A mythical creature with the face of a lion,
the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake.
A monster that breathes out fire to kill people, Chimera.
Chimera, a mythical monster in Greek mythology,
could also mean...
different genetic traits that lie in the same entity.
Shoot me.
Shoot.
Shoot me!
That moment, what was he trying to say to me?
The way he looked at me...
felt warm and sorrowful.
But why?
Why did that murderer's eyes make my heart throb?
(Episode 1)
(August 2019, Seoul)
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Ground)
- Hello. - Hey, there.
One second, please. Excuse me, coming through.
Goodness, coming through.
Hello.
- Keeping up the good work? - Yes, sir.
This experiment is conducted...
to help us implement quick actions against IED attacks...
and to help improve your evidence recovery skills.
With the support of the Air Force's EOD,
KCSI's Post Blast Investigation Team...
will reenact a terrorist attack...
that often happens in Southeast Asia.
With us today...
is an FBI anti-terrorism expert, Agent Eugene Hathaway.
She will oversee the experiment.
IED.
The Improvised Explosive Device...
is an explosive made with chemicals obtainable in everyday life.
Terrorist attacks using IEDs are on the rise worldwide.
The beef and blood packs...
were placed to show how far and in what shape and form...
human tissue and blood are dispersed by the blast.
The explosive we'll use is ANFO.
It's a mix of ammonium nitrate and diesel.
A typical homemade bomb.
When used in a crime or act of terrorism,
steel balls or steel scraps, nails are left around the explosive.
Back in 2013, there was...
the Boston Marathon bombing, which I'm sure you remember.
Many were killed or wounded...
because of the steel balls inside the pressure cooker.
What about Korea?
Are terrorist attacks a story from a faraway land?
(KCSI, Police)
Fire in the hole!
(Bomb Disposal Unit)
Counting down! Three, two,
one!
Gosh. That's incredible.
That ANFO thing is powerful.
How amazing. Wow.
(Police)
One day,
that exact thing could happen in the center of Seoul.
That concludes the experiment with an Improvised Explosive Device.
Sir.
- You made it. - Yes.
Why is the area taped out like a checkerboard?
That's the FBI way. One-meter squares.
An American planned it, so it's American style.
Oh. Is she really FBI?
She's obviously Korean. Is she an expat?
You're way too curious.
Why don't you just join CSI?
Quit Violent Crimes.
Violent Crimes get all the action.
Hey, Unit One. Wait!
You punks!
- Darn you. - What was that about?
Do you take me for a fool?
Do you think I don't know this is rigged?
I want my money back. Give me back my money!
That old man is at it again.
Where are your manners?
You frauds.
Remember your place!
You duped me first!
- My gosh. - He'll take our share too.
You targeted the wrong guy.
- Darn you. - You moron.
- Get lost. - Get out of here.
You ruined the mood again.
I said if you do it once more, you're out.
Don't take it out on me.
The guy with glasses hid a card.
Check your cameras.
Okay, I won't do it again.
Let me off. Let me go just this once.
Let go of me. Let go, punks!
The idiots. They took me for a fool.
Back in the day, with just a pen,
I got to decide who lived and who died.
They've never met an intellectual, so they'd never recognize one.
What?
What is this?
Darn it. Why won't it go up?
How annoying.
Gosh. What is this mess?
Everything's burned.
- Isn't that a lighter? - My gosh.
- It has a marking. - It's nothing.
Watch your grubby hands. Where are your gloves?
Hey.
Was the car faulty?
Will there be another mass recall?
Let's see.
I think it's suicide.
With what? There are no charcoal briquette marks.
Couldn't that have been burned?
A charcoal briquette leaves a circular mark.
There must've been a butane gas can.
It's obvious he lived in his car.
Does he have no home?
We'll never identify him at this rate.
I don't smell anything?
A smell? What kind of smell?
There must've been a flammable substance.
Whether it's gasoline or alcohol, there should be a smell.
Doesn't it evaporate with the flames?
Oil fires smell of oil and gas fires smell of gas.
There's always a trace which is why fire scenes are so messed up.
Something blew up by accident.
Wrap it up and transfer it to Transportation.
That's odd.
Why is there no ignition source?
A what?
Ignition source.
The cause or start of the fire.
We have more pressing theft and rape cases.
Jae Hwan, are you sure we have a case here?
That's your problem.
You doubt and suspect every single case.
Like Captain said, there must've been a butane gas can.
Watch it. Don't cut corners.
It wasn't butane gas.
- What? - What?
Or charcoal briquette, gasoline, or paint thinner.
What was it, then?
(Fire Evaluation Report)
There was no cause.
What?
The fire had no cause.
(Fire Evaluation Report)
(Violent Crimes 1)
How can there be no cause. They just couldn't find it.
That could be it.
Cigarette butts burn without a trace.
Can a cigarette butt burn a whole body?
Does that make sense?
If the spark spreads, that is possible.
Inside a car?
The car seats, floor, the finishing materials for the roof...
Wouldn't all synthetic fabrics burn easily?
You think the fire started from a cigarette butt?
But he had no idea until his whole body was up in flames?
He could've fallen asleep after having a few drinks.
I don't think that's it.
Why?
You can't sleep while driving.
- The car was moving. - Exactly.
Then did the car really explode on its own?
You know how they say something about falling into a fiery pit?
I heard the most painful way to die is to be lit on fire.
Who knows? There are various ways people burn to death.
Isn't that why they consider fire to be extreme?
Burning something could also be considered as purification.
It depends on the religion, of course.
Okay. Take a look at this.
Juvenile hematoma.
When a human skull gets overheated,
there is a bleed.
There's no subdural hemorrhage,
and there's no skull damage, so it didn't happen when he was alive.
What's the cause of death.
He has burns in his airway.
He breathed in...
and inhaled the fire.
Goodness.
Usually, bodies that die in a fire...
present with heat fractures.
Heat fractures are when the bone breaks...
as the body burns.
- The bones? - In that case,
it's hard to tell the difference between the breaks before death.
But look here.
What is this?
The bone broke and came back together.
Is it not suicide?
Doctor.
Can a person catch on fire all of a sudden?
It's called spontaneous human combustion.
There was a case where someone suddenly caught on fire and died.
That was in the States.
Is there a rule that says that this can't happen in Korea?
Did they ever find out the cause of that?
Since it happened in the States, ask an American.
(Central Police Agency)
(Eugene Hathaway)
Is this...
a real case?
Spontaneous human combustion.
It's a mystery where humans suddenly ignite.
A mystery? So they don't know the cause yet?
But the case you brought with you...
presents a bit differently.
This is closer to an explosion.
An explosion?
I'm sorry that I'm not more helpful.
Have you ever seen a case that's similar to this?
In the States?
I'm not sure.
There was nothing in the car.
No combustible material or ignition source.
Is that possible?
Forensics say that the cause is unknown,
and we've never seen a case like this, so we're frustrated.
It is strange.
I can't say anything based on this photograph.
Right.
Can I go to the scene?
You were dispatched here?
How long will you be here?
For a year.
You're very good at Korean.
I knew a lot of Korean international students.
They even introduced me to Korean dramas.
People would think you lived in Korea all your life.
If your last name is Hathaway,
is your father American?
Both my parents are American.
I see.
But...
How did you end up in the FBI?
My major was social psychology,
and I saw something interesting during a lecture on serial killers.
What was it?
The room of a serial murderer who killed 14 people.
What was so interesting about it?
It looked exactly like my room.
The windows were completely demolished through the blast.
Okay. Look here.
If there was a car defect, the engine would explode...
and the fire would spread from here to there.
But that's not the case here.
Was there really nothing here?
That's impossible.
A fire could start with a small spark,
but an explosion is different.
That means that something was inside the car.
Are you suggesting that someone put something in the car?
Probably.
No way.
Why would anyone go through all that trouble to kill someone?
The person who sets a fire at the scene of the crime...
has a specific goal in mind.
A goal?
There are two types.
The first is to hide the scene of the crime,
and the second is to bring a case out into the open.
I understand why they would want to hide it,
but why would they want to bring it out into the open?
They want someone to find the body.
Why?
For example, if they were after the insurance money,
the body needs to be found for the death to be confirmed,
and they can get the money.
Or they could set a fire at a certain time...
to create an alibi.
Regardless, their intentions are clear.
They want you to see it.
Is it like a notice?
Oh, they identified the victim.
His name is Son Wan Ki, 65 years old.
He has been detained a few times for drunk driving...
and violence while inebriated.
What is it?
Is this Mr. Son Wan Ki's home?
He doesn't live here!
How many times must I tell you?
This is his address.
(Lee Gun Young, Police Agency)
He left a long time ago.
Why?
He just set his address to his mistress' home.
Can we believe in what she says?
He could've been here a couple times.
Are there any CCTV cameras?
Let's take a look around.
I'll go right. You go left. Let's go.
Jae Hwan,
that route is longer.
- Lee Gun Young. - Yes?
Work has been easy for you these days. Hasn't it?
You're beginning to sound more and more like the captain.
Hold on. I think you guys are looking more alike too.
Gosh. Get over here. That punk...
Wait, what? No.
- Where did he go? - This way.
My gosh.
What a bummer.
It must've been tough trying to tail me that obviously.
Are you looking for Mr. Son Wan Ki?
Yes.
Who are you?
Why are you lurking around here?
Darn it, it took me lots of work to find this address.
I have to find him in a hurry.
Do you know where he is?
I mean,
if you don't know, how would we know?
That means you know who Son Wan Ki is.
Haven't you heard?
Son Wan Ki is dead.
You didn't know?
Hey, you.
Don't you want to know how he died?
(Hong Young Sik, Criminal Record: 2005, 2017, 2018)
High interest and illegal collection.
And you both were previously charged for assault.
We're a completely legal entity.
We don't do anything illegal.
- Not at all. - Is that so?
His autopsy showed fractured ribs.
Mr. Hong Gil Dong and Kang Ho Dong of Kookil Capital.
- That jerk... - Hey.
Show some respect for the deceased.
Yes, that deceased man...
came to see that woman from time to time...
whenever he had money.
What money? He was a credit delinquent.
Come on, Detective.
He paid back three months' interest all at once in cash.
Do you want to see our book?
Where did he get the money?
The rumor has it that he found a new bookie.
A bookie?
He had been taking advantage of this slow guy at a gambling den.
Where is that gambling den?
- Hey! - Bring it here.
Darn it, man.
- Cut it out. - What?
I totally had that hand.
- What do you think you're doing? - Hey!
I just played this card!
You aren't from around here.
Who are you looking for?
The living or the dead?
Do you know a man named Son Wan Ki?
I hear he's a regular here.
Son Wan Ki.
Oh, Reporter Son.
He's a reporter?
I heard he used to be a reporter.
He's quick-witted and quick to move too.
But he isn't too bold, so he's a lost cause around here.
Did he associate with anyone here?
Or someone he had bad blood with?
That man isn't bold enough for anybody's grudge.
I heard he had a bookie.
Oh, the doctor.
The doctor?
This must...
seem like a hand tremor to you.
But that person knew what it was at first glance.
Do you know what Parkinson's disease is?
Do you know that doctor's name?
Where does he work?
I don't know that much.
You must have cameras around the gambling hall.
Let me take a few files of Mr. Son Wan Ki's footage.
What will you do with it?
He's dead anyway.
I never said he died.
Then...
why would a detective come here looking for someone who's alive?
You're right about that.
How did Reporter Son die?
Lack of exercise and stress.
He was probably eaten alive by beasts.
Sorry?
The beast that people keep.
But the beast that also devours people.
The beast that can...
grow bigger or smaller than people.
Be careful...
if you wish to live long.
Jae Hwan, I think that's him.
Do you have a better shot?
I think he knows where the cameras are.
This is the best shot.
The doctor.
A doctor...
and a reporter.
Reporter Son Wan Ki?
(Reporter Son Wan Ki)
("July 1984, First-Degree Arson Suspect Lee Sang Woo")
(Ppuyoppuyo Firefighter's Journal)
("Suspect of Macheon First-Degree Arson Case Arrested")
(Reporter Son Wan Ki)
(Lee, as he gets arrested without a warrant.)
(The police arrested the suspect Lee, 32, unemployed...)
(Reporter Son Wan Ki, "Pyunghwa Daily")
What are you looking for?
(Reporter Son Wan Ki, "Pyunghwa Daily")
Reporter Son Wan Ki, "Pyunghwa Daily"?
The first-degree arson in Macheon, Gyeonggi Province.
(Korea's Cold Cases)
(Chimera 1984)
There it is.
Thank you. Yes.
It's a serial arson case that broke out in 1984,
in Macheon, Gyeonggi Province.
It's also known as the Chimera Case.
Three were killed due to an unknown explosion.
This is very similiar to our case.
This one. I've heard stories during my training.
There was a big explosion in the 80s,
but the MO was unidentified, so it became an urban legend.
Some said the war broke out or it was done by armed communists.
Was the cause ever identified?
I'm not sure. It was just arson.
Do you have any other information on this case?
There aren't many materials left.
There's only a summary of the case in the police database,
and those photos are the only ones left.
The crime scene looks way too similar,
so the MO could be similar too.
Come on, with this old case?
Would any seniors have information?
Any seniors?
Oh, the captain might know.
If he did, he would've shown it off ages ago.
("Suspect of Macheon First-Degree Arson Case Arrested")
You're right.
- So he was the suspect? - Yes.
("Suspect of Macheon First-Degree Arson Case Arrested")
(Ppuyoppuyo Firefighter's Journal)
Where did this blogger find all this information?
Let's ask the blogger in person.
You're going to meet them yourself?
How should leave my number?
Come on. Do you think they'll call?
Oh, tell them that you're from the FBI.
They'll contact you immediately.
The FBI? They'll think she's joking.
I bet ten dollars that they'll call.
Good grief.
I bet 20 dollars there's no call.
- Deal. - Great.
"Chimera".
The others are named by area.
Why is this case called "Chimera"?
Agent Hathaway, isn't that a monster from Greek mythology?
It is.
It has a lion's head, a goat's body,
a snake's tail.
It's an evil monster that kills with its fiery breath.
Why suddenly bring up a foreign monster?
Because it always appeared at the crime scene.
What did? The monster?
A lighter. With a chimera on it.
Oh, that must be the killer's signature.
That's crazy.
Quite sophisticated for a crime back then, right?
- Isn't that a lighter? - My gosh.
It's nothing.
(Police Chief's Office)
Captain Han.
Hello, sir.
A protest will take place this weekend.
Be on standby.
You need Violent Crimes on that too?
Don't you know someone set himself on fire...
outside Seoryoon's main building?
The local police chief got demoted.
Let's try to prevent something bad like that from happening.
Chief.
Do you remember Son Wan Ki?
Who?
Back when Chimera happened,
the reporter who looked into Lee Sang Woo.
Darn it.
What about him?
The dead man. It's him.
His car exploded.
In the exact same way as 35 years ago.
- Do you... - What?
Never mind.
Captain Han. You retire soon and must have a lot on your mind.
Even so,
why would you bring up something from so many years ago?
[VIU Ver] OCN E01 'Chimera' "A Strange Shadow" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥- Synced with Subcake Android
Why here?
He doesn't just kill.
An explosion, flames, a loud noise.
He required a stage. Then...
He follows, stops,
and picks a location.
But why here?
It's a secluded area.
There are not many people here because it'll soon be redeveloped.
Easy to notice,
but there won't be any collateral damage.
The criminal is a cautious person.
Arsonists rarely put much thought into anything.
That's because rather than the target,
their goal is to watch the fire blaze.
That's right. I bet he watched.
But from where?
(Parking)
No.
(Parking)
He put something in the car first.
(LPG)
No. To fill the whole car...
(LPG)
How would you fill a car with gas?
If you stick a hose into the window...
It would leak.
Through the AC system?
The trunk would be a better bet.
You can stick a hose all the way in.
(Caution)
Wait. Where did the gas canister come from?
From his own car?
It's huge.
What about the cart?
The killer could've driven a truck.
What?
Should I look up the trucks that came in here?
Could it be someone who lives nearby?
I doubt that.
Hello?
Yes. I left the message.
Yes, today's fine.
Okay. I'll come over.
It's the Ppuyoppuyo Firefighter.
He actually called.
How much was the bet?
Here.
Hey, you owe me another bill.
I'll go, then.
- I'll give you a ride. - No, it's fine.
Give me a call if you learn anything.
(Police Line, Do Not Enter)
It's the left.
Your left. Left...
Left.
Okay.
What are you looking at?
Whatever one does with a gas canister,
a person who people would not notice.
Gun Young, what's an arsonist's main goal?
- To watch the fire. - Say you set a bomb.
Where would you go to watch?
Somewhere too close would be dangerous.
A good vantage point?
That's the only building facing this way.
That building's going to be torn down.
But why does that flat have new window frames?
Everyone else has left,
but one stayed back?
- It was morning, not dawn. - What was?
The explosion was meant to happen in the morning.
What?
The peak time for frauds and gamblers is early morning.
They let you win until 2 or 3am,
then get to work after 4am.
Son Wan Ki loses everything and leaves in the morning.
The sun rises and shines through the windows.
Those windows face east.
Toward the rising sun.
You can't enjoy a blazing fire if the sun's in your face.
It requires some set up.
I must be able to see you,
but you must not be able to see me.
In that case...
tinted windowpanes.
(The day of the Lord will come like a thief.)
Sinil-dong 416, Unit 405.
Since it's apartment 405, it must be that one.
Excuse me.
Excuse me. Do you...
Stop right there!
Hey!
Hey, you!
That punk. Go around!
Hey, you!
Hello. Are you the one who called me upon seeing my blog?
Yes, are you Ppuyoppuyo Firefighter?
I'm sorry for calling you so suddenly.
It's okay.
May I ask why you called?
I was curious about a few things you posted.
Did you see him?
He's not here.
He's really fast.
Did you find anything?
Get the CCTV footage from all the buildings in the route.
I'll keep looking for him.
I looked into the case because I was interested in it.
It was in 1984, so it was 35 years ago.
Why were you interested in the case?
There was a fire, but no cause.
It's scary, and it's cool.
It even had a nickname.
People who love mysteries called it the Chimera Case.
Oh, Chimera?
So you've heard of it.
The shape of the lighter found at the scene...
That wasn't revealed to the public.
I heard about it during my training.
Us firefighters look into the cause of the ignition...
and do debates on it.
Do you know the cause of ignition?
I found out later.
Of course, there's no way to prove it.
What is it?
(Detective Cha)
Detective Cha. I was just about to call you.
Agent Hathaway, can you look at something for me?
Isn't this a chimera?
Where are you?
I'm by the scene of the crime. I think this is his hideout.
How did you find it?
Do you remember the building in front of us?
We were questioning people there...
when we saw someone suspicious.
Take a look at this.
You can see the scene of the crime from here.
The windows are blocked off...
What do you mean "blocked off"?
What else is in that room?
Hold on.
What is it?
You have to leave.
- What? - You have to get out of there now!
What are you talking about?
You have to get out of there right now. There's no time to explain.
The door isn't opening.
I think he broke it on purpose.
Don't move. It's dangerous.
Why?
The place is completely filled with it.
No color. No odor.
Is it oxygen?
Out of everything I've experienced, oxygen is the scariest.
It makes up about 20 percent of the air we breathe,
but if it goes up even 1 percent, it becomes dangerous.
We call it "over range".
In a sealed room,
if the oxygen level simply goes up to 30 percent,
the room will be ablaze even with the tiniest spark.
Do not move. You cannot make a move.
A tiny spark, no, even statics will put an end to everything.
That's why there was nothing in the scene.
Nothing is left behind when everything burns down.
Wait just a little. I'll be there soon.
Agent Hathaway.
I think it's too late.
Detective Cha.
Detective Cha!
(Emergency Center)
The fall patient is here!
Jae Hwan, wake up. Wake up, Jae Hwan!
We need an orthopedic surgeon. Call them now.
- One, two, three. - One, two, three.
Sir, guardians must wait outside.
His pupils are fine. Check his vitals.
Yes, Doctor.
Bring me dressing and suture.
His vitals are fine. So is his oxygen saturation.
Hurry.
Saline.
Forceps.
Are you all right?
Detective Cha.
Agent Hathaway.
Are you all right?
Eugene.
(Seoryoon Hospital)
- This way. - In here?
Oh. You're here.
Where is he?
Hey, Mom. You're here.
Jae Hwan, are you okay?
Are you allowed to walk around like this?
I heard you fell from a building.
Hey, goodness. Listen to this kid.
It's me.
It was about 3, 4 stories.
I spun around three times in the air,
then rolled on my back. The end.
I'm fine. I'm completely fine.
Mr. Cha, you can't move around like this.
Those cracked bones are more dangerous than broken bones.
You got fractured? Where?
- Ribs... - Say it right.
Ribs. Just a little. Everything else is fine.
I'm sorry. It's...
You're hurt, you can't walk around like that.
The sun was nice, so I took a walk.
Mom, I'm...
I just needed to see you.
Since you're here already, you should stay for a meal.
We aren't here to celebrate.
And I can't be away from the store for too long. I'm leaving.
Goodbye, Ms. Cha.
I'll see her off. Get back in bed.
Are you all right?
Let me take you home.
I'm fine.
(Chimera)
When something is burnt,
it can also mean purification.
There was an explosion in the middle of Seoul.
Maybe the culprit is set on the next target.
People can't really tell when people like us kill someone.
The doctor.
Why are these cases similar, and why do they progress similarly?
The year 1984. Han Ju Seok.
Who are you?
Who the heck are you?
Captain Han is gone.
Don't come. Please don't!