Doubt Episode 2 Recap: Ha-bin’s Actions Heighten Jang Tae-su’s Suspicions in Shocking Murder Case

The second episode of the riveting new MBC crime thriller, Doubt, premiered on October 12. The series stars notable actors such as Han Seok-kyu, Chae Won-bin, Han Ye-ri, and Oh Yeon-soo, supported by a talented ensemble cast. Season 1 of Doubt consists of 10 gripping episodes.

The inaugural episode established escalating tensions between Jang Tae-su and his daughter, Jang Ha-bin. In the latest installment, Ha-bin’s actions intensify Tae-su’s doubts regarding her potential involvement in a murder case. This episode also further explains the reasons behind Tae-su’s unnerving behavior towards Ha-bin.

Recap of Doubt Episode 2: Secrets of Jang Ha-bin’s Childhood Connected to Her Brother’s Death

Episode 2 kicks off with a flashback to Jang Ha-bin’s childhood. The scene reveals a heated argument between Jang Tae-su and his wife, who confronts him about his distrust of their daughter. She accuses him of allowing his profession to cloud his judgment over Ha-bin. When Tae-su’s wife storms out, he follows her, only to catch Ha-bin, who overhears their intense discussion.

Returning to the present, Tae-su drives Ha-bin home from the hospital after her dramatic leap in front of a vehicle last episode. As they arrive, Tae-su’s suspicion grows when he sees Ha-bin’s grandmother waiting outside their home. Ha-bin insists it was she who invited her grandmother over, raising more questions for Tae-su since they haven’t been in touch for a long period.

After safely dropping her off, Tae-su heads to the police station where he reviews CCTV footage related to the car that was torched, closely tied to the murder investigation. Strikingly, the woman who rented the vehicle shares an uncanny resemblance with Ha-bin.

Dressed in a hoodie reminiscent of what Ha-bin wore, the girl from the footage piques Tae-su’s interest. As he digs deeper into the phone records from the area, he discovers Ha-bin’s number among them.

Later, while with a forensic specialist, Tae-su examines a piece of vivid red thread linked to the murder. Consumed by doubt regarding Ha-bin, he rushes home to investigate her room for anything made from a similar fabric.

Just as Tae-su is about to search, Ha-bin returns. Not finding any red material, he swiftly exits. Ha-bin senses someone had been in her space and, upon entering, he notices a red squishy heart keychain dangling from her backpack.

This discovery sends Tae-su storming toward Ha-bin’s room to confront her but he’s halted by a memory from her past.

In a flashback, Tae-su is seen interrogating young Ha-bin about why she ventured into the woods. Her distressed mother beats on the door, demanding he stops, finally bursting in to comfort Ha-bin. The child adamantly declares her innocence regarding any deaths. The scene shifts back to the present, where Tae-su leaves without uttering a word.

Back at the station, another video reveals the woman renting the car is indeed the one who clashed with Ha-bin in the previous episode. Identified as Song Min-a, her criminal activities include assault and fraud.

Determined to track down Song Min-a, Tae-su reaches out via social media and arranges to meet with her. Upon arrival at the meeting spot, he spots the girl exiting a car, realizing she is the same person previously involved in the conflict with Ha-bin. Noticing a male accomplice, he follows them as they drive off.

The pair stops in front of a house where the male notices Tae-su’s presence. Upon learning he’s a cop, they attempt to escape but he quickly loses their trail. He circles back to the initial location but finds nothing to further his investigation.

Upon returning home, Tae-su questions Ha-bin if she truly saw Song Min-a by the time of the murder. In tears, she pleads for his trust and denies having met with the girl.

The following day, the male suspect from the previous evening is apprehended at the same house. He resists revealing information about Song Min-a. Tae-su and his partner visit the residence, where they notice signs of domestic abuse on the landlady.

In the meantime, the other girl from the earlier encounter is also detained. Identified as Park Ji-yeon, she privately warns Tae-su to release her, or she’ll blow the whistle on Ha-bin’s involvement with Song Min-a. Ji-yeon also claims that Song Min-a’s phone was last in Ha-bin’s possession, indicating possible significant interactions just before the latter’s disappearance.

Tae-su’s mind drifts back to a haunting memory when Ha-bin had gone missing in her youth, leading to a bloody scene and discovering her sibling, Ha-jun, dead in the woods nearby.

As events unfold in the current timeline, authorities release the man they apprehended, keeping track of him post-release. Similarly, Ji-yeon is let go after questioning.

Meanwhile, Ha-bin visits the police station, unintentionally uncovering documents related to the murder investigation. One particular reference details the vivid red fiber found at the crime scene, and later, she is seen incinerating the red squishy keychain.

Simultaneously, Tae-su’s team investigates Song Min-a’s criminal history, linking it back to Ha-bin’s prior interactions, which he had already known about. As the episode approaches its climax, Tae-su reflects on a family outing that descended into chaos, revealing bloody remnants of Ha-bin amidst her brother Ha-jun’s tragic fall in the hilly woods.

Tae-su, filled with tension, confronts Ha-bin, demanding to know if she had indeed harmed Song Min-a. She challenges him, questioning whether he truly believes Ha-jun’s fate was accidental and asserts her mother was not a suicide victim.

As their eyes lock, filled with anguish and doubt, there’s a sudden knock at the door as fellow officers arrive, effectively closing the chapter on this episode with newfound suspicion cast on Ha-bin.

The next episodes of Doubt are set to air on Fridays and Saturdays at 21:50 KST, and viewers can catch them on Netflix.

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