Analyses & theories

(As of E06.)

I doubt it's someone in the police force.

1. The premise of FL's talks is always about something that is not very obvious. Something that 99% of profilers, detectives, and the best minds, dismiss. Something "outside".
2. Police force is too obvious. I seriously think it is a misdirection. "Misdirection" is always employed to mislead the best investigators, and is usually one of the most forgotten training.
3. The writer needs a twist.  If audiences figure it out by E06, interest will immediately wane.
4. Writers, especially for mysteries and crimes, never create characters for no reason at all. Every character has a role to play in the entire mystery.
5. Reminds me of Sherlock Holmes and his archenemy Moriarty.

In other words, the serial killer is someone very close to her. Someone she sees regularly. Someone she won't have second thoughts or suspicions. A person who knows her almost intimately because she bared herself at least once. An entity who thinks like her and sees her as a game, a challenge on who's better.

Considering all that, there are only two people that fits the bill: the two psychos, I mean, psychs.

• A. Female psych. She's the closest to her. They even have drinks together. She practically knows the FL intimately. And all these times, she was helping the FL how to solve her cases. As if she's nudging her without actually leading her. And the psych is always exactly right.
  • The FL doesn't even suspect her. Why would she? They've been talking together for 10 years.
  • But you see, if the female psych is the FL's Moriarty, then she's enjoying pretending to be her psychologist. She's enjoying playing with her. And she's enjoying seeing how far her archenemy can go.
• B. Male pysch. The FL used to have him as her psychologist. He knows her deeply. He understands her.
  • He is also suspicious because he's the only regular character that we rarely see an interaction. What's more, he became the psych of the policewoman. I'm suspecting that the policewoman will be used later to commit a crime or to pin the FL as the serial killer.
  • In addition, he's also in the position where he can be close to her, thus, the FL won't suspect him at all.
• C. The real common denominator with all the puzzles, all the victims more likely visited one or both of the psychologists before. Either one of them is the real suspect, or both psychs are in it together.

At the end of the day, it is a war between geniuses. Again, genius and psychopathy are simply two sides of the same coin. The killer, or killers, is/are interested in the FL. They probably want to train her to be like them or they see her as their antithesis.

You see, there is this belief that we all have an antithesis. An individual that is in total opposition to what we believe in and our principles. Not necessarily evil or opposite. Think of positive and negative forces. Or your battery. Or the two poles. West and East. North and South.

For the Moriarty type, it's a game. All they care about is themselves and their antithesis. Meanwhile, for the Sherlock type, it's a case they must stop and they think it is their job to solve it no matter what.

But one thing uniter them both. They both hate to be outwitted. The FL is already showing cracks when she can't understand why the father would rather commit suicide instead of taking the three guys with him.

Imagine if the female psych was the FL's Moriarty and she sees the FL cracking? Immense satisfaction and disappointment. But the psych nudge her to a certain direction because she's not done with her and it would be a waste if she's defeated already, they barely started the game!

(As of E06.)

(As of E09)

Updates:

1. Ina and male psych first met 5 years ago, he was her first psych as a member of the police force
2. 6+ months later, Ina switched to the female psych
3. Supposedly, Ina was recommended to the male psych by a senior; or in Ina's suspicion, he asked his senior to give her to him as his case

New:

1. The Captain knew the next target, the location, and the day and time
2. The Captain knows far more about the puzzles than he admitted
3. The press is very important
4. The Captain of Ina's unit is a hypnotist
5. The whole thing is related to Ina's parents, the construction company, and The One City

Questions:

1. Who was Ina's psych before she joined the police force 5 years ago?
2. Who was this senior psych, if they even exist?
3. Was the Captain under duress? Or, was he investigating it all along?
   • If the Captain was under duress, it means the serial killer is contacting him and giving him instructions. He probably knew when the next murder is and who the target will be.
   • This is why he was always seen in locations where there are CCTVs because he knew he'll be asked to pretend or he nas been planning to pretend. The CCTVs are his way to prove he was only pretending to the serial killer for when he need to clear his name.
4. The Captain was protecting someone, but it still isn't clear if that person is the serial killer or someone he knew is also targeted
   • If that person is the serial killer, could it be someone he was close with in the orphanage?
     • It is not his friend the duo interviewed in a restaurant because his story goes that when the Captain entered the police academy, he said that he needs to look for someone and becoming a police is the best way.
   • If that person is not the serial killer, could it be someone who is a target too?
   • The Captain is blaming himself that he did something which started the serial murders; it definitely involves this mysterious person.
     • Whatever triggered it, this mysterious person turned into a serial murderer; or became a target. Andd it definitely happened before the Captain entered the police academy; because it is the reason why he needs to look for someone
       • He needs to look for this mysterious person to correct their ways? Or,
       • He needs to find this person so he can physically protect him because the serial killer knows everything about the targets?
5. Why did they suddenly drop that Ina's Captain is a hypnotist?
   • Now, she is in my suspect list
   • The way they framed the scenes were also telling: They always zoomed in to her face
     • When you want to portray that a character is suspicious, you zoom in to their face because it makes the audience focus on their eyes, mouth, facial expressions, their choice of words, and the way they formulate their sentences
     • However, directors are also known to use this method as a misdirection
   • Her choice of words and the way she formed her sentences were carefully constructed
     • Sure, she is probably just being careful as a hypnotist (is she even a licensed hypnotist?)
     • But, her words and sentences were far too precise. It was as if she already knew and so she was able to direct the subject to precise positions and angles to achieve what they want, "Who took the handkerchief".
   • Could it be she is indeed the serial killer or a collaborator? Since the serial killer is being very careful and started to plan things meticulously, she already knew how to direct the subject in a way that will make it a natural hypnotism session. But in reality, all her questions were leading and precise because she knew.
     • Then again, Ina discussed the case with them, so of course she knew, and as a detective herself, she of course know how to lead the subject to achieve their goal.
6. The male psych and his "dark eyes" kid patient
   • As Ina said, why did he share the story to Ina? Sharing it to fellow psychologists is fine, but to Ina who is also, or was, his patient? They don't share information about their patients to anyone outside of their professional circle. It is not only unethical and a violation of doctor-patient confidentiality, it is also against the law.
7. If Ina's parents were related as hinted, then it means the serial killer is indeed targeting Ina since the first murder.
8. Why is the serial killer following the fibonacci pattern, in reverse, in their murders?
   • It started outside, top-right of the puzzle. The target, someone on the outermost of the conspiracy.
   • For each piece of the puzzle, the targets get closer in relationship to the ultimate target.
   • The center piece is the ultimate target. More likely the one who kept ordering to hide illegal things.

Some conclusions:

1. Ina having a DID is out of the picture now
   • When the Captain was in the shooting field, he saw someone hiding aiming with a shotgun, definitely not Ina
   • The possibility of a Hyde-Jekyll scenario is down 0%
2. Since the murders restarted after Ina made a name in the police force—but not when she first joined 5 years ago—it means that the serial killer who watched her quietly decided to use her for her wits and help in exposing everything which were dismissed and not properly investigated.
   • This means that, this is also not a Sherlock-Moriarty type of story, sadly.
   • This means that, this is just another Sherlock-only type of story; Or
   • More sadly, just another regular detective-revenge plot. 🤷🏽

Characters that still are not suspected by Ina:

This is important because by eliminating someone just because you know them is a recipe for a failed investigation. For example, if they only checked their Captain's whereabouts early on, they wouldn't have wasted time finding evidence to support his "admission" and written testimony.

They were so shocked, they forgot the basic step: check a suspect's whereabouts at the time of the murders. They can easily get his handyphone's location and then loom for CCTVs. His phone's ping location is more than enough to start doubting his confession. Yet, the went through this, "it's not him, I did hope it wasn't him but…"

So, let's see who else Ina hasn't suspected so far.

1. Her caretaker. Remember during Ina's uncle's murder when she fetched Ina? She looked back while they were walking and met the 1ML detective's eyes. That scene has always bothered me. I actually first interpreted it as the caretaker and 1ML detective are the real suspects, it was as if they shared an understanding.
2. The chief of the station. This character is concerned and protecting Ina, yet we haven't seen them outside their work. What exactly is driving him to be concerned with Ina, to the point that he's protecting her in his own way?
3. The Regional detective (the actor also often plays a villain)
4. The old "newbie". This character is practically everywhere and nowhere, and the background they gave us was just enough to lead us to think he is not the serial killer — misdirection?

Bonus:

Did you know that there is an order to the murders? It wasn't random. It follows a pattern and for a reason.

The pattern is: the Fibonacci sequence in reverse.

1. The first puzzle piece was at the top-right corner
2. Center-right side
3. Bottom-right
4. Center-bottom
5. Bottom-left
6. Center-left side
7. Top-left
8. Center-top side
9. Center piece

Who was first target?

• Someone totally outside of the conspiracy. As far as relationship and connections go, the first target was at the outer circle.
• What followed was, the relationship and connections gets more and more interconnected. As an example, Ina's uncle's murder was still a bit outside, hence, it was hard to find any connections. But the apartment connection was too easy and obvious. They just need to look at the right place.

This tells us that the order of the murders were not random. It hints at their relationship and connection with the person at the center.

It also tells Ina to hone her skills. To look where it matters. To ask the hardest questions. That, "Hey Ina, I'm giving you all the clues! Find the pattern and you'll figure out the rest! It's important so you can build a case to the final target!"

Now let's look deeper at the Fibonacci sequence: 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55

If we lay it vertically in reverse:

1. 55
2. 34
3. 21
4. 13
5. 8
6. 5
7. 3
8. 2
9. 1

Combine it with the puzzle pieces:

1. Piece №1 top-right = 55 = reporter who sensationalized issues at the expense of the victims; father of Ina's friend
2. №2 center-right = 34 = Ina's uncle who were forced to close cases
3. №3 bottom-right = 21 = 3rd apartment owner; lady in red
4. №4 center-bottom = 13 = 2nd apartment owner; the chop-chop guy
5. №5 bottom-left = 8 = 1st apartment owner; rude CEO
6. №6 center-left = 5 = someone who knows deeply but did nothing (yacht guy)
7. №7 top-left = 3 = the buffer and potential escapegoat to protect the mastermind
8. №8 center-top = 2 = close collaborator; right-hand man
9. №9 center = 1 = prime target; top of the pyramid/hierarchy; mastermind

The Fibonacci numbers could very well state how far in relationship and connection with the prime target a person is.

• So, the reporter was "55". Practically outside. But he was targeted because he's a trash reporter.
• Ina's uncle is "34". Also practically outside. Just an unlucky person caught in the middle, but he still did what he was ordered to despite knowing it was wrong.
• The yacht guy is "5". He knows a lot things. Even told Ina things she didn't know about her parents. But he turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. He's as guilty as everyone else, far more guilty at that.
• And so on.

(As of E09)

My theory is that it's the lanky policeman. 

In the comments section, the poster was pointed out how 4 of those in the puzzle pieces are already dead.

This implies that they left clues in the poster.

The question is, how much of it is half-truths, misdirection, or if it's everything.

Still on the poster. If they left clues there, could that also mean the ML and FL are the suspects?

1. ML. He could be the Moriarty-type to the FL. From the get-go, he suspected the FL. Could it be that it was part of his plan? Could it be that he wants to observe her if she remembers anything and use her to get a clean serial murders? Or, like Moriarty, he sees her as a challenge and someone to play with? To prove that he's better than everyone?
2. FL. Maybe it isn't a Sherlock-Moriarty type at all. Maybe it's a Hyde and Jekyll type. The FL has another personality. Korean writers also have a fascination with writing DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) stories. Could it be that this is a Hyde and Jekyll type of story?

I had the most terrible thought and I don't want to voice it but there's a technique to these whodunits and based on that, I would say it's the therapist. I might be completely off but think about it, she has the most access to her and there's almost a draw, like a cooling period between the first and later murders. She also seems most close to the traits Ena deduced the killer possesses.

(As of E09)

Updates:

1. Ina and male psych first met 5 years ago, he was her first psych as a member of the police force
2. 6+ months later, Ina switched to the female psych
3. Supposedly, Ina was recommended to the male psych by a senior; or in Ina's suspicion, he asked his senior to give her to him as his case

New:

1. The Captain knew the next target, the location, and the day and time
2. The Captain knows far more about the puzzles than he admitted
3. The press is very important
4. The Captain of Ina's unit is a hypnotist
5. The whole thing is related to Ina's parents, the construction company, and The One City

Questions:

1. Who was Ina's psych before she joined the police force 5 years ago?
2. Who was this senior psych, if they even exist?
3. Was the Captain under duress? Or, was he investigating it all along?
   • If the Captain was under duress, it means the serial killer is contacting him and giving him instructions. He probably knew when the next murder is and who the target will be.
   • This is why he was always seen in locations where there are CCTVs because he knew he'll be asked to pretend or he nas been planning to pretend. The CCTVs are his way to prove he was only pretending to the serial killer for when he need to clear his name.
4. The Captain was protecting someone, but it still isn't clear if that person is the serial killer or someone he knew is also targeted
   • If that person is the serial killer, could it be someone he was close with in the orphanage?
     • It is not his friend the duo interviewed in a restaurant because his story goes that when the Captain entered the police academy, he said that he needs to look for someone and becoming a police is the best way.
   • If that person is not the serial killer, could it be someone who is a target too?
   • The Captain is blaming himself that he did something which started the serial murders; it definitely involves this mysterious person.
     • Whatever triggered it, this mysterious person turned into a serial murderer; or became a target. And it definitely happened before the Captain entered the police academy; because it is the reason why he needs to look for someone
       • He needs to look for this mysterious person to correct their ways? Or,
       • He needs to find this person so he can physically protect him because the serial killer knows everything about the targets?
5. Why did they suddenly drop that Ina's Captain is a hypnotist?
   • Now, she is in my suspect list
   • The way they framed the scenes were also telling: They always zoomed in to her face
     • When you want to portray that a character is suspicious, you zoom in to their face because it makes the audience focus on their eyes, mouth, facial expressions, their choice of words, and the way they formulate their sentences
     • However, directors are also known to use this method as a misdirection
   • Her choice of words and the way she formed her sentences were carefully constructed
     • Sure, she is probably just being careful as a hypnotist (is she even a licensed hypnotist?)
     • But, her words and sentences were far too precise. It was as if she already knew and so she was able to direct the subject to precise positions and angles to achieve what they want, "Who took the handkerchief".
   • Could it be she is indeed the serial killer or a collaborator? Since the serial killer is being very careful and started to plan things meticulously, she already knew how to direct the subject in a way that will make it a natural hypnotism session. But in reality, all her questions were leading and precise because she knew.
     • Then again, Ina discussed the case with them, so of course she knew, and as a detective herself, she of course know how to lead the subject to achieve their goal.
6. The male psych and his "dark eyes" kid patient
   • As Ina said, why did he share the story to Ina? Sharing it to fellow psychologists is fine, but to Ina who is also, or was, his patient? They don't share information about their patients to anyone outside of their professional circle. It is not only unethical and a violation of doctor-patient confidentiality, it is also against the law.
7. If Ina's parents were related as hinted, then it means the serial killer is indeed targeting Ina since the first murder.
8. Why is the serial killer following the fibonacci pattern, in reverse, in their murders?
   • It started outside, top-right of the puzzle. The target, someone on the outermost of the conspiracy.
   • For each piece of the puzzle, the targets get closer in relationship to the ultimate target.
   • The center piece is the ultimate target. More likely the one who kept ordering to hide illegal things.

Some conclusions:

1. Ina having a DID is out of the picture now
   • When the Captain was in the shooting field, he saw someone hiding aiming with a shotgun, definitely not Ina
   • The possibility of a Hyde-Jekyll scenario is down 0%
2. Since the murders restarted after Ina made a name in the police force—but not when she first joined 5 years ago—it means that the serial killer who watched her quietly decided to use her for her wits and help in exposing everything which were dismissed and not properly investigated.
   • This means that, this is also not a Sherlock-Moriarty type of story, sadly.
   • This means that, this is just another Sherlock-only type of story; Or
   • More sadly, just another regular detective-revenge plot. 🤷🏽

Characters that still are not suspected by Ina:

This is important because by eliminating someone just because you know them is a recipe for a failed investigation. For example, if they only checked their Captain's whereabouts early on, they wouldn't have wasted time finding evidence to support his "admission" and written testimony.

They were so shocked, they forgot the basic step: check a suspect's whereabouts at the time of the murders. They can easily get his handyphone's location and then loom for CCTVs. His phone's ping location is more than enough to start doubting his confession. Yet, the went through this, "it's not him, I did hope it wasn't him but…"

So, let's see who else Ina hasn't suspected so far.

1. Her caretaker. Remember during Ina's uncle's murder when she fetched Ina? She looked back while they were walking and met the 1ML detective's eyes. That scene has always bothered me. I actually first interpreted it as the caretaker and 1ML detective are the real suspects, it was as if they shared an understanding.
2. The chief of the station. This character is concerned and protecting Ina, yet we haven't seen them outside their work. What exactly is driving him to be concerned with Ina, to the point that he's protecting her in his own way?
3. The Regional detective (the actor also often plays a villain)
4. The old "newbie". This character is practically everywhere and nowhere, and the background they gave us was just enough to lead us to think he is not the serial killer — misdirection?

Bonus:

Did you know that there is an order to the murders? It wasn't random. It follows a pattern and for a reason.

The pattern is: the Fibonacci sequence in reverse.

1. The first puzzle piece was at the top-right corner
2. Center-right side
3. Bottom-right
4. Center-bottom
5. Bottom-left
6. Center-left side
7. Top-left
8. Center-top side
9. Center piece

Who was first target?

• Someone totally outside of the conspiracy. As far as relationship and connections go, the first target was at the outer circle.
• What followed was, the relationship and connections gets more and more interconnected. As an example, Ina's uncle's murder was still a bit outside, hence, it was hard to find any connections. But the apartment connection was too easy and obvious. They just need to look at the right place.

This tells us that the order of the murders were not random. It hints at their relationship and connection with the person at the center.

It also tells Ina to hone her skills. To look where it matters. To ask the hardest questions. That, "Hey Ina, I'm giving you all the clues! Find the pattern and you'll figure out the rest! It's important so you can build a case to the final target!"

Now let's look deeper at the Fibonacci sequence: 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55

If we lay it vertically in reverse:

1. 55
2. 34
3. 21
4. 13
5. 8
6. 5
7. 3
8. 2
9. 1

Combine it with the puzzle pieces:

1. Piece №1 top-right = 55 = reporter who sensationalized issues at the expense of the victims; father of Ina's friend
2. №2 center-right = 34 = Ina's uncle who were forced to close cases
3. №3 bottom-right = 21 = 3rd apartment owner; lady in red
4. №4 center-bottom = 13 = 2nd apartment owner; the chop-chop guy
5. №5 bottom-left = 8 = 1st apartment owner; rude CEO
6. №6 center-left = 5 = someone who knows deeply but did nothing (yacht guy)
7. №7 top-left = 3 = the buffer and potential escapegoat to protect the mastermind
8. №8 center-top = 2 = close collaborator; right-hand man
9. №9 center = 1 = prime target; top of the pyramid/hierarchy; mastermind

The Fibonacci numbers could very well state how far in relationship and connection with the prime target a person is.

• So, the reporter was "55". Practically outside. But he was targeted because he's a trash reporter.
• Ina's uncle is "34". Also practically outside. Just an unlucky person caught in the middle, but he still did what he was ordered to despite knowing it was wrong.
• The yacht guy is "5". He knows a lot things. Even told Ina things she didn't know about her parents. But he turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. He's as guilty as everyone else, far more guilty at that.
• And so on.

(As of E09)

I just wanted to add something not good at analysis too much and this isn't a profound theory  but Ina's female psych and male psych might be both from the orphanage? maybe its not serial killer but serial killers? they might have both suffered as kids at the hands of adults. I remember when Ina asked if it was uncomfortable for her to live with him and she said she just shares the building? maybe they can live together without sexual tension like she mentioned because they both have lived together in an orphanage before.

Guys remember that hwang in chan is an artist. In the beginning the fl saw the painting and said something like he has interesting taste and he said he drew it. Also the boy he kept mentioning may actually be him. In the lecture he was giving, the projector showed a painting of a boy covered in darkness. He has this calm demeanor and a mysterious presence which suggests he may be meticulous, calm and collected in stressful situations. He may have been the one drawing the puzzle after hearing from his patients their traumatic life experiences. Hearing about the fl may have piqued his interest and led him to tell his senior therapist to transfer her to him. In his story, the boy grew up in an orphanage but that's strange, why would he say that to the female lead? Disclosing other people's personal information to a patient isn't appropriate SO it makes more sense that what he told her about the boy from the orphanage was his own story.

Okay update after the 9th episode, the therapists are exonerated and off the radar. But, they could be easily acquainted with the perpretator and trying to protect them, likely accomplices as well. Is there anyone we saw in the previous episodes and didn't pay much attention to, one that was close enough but above suspicion. The people in the police team are not it. One of them, the chief I think may be one of the next victims but the person Ena saw from the terrace (if her memory is a correct) seemed to be a grown up person. But we never know. Do we trust the people in the profiling team? I am sorry but my brain is just inventing stuff now.