(All characters, organizations, places, cases, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
- Mommy! - Yes?
Is the baby a boy or a girl?
Well, I don't know yet,
but you have to give lots of love, okay?
Yes, I know.
Why did you buy so much?
They said this sterilizes the humidifier.
The world has gotten so much better, hasn't it?
People are so smart.
How did they come up with this?
Daddy, I'm hungry.
Are you hungry?
I'll make your favorite kimchi fried rice.
Let's go.
(Doctor Detective)
(Episode 13)
You're here for an epidemiological survey?
We just met up with the higher-ups.
- They said you will cooperate... - That...
is up to the new director.
Hello. I am the director of TL Medical Center,
Choi Min.
I look forward to working with you, Ms. Gong.
We look forward to it, too.
Let me tell you in advance.
We're going to go all the way.
Of course, you will.
Did you see the patients?
The situation is serious.
If this is due to an environmental factor,
we have to hurry up and find the cause,
so that there won't be any more victims.
I'll review the medical records we obtained.
Please give me some help, Mr. Huh.
Ms. Byun and Mr. Ha,
check the list of the environmental factors and...
- survey the patients' guardians. - Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Suk, you stand by at the lab.
Yes, ma'am.
Hey.
About the new director. What is she like?
You said she took good care of Seo Rin.
I'm don't know what she's like anymore.
Why?
She might have agreed on the epidemiological survey,
but she'll be scheming something else in her mind.
But she used to be a doctor.
I'm sure she won't be too bad.
No, she won't.
He threatened me.
"You'll have to return to Mujinpo"?
- Goodness. - Don't mind him too much.
He must think he's unstoppable...
now that he's the vice chairman of TL.
There have been several deaths due to an unidentified epidemic?
Yes. Two patients have expired last night.
They are 1 child and 1 adult.
Do you think it was because of a virus?
That's the problem.
I thought it was the Mongolian virus,
but they all progressed so differently.
I'm wondering if it's due to an environmental factor.
I should just focus on my dissertation.
That's why I wanted to ask you this.
Can't you stop the UDC from carrying out...
the epidemiological investigation?
The patients wouldn't risk their lives...
to do something meaningful.
They'd never be able to reject the suggestions from doctors...
when their child's life is in their hands.
(TL Seoul Medical Center)
Doctor, will my child be all right?
We think the cause is a virus.
Other doctors said there could be some other reasons.
This is TL Medical Center.
Don't you trust our staff?
Then why are you here?
Ma'am, why don't you hold off the survey...
until when your baby gets better...
- and gets discharged. Okay? - Okay.
Hello, we're from the UDC. We want to...
Hello, we're from the UDC. We want to do a survey...
- No thank you. - But the victim...
Leave here.
- We just need you to... - Please leave.
We need to treat her first.
(Intensive Care Unit, Restricted Area)
This is a survey of the virus. We're from the UDC.
Doctor.
- This is a survey of the virus. - I'm not interested.
- We're from the UDC. - I'm not doing it!
Go away!
Hello, ma'am.
What's the matter?
Didn't you get the survey done?
I just don't get it.
The guardians won't agree to do it.
We need to figure out the environmental factors...
in order to begin the investigation.
I'm sure the doctor is behind this.
Or it could be someone higher.
Tae Young. Come on in.
Have a seat.
It's been so long since the three of us sat down for some tea.
That's why I call you.
Here.
Should I just quietly finish this and leave,
or say what's on my mind, Father?
Just drink first. It won't be good when it's cold.
I resigned, so I can focus on one thing.
Don't you think it's a shame? It's your third year.
You'll be a qualified doctor in a year.
I've come far enough.
By the way...
What are your plans?
My plans?
I don't know.
I guess I'll have to have you as the director...
of the medical center and assist Father...
in order to create a new start for TL.
Sounds good.
You'll have to support me well.
- Take another cup. - No thank you.
The tea is bitter.
I have to go now.
And...
you let the UDC start the epidemiological survey,
but I'll be the one to end it.
Don't involve yourself in the hospital business anymore.
It's not within your authority.
I guess we won't be getting along, Father.
Goodbye, Min.
Wish you good luck.
I need to ask for a favor.
(TL Seoul Medical Center)
(Joong Eun)
(TL Seoul Medical Center, Director, Choi Min)
Ma'am, someone from the UDC...
I'm here because of the epidemiological survey.
Why didn't you pick up?
(TL Seoul Medical Center, Director, Choi Min)
I know you agreed to cooperate reluctantly...
because the number of patients increased.
Still, you're a doctor.
This is wrong.
You sound firmly convinced that I'm the one behind it.
Because I've suffered far worse than this.
Professor Hong from Pediatrics will come soon.
You can ask him yourself.
Ms. Doh.
Why are you involving personal feelings into business?
With that kind of attitude, we won't be able to work together.
Just promise me.
That you won't get in the way.
You're contacting me often lately.
I'll cut to the chase.
In order to carry out the epidemiological survey,
we need the cooperation from the patients' guardians.
But...
I think the doctor is threatening the guardians.
Who?
Professor Hong?
Help me.
You're asking for help a lot lately.
I'll try everything that I can.
Those children lying in the intensive care unit.
You saw them too.
So?
Those children...
are just 6, 7, or 8 years old.
They're all Seo Rin's age.
I'm not a doctor. I'm a businessman.
And don't you know what it is that I need?
What do you want?
TL.
This incident will get big enough...
for all the media outlets to pay attention.
You should investigate with the UDC.
After saving the children,
do as I tell you.
If you promise me that, I will help you.
- If you look here... - Yes, thank you.
They sent the questionnaires for the pediatric patients by express.
I guess Professor Hong gave up.
I wonder who made this possible.
Come on, I know who it is.
That person has arrived.
What did you say to them?
What?
I asked for their cooperation.
Who did you ask? Your ex-husband?
- Or your ex-sister-in-law... - Hey.
Hey. Still, thanks to Joong Eun,
we can start our investigation with TL on our shoulders.
Right.
All right, this is all about speed.
Get the questionnaires analyzed before this evening.
- Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am.
- Good job. - Thanks.
You're here.
Can you explain what this is about?
The results showed subacute and subversive signs.
Including signs of fibrosis.
There was a patient who had lung damage...
after inhaling toxic gas.
It looks like a similar case.
The Pathology will find out soon.
By inhaling, do you mean...
It's not because of a virus,
but an environmental factor.
What's wrong?
It's nothing.
I just heard something totally different.
From more than 90 percent of patients,
with respiratory diseases, the Mongolian virus was found.
We can tell the cause is a virus.
There's no need to keep the UDC on board...
There's no need anymore.
What about the Pathology?
"We cannot exclude the possibility that it's because of a virus."
I can make that happen.
That sounds good.
Tell Professor Hong to get his dissertation done.
And come up with a hypothesis...
that can explain the high death rate in Korea.
The HLA-B gene variation hypotheses...
that is commonly known in Korea will be more than enough.
Also, don't add opinions like...
"we need to investigate environmental factors"...
in the dissertation either.
Leave the consulting up to me.
Recently, more than 90 percent of respiratory disease patients...
that have been found across the nation...
have tested positive for the Mongolian virus.
As of today, our hospital...
has announced a battle against the Mongolian virus.
Our medical teams...
will cooperate closely with the government...
in order to protect the health and safety of our people,
and try our very best to prevent the outbreak...
of the Mongolian virus.
We sincerely hope all of you will actively cooperate.
Fear is our biggest enemy.
So please do not cause any unnecessary confusion...
- based on groundless rumors... - Was it really...
due to the Mongolian virus?
It smells fishy.
It's too fishy.
That's just the announcement from TL.
The people still think...
TL is the best medical center in this country.
I doubt it's been fabricated.
Other hospitals can find out too if they investigate.
They can't lie about something like that.
You're right, ma'am.
But what we need to focus on...
is the remaining 10 percent...
that hasn't been diagnosed with the Mongolian virus.
Ms. Byun. Didn't Professor Shin call?
I guess they're in a pickle too.
They have no concrete proof to deny that it's not a virus.
On top of that, they're worried about the higher-ups as well.
I understand. Bringing us on board itself...
would be huge pressure on Professor Shin.
Still, that announcement. Something seems...
so fishy about it. Darn it.
Oh, my.
- I'll do it. - Sure.
Here.
Ta-da. Here you go.
Is it good?
(Research on the Risk of TL Chemical's New Substance)
(TL Seoul Medical Center)
Hello.
This is a simple questionnaire.
Okay.
Hello!
- This is a simple questionnaire. - No, thank you.
Can you hold this for a second?
I need to check the houses of the pediatric patients,
but most of them won't let me do that.
Yes. I'll keep persuading them.
Mr. Huh...
Ms. Doh!
Hi, Do Yoon.
Hello.
- How have you been? - Good.
Professor Hong said...
it seems like the Mongolian virus, so we received some medication.
Actually, you need to suspect other things besides a virus.
Such as inside your house, surroundings,
and what he was exposed to.
Ma'am, if it's okay with you,
can you come with me to our house?
It's my day off today, so I have time.
(Checking on our patients is the first step to safety!)
That's fine. I'll drive today.
Is he driving the car himself?
Do Yoon. Wash your hands first.
Okay.
- If you don't mind. - Don't say that.
Take your time looking around.
First of all, can I see Do Yoon's room?
Yes.
Is it okay if I take some pictures?
Of course.
Do you usually keep the window open?
No. It's been over a year...
since they started construction work outside,
and I keep it closed except when I air the room.
Construction work outside. Cement.
He could have been exposed to heavy metal from rebar.
You use a humidifier during summer too?
My wife was adamant about it...
since we both had weak respiratory systems.
May I see the pictures...
of Do Yoon's daycare center?
I need to check whether he was exposed outside the house.
Mr. Kwon.
Is this Do Yoon's designated seat?
Yes. He somehow sits on the same seat this year too.
I found it.
A year ago, as soon as they had their second child,
the child died about three months later.
His wife also passed away soon after that.
He thought the dead child tried to take away his wife too.
He even performed exorcism...
and all kinds of things,
but it was useless.
Still, I guess time cured him.
He started to work for the labor union,
and he's raising his son well.
Mr. Kwon is truly an amazing man.
Mr. Moh, the rats have all died.
Yes, honey. How are the kids?
You know, that product I mentioned before.
You're not using it, right?
Yes. Okay.
Enjoy your dinner.
Okay.
(UDC)
I found the same air freshener inside the house of the kid...
who had the Mongolian virus.
So this was the real cause.
This bad air freshener.
Let's make an announcement...
and recall the products. Then, things will be over.
Wait. We need to check the Material Safety Data Sheet.
We can decide after that.
Come on, the answer is right here.
That's not the answer.
Alcohol, eucalyptus...
It uses natural plant extracts...
We were wrong.
Then is it really the Mongolian virus?
I have somewhere to go.
- Shall I go with you? - No. I need to check something.
That's the Joong Eun I know.
Was anything found in the lab?
Shall I go check?
No, I'll go.
What's with him?
Are those two...
Il Sun. I'm really sorry.
Sorry?
I'll buy you a drink one day.
He seriously needs to take some medication.
Hey, then those two...
What if Mr. Ha shaves his mustache?
Come on, don't be silly. That won't make a difference.
What if he shaves here as well?
No way. I don't even want to think about it.
Oh, boy. Here it is. I was wondering where I put it.
- Jin Yi. - What?
Did you find anything?
No. Nothing.
Jin Hak.
Darn.
Having true courage...
means not wishing for anything in return.
What does that mean?
I can't understand a word of his nonsense.
It's nothing, don't mind him.
So...
Here you go.
What is this? Do I have to run another test?
No. Your throat may go dry...
because of the air conditioner.
It's good to leave that on in summer too.
My mom told me that.
- This is the charger... - No.
I'm not fond of humidity.
(Special Promotion to Prevent the Mongolian Virus!)
Due to the Mongolian virus,
the sales of hand sanitizers, disinfectants,
and masks have skyrocketed.
If one of these was the cause of lung disease,
what item could have commonly been used at homes with children?
Mr. Kwon, do you have anyone you can contact within TL Chemical?
I need some data.
Jin Hak, my guess was right, wasn't it?
I think I'm hopeless.
You are.
Seriously, you little...
You need to start over from the basics.
Well...
Start with sunscreen and a moisturizer.
Since moisturizing is important.
"Moisturizing"?
This data wasn't confidential,
so it wasn't difficult to obtain it.
Thank you.
But why did you ask for this suddenly?
(Humi-Mate Becomes Number One in Market Share)
Mr. Kwon, since when did you start using Humi-Mate?
The humidifier disinfectant that you had at home.
Well...
About three years ago?
(Chief, Gong Il Sun)
Chief, there's a high chance it's the humidifier disinfectant.
We need to look into this.
Really? I'll check right away.
Okay.
Ms. Byun, please check the Material Safety Data Sheet...
for Humi-Mate made by TL Chemical.
Okay.
(MSDS: Information about the safety of chemical products)
Ms. Gong, here you go.
Didn't they actively advertise this Humi-Mate...
after the respiratory diseases broke out?
They said that humidifiers needs to be sterilized too.
Il Sun, TL Chemical.
It's TL again.
- Is this a coincidence? - We don't know yet.
Go visit TL again tomorrow.
This is too obvious for it to be coincidental.
(Results from the house of humidifier disinfectant victim)
(Kim Chae Young)
(Humi-Mate)
I found it.
We confirmed all 12 of them used the humidifier disinfectant.
Then let's analyze those who used it and those who didn't.
- Hurry. - Okay.
We have the test results.
The cross-reference rate is 47,
and reliability rate ranges from 6.0 to 369.7.
The people who used the humidifier disinfectant...
were exposed to lung disease...
47 times more.
There is a statistical significance,
but in order to confirm the actual cause,
we need to run animal testing.
But considering the urgency of this matter,
let's make an announcement first.
Let's do it.
I'll prepare the press release.
You can't do that.
- What are you... - So we meet again.
What are you doing here?
Is this a personal visit?
No, it's about official business.
Do you have any results from the test I asked for last time?
You should leave.
We'll tell you when we have the results.
The humidifier disinfectant?
Did you use Humi-Mate at this center too?
The entire country is using this product.
You should be careful...
with the investigation and the results.
I'm sure we'll do a good job on our own.
"Slime forms in humidifiers."
"The minerals from the tap water and foreign matters from the pipes..."
"accumulate in the humidifier."
"If the slime is inhaled over a long period of time,"
"it could cause an infection in the lungs."
Do we have to keep listening...
to what this man has to say?
"The manufacturer of the humidifier..."
"and the individuals who failed to take proper care of them..."
"are responsible for the illnesses."
Is this why you left the investigation to us...
in the first place, isn't it?
Mr. Choi, please leave.
I'm here to help you.
He's just spewing nonsense.
What I just told you...
is from the announcement Mr. Moh and Oshem are going to make.
To those higher-ups up there.
It sounds too strange. It's not even credible.
Then how credible are the results from the UDC?
You'll need results from animal testing...
if you want to prove it to be hazardous.
We've investigated enough and we'll win...
if we go with the facts.
I hope that's how it turns out.
Hey.
Why are you telling us about this?
Like I told you from the start,
you will have my full support.
What I want is the truth.
Not the feeble truth,
but the powerful truth that can make us win.
I think I've nagged you enough.
I hope you win.
What are they up to?
We will go with our original plan.
Prepare the materials.
Hey!
Wait a minute.
Let's have a talk.
What is it?
You're the vice chairman of TL.
I don't think that you came all the way just to nag us.
What if I did?
Then you're much stupider...
than I thought.
Or, you're an old fool with a big mouth...
who likes to judge other people...
when you're nothing yourself.
You're quite funny.