Memories of Murder

In October 1986, two women are discovered brutally raped and murdered in a ditch near a local field. This shocking crime leaves the small town shaken and sets the stage for a tense investigation.

Detective Park Doo-man is assigned to the case, but he quickly feels overwhelmed by the lack of forensic technology and evidence collection issues. The pressure of solving the unprecedented case weighs heavily on him.

Park learns about Baek Kwang-ho, a mentally handicapped boy living in the town who has a noticeable scar. Intrigued by his unique ability to gauge suspects through eye contact, Park decides to investigate Baek as a potential suspect.

Under mounting pressure, Park coerces his partner Cho to extract confessions from Baek, even recording their conversations. However, they face ethical dilemmas as their methods come into question.

Detective Seo Tae-yoon arrives from Seoul to assist in the investigation. He quickly clashes with Park's dubious tactics, resulting in a brawl that highlights the tension between their differing approaches to solving the case.

As the investigation unfolds, another set of murders occurs targeting women in red during rainy nights. Officer Kwon Kwi-ok identifies a pattern involving a particular song played on local radio, linking it to the murders.

During a tense visit to a recent crime scene, Park and his team encounter a local man behaving indecently with women's undergarments. Park deduces that the man is suspicious and convinces Cho to apprehend him.

In a fit of rage, Park and Cho resort to brutal tactics against the apprehended man, hoping to draw out a confession. Simultaneously, Seo discovers that a survivor described the killer as having soft hands, offering a potential lead.

An autopsy reveals a surprising trace of peach in the latest victim, leading Seo to investigate Park Hyeon-gyu, a newcomer in the area. Seo's suspicions intensify when he notes Hyeon-gyu's strange reaction to peaches.

In a series of chaotic events, Park inadvertently leads Baek into danger, resulting in a tragic accident when Baek is hit by a train. This incident leaves Park grappling with guilt and regret for involving his friend in the investigation.

With the forensic situation deteriorating, a semen sample from the latest victim is sent abroad for analysis. This becomes a pivotal moment as the team grapples with the reality of an unsolved case.

Tragedy strikes again when another young girl goes missing, found dead the next morning. Seo is devastated to learn that the victim is a schoolgirl he had recently befriended, further deepening his resolve for justice.

The investigation reaches a critical point when results reveal that Hyeon-gyu's DNA does not match the semen sample. Seo, filled with frustration, accuses Park of fabricating evidence as tensions rise between them.

In a climactic confrontation, Seo nearly shoots Hyeon-gyu, desperate to catch the killer. Park intervenes, ultimately allowing Hyeon-gyu to go free, solidifying the chaos of their investigation and the burden of their failures.

Years later, in 2003, Park Doo-man returns to the crime scene where a little girl speaks of a mysterious stranger. This unsettling moment forces Park to confront the unresolved nature of the case and the chilling possibility of the killer still being at large.