A Shop For Killers: Who is Bale?

At the center of the tragedies that befall Jin-man and his family is his past in A Shop For Killers, as his old foe named Bale returns. But who is he?

Throughout the K-drama, you could have guessed that Jin-man’s backstory involved some form of government training or secret ops. He not only teaches Ji-an multiple ways to protect herself and stay alive, but he also rigged their home to be a fortress with security cameras and more. Not to mention, Ji-an uncovered the truth that he ran a black market weapons store named Murthehelp.

A Shop For Killers Episode 6 unravels the past of Jin-man as a trained mercenary for an organization called Babylon. But with it came the truth of a man named Bale, who’s the one who put Jin-man’s family at risk.

Who is Bale in A Shop For Killers? What’s his backstory with Jin-man? Let’s dive right in.

How is Bale connected to Jin-man?

A Shop For Killers Episode 6 reveals Ji-man’s past as a mercenary and captain – with Bale as one of his team members who goes rogue and is a ruthless murderer.

The episode begins with Jin-man and his team executing an extraction. Everything goes according to plan and we meet Bale. By his steal and empty look alone, you know there’s something not right about him. As they secure the package and are ready to leave, two members are on the roof waiting for Bale. One of them goes to find him and learns a shocking truth: Bale is killing innocent civilians.

When the other soldier arrives, he doesn’t seem surprised and shoots the other as a cover-up for the deaths. Jin-man arrives after hearing gunshots. A child soon appears holding a gun, while Jin-man, Bale, and the others also draw their weapons. Realizing he won’t shoot, Jin-man tries to stop the others as Bale kills the young boy. A Shop For Killers then fast-forwards to Bale being on trial for murdering civilians.

Jin-man suspects Bale is lying about the claims that he acted in self-defense. He questions Bale’s statement of there needing to be no witnesses and a .45 caliber bullet found in his comrade’s head. None of the rebels had a .45 caliber. But speaking with his superior, Jin-man has no choice but to lie in the trial and set Bale free. In return, Jin-man asks Bale to no longer be added to his missions.

The promise is broken when a high-stakes mission forces their superior to add Bale to ensure it goes well. But Jin-man is advised to find the asset first before Bale. During the mission, Bale has many of the team members on his side as he once again murders rebels for sport. When finding innocent sex workers, he kills them with a grenade, and Jin-man sees the aftermath.

With no other choice, they move on with the mission and set bombs around the area. Jin-man finds an innocent girl and sends Bale off with the others to try and save her. But Bale catches on and a fight ensues between them. Bale has a thirst to kill, no matter who it is. The fight ends with Jin-man gauging out Bale’s eye and saving the girl as the building explodes.

Is Bale dead in A Shop For Killers?

Bale is presumed dead in the explosion, but it’s revealed he survived and is now after Jin-man and wants revenge.

In the aftermath, Jin-man recounts what happened. He lies that they encountered rebels before the building exploded. Jin-man was able to escape but Bale didn’t. Jin-man retires from being a mercenary as he and the others burn Bale’s belongings. Realizing his team isn’t on his side, he returns home to protect his family.

In the remote mountains, Sung-jo is shooting a semi-automatic rifle at a target. He hears someone approaching and it is revealed to be Bale with one eye missing.