknob.
Chick─
He turned it. Just push the door, and he could enter.
However,
“Lee Kang-cheol!”
Suddenly being called made him flinch. It was Seo Yeon-joo.
“…”
“Guys are heading to Pohang now! Seems like their hideout is that area! If we set out now, we can catch them!”
Lee Kang-cheol widened his eyes and hesitated momentarily.
Should he open the door, or head out immediately?
“…”
But soon he shook his head and said,
“Yes. I will set out immediately.”
His retreating figure heading to the parking lot ended there.
[Special Mobile Unit 808]
[─To be continued tomorrow─]
Episode 7 ended. The ad banner moved alone.
The audience, obviously, was thrown into chaos.
[Shit, Shit, Shit, SHIT!!!]
[Yeon-joo, you crazy woman!!]
[Damn it, tell him to check afterward!]
[Yoo-han, you piece of crap!!]
[What are you doing???]
Whether managing communities, watching with Star Catch Kim Sun-a, TV-viewing Yang Ha-rin, broadcasting Shikarin’s live commentary, or the Japanese tutor to Sua…
Regardless of location, the sentiment was much the same.
“Mad! How do I wait until tomorrow!”
“No, is it ending here?”
“Is this really how it ends?”
“Ahhh! Why is it ending?”
Yes, it was maddening.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The next day, the internet was even more ablaze.
[Title : There were already hints about Kim Yu-han’s death]
[If you see the sketchbook, Kim Yu-han never included his own image in the landscapes he drew. It was a pre-planned foreshadowing.]
─Is this really true?
─Seems plausible?
─No way, please don’t die
[Title : I So-an you piece of shit is insane]
[Thought the actor was doing a terrible job, but that was Kim Yu-han’s plan. Damn it;;;;;]
─Now rewatching, subtle emotional lines are visible
─The lingering gaze in the final farewell, ouch
[Title : If this is a damn asshole, eat s—]
[Damn, Yeon-joo, why didn’t you call 1 second later???!!!]
─Damn true
─Yeon-joo you piece of crap!!
─She’s beautiful but can’t forgive her
─Oh really, the data room should’ve been checked
[Title : Predictable content for Ep.8]
[Clicking any random post is dangerous. Cutie.]
─You idiot, it’s not a time to joke around
─Check the situation
─Monkeying : Blocked for 90 days
Every medium was set ablaze, and predictions for Episode 8’s story were rampant. Worry about Lee Su-an’s death was also widespread.
[Title : Kim Yu-han won’t die]
[He’ll kill his parents’ murderer with his own hands and become the ultimate criminal as planned. It’s all an act.]
─Not possible, right?
─He murmured something about self-sacrifice, what’s with that…
[Title : But it is suspicious]
[Kim Yu-han is a genius character, and he left the data room without organizing anything? It doesn’t make sense.]
─Seems he’s hoping for salvation deep down
─Kim Yu-han’s mindset is also different from the early days now
─Just that he’s also in conflict
At the same time, the media was no different.
[The intensifying ‘Special Mobile Unit 808’, will it break the magic 30% mark? All eyes are on it!]
[‘Special Mobile Unit 808’… Ratings only possible in the 90s. A large trend has spread among the public.]
[Intense online debates, even bringing up family disputes over a drama? Rising need for etiquette awareness. Moderation in immersion is encouraged.]
Celebrities also ignited the SNS scene.
[Outstagram]
[@daeho_dochi
[Living Room TV Photo]
Well, what will happen if you cut here… ㅠ Our little hedgehog with his wide, sparkling eyes seems to have enjoyed it very much. Is this your way of understanding my heart…?]
#SpecialMobileUnit808 #ComeOn,NextEpisode
[@yangharin_thebeauty
[Short Parrot Video, 10 Seconds]
“Next episode! Next episode! Next episode!”
▶ Did I really shout that much…?]
#SpecialMobileUnit808 #KimYuHanDontDie
[@i_am_seojeong
[Seo Yeon-joo Still Cut]
▶ Ugh, this is frustrating in the drama too.]
#YoureNotMyRival #SpecialMobileUnit808
Amid all the tumultuous reactions, at least one certainty remained clear: everyone would gather in front of TVs or computer screens once the airing time arrived.
Like someone put under a spell.
◈◈◈◈◈
10 minutes left until Episode 8 begins.
Sua arrived at the large parking lot of the hospital with Kim I-seo and Seo Yeon-joo, keeping the promise made before with Sun-il.
—Out of the blue, I’m sorry.
—By any chance, when the climax episode airs, could you accompany me to the hospital? Refusal is okay if it’s burdensome.
Sua didn’t come empty-handed.
Because she had learned the detailed story from Sun-il subsequently, she couldn’t just arrive without anything.
‘…Will it suit his liking?’
What Sua brought was a blue rose. The flower language it carried was “miracle.” Whether a child would like it or not was uncertain, but…
‘Hopefully, he’s not in too critical a situation.’
Sua checked her phone repeatedly afterward.
She wasn’t addicted to online communities.
Rather, she had sent an almost-gambling-like message, and it troubled her that no response had come.
Sun-il was waiting at the parking lot.
Seeing Misic, he immediately commented.
“You’ve come.”
“Yes, of course. Take this first.”
“What’s this?”
He slowly accepted the bouquet.
Did the vibrant bouquet evoke some sort of sentiment? His expression darkened further.
Looking closer, he appeared more worn than before. Kim I-seo was about to say something, but Sun-il beat her to it.
“Thank you all. Though it was a difficult request.”
Sun-il’s statement made Sua nod.
“Yeah. There’s a big TV in my little sister’s ward. It’s just a few minutes until Episode 8 airs. We’ve been waiting for this day. I don’t know if we’ll be able to watch together…”
In Sun-il’s story, a phrase caught Sua’s attention.
“…Why? Is my sister’s condition much worse?”
Sun-il nodded weakly.
Right at that moment.
Buzz─!
Unexpectedly, vehicles started entering.
Mystic’s van was parked in a spacious spot, but the vehicles that appeared suddenly quickly filled the nearby area.
And the faces of those who got out were all too familiar. Every single one of them was from the Special Mobile Unit 808 production team.
“Kim Geum-sook Writer, Choi Hee-won PD…?”
But Sun-il couldn’t call out any more names.
Not because he didn’t recognize them.
Because there were simply too many of them. The scene included supporting cast members like Park Do-hee and Hwang Myung-pil as well as the crew.
“…”
But the reason Sun-il was at a loss for words was not due to their appearance. It was more due to their attire.
Not casual clothing. Instead, they were dressed according to the setting of Special Mobile Unit 808, just like on any random shooting day.
The moment of preparation before the work began was imminent.
“Can we make it over here where there’s space?”
“Carefully!”
“Sua lady and Yeon-joo lady, come here! Let’s get you quickly prepared!”
The coordinated, swift movements.
But what was prepared wasn’t a set for filming.
It was a screening room prepared exclusively for one individual. A large screen, a few lights, and a luxurious chair.
“Got Sua’s message and prepared really quickly.”
Choi Hee-won PD approached.
Though he was bulky in stature, his expression was as gentle as ever.
“So, Sun-il, is the honored guest still here?”
Kim Sun-il understood none of it.
What message did Sua send? What was happening here? Why were they suddenly talking about some “honored guest”?
But it was strange.
Kim Sun-il felt a lump in his throat.
Perhaps it was more of a warm, tingling sensation. After all, none of them were strangers. The TV drama had connected them.
Though there was no blood relation, they often called each other family.
“This… I don’t understand any of what’s happening…”
Kim Sun-il muttered, but there was no reply.
“Let’s get the equipment ready.”
Choi Hee-won PD just said that.
Immediately after, all the crew began taking out equipment from the vehicles. But none of it looked like filming equipment. Not even cameras or tripods made an appearance.
In fact, they weren’t professional items at all.
Chocolate, dolls, candies, pretty clothes—stuff that little girls would love. They were all filled with evident care and thoughtfulness.
Kim Sun-il’s body started trembling.
Even in front of everyone, he couldn’t preserve his composure.
“Let’s start!”
Suddenly, Choi Hee-won PD called out.
Kim Sun-il thought to himself, “What exactly?”
A crew member approached the luxurious chair, carefully placing a nameplate on the seat.
Simultaneously, the screen lit up brilliantly.
[Special Mobile Unit 808]
[─Episode 8─]
“Special Mobile Unit 808! Exclusive Screening!”
It announced this event was exclusively for one person.
“Kim Yu-jin”
The name on the nameplate belonged to Kim Sun-il’s younger sister.
…
