'Red Swan' Ending Explained: Who killed Kim Yong-guk? Seo Do-yoon finally brings justice to victims
Contains spoilers for 'Red Swan'
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: The South Korean drama 'Red Swan', now streaming on Disney+, has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and stellar performances by Kim Ha-neul and Rain.
The series, penned by Choi Yoon-jung, takes viewers on an emotional journey through the life of Oh Wan-soo, a young woman whose dream of becoming a skilled golfer takes an unexpected turn.
As 'Red Swan' marks its conclusion, the complex web of love, betrayal, and redemption comes into sharp focus.
Let's explore the ending of 'Red Swan’, unveiling the final twists and turns, and examining how the resolution of Oh Wan-soo's journey ties together the themes of love and betrayal, and what it means for her future.
Who killed Oh Hyun-soo in 'Red Swan'?
Oh Hyun-soo's death is a tragic turn of events. Han Sang il (Yoon Je-moon) arranges to meet Hyun-soo near the Han River to exchange money for laundering. Before leaving, Hyun-soo texts Do-yoon about the meeting.
Do-yoon notices Lee-jin heading out and secretly plants a camera at the meeting spot. The camera captures Mr. Han asking for the original ledger files of Hwain Group's slush fund. After Mr. Han departs, Lee-jin arrives (sent by Mr. Han) and slits Hyun-soo's neck.
Do-yoon witnesses this and chases Lee-jin, stabbing her in the back, but she manages to escape. Do-yoon rushes Hyun-soo to the hospital, but the doctor reveals that Hyun-soo has passed away.
Do-yoon breaks the news to Wan-soo, but as the house is surrounded by reporters due to Park Mi-ran's (Seo Yi-sook) summon she can't go to the hospital.
At Hyun-soo's funeral, Wan-soo breaks down emotionally. Kim Yong-guk gets devastated seeing her, and Hyun-soo's wife hands Do-yoon a USB drive containing crucial evidence to incriminate Mr. Han which he later plants in his house's locker.
During the investigation and search of Mr. Han's house following Hyun-soo's wife's complaint, Lee-jin arrives, exchanging a glance with Do-yoon before fleeing. Do-yoon chases her, discovering the knife wound he inflicted earlier.
He confronts her, delivering punches on her face until she accepts defeat. Do-yoon then hands her over to the police, serving justice for Hyun-soo.
What happened with Park Mi-ran in 'Red Swan'?
Mr. Han, possessing the original ledger files detailing the Hwain Group's slush funds and implicating Park Mi-ran, submits them for investigation. That night, Hyun-soo is murdered, and Mi-ran is summoned.
Frustrated, she waits for her lawyer, Mr. Han, who arrives late due to Hyun-soo's murder. The next day, to divert attention, Mr. Han orchestrates a scandal suggesting Oh Wan-soo is having an affair with her bodyguard, Do-yoon.
After the investigation, Mr. Han advises Mi-ran to stay in a hotel to avoid media scrutiny. However, the investigator arrests her the next day, leaving her frustrated with Mr. Han. When Mr. Han visits Mi-ran in custody, he reveals that Yong-min (Go Yoon) murdered the chairman with a gold brick.
Mr. Han, Yong-min’s real father, had hidden evidence and concocted the initial mystery of the chairman's death. He urges Mi-ran to take the blame to protect their son, asking her to sacrifice herself for his sake.
Who killed Kim Yong-guk in 'Red Swan'?
Kim Yong-guk (Jung Gyu-woon), having recently realized his love for his wife Oh Wan-soo, decides to make things right for her, severing ties with his mistress Jang Tae-ra (Ki Eun-se) and their child. However, fate has other plans.
Yong-min, furious at being excluded from the chairman's will and having lost everything, especially after his wife Seo Ji-yeon divorced him, heads to Yong-guk's home in a fit of rage.
He instructs the staff to leave and retrieves a rifle from the basement. Hearing this from a servant, Mr. Han (Yong-min's real father) rushes to the scene. Meanwhile, Yong-guk, with a bottle of wine, confronts Yong-min and mocks him.
Enraged, Yong-min points the gun at Yong-guk, who taunts both father and son, calling Yong-min a servant's son unworthy of any inheritance. Infuriated, Mr. Han grabs the gun. As Oh Wan-soo steps outside, two gunshots ring out.
She rushes back in, witnessing another shot fired, striking Yong-guk, leaving him to die in a pool of blood.
Witnessing the scene, Mr. Han calls the police and falsely accuses Oh Wan-soo of killing her husband. He instructs his son Yong-min to hide. Upon hearing this from the investigation department, Do-yoon hurries to reach Wan-soo. The police arrive and take both Wan-soo and Mr. Han to the station, while Do-yoon embarks on a mission to find evidence against Yong-min and Mr. Han.
How did Seo Do-yoon find proof against Mr. Han and Yong-min?
Do-yoon, having earlier planted a USB given by Hyun-soo's wife in Mr. Han's house, now seeks evidence against Yong-guk's murderer. With the house servants' help, he discovers the CCTV footage has been erased.
Noticing Yong-min's car still in the parking lot, Do-yoon searches each room and finds Yong-min hiding in a servant's quarters. He gets him arrested, leading to Oh Wan-soo and Mr. Han being cleared.
As an advisor in the Hwain Group case, Do-yoon suggests a forensic test for gunpowder residue, which turns out positive for both Mr. Han and Yong-min, confirming their involvement in the murder.
Soon after, the USB is recovered from Mr. Han's safe, leading to his arrest. Ironically, this happens on the same day he is declared the CEO of the Hwain Group in Park Mi-ran's absence.
Everyone ultimately receives their due: Mi-ran spends some time in prison until she is proven innocent of her husband's murder, while Mr. Han and Yong-min rot in jail for their crimes. However, the only person who deserved better was Kim Yong-guk, who did not deserve to die so tragically.
Do Seo Do-yoon and Oh Wan-soo end up together in 'Red Swan'?
With the danger lifted from Oh Wan-soo's life, Seo Do-yoon submits his resignation letter, leaving her a bit shocked.
They part ways with a hug. Meanwhile, Park Mi-ran returns to her chair at Hwain Group one last time before conducting an election for a new chairman for the company.
In an emotional ending, she hallucinates seeing Yong-guk in one chair and Mr. Han in another.
One year later, as Wan-soo prepares to head to Tanzania, where she first fell in love with Yong-guk, she unexpectedly meets Do-yoon, who is also joining the NGO.
Her heart skips a beat, hinting that destiny has reunited them, perhaps to fall in love without any danger lurking on them this time.
'Red Swan' is available for streaming on Disney+