Broken 2014

Quiet life with Su-jin

Lee Sang-hyeon, a widower, lives a quiet, routine life with his 15-year-old daughter Su-jin. Their days reveal a fragile but loving bond as Sang-hyeon tries to keep normalcy after losing his wife. The easy rhythm of their life masks an underlying ache that soon erupts into tragedy.

Abduction and discovery

Su-jin is abducted and subjected to a brutal crime, and her body is later found at a derelict public bathhouse. The tragedy shatters Sang-hyeon's fragile ordinary world and fuels a mix of fury, grief, and helplessness. Officials begin a police investigation, but progress remains slow.

Desire to act on his own

Overwhelmed by grief and anger, Sang-hyeon decides to take matters into his own hands. He shifts from passive suffering to a man determined to uncover the killer himself. The line between protective father and vengeful seeker starts to blur as he pursues his own justice.

Anonymous tip arrives

An anonymous text arrives, offering information about the culprit and listing an address claimed to hold electronic evidence. The tip redirects Sang-hyeon's quest and gives him a concrete lead to follow. The moment marks a transition from grief-driven action to a targeted pursuit.

Confrontation at the address

At the listed address, Sang-hyeon finds Kim Cheol-yong laughing at a video showing Su-jin's rape and murder. The sight triggers a brutal, impulsive killing, and Cheol-yong is suddenly dead. This violent act pushes Sang-hyeon deeper into a dangerous maelstrom of vengeance.

Accomplice revealed, pursuit begins

On Cheol-yong's murder scene, detective Jang Eok-gwan realizes that Sang-hyeon is the killer and decides to tail him. The official investigation pivots toward Sang-hyeon's involvement, turning a personal vendetta into a moving target for the authorities. The discovery sets in motion a tense cat-and-mouse pursuit through the city.

Slow progress of the official inquiry

Meanwhile, the investigation into Su-jin's death continues, but it progresses slowly. The slow pace leaves Sang-hyeon restless and more determined to uncover the truth on his own. The contrast between official inertia and his vigilant efforts becomes central to the story.

Second attacker implied

Sang-hyeon learns Cheol-yong had an accomplice, sharpening his resolve to locate the second rapist. He broadens his search, following new leads and weighing who else might be connected to the crime. The pursuit grows more complex as the net widens.

Official pursuit tightens

Detective Jang Eok-gwan continues the investigation and closes in on the lines connecting Cheol-yong's murder to Su-jin's case. He begins to map Sang-hyeon's movements and motives, turning the case into a high-stakes pursuit. The tension between justice and vengeance becomes increasingly palpable.

Vigilante hunt intensifies

Sang-hyeon's pursuit for the second attacker grows more dangerous as he chases down leads and confronts danger in search of the truth. His actions threaten to cross ethical boundaries while he tries to deliver his own form of justice. The dual pressure of the killer's trail and the detective's pursuit drives the story forward.

Chase becomes a cat-and-mouse game

The detective's pursuit tightens as he tracks Sang-hyeon through the city, turning the investigation into a personal chase. He gathers evidence and narrows the suspect pool, edging closer to a confrontation. The case becomes a deadly dance between fatherly grief and professional duty.