Episode 5 of “Made in Korea” sharpens the focus on Geon-yeong’s hunt for the truth about Hwang’s death. His investigation brings him into direct conflict with Baek Gi-tae, who is busy making powerful new allies and confronting his younger brother, Ki-hyun. The tension hits a breaking point in the episode’s final moments, leaving one character’s fate in serious doubt as the series prepares for its finale.
This episode, titled ” Made in Korea Episode 5,” delivers major twists. Prosecutor Jang Geon-yeong makes a bold arrest to pressure a confession, while Baek Gi-tae works to cover his tracks and secure his position by aligning with a powerful political figure. The story also expands to show the struggles of Gi-tae’s brother in the military and the strategic moves of Yakuza member Choi Yuji in Japan. Every character is maneuvering for power, setting the stage for a high-stakes conclusion.
Geon-yeong Arrests Hak-soo And Pressures Gi-tae
The episode picks up right after the fiery end of Episode 4. Jang Geon-yeong, certain that Baek Gi-tae is behind the murder, acts quickly. He arrests Gi-tae’s right-hand man, Park Hak-soo, on suspicion of killing Hwang Geum-ji. Geon-yeong’s plan is clear: he wants to flip Hak-soo and get him to confess that Gi-tae is the real killer.
During an intense interrogation, Geon-yeong lays out his theory. He believes Hak-soo and Gi-tae were tired of Hwang taking all the money from their drug operations and decided to eliminate him. However, Hak-soo remains stubbornly loyal to Gi-tae and refuses to talk. Geon-yeong’s boss, the chief prosecutor, interrupts the questioning, worried that targeting Gi-tae will bring serious trouble from his powerful backers. Without solid proof, Geon-yeong is forced to release Hak-soo.
Meanwhile, Gi-tae is cleaning up the mess. He meets with Cheon Seok-jung, a senior official in the President’s office. In a calculated move, Gi-tae gives Cheon the large sum of money that Hwang had stolen. He confesses to killing Hwang and formally asks to work for Cheon, even getting on his knees to promise he will help get the president re-elected. This new alliance with Cheon is likely the reason Hak-soo was released from custody so easily.
Gi-tae Confronts The Spy In His Ranks And Makes A Deal
Gi-tae soon discovers there is a leak in his operation. After Hak-soo tells him that Geon-yeong knew precise details about their drug deal in Osaka, Gi-tae deduces that the informant is Kim Dae-il. He finds Dae-il with his sister, Baek So-yeong, at their lab. After sending So-yeong away, Gi-tae confronts Dae-il with a terrifying game of Russian roulette, pressing a gun to his head.
Faced with immediate death, Dae-il breaks. He confesses to working with Geon-yeong. Instead of killing him, Gi-tae pays Dae-il and orders him to go into hiding and never contact the prosecutor again. Gi-tae then uses Dae-il to feed Geon-yeong false information about a drug delivery, sending the prosecutor on a pointless chase. This double-cross leaves Geon-yeong’s investigation in disarray, as he has lost his key insider.
Ki-hyun’s Military Crisis Forces A Brotherly Reunion
The story shifts to the military base where Baek Ki-hyun, Gi-tae’s younger brother, is serving. Ki-hyun is a principled soldier who tries to protect a bullied private named Hong Ji-hwan. Despite his efforts, the bullying becomes too much for Ji-hwan, who snaps and shoots several of his tormentors. Ki-hyun is blamed for the incident, and his commanding officer pressures him to take the fall.
Refusing to be a scapegoat, Ki-hyun testifies truthfully, revealing that his commander had ignored transfer requests for the bullied private. This act of defiance puts Ki-hyun’s career and safety at risk. Seizing this moment, Jang Geon-yeong arrives at the base. He meets with Ki-hyun and tells him everything about Gi-tae’s drug business. Geon-yeong warns Ki-hyun that he and his sister could also face charges if Gi-tae is arrested, and he tries to make a deal for Ki-hyun’s cooperation. Ki-hyun, angry and conflicted, storms off without agreeing to anything.
When Gi-tae learns his brother is in trouble, he takes matters into his own hands. He storms onto the military base, violently assaults Ki-hyun’s commanding officer, and uses his new political connections to get the man fired. He even secures a promotion for Ki-hyun. Instead of being grateful, Ki-hyun is furious. He wants to earn his rank honestly and is disgusted by his brother’s corrupt methods. He rejects Gi-tae’s help and decides to request a transfer to Vietnam to get away from him.
“I can handle it on my own,” Ki-hyun tells his brother angrily. Gi-tae shoots back, “You can’t because you’re powerless.”
Their heated argument ends with Ki-hyun handing over Geon-yeong’s business card, revealing that the prosecutor had visited him. This news signals to Gi-tae that Geon-yeong is getting too close and targeting his family.
Choi Yuji Plots In Japan And Identifies Gi-tae’s Weakness
In a parallel storyline in Osaka, Choi Yuji is fighting her own battles. The meth market in Japan has collapsed due to a harsh police crackdown, and the other Yakuza clans have given up. Yuji, however, is determined to rebuild the business. She convinces her father that the solution is to start a new factory in South Korea, where ingredients from Hong Kong and Taiwan are cheap and readily available.
Yuji also meets with Cheon Seok-jung in Seoul. She reveals that she knows Gi-tae killed Hwang. She expresses doubts about Gi-tae’s reliability and suggests to Cheon that he should have a replacement ready. Yuji identifies Gi-tae’s greatest weakness: his family, specifically his siblings, Ki-hyun and So-yeong. This mirrors the same conclusion Geon-yeong has reached, showing that multiple players are now aiming at Gi-tae’s most vulnerable point.
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The Shocking Cliffhanger Ending: Where Is Geon-yeong?
The final moments of Episode 5 deliver a major cliffhanger. After a long and frustrating day, Jang Geon-yeong leaves to buy ramyeon for his team. His colleague, Ye-ji, waits for him at their meeting spot. Time passes, the water for the noodles begins to boil, but Geon-yeong never returns.
The scene cuts to a rainy street at night. Geon-yeong’s motorcycle is seen fallen on the ground. Nearby, a single shoe lies in the middle of the road. There is no sign of Geon-yeong himself. The episode ends here, leaving his fate completely unknown.
This ominous scene suggests a violent encounter. Given that Gi-tae had just learned Geon-yeong was pressuring his brother, many viewers believe Gi-tae ordered an attack to stop the prosecutor for good. Whether Geon-yeong has been kidnapped or killed will be the central mystery heading into the final episode.
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