Unveiling the First Case Tracked Through Payphone Records in 'Hyungsooda' Season 2

The second season of the E-channel original web variety show 'Hyungsooda' (hereafter 'Hyungsooda 2') highlights the first case tracked through payphone records. This episode, airing on the YouTube channel 'Detectives' Talk' on the 3rd, features former judge-turned-lawyer Jung Jae-min and Kim Nam-il.

Before delving into the case, the cast discusses a recent motel serial murder case. Kim Nam-il expressed his shock after watching the news, while Kwon Il-yong explained, "A score of 25 out of 40 on the psychopathy test is considered dangerous. The perpetrator, Kim So-young, scored 25." It was noted that Lee Eun-hae from the valley murder case scored 31, and serial killer Yoo Young-chul scored 38.

Kwon Il-yong introduced a new segment called 'News Update Desk,' highlighting cases not covered by the news, stating, "There are many cases that don't make it to the 9 o'clock news. We've prepared this segment to update you on those."

The episode also revisits events from January 1993, including the election of Chung Mong-joon as the 47th president of the Korea Football Association and his promise to bring the World Cup to Korea. When asked how Ahn Jung-hwan might have responded to questions about the World Cup bid, he confidently replied, "Of course, it will happen," eliciting laughter. Kwon Il-yong humorously remarked on discussing psychopathy tests with legends Ahn Jung-hwan and Kim Nam-il, bringing laughter to the set.

The featured case occurred in Busan in 1993, beginning when a hiker discovered a young woman in a bloody state. Unfortunately, the victim was already deceased, with blunt force trauma evident on her face and head. The 25-year-old victim worked at a construction company within Gimhae International Airport but had resigned a month prior to her upcoming wedding. Colleagues mentioned she often boasted about her wealthy fiancé from Apgujeong, Seoul, but no one knew his exact name, and her family was unaware of the wedding plans.

To uncover the fiancé's identity, investigators searched her home and workplace, finding a suspiciously marked section in her notebook. Forensic analysis revealed the letters S, K, and M. With the meaning of these letters unclear, the team printed and examined all payphone records from the airport's domestic terminal, suspecting the victim had contacted her fiancé from there. Kwon Il-yong noted, "This was the first case where a suspect was tracked through payphone records."

During the investigation, a call was made to a number believed to belong to the fiancé, only for a woman to answer, claiming he was her husband, adding a shocking twist. The full story, including the fiancé's true identity and the meaning of the notebook's letters, will be revealed in 'Hyungsooda 2,' airing at 7 PM.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr