Two important incidents were unveiled in the 11th episode of Jirisan. It slowly leads to the anticipated climactic reveal of the hidden culprit.
It turns out that Yi-gang’s initial doubt about Chief Jo was groundless. Still, the possible culprit hinted is not yet confirmed. At the end of episode 10, Hyun-jo was able to foretell the coming of a flood and saw the killer’s hand in a black glove, foreshadowing another imminent crisis. That fiasco seems to repeat a history that has yet to leave the hearts of those directly affected by it.
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Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05| 06 | 07 | 08| 09| 10| 11 | 12 | 13 & 14 | Finale Week + Review |
Jirisan Episode 11 Key Moments
“If one is a national park ranger, taking some gloves would be easy.”
In the 2020 timeline, Yi-gang was found by one of the rangers after falling unconscious trying to go to the mountain. She remains silent while the ranger asked her questions about Chief Jo’s ongoing investigation.
When they arrive at the station, the ranger makes another statement about how the evidence found on the crime scene, specifically the gloves, can be accessed by any park ranger.
Yi-gang visits Chief Do to ask what he was doing at the area where Da-won was when she died. He responds how he regretted not bringing her down that day because he could have saved her from peril.
Finally, Yi-gang confronts him about the bloodied yellow ribbons he found inside his drawer. Responding if knowing about the misleading ribbons and poisoned yogurt caused her return, he advised her to see Il-hae since he shared what he had learned so far to him.
Things are getting heavier for Yi-gang as she receives a call from the hospital where Hyun-jo is confined. His condition worsened and might be declared brain dead since he cannot breathe on his own anymore. She pleads to be informed should his family decides to take him out of life support to which the nurse agrees.
“We weren’t the only ones who were up on the mountain that day.”
Pondering how catching the culprit could help Hyun-jo survive, Yi-gang is eager to get to the bottom of the problem.
Huddling her ranger batchmates Il-hae and Goo-young, she confessed about the suspicious killings on the mountain. Il-hae also shares how Chief Jo discovered misleading yellow ribbons and poisoned yogurt drinks near the accidents that happened on the mountain.
Not buying what his friends are telling him, Yi-gang responds that Hyun-jo knew about it. She finally reveals the reason why they went to Black Bridge valley which caused the accident that almost killed them.
It was revealed how Yi-gang was misled and fell on the snow while getting a pole left most likely by the criminal. Hyun-jo was able to send the message to Chief Jo, but was not able to return to where he left Yi-gang and was also found wounded without a pulse.
She is also convinced that another person was on the mountain that day remembering her close encounter with that person. However, at that time, the police who questioned her refused to believe that someone could have advertently harmed them.
Proposing to find the real culprit against Goo-young’s skeptic attitude, Yi-gang suggests evidence could be found at Black Bridge valley. She requests to be brought there to find it.
The three go to the village. Goo-young was unaware that his friends suspect him. Willing to sacrifice herself, Yi-gang met Il-hae early for their plan to work. Resting on their journey, Yi-gang questions why Goo-young was on the mountain the day Da-won died to which he quickly replied vaguely.
“Last summer, a lot of bad things happened.”
Carrying Yi-gang on his back, the three head to the Black Bridge valley. Faint tension can be felt especially when they reminisce that “one summer of misfortunes”.
In the summer of 2019, Hyun-jo relayed how the culprit wears black gloves when committing his crime. It’s definitely not gonna help to search his identity given the gloves are usually a staple clothing for people living and working near a national park.
That season, the team preps for the expected torrential rainfall, that could be dangerous for visitors and nearby towns. A perfect example of that was the Dowon valley downpour that took Yi-gang’s parents’ lives.
While helping out with the memorial preparations, Hyun-jo notices an old photo of volunteer rangers with some of the members being involved in the recent mountain killings. Learning a record kept about Dowon valley’s unfortunate flood incident, Hyun-jo goes to see it.
That day, the rescue team took time to arrive. The young Jo Dae-jin evacuate with some of the trapped people adamant to leave the shelter. His junior, Kim Nam-sik, who had documented the situation, stayed with an old couple and Yi-gang’s parents.
Noticing the Ranger Kim writing amidst the storm, the old couple requests to leave a message for their children. However, Yi-gang’s parents decide not to leave any message. When the notebook was later found, it caused a deep scar in Yi-gang’s heart. Thus, she does not put high regard for the yearly memorial service for the Dowon valley flood victims.
Ranger Kim also left a note for his son Kim Hyeon-su, the military guy who was also one of the mountain killing victims. Analyzing the information he gathered, Hyun-jo assessed how the victims are all related to the 1995 flood incident.
Meanwhile, Yi-gang seeks comfort at a nearby temple and was joined by Kim Sol. She senses something odd. Just then the emergency siren wails surprising the rangers and people on the mountain and nearby town.
Jirisan Episode 11 Musings
If Hyun-jo’s family decides to let him go, would his spirit-form trapped in the mountain vanish as well? Or will he continue to become a mountain ghost? Will Yi-gang’s yearning to save him bring a miracle for his survival?
This chapter specifically highlighted the effort of presenting Jirisan in all its four seasons’ glory. As we have all noticed, the changing seasons also put a spotlight on common concerns and accidents that can happen at a national mountain park.
Enveloped in a nerve-wracking thrill, the trio’s conversation about the mountain murders add a more cryptic note in our quest to find the true villain of the story. For all we know it could be “villains” that we are looking into.
The coming episode hints at another huge plight for the rangers. We saw Il-hae leading a pack of hikers. One of them is the leader of cable car promotion that traces to the event of 1991. If we follow Hyun-jo’s analysis, it appears that people directly or indirectly involved in the 1995 flooding are targeted.
Honestly, the vast picture of Jirisan is as enormous as a mountain range. Given its big cast and essential past events inserted into the narrative, it’s easy to get lost. Thus, sticking on the trail is helpful.
Viewers should brace themselves with an onslaught of revelations as episode 12 looks every bit compelling and heartbreaking.
Don’t miss the thrilling adventure of Gianna Jun and Ju Ji Hoon on Jirisan only on iQiyi!
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