In Shin’s Project Episode 11-12, things finally broke apart. President Shin, played by Han Suk-kyu, reached the point where calm no longer made sense. He had lost his son. And now, after years of silence, he wanted the truth — no matter how ugly it was.
The episode started with Shin confronting Yoon Dong-hee, played by Min Sung-wook. Dong-hee had broken into Shin’s house, trying to cause a gas leak that would kill him. But things flipped. Shin hit him on the head with a wrench and tied him up. When Dong-hee woke up, the fear in his face said it all.
Shin showed him a photo of his dead son. The pain in his eyes was raw. Dong-hee kept saying he didn’t remember anything. “I really don’t know.
I’ve been in prison for 15 years for something I can’t even remember,” he cried. But Shin didn’t believe him. He shouted, “I remember every single day!” and smashed Dong-hee’s leg with a hammer.
Dong-hee, in agony, mocked him instead. “Does that mean your son will come back to life?” he spat. That was when Shin grabbed a knife and nearly stabbed him. The anger in that room felt thick and real.
Then, a call came through on Dong-hee’s phone. It was from someone saved as “Teacher.” The text said, “Did you handle it well?” Shin pretended to be Dong-hee and replied, “Yes, I did.”
The teacher responded, “Thank you for your hard work. Goodbye.” That was the moment Shin realized Lee Heo-jun might be behind everything.
The Real Enemy Appears
When Shin confronted Dong-hee again, he asked directly, “Is it Lee Heo-jun who started all this?” Dong-hee looked lost. “We just had lunch and a drink,” he muttered. That silence gave Shin his answer. The teacher was real, and his name was Lee Heo-jun, played by Park Hyuk-kwon.
Later, Shin met Heo-jun face-to-face. The tension between them was cold and sharp. Shin demanded, “Why did you kill my son?” Heo-jun replied calmly, “I didn’t. You’re mistaken.” His tone carried arrogance, not fear.
Heo-jun said that day was chaos. “I gave Yoon Dong-hee some medicine. He went out of control. It was just an accident,” he said. He even added, “Your son was just unlucky.”
Those words broke Shin. He struck Heo-jun in the face, again and again. “My world collapsed, and you call that bad luck?” Shin yelled.
Heo-jun stayed quiet, wiping the blood from his lip. His eyes looked empty. The moment felt haunting.
Meanwhile, detectives had secretly set up a wiretap on Heo-jun. They heard every confession, every excuse. When Heo-jun tried to inject Shin with drugs, the police burst in and arrested him. It was over, but it didn’t feel like a victory. Shin’s rage didn’t fade — it only slowed.
Pain, Revenge, and Something Like Peace
After the arrest, Cheol, played by Kim Sung-oh, came to see Shin. His voice shook as he said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect Jun. I’m sorry for everything.” Shin held his hand tightly and said, “No. I’m thankful.”
That moment, quiet yet profound, revealed the depth of pain both men carried.
In the final scene, Shin reopened his chicken restaurant. Philip, played by Bae Hyun-seong, stood beside him, trying to smile. The small place looked almost the same as before, but something had changed.
Shin seemed tired but lighter. The revenge was done. His son’s killers were gone. Still, peace didn’t come easily.
Episode 12 – A Warm Farewell
Shin’s Project Episode 12 wrapped up with a calm and heartfelt tone. It balanced humor, warmth, and closure. The story began with President Shin and Kwon Chil-bong hanging a big banner outside.
It showed Lee Si-on’s face and words congratulating her for passing the exam. Si-on saw it and was embarrassed. She shouted that it was awkward and that no one asked before using her picture.
President Shin tried to explain that he had warned everyone about the photo from the start. Jo Philip joked that he had explained all the legal issues as well. Kwon Chil-bong was annoyed, saying everyone had agreed before, and now they were acting innocent.
Shin defended himself, saying he only meant it as a positive gesture since Si-on passed. Philip quickly agreed with him. Si-on then laughed and said they were all guilty, warning that if she became a police officer, she would arrest them all.
President Shin smiled and asked if she was serious about becoming a cop. He reminded Philip that he graduated from the police academy. Philip laughed, calling Si-on his junior. She teased him for overreacting and smiled softly.
Later, Si-on and the others attended Jang Tong-woo’s wedding. The ceremony had a few tense moments because of a disagreement between families. The bride’s side wanted a “half-and-half marriage,” meaning both families share expenses equally.
Jang Tong-woo looked frustrated. But President Shin stepped in again, showing his calm side. He helped both sides reach an agreement, proving why everyone calls him a negotiation expert.
During the wedding speech, Jang Tong-woo’s father said he would only give half of the promised house for now. The other half would be given when a baby is born next year. Everyone laughed, and the deal was sealed. Shin looked proud of how things ended.
A Quiet Confession and a Turning Point
While everyone took photos, President Shin got a phone call from “Jun’s mom.” His smile faded, and he quietly stepped out. The room felt different for a moment, hinting that something serious might follow.
Later that night, Si-on talked with Philip. She said she wanted to become a police officer for real. She admitted she was angry earlier because of the banner, but realized she truly wanted to help people.
Philip was thrilled. He offered to tutor her since he was from the police academy himself. Si-on rolled her eyes but smiled, calling him a show-off again.
The two walked under the night sky. Si-on admired the view, saying it looked beautiful even at night. Philip replied that it looked even prettier now. When she mentioned how nice the moon looked, he softly said, “I meant you.” It was quiet, awkward, and sweet at the same time.
Then he pulled out a small box and gave her a necklace. Si-on was shocked and asked why he was giving it to her. Philip said he had no one else to give it to. Si-on blushed and didn’t answer. Their feelings were clear without any big words.
Elsewhere, President Shin had his own worries. Kim Sang-geun confronted him about the hacking case. He accused Shin of using a government worker for illegal access.
Shin denied it, saying he only checked the system because he was curious about how corrupt things had become. Kim didn’t believe the timing was a coincidence. Shin insisted he didn’t order anyone to do it. He said the person involved had already stopped doing illegal work long ago.
Kim gave Shin two weeks to fix things and told him to deliver a message to an old friend. Shin sighed, calling Kim “annoying as always.” Their friendship was complicated, built on both trust and suspicion.
Final Negotiations and a Peaceful Ending
Later, Shin talked with Kim Soo-dong and Jo Philip about their new plans. Soo-dong mentioned how he no longer used his online persona, saying he felt free now that his two sides had merged.
Philip teased Shin about his hat, asking where he got it. Shin explained it was a gift from a friend who ran a Mexican restaurant in California.
The friend had sold the business to a local investor, and the hat was a handmade gift from a Mexican artisan. Philip laughed, asking if that was all he got after helping with such a big deal. Shin proudly said it was a limited-edition item, made with care.
The last scenes showed peace returning to everyone’s lives. Philip and Si-on shared a quiet kiss under the moonlight. Kwon Chil-bong got into another argument, but this time it ended with laughter and popcorn spilling everywhere. The characters felt more human than ever—flawed but trying to live right.
News came that Lee Heo-jun, the corrupt businessman, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The justice system had finally caught up with him. Choi Cheol and his team got promotions for their work. In prison, Heo-jun faced revenge from someone he once betrayed, ending his story in a dark but fitting way.
Jo Philip ended the story with a voiceover. He said life is full of choices and negotiations. Every moment is about deciding what to give and what to keep.
True negotiation begins when people try to live together peacefully. His words reflected everything the show stood for—understanding, compromise, and small acts of justice.
In the final interview, Philip talked with a young judge who applied for their “New President Project.” The judge said a good judge must first be a good person. Philip smiled, realizing that was the real heart of their mission.
The episode closed with him joking about another “parachute” hire, ending on a funny and light note. Everyone had grown, but their humor stayed.
Final Verdict:
The finale of Shin’s Project is a triumph of storytelling that prioritizes emotional truth over cheap thrills. It satisfyingly ties up the central mystery while allowing its characters the space to grieve, grow, and gently move forward.
The performances, particularly from Han Suk-kyu, are devastatingly raw, making the journey from despair to a hard-won peace feel entirely earned. These episodes solidify the drama not just as a compelling thriller, but as a poignant character study.
FAQ for Curious Viewers
-
Q: Does President Shin truly find peace?
A: The ending is intentionally nuanced. He finds a form of peace, but not forgetfulness. Reopening the restaurant is a step forward, but the call from “Jun’s mom” is a stark reminder that some scars are permanent. His peace is in learning to carry the weight, not in putting it down. -
Q: What was the significance of Philip’s final voiceover?
A: It brings the theme of “negotiation” full circle. Initially a business tactic, it’s redefined as the fundamental negotiation we all make between our pain and our purpose, our past and our future. It’s the core thesis of the entire show. -
Q: Is there potential for a Season 2?
A: While the main arc is conclusively ended, the door is slightly open with Kim Sang-geun’s “two weeks to fix things” and the “New President Project.” A second season would likely focus on a new case, with this core team applying their hard-earned wisdom.
Which Shin’s Project moment touched your heart the most?
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
We pour our hearts into every K-drama recap. If our work brings you joy, please buy us a coffee. Your support keeps us going ❤️
🛍️ Earn Cash Back
Sign up on Rakuten via my link to get cashback + bonus when shopping online.
Join & Get Cash BackReferral link — you get a bonus too!