Breaking Down the Unexpected Ending of The Price of Confession

“The Price of Confession” is a gripping crime drama that makes you rethink your initial judgments and examine how those in authority might be prejudiced. This new Netflix series comes from Lee Jung-hyo, the director of the popular show “Crash Landing on You,” and features a complex storyline by Kwon Jong-kwan, who also directed “Proof of Innocence.” The show also showcases the talents of some of Korea’s most acclaimed actors, allowing them to demonstrate their versatility.

Jeon Do-yeon (known for her roles in Crash Course in Romance and Kill Boksoon) plays Ahn Yun-su, a free-spirited art teacher. Her life is turned upside down when her husband, a painter named Lee Ki-dae, is murdered. Prosecutor Baek Dong-hun (Park Hae-soo from Squid Game) quickly suspects Yun-su is responsible. Though she maintains her innocence and claims to have seen a woman fleeing the studio the night of the killing, public and legal opinion turn against her. Yun-su is convicted and imprisoned, leaving her daughter orphaned.

Mo Eun, played by Kim Go-eun, shockingly admits to murdering the couple she worked for at their dental practice. She poisoned them in their home and calmly awaited the police, accepting her fate. While in solitary confinement next to Yun-su, she proposes a deal: she’ll take the blame for Yun-su’s husband’s murder if Yun-su agrees to kill Ko Se-hun, the son of the couple Mo Eun murdered.

Why does Mo Eun want Se-hun dead?

When Mo Eun confesses to killing Se-hun’s parents, she simply says they deserved it, causing many to believe she lacks empathy and is a sociopath. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Mo Eun can feel for others and deeply regrets taking a life. Her cold exterior isn’t a sign of heartlessness, but a shield built from past trauma and her determination to avenge her father and sister.

I just found out something shocking about Mo Eun! Her real name is Kang So-hae, and she’s actually a doctor. She used to work in Thailand, helping people who really needed medical attention, and she was there when the COVID pandemic started. Right before Thailand closed its borders, she received the devastating news that her younger sister, So-mang, and her father had both taken their own lives. It’s just… heartbreaking to learn all of this about her past.

So-mang was sexually assaulted by Se-hun, who secretly filmed the attack and intended to share it online. After So-mang reported the assault to authorities, Se-hun’s powerful family intervened, resulting in a lenient punishment for him. As an act of revenge for her reporting him, Se-hun then distributed the video to her loved ones.

Overwhelmed with grief after failing to save his daughter, So-hae and So-mang’s father takes his own life. Soon after, So-mang, unable to reach her sister who is battling COVID-19, also dies by suicide, leaving So-hae heartbroken. When So-hae’s close friend, Mo Eun – a Korean citizen without family in Korea – succumbs to the virus, Mo Eun leaves So-hae her identity to aid in a planned revenge. Now using Mo Eun’s name, So-hae embarks on a quest to punish Se-hun and his family.

Does Yun-su kill Se-hun?

Yun-su accepted Mo Eun’s plan, and was released from jail after Mo Eun confessed to Ki-dae’s murder. While Yun-su is now with her daughter again, her freedom isn’t guaranteed. She needs to win her appeal, which requires her to kill Se-hun. Mo Eun warned Yun-su that if she doesn’t prove Se-hun is dead before the appeal, she’ll take back her confession.

Yun-su watched Se-hun for weeks, intending to kill him. However, when the time came, she couldn’t go through with it and instead let him live, despite his pleas. She warned Se-hun that Mo Eun was trying to kill him, and that if Mo Eun failed, someone else would. They staged a photo to make it appear as if Se-hun was dead, sending it to Mo Eun, and Yun-su told him to remain hidden until she returned. Days later, Se-hun was discovered dead, frozen inside his own freezer, and all the clues suggested Yun-su was responsible.

Who killed Yun-su’s husband?

After deciding she couldn’t bring herself to kill Se-hun, Yun-su focused on finding out who was really responsible for her husband’s death. While hiding from those pursuing her after Se-hun died, she attended an art exhibition showcasing her husband’s paintings. There, she spotted a photograph that included both Ki-dae and Mo Eun’s lawyer, Jin Yeong-in – also known as Choi Young-joon from the drama The Defects.

Yeong-in, a well-known public defender, took on Mo Eun’s case because his wife, the famous cellist Choi Su-yeon, asked him to. He’d kept quiet about knowing the husband of the victim, Yun-su, but as she investigates, she discovers he was actually harassing Ki-dae before Ki-dae died. It turns out Yeong-in and Su-yeon donated a piece of art to the university where Ki-dae was investigating a possible plagiarism, and Ki-dae had voiced his concerns to the university president. In the weeks leading up to his murder, Yeong-in had demanded a public apology, feeling Ki-dae had disrespected him and his wife.

Okay, so here’s how it went down that night. Ki-dae was in his studio, waiting for his wife, Yun-su, when Yeong-in and Su-yeong showed up. Things escalated quickly – apparently, Ki-dae wouldn’t apologize for something, and Su-yeong just snapped, hitting him with a wine bottle and then stabbing him with one of his art tools. It was brutal. Yeong-in, who’s a lawyer and clearly knows how to cover things up, stayed to clean the scene. Then, Yun-su arrived, found Ki-dae, called for help, and just held him as he… well, you can imagine. It was a really messed up situation.

At first, Yun-su’s husband’s death and Mo Eun’s quest for revenge are separate events. They become linked when Mo Eun needs Yun-su to finish a task she can’t complete herself. But as Mo Eun learns more about Yun-su, she begins to sympathize with her, especially because Yun-su wants to be a mother to her daughter. As Yun-su faces increasing hardship, Mo Eun starts to feel responsible and regretful for the part she’s played in it.

Who killed Se-hun?

Yeong-in killed Se-hun, and now he’s determined to make it look like Yun-su did it, all to protect his wife, whom he loves deeply. As Mo Eun’s lawyer, he’s using his access to information about Yun-su and subtly influencing the police investigation to point the blame at her.

I’m really glad Yun-su has Jang Jeong-gu as her lawyer – he’s amazing! At first, Yun-su didn’t quite trust him, but he quickly showed he was dedicated to finding the truth. She even sent him a webcam video as proof that Se-hun was still alive when she left. And Jeong-gu is so clever – he’s been subtly making Prosecutor Dong-hun question whether Yun-su is actually guilty. Together, Yun-su and Jeong-gu are starting to make both of them suspect their coworker, Yeong-in, instead.

The Price of Confession ending, explained

Mo Eun, understanding Yun-su needs assistance to prove her innocence, plans their getaway. They reunite and travel to Ki-dae’s studio, where Yun-su believes a fingerprint on his last artwork could identify the true killer – someone she now suspects is Yeong-in’s wife, Su-yeong.

Yeong-in showed up at the studio intending to get rid of the proof of Su-yeong’s wrongdoing. Mo Eun bravely stepped in to protect Yun-su, and in the ensuing struggle, Yeong-in stabbed her. Using his momentary shock, Yun-su then fatally stabbed Yeong-in. Both Yeong-in and Yun-su died – Yun-su passed away in Jeong-gu and Dong-hun’s arms just as they arrived.

Does The Price of Confession have a happy ending?

Though Yun-su is convicted of trying to kill Se-hun, she receives a lenient sentence and is eventually able to reunite with her daughter. They move to Thailand, the place where Mo Eun—formerly known as So-hae—found the most joy in her life. As a final gesture, Yun-su leaves a cherished watch – a keepsake that belonged to both Mo Eun and So-hae – as a remembrance of them both. Meanwhile, Mo Eun successfully avenges her family.

I’m really starting to think Su-yeong is going to get away with everything. She’s being questioned by Dong-hun, but he just doesn’t have enough proof to connect her to Ki-hae’s stabbing. They know she was at the scene – Yun-su saw her, and her fingerprints are on Ki-dae’s artwork – but she’s claiming her husband did it. And poor Yeong-in… she was willing to sacrifice herself to protect someone. It’s a shame, because I think Dong-hun’s initial focus on Yun-su might mean the real killer, Su-yeong, will end up walking free. It feels like his confidence might be his downfall.

2025-12-06 01:07