Original subtitles

[theme music playing]

BEYOND THE BAR

[theme music concludes]

[Min-cheol] Remember that trip we went on?

-You remember that? -Of course she remembers.

She was eight, after all.

[Min-cheol] Well, it's possible she might not remember.

[inhales sharply]

[Min-cheol] You never know.

-Isn't that right? -[chuckles] Don't be ridiculous.

-Come on. -[sniffs]

-[body thuds] -[passengers gasping]

Is anyone here a doctor?

-Is there a doctor on board? -I'm a doctor.

[tense music playing]

Help me move him.

On three. One, two, three! [grunts]

Okay, let's get him on his back.

[gasps]

[passengers murmuring]

[news anchor over TV] Kim Byeong-su was arrested for kidnapping

and sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl in Incheon.

[indistinct chatter]

The child victim was confirmed

to have suffered life-threatening physical injuries

as well as severe mental trauma.

Kim claims he was in a state of diminished capacity

due to intoxication at the time of the kidnapping.

APRIL 2015

[EMT] Please move aside.

[gasps]

[somber music playing]

What's her status? What is the girl's name?

[EMT] Kim Min-sol. She's seven years old.

Min-sol? Min-sol? Can you hear me? Min-sol?

[sniffs]

[gasps] What is it, honey? Why'd you wake up?

Are you in pain right now?

Are you okay?

[chuckles] It's okay.

[sniffs] I'll be right here, so go to sleep, okay, Min-sol?

Sleep tight. There's a good girl.

MAY 2020

[Ji-su] A stabbing victim?

-[victim breathing heavily] -[Ji-su gasps]

[high-pitched static]

[dramatic music playing]

Uh... Uh, I refuse. No, I won't treat him.

Transferring him to another hospital will take 40 minutes.

That's very risky for the patient.

-So what? -Sorry?

What's going on?

[sighs] She, uh...

How could you say something like that as a doctor?

Do you know how many hospitals there are in Seoul?

What are the possible odds that me, the same doctor who treated Min-sol,

will end up with that man too?

This is... It's a sign from above not to treat him.

It's your job to save that man.

We don't get to pick and choose who deserves to live.

I'm not saying that.

But we should leave people alone if they're meant to die.

Oh, my God.

You're a doctor. How could you possibly say that?

Min-sol, don't you remember her condition?

I can still vividly picture all the horrors of that day.

[crying] It was inhuman.

The cruelty of it.

All of these awful things happened to a little seven-year-old girl.

What if saving him leads to more girls like Min-sol out there?

That bastard's gonna be released in just a few years,

and he'll still be alive for decades after that.

That's not my concern.

All I see right now is an emergency patient.

-Move aside. I'll do it. -[gasps]

Doctor!

-Doctor! -Huh? Oh.

[tense music playing]

The heart is in tamponade. There's fluid around the heart causing pressure.

This man needs immediate emergency treatment.

A pericardiocentesis needle. Check the emergency kit.

-One moment. -[Ji-su] I'll take off his shirt.

The gloves.

Centesis needle.

[breathes shakily]

[needle stabs]

THE RIGHT TO LIFE

[music concludes]

[bangs on table]

The person responsible for killing my son, you're just going to let them be?

DETECTIVE UNIT 2

[sighs] I mean, a doctor has killed a person,

so how is that not murder, huh?

Our job is to investigate, okay?

It's up to the prosecutor to decide

whether to charge with murder or anything else.

I mean, why not just take this up with them?

That doctor, she killed my husband on purpose.

That's why we're asking you to discuss this with the prosecutor

or whoever has the authority to put her away in jail.

That's what I've been saying.

Back when my son was taken to the emergency room,

I heard exactly what that woman said.

She said she wanted to kill my son, okay?

That bitch.

She held a grudge because she couldn't kill him back then.

So, on that plane, then she must have thought,

"What a stroke of luck."

So, she killed him. Goodness. For the love of God.

And they let a murderer like that handle emergency treatment.

-[Jin-suk] Come on. -My God.

[crying] Unbelievable.

-Mother. -My poor son and his bad luck.

Oh, God. Byeong-su. Oh, my poor Byeong-su.

[Guk-hyeon] What the...

[jaunty music playing]

-Gather around. -[Sang-cheol] Huh?

[Guk-hyeon] Quickly, quickly, come on. I mean...

JUNE PROMOTION NOTICE: ATTORNEYS AND SECRETARIES

Do... Do Seung-jae?

Yullim's notorious salary thief is going to be promoted to partner?

Man, this is going a bit far, don't you think?

Most of the associates on this list are notorious freeloaders, no?

I can't believe I thought the promotion system

would actually become fairer under Attorney Kwon.

-Man, this is just so unfair. -Give it some time.

These people are all going to leave soon.

And even if they don't go,

they won't be able to keep on freeloading like that.

[music concludes]

[Na-yeon] Have you given it some thought?

[tuts] Yes, I slept on it.

But I like where I am right now.

I was under a lot of stress at Yullim, and I don't want to do that again.

We both know your talents are wasted

working as in-house counsel for a mid-sized company.

That doesn't really matter though, as long as I'm at peace.

I can't guarantee anything else for now, but I can promise you this one thing.

[soft music playing]

I'm going to turn Yullim into a fair space to work.

The justice I envision is simple.

A place where success can be achieved through effort and ability,

where one's skills are evaluated in a fair system.

And, Attorney Kim, you stand to benefit more than anyone from that new system.

[music concludes]

-Noona. -I'm busy.

"Pursuant to our conversation..."

[sighs]

-Oh, Noona. -Oh, yes, that's right.

[jaunty music playing]

What's her deal?

[knocks on door]

-[clears throat] -I'm busy.

-Can we go get something to eat? -I have plans.

What are you looking at?

[sighs] Get out, we can talk later.

-[phone ringing] -You're still here?

Hello, this is Heo Min-jeong from Yullim.

Yes, judging by the contents of page 39 of the report,

we'll need to check for the possibility of a change of control getting triggered

by the senior creditor exercising their security interests.

-Yes, the senior loan... -[music concludes]

Kim Byeong-su's wife and mother keep coming to the hospital,

shouting at me that I killed someone...

and even spitting in my face.

[Min-cheol sighs]

What is it that they're asking for?

Well, probably money. What else?

Moreover, they keep threatening to file a criminal complaint for murder.

Please, what's going to happen to my wife if she gets charged with murder?

In order to claim murder, there has to be intent.

Are they claiming you killed someone intentionally?

-Yes, I think they are. -Is there a valid reason for that?

[sighs] A few years ago,

Kim Byeong-su was stabbed in prison and he was brought to the emergency room,

and I refused to treat him.

[pensive music playing]

It seems they heard me talking back then.

Uh, but there's more to it than that. No one could have a worse twist of fate.

My wife also treated the child victim, you see.

And a few years later, Kim Byeong-su, that man,

arrived at my wife's hospital in need of immediate medical attention.

And then later on, you saw him in an airplane, is that right?

-Yes. -Twisted fate, yes.

Do you remember what you said back when you refused treatment?

Uh...

Well, it was said in the heat of the moment,

so I don't remember it well, but...

"He doesn't deserve to live. Let's leave him to die."

"If we were to save him, he might victimize another child."

Something along those lines.

But I ended up being right, you know?

It was a failed attempt,

but that man tried to kidnap another eight-year-old girl.

Yes, that's correct.

Although it hasn't been released to the media yet,

a report was filed and there was an investigation underway.

But the investigation was closed with Kim Byeong-su's death.

He was on that plane because...

Yes, I think he was trying to flee the country.

Let me ask you one thing.

Okay.

Did you kill Kim Byeong-su on purpose?

Uh, Attorney Yoon, that question's a bit...

No, I didn't.

All right.

It's standard protocol to confirm that.

[Min-cheol] Right, of course.

[music concludes]

So, they were talking about that and my heart was pounding.

No way she would have killed him on purpose, would she?

If she really wanted to kill him, she would have denied him treatment.

-Why bother pretending to save him? -You never know.

From the standpoint of the prosecution,

you could argue she was unaware it was him when she first approached,

but changed her mind after realizing who the man really was.

That's crazy though.

Dr. Choi might have gotten carried away talking about killing him and whatnot,

but to actually carry out something like that

is very different from thinking it in your head.

That is true.

[sighs] Honestly, if I were the one treating that child victim,

I might have refused to help that evil bastard just like Dr. Choi.

-That asshole was not worth saving. -Really?

I thought you were a doctor with strong ethics

who values the Hippocratic Oath.

-[cutlery clinking] -Yes, okay, you're right.

"The value of life is not relative, it is absolute."

"We must not grade life."

"All lives should be treated with equal value always."

Yes, but...

-Yes, but? -Well, personally...

whatever else happens, I hope they decide to declare Dr. Choi innocent.

-Me too. -Me too.

[Gyeong-hui] So, I'll be bringing over some homemade galbijjim

for Dad's birthday this year, okay?

How much are you making this time?

Whenever you say you're going to do something, I get scared.

Your hands are ridiculously large.

Hey, there's over a hundred family members.

[older sister groans] No matter where you look,

we are the biggest family out there.

It's so embarrassing, I just can't.

[Gyeong-hui] You make that sound like a bad thing. It's a blessing.

[older brother] Why are you so quiet, Jin-woo?

Oh, no, I'm listening.

Oh, I almost forgot. You know my friend Kwak Hye-jeong?

Yeah, I heard she's in the middle of a divorce.

-Is that right? -[Gyeong-hui] Yes, yes.

-She's having a huge fight... -[sighs]

...with her husband's lawyer over property division.

And apparently, his lawyer is the top in the industry,

and hers isn't quite up to par.

Which is why, Jin-woo, seeing as you work for such a famous law firm,

she wanted to know if you'd take her case.

I can't. I'm too busy. She'll have to go somewhere else.

Come on. Hye-jeong is my best friend.

I don't even do divorce cases.

Those are usually handled by Attorney Heo, who...

[playful music playing]

You know what? Okay. I'll represent her.

-[Gyeong-hui] What, really? -Uh-huh.

Since she's your good friend, even if it means stretching myself thin,

give her my card and tell her to come see me.

Oh, I wasn't expecting that from you.

Actually, no, now that I think of it,

why don't you ask her how she feels about coming in tomorrow?

-Really? -[Jin-woo] Uh-huh, yeah.

-[Gyeong-hui] Okay! -Ooh, our baby's finally growing up.

I told you to stop calling me a baby.

-Oh, there, now, that's a good boy. -None of that "good boy" crap.

[music concludes]

PARTNER APPOINTMENT CEREMONY

-Welcome aboard. -I look forward to working with you.

[applause]

Let's give it our all.

I fully belong to Yullim, ma'am.

[applause]

Congratulations.

Yes, I'll work hard.

[applause]

-Welcome aboard. -[partner] Thank you so much.

[applause]

[Seung-jae] "I hereby appoint the above-mentioned person

as a partner at Yullim Law Firm, Attorney Do Seung-jae."

[laughs]

What's up with your expression?

Aren't you happy to make partner three years faster than others?

[laughs]

[scoffs]

[laughs]

Did you even read the partner contract before signing it?

I hate reading contracts, you know that.

Of course you didn't.

You and I are basically worms now, okay?

-We won't even get a fixed salary. -Huh? What are you babbling about?

Attorney Kwon Na-yeon revamped the compensation system

when she became the managing partner.

Now all the partners are receiving an advance

based on case acquisition or performance, no more fixed salary.

Besides, all that will determine

whether our contracts get renewed each year.

-What? -[chuckles]

[jaunty music playing]

So, if you keep working like that,

your account will show a zero balance starting next month.

And your contract won't get renewed.

What?

-[sighs] -[music concludes]

[partner] She's gone too far this time.

What did we do that was so terrible?

[sighs]

Sir, are you really going to stand by and do nothing?

We are Yullim, and Yullim is us, no?

I mean, a restructuring?

Sounds all right.

But the truth is, she's tearing Yullim apart.

Let me tell you something.

It's been a long time since I left the managing partner position,

and Kwon Na-yeon is the current managing partner of Yullim.

[groans] Sir, are you really going to abandon us?

Abandon you?

How could you possibly say something like that?

I'm frustrated too, you know.

But I've already handed over all the management rights to Kwon Na-yeon.

If I were to suddenly start giving orders, I'd be overstepping my authority.

That wouldn't be a good look, okay?

I mean, even Kwon Na-yeon would listen to you, wouldn't she?

If you could put in a good word for us.

Oh, hey, don't get started again.

Ah, you're out of touch with office politics.

Well, think about it.

Do you think she's someone who would listen to me?

[clears throat]

All right, I guess I'll have a word with her.

But I can't guarantee you anything.

Of course. We'll be counting on you, sir.

Good. We will put our faith in you, sir.

-We hope to hear good news. -Yes, sure.

[sighs] So you don't know what you did wrong, huh?

[groans]

Incompetence is the greatest sin of them all, honestly.

-[phone ringing] -Ah.

How's the restructuring? Almost done?

[tense music playing]

Ah. Okay.

Start getting ready.

Hmm.

[sighs]

[knocking on door]

[music concludes]

Kim Byeong-su's family is insisting that she be charged with murder,

and there's a high probability it will happen

due to her comments on the day she refused to treat him.

We should submit a statement before the indictment

to prevent them from charging her with murder.

What about involuntary manslaughter?

Avoiding involuntary manslaughter might be hard since he died.

So we need to prove that there's no direct causal relationship

between her act and his death.

[Hyo-min] Mm.

What about an expert witness?

Yes, I'm set to see some doctors later today.

Some doctors will be turned off by this.

They might have ethical concerns

about Ms. Choi Ji-su's past refusal to treat,

or the comments she made.

We need to secure as many statements as possible

in case of opinions favorable to the prosecution.

Yes, I understand.

Um, I've got a pair of seven-year-old twin sisters at my house,

which is only ten minutes away from where Kim Byeong-su lived.

I would also like to be involved in this.

[both] Me too.

[uplifting music playing]

You little punks.

That's fine. Go ahead.

The truth can manifest in many different ways,

depending on the lighting.

A lawyer isn't someone who distorts the truth,

but someone who prevents the truth from being distorted by wrong lighting,

influenced by legal naiveté or the rigidity of the law.

[music concludes]

Attorney Yoon, a friend of mine is getting divorced

and I was thinking of taking it.

Divorce cases are Attorney Heo Min-jeong's...

Yes, I'll work with her.

If you want to work with Attorney Heo,

talk to Attorney Kim about case acquisition.

I'll let her take all the credit for the case acquisition.

I simply want to do this.

Are you not busy?

Uh, yeah, I'm pretty busy.

Then why bother?

It's a learning experience, and I might as well do it.

-Whatever you want. -Yes, thank you.

Wow, so I'm finally getting a divorce case.

I'm late, aren't I?

Oh, not at all. We're here a bit early.

This guy here is a paralegal for us.

LEGAL ASSISTANT

He was the unsung hero in the Seonul Corporation M&A deal you spearheaded,

so I brought him along to introduce him.

I'm sorry I forgot to mention that. I hope that's okay.

Of course, it's fine.

Hello, Attorney Kwon. My name is Choi Yun-geun.

Uh, it's truly such an honor to meet you, Attorney Kwon.

Nice to meet you. Let's sit down.

[Du-sik] Uh, yes.

Mr. Choi Yun-geun is actually a lawyer.

Is that so? Why a paralegal then?

Oh, well, actually, I'm from a local law school,

and I didn't have the best grades.

Not to mention, my bar exam didn't go so great.

Even as a lawyer, I'd never step foot in a big law firm like Yullim, ma'am.

Is that so? [chuckles]

Once I gave him some work, then he was quite good.

And unlike most young people, he's good with protocol.

Cost-effective as well,

since paralegals cost a quarter of what associate lawyers do.

Right.

Uh, bottom-level employees hardly ever get the chance to meet you,

so an opportunity like this is really...

It's such a great honor for me.

-Your words are very kind. -[Yun-geun] Sure.

Thank you for the meal, Attorney Kwon.

I hope there will be another opportunity for something like this again.

I also had a very nice time today.

If you'll excuse me, I should get going now.

Of course.

-Oh, I'll get the check. -Ah.

Right.

[card machine beeps]

I'm sorry, but this card isn't going through.

Pardon? Uh, but that can't be true.

Oh, honey, you should head outside.

What's wrong? It's not working?

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Nothing to worry about. Why don't you wait in the car?

-Mm, okay. -[Sung-bin] Mm-hmm.

Let's go.

[sighs] Just a moment. Why won't it...

[Na-yeon] Mr. Lee.

Huh? Oh. [chuckles]

-Attorney Kwon. -[chuckles]

[chuckles]

I don't know how I'm supposed to face you.

I'll make sure to pay you back for covering the lunch bill.

Oh, don't worry about that.

So how have you been?

You know, I've been meaning to connect with you.

Uh, oh, I guess you haven't heard the news.

What news is that?

[sighs] I lost my company.

To Bluestone Fund.

But, uh, how did that...

[somber music playing]

Uh...

Can you please tell me more about it?

Yes, well, what happened, as you well know,

Hynic Core has been my life's work.

And the development of the design algorithm...

AI, MACHINE LEARNING OPTIMIZED PROCESSOR

...and software platform was the result of years of effort by me

and my research team, as you must know.

Yes, I know all that well.

Because of that technology,

big corporations have tried to acquire your company.

Yes.

But it was eventually sold off to the French group, Optalyn.

Uh, but you told me that you wouldn't ever sell.

[chuckles] Not my decision.

The Bluestone Fund's responsible for that.

Bluestone invested 15 billion in our company.

But with the whole embezzlement fiasco,

they took the entire company from me last year

and they eventually sold it for 120 billion.

They bought it for 15 billion and sold it for 120 billion.

[scoffs]

Only 120 billion.

I mean, considering the potential of that tech,

the price is totally ridiculous.

Bluestone is nothing but a modern-day traitor to the nation.

For their own benefit, they just handed over this technology

developed in our country to another nation.

If we had been able to fully develop this to the end,

this tech would have become a driving force

for economic growth in South Korea.

[sighs] So that's what happened.

[music concludes]

Attorney Kwon met Lee Sung-bin yesterday?

Okay. [sighs]

[phone beeps]

[pensive music playing]

Yullim's client is Hynic Core, not Lee Sung-bin the individual.

But Mr. Lee didn't actually embezzle those funds.

-He was simply acting in good faith. -Come on, now.

You know what you're doing.

You must be aware that this type of legal advice

violates the Attorney at Law Act.

I'll convene a partner meeting about this situation

so you can explain yourself.

-Attorney Ko... -[Seung-cheol] Please leave.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Hmm. We'll have to move the plan forward a little.

[music concludes]

So when should we meet?

-About what? -Ms. Kwak Hye-jeong's divorce suit.

I can handle it on my own.

-Why? -[sighs] What do you mean?

-It's my job. -It's my file.

FILE: THE CASE ONE IS HANDLING

[sighs] Yes, I agree.

The files are yours. And I'll handle the work on my own.

I will handle it too.

Have you ever even done a divorce?

No. That's why I'm doing it with you.

That's why I'll be doing it alone.

No, together.

[sighs] What is this?

-The same question to you. -What?

You won't talk to me, have dinner with me, or even a cup of coffee.

Now you won't even work with me.

Have I done something wrong?

No, of course you haven't.

Then what is it?

That's enough.

What are you doing?

What is this?

I like you.

What?

No, I... love you.

[gentle music playing]

You... You've gone crazy.

Yes, I'm pretty sure I have.

Move away.

-What do you want from me? -I said I love you.

Do you pity me?

Pity you for what?

-Now that you know about my past? -Yes, I know about your past now.

But I already had feelings for you, even before I knew that.

I just didn't want to ruin our relationship.

But still, liking you despite your past

confirmed my feelings for you are real.

I'm telling you now because I feel like I'll get sick if I don't say it.

It's driving me insane.

Stop saying ridiculous things.

SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT PROSECUTORS' OFFICE

[music concludes]

PROSECUTOR KWON WON-HYEOP

So how many years have you been on the job?

-[Hyo-min] I'm a first year. -[Won-hyeop] You're a baby chick then.

They must be confident

sending a first year to handle such an important case.

May I ask what you plan to charge her with?

Murder charge.

Or murder with implicit intent, involuntary manslaughter and negligence,

violation of medical law, fatal injury, offense.

They're all possible.

We will draft our opinion statement and submit it to you.

We'd appreciate if you'd review it and decide whether to prosecute.

Yes, right. I'll do that.

When will the autopsy results be out?

Well, I'm sure the report will be out when it's ready.

I believe they said the cause of death was aortic dissection.

And I think they said they found an underlying condition.

-Oh. -[Won-hyeop] Uh, let's see.

I wrote it down somewhere.

Ah. Here it is.

VASCULAR EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME

Apparently, it's a genetic disease that often results in death

from serious complications like major blood vessel rupture.

Well, if he was always meant to die...

Then Ms. Choi cannot be held responsible.

-There's no basis for prosecution. -[pensive music playing]

With genetic disease, it is important to check

the family's medical history.

Do you have records for that?

[sighs] It's possible.

Uh, may we request to see them as well?

Otherwise, we'll have to file a motion to get the hospital

to submit those records.

But these days, most hospitals are reluctant to provide the data,

even with the court order.

Your help would be appreciated.

You know, materials are provided at the prosecutor's discretion.

Yes. Any help would be appreciated.

I'll consider it.

-[music concludes] -Thank you.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Guk-hyeon whispering] "Abnormal scar formation..."

"Affects the connective tissue..."

MAY LEAD TO SUDDEN DEATH

EDS HAS A HIGH MORTALITY RATE

COMPLICATIONS, ARTERIAL DISSECTION

KWON WON-HYEOP, PROSECUTOR

I have no idea what to make of him. Just what is he thinking?

[groans] I'm at my limit. There's only so much we can handle.

Tell me about it.

At this rate, we're all gonna become doctors ourselves.

[groans] I've read so many medical books that I feel nauseous.

-Well, in that case... -[music concludes]

[chuckles]

Uh, who...

This is my best friend and roommate. She's a doctor.

Oh!

-Oh, wow! -Thank God!

[clapping]

An autopsy is underway, but the prosecutor mentioned

Kim Byeong-su might have suffered aortic dissection.

-[pensive music playing] -Really?

Dr. Choi determined it was a cardiac tamponade

and attempted a pericardiocentesis, right?

That's right.

According to the medical data we researched,

a pericardiocentesis can be fatal for a patient with aortic dissection.

Mm. That could be.

If the autopsy results reveal

that the pericardial puncture was really the cause of death,

that puts us at a disadvantage, right?

Yeah, seems like it.

That's why it's important that we prove

Kim Byeong-su had an underlying condition with a high mortality rate.

I'm not sure what the prosecutor meant,

but he mentioned the autopsy revealed he suffered

from vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

-vEDS, huh? That's a genetic disorder. -[Hyo-min] Mm.

So, we need to know his family history.

Getting your hands on someone else's medical records is pretty hard.

Our hospital doesn't respond even with a court order.

-Ta-da! I have it. -Hmm? How did you...

[Hyo-min] I'll explain that later.

If you look closely there,

Kim Byeong-su's uncle passed away in his forties from a ruptured aorta.

And his paternal grandmother died similarly.

[Seol-a] Hmm.

PAST MEDICAL HISTORY

"Aortic rupture, bowel perforation."

Judging by all these symptoms, they both seem to have had vEDS as well.

-[all sighing in relief] -A breakthrough. Finally.

[soft music playing]

[yawns, groans]

[keyboard clacking]

-[Hyo-min] Here, have some of this. -Oh, thanks so much.

[both] Mm.

-Delicious. -[chuckles] Right?

It's the best coffee replacement out there.

Yeah, you're right. Wow. I feel so much better.

[both sigh]

[music concludes]

Huh?

-What? -I found it.

-Found what? -[uplifting music playing]

A paper explaining the correlation between aortic dissection and vEDS.

-Oh! [chuckles] -[chuckles]

Now we just need to put this into the statement.

Should we go get some fresh air first?

-Ah, sure. -I know a great spot.

Where's that?

-Come with me. -[Ho-yeon] Oh!

-Wow, the view is amazing. -[music concludes]

-[Hyo-min] Isn't it? -Yeah.

[Ho-yeon] Why haven't I been up here before?

-So you... You have twin sisters? -Yeah.

-[Hyo-min] They're seven? -Yes.

Must be late born, huh? Your parents must really get along.

-Well, I don't have parents. -[somber music playing]

My mom had me when she was just a teenager.

But when I was in high school, she disappeared.

Then showed back up a few years later

and left me with my twin half-sisters and disappeared again.

Wow, that must have been rough.

But at seven, they must still need a lot of care.

I have an aunt nearby, so she's been helping a lot.

But the kids often go to and from kindergarten by themselves,

so hearing of Kim Byeong-su's release really put me on edge.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard he died.

To sigh in relief at a person's death?

Well, he got what he deserved.

By the way, I'm also a twin.

For real? I thought you were an only child.

There's a little bit of a secret there.

I thought you were from a perfect family that had no problems at all.

All families have a story to tell.

They say life is a tragedy when seen up close,

but a comedy when it's seen from afar.

Well, imagine us sharing secrets like we're at a bar together

instead of coworkers having a morning coffee.

-Perfect, right? -[chuckles] Yes, it really is.

-Shall we toast and be friends? -Oh, I've been waiting for you to ask.

[both chuckle]

[Hyo-min sighs] Should we go and wrap up that statement?

-[Ho-yeon] Yes, let's do it. -Let's go.

[music concludes]

[pager rustling]

So then, by emphasizing the fatality rate of vEDS

and high mortality rate of aortic dissection,

we're viewing Kim Byeong-su's death as due to an underlying condition,

thereby proving there isn't any direct relationship

between the treatment and his death pathologically.

-Is that the strategy? -Yes, precisely.

Considering the information we've collected,

we plan on formally requesting an opinion from a pathology expert.

Cardiac tamponade symptoms can manifest in patients with aortic dissection,

and it's nearly impossible to differentiate

between these two on a plane,

with no equipment around and without sufficient time

to assess the condition of the patient.

Additionally, since the two share similar symptoms,

it's important to note that because vEDS is a genetic disorder,

knowing the family history is crucial for proper diagnosis,

as is having enough time to examine the patient.

In a limited environment like that,

no doctor could have figured it out in just a few minutes.

The standard for judging medical malpractice

comes down to the decision other doctors would have made

in the same situation.

So, if you can get emergency medical specialists

to submit a statement that Ms. Choi administered

the best treatment given the circumstances, timeframe,

and information available on that plane, that would help her chances.

[Seok-hoon] I see.

But... what if Dr. Choi had known

about Kim Byeong-su's underlying condition?

-If she had known... -[pensive music playing]

[Seok-hoon] If she had known,

Dr. Choi's treatment choices could be interpreted

not as merely the result of constrained environment,

but as a product of deliberate oversight...

of critical information.

In particular, if she made her decision knowing that pericardiocentesis

could be fatal in the case of aortic dissection patients,

she has a greater chance of being charged with involuntary manslaughter.

And if there's suspicion of intent on top of that,

they may even bring up a murder charge.

At present, there is no evidence

that Ms. Choi knew anything about his underlying condition.

Is there something bothering you?

As his wife and mother are claiming, did you kill Kim Byeong-su on purpose?

No, I didn't.

It's nothing. As we had discussed, please attach the expert opinion

and pathology analysis data to the statement

and submit it to the prosecution.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

[Sung-bin] Thank you for giving us the time.

This may be a little too late,

but I would like to know how I came to lose my company to Optalyn.

You must be devastated.

Bluestone, tell us,

how did you end up getting an investment in the first place?

[sighs] Well...

[in French] Optalyn intends to fully support you in your research,

and we can provide the funds necessary to support the development.

[in English] Um, firstly, I really appreciate

that you're willing to invest and your compliments of my tech.

[speaking French]

[chuckles, clears throat] We do have one condition.

Uh, Optalyn must retain exclusive rights of this technology.

That would require the acquisition of Hynic Core

as well as the transfer of any proprietary technologies

to our domestic holdings.

[in English] What? Are they suggesting a merger?

Then they're not in this to invest in us, they just want our tech.

Our aim here is to complete working on this technology

and continue to grow Hynic Core until we can go public.

So we cannot accept those terms now.

[in French] ...therefore refusing a full acquisition.

I understand, very well.

Thank you for your time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to proceed.

Have a good day.

[sighs]

[employee in English] I knew this would happen.

All the investment proposals we've received so far

come with the conditions of acquisition and tech transfer.

At this point, our only option is to stock-backed loan.

That's not a good option.

If we default, they could seize the collateral.

Which could mean that we would lose the company anyway.

You're right.

We need to find an investment firm without collateral conditions.

-[music concludes] -[indistinct chatter]

Man, I may have grown up abroad,

but I still find these parties so awkward.

Ah. [chuckles] Yes, well, I agree.

Oh. I'll introduce myself.

I'm Ban Gi-seung, the CEO of Bluestone Asset Management.

Oh, nice to meet you. And my name's Lee Sung-bin.

-Ah. -[cutlery clinking]

Oh, right. Cheers.

Oh, really? You mean you don't require stock collateral for investments?

Yes, that is right.

Our Bluestone Fund is a trust established to support

small and mid-sized enterprises or venture companies with outstanding tech.

Simply put, we're structured to lend based on trust in the technology.

Oh, wow.

This isn't the best place for this. You should stop by the office.

That sounds great. I'll be there. [chuckles]

At the time, I was in desperate need of research funding.

Yes, I remember. [sighs]

That's the reason your recovery of some of the personal funds you'd invested

was considered embezzlement.

Because you didn't go through the proper legal channels.

[Ji-ung] At that time, Attorney Kwon tried to advise

in such a way that Mr. Lee's embezzlement charges weren't going to stick.

-And was then demoted. -What?

[pensive music playing]

This was the reason for that?

Yes.

There must have been a poison pill clause in the contract with Bluestone.

They must have intended to prevent me from advising you

on that clause by sending me far away.

Yes, that seems probable.

Although she was the attorney in charge of that case,

they completely cut her off in a single day,

from information and the work itself,

which coincides with the date

that Bluestone offered your company a loan.

[sighs] All the pieces are coming together, finally.

You've brought the Bluestone contract, right?

Oh, yes.

-[papers rustle] -Here you go.

-Okay. I'll take a closer look. -[music concludes]

[phone vibrating]

Hello? Yes, Choi Ho-yeon speaking. What's this about?

What? You mean someone was impersonating me?

Um, y... Yes. Yes, I'll be right there.

-[phone beeps] -Is something wrong?

The police are asking me to come in for questioning as a witness

because of a fraud case involving my name.

-[Sang-cheol] What? -Oh, my God.

We have Dr. Choi's appearance with the prosecutor this afternoon.

[sighs] Yeah.

I'll let an Attorney Yoon know what's going on

in case I'm running late today.

-Right. Go quickly. -Okay.

[Sang-cheol] I hope it's nothing serious.

Are they still investigating?

Maybe we should go to the station.

-It's only witness questioning. -You know about this?

Not really.

You seem to, and you two have been pretty chummy lately.

Can we do anything to help her?

We'd come up with a plan if we knew what this was all about.

[sighs]

-Ah. I have to go. -Go where?

Dr. Choi was summoned up by the prosecution today.

Ah. You have to accompany her, right?

-[Hyo-min] Mm. -[footsteps approaching]

-Ah. Did you hear from Attorney Choi? -No, I haven't yet.

-Let's go in my car. -[Hyo-min] Okay.

You try her phone? She didn't pick up, huh?

Yeah, she's not picking up.

I received your statement. You prepared quite a lot.

Yes, thanks to you...

Ms. Choi Ji-su, did you intentionally kill Kim Byeong-su?

Uh, n... Uh, no.

I understand. We won't be charging you with murder.

[gasps] What?

That part was well reflected in the statement as well.

Oh, right.

Since we had a dead prick on our hands,

we considered charging you with involuntary manslaughter.

But according to the autopsy,

it looks like the cause of Kim Byeong-su's death

was aortic dissection due to an underlying condition

called vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Yes, we share the same opinion.

We attached the pathologist's report to the statement we submitted.

Yes, I've confirmed it.

After reviewing the autopsy results and the submitted statement,

we have determined that there was no direct relationship

between treatment and his death.

Ms. Choi Ji-su...

we've decided that we won't be pressing charges.

-Really? -Yes.

You may leave as the investigation is over.

Thank you for coming, despite your busy schedule.

Have a safe trip.

Yes. Thank you very much.

So, is this all over now?

Yes. Since they won't be prosecuting, this is finished.

[sighs in relief] That's a relief.

I want to sincerely thank both of you for all the trouble you went through.

Yes. Now, stop worrying and get some rest.

-Right. Thank you very much. -[music concludes]

A decision not to prosecute?

That statement was very thorough.

But I wasn't expecting a decision like this.

[phone vibrating]

ATTORNEY CHOI HO-YEON

It's Attorney Choi.

Hello? What's going on?

Oh, really?

I understand. Yes, it's fine.

Don't worry about it. Of course.

-[phone beeps] -What is it?

They're still investigating. Some kind of misunderstanding.

Right.

I'm going to have to drop by her house, however.

Why's that?

Her siblings are on break, but their aunt's away,

so they've been alone for quite a while.

Apparently, she's worried that they haven't had a proper meal.

-They're both seven years old? -Yes.

What about the parents?

Oh, it seems Attorney Choi takes care of them by herself,

with help from an aunt who lives nearby.

What's the address?

Oh, you can drop me off up ahead. I'll take a cab from there.

They'll be hungry. There's no time, so take this ride.

Oh. I think we're close.

Yes. We're almost there.

But it's only accessible by stairs at this point,

so this is as far as I can go.

Right. Let us off here.

-And please wait nearby. -Are you coming as well?

Yes.

-You really don't have to... -Let's go.

[doorbell dings]

-[Mi-yeon] Who is it? -I'm attorney Choi Ho-yeon...

Um, well, I'm your sister's friend.

[Mi-yeon] Our unni doesn't have any friends.

Um, we know your unni. We're her friends from work.

-[Mi-yeon] Um, she's not home right now. -[Seo-yeon] Why did you say that?

Unni said never say that we're home alone. Remember?

[Mi-yeon] Oh, um, our unni actually went out for a walk.

Oh, you have us wrong.

Um, your unni said she's running late

and asked if I could check on the two of you.

I'm here because she asked me.

-[Mi-yeon] What's the password? -Chocolate milk.

What is that?

Oh, Attorney Choi told me about it on the phone.

She said the girls might ask.

-[chuckles] -Chocolate milk.

[door opens]

Hello.

Is that man our unni's friend, too?

No, uh, not a friend, but he's our boss from work.

Ah, he must be that scary boss man.

I wasn't trying to be scary.

[uplifting music playing]

And what are your names?

My name is Che Mi-yeon and this is my twin sister.

-Che So-yun. -Have you eaten?

-Are you hungry? -What should we eat?

-Um, pizza. -Tteokbokki.

-Chicken. -Spaghetti.

-Galbi. -We can't eat that.

Unni said galbi is only for a special day once a year.

Remember?

Well then, how about we go out to dinner?

[both] Yay! Wow!

Come on.

-Let's go. -Let's go.

[music concludes]

-Mm. This place is good. -They really do have amazing food here.

-[Seok-hoon] Mm. -[Hyo-min] Like it?

-Yes, it's really delicious. -[Seok-hoon chuckles]

Girls, you both eat up.

-What's wrong? Have some more. -I'm full.

Hmm? Already?

-Oh, I'm also done eating my food. -Why? There's plenty of food.

Oh, no. That's okay.

But could we take this leftover to go?

-Why? -Our unni likes pork cutlets too.

And last time she pretended to have a stomachache,

so she wasn't able to try any.

[somber music playing]

And even though I knew she did that on purpose,

because the food tasted so good, I still finished all my food.

[chuckles]

Well, you eat that one, and we'll order another one to go.

-Can we really? -Of course.

As for your sister, I'll make sure she has lots of delicious food at work.

-Wow, really? -[Seok-hoon] Mm.

-[Seo-yeon] Promise? -Me too.

Yes, it's a promise. Here, copy-paste.

[chuckles]

Too bad I'm the only one here to see this. Your eyes are practically dripping honey.

How did you manage to keep that expression hidden?

[music concludes]

[uplifting music playing]

You can put anything you want in the cart.

-[gasps] Wow! -Wow!

[chuckles]

Since they're kids, it might be better to get meal kits, right?

-Yes, and some side dishes as well. -All right.

From now on, make sure to eat even without your sister.

Do you know how to make this?

-Yes, two minutes in the microwave. -For two, four minutes.

That's right. [chuckles] Heat up the rice and take out some sides.

Oh, and make sure to put them on a separate plate.

[both] Okay.

-[chuckles] -[music concludes]

-Attorney Choi seems to be running late. -Oh, you're right.

I'll head out now. They should sleep soon.

-Oh, okay. -I'm going now.

[soft music playing]

Stay strong and take care. And listen to your sister.

-Don't leave yet. -Stay with us a little longer.

Why don't you stay until the kids are asleep?

They've gotten attached to you.

They're starved for attention.

[Hyo-min] They're like angels.

Seven-year-olds are practically babies.

Kim Byeong-su committed a crime that's truly unforgivable, even in death.

By the way, the decision not to prosecute, it's the outcome I wanted,

but to get battle ready just to win the fight

without even a swing of the sword?

Well, it does feel nice, but also not satisfying, you know?

Do you think Doctor Choi just got lucky?

Think that was luck?

No, I don't think it was luck.

I have assigned the Kim Byeong-su case to Attorney Kwon.

But Attorney Kwon was in charge of the Kim Byeong-su case though.

So what? Is there a problem?

[Hyo-min] Each person who took some small action

or made a decision regarding Ms. Choi Ji-su's acquittal

had been holding a trial inside their own mind

all about the right to live.

I will handle this matter.

[Mal-su] For the same prosecutor to take on this case,

just how is that fair?

This is all too... [stutters]

-What's the... -Too biased, sir.

Yeah, that's right. Too biased, sir.

The prosecution doesn't allow emotions to influence a case.

-We lead by the law and our principles. -[gasps] Oh, my God.

This prosecutor man, he's totally on that bitch's side, huh?

Madam, watch your language in here.

If you're going to throw a tantrum,

I suggest you pick your battles more carefully.

[Hyo-min] There was only one driving force behind that trial.

It was love for the victim, Min-sol.

[Mal-su] Please make sure she's put away for murder, okay?

Yes, I understand.

I believe Attorney Kim Do-yeon is the right man for this job,

so we'll assign him to your case.

So you're saying that he's a good lawyer then?

[Hyo-min] Born from the regret and shared responsibility of adults

who failed to protect the children who deserve to be loved and cared for.

A belated love.

I never thought I'd see Attorney Kim assigned a case while I'm still alive.

We can't let him do nothing just because he's incompetent.

What if he screws up?

You heard them, the man who died was Kim Byeong-su.

[Hyo-min] That, along with the rage they felt

for the man who destroyed that child drove their decisions.

[Han-min] If we can confirm the family history,

we can conclude that he died due to an underlying condition.

[Hyo-min] Regardless of whether

Kim Byeong-su's death was accidental or not,

what mattered to them was the wound that his existence had left on Min-sol.

I know we're supposed to really examine closely for foul play,

but aren't you putting a little too much effort

behind this particular body?

Do you know who the subject of the autopsy is today?

-No. -Kim Byeong-su.

We have to work harder. Even harder, of course.

[Hyo-min] And these sentiments ultimately led to the desire

to acquit the person who took his life.

Was Dr. Choi aware of Kim Byeong-su's underlying condition?

No. Dr. Choi Ji-su refused to treat him at that time

and never personally confirmed Kim Byeong-su's condition.

Yes, of course.

Because if she had known that, she might be charged

with involuntary manslaughter or worse, murder after all.

Right.

The prosecution, as well as the family's lawyer,

are extremely likely to ask the same question.

-I understand. Duly noted. -Okay.

-[Ji-su] What? -You didn't know.

You never checked his condition yourself. That right?

[Ji-su] Mm.

If I'm ever asked, that's what I'll be saying.

It's the truth after all.

[takes deep breath]

I have two daughters.

I knew that Kim Byeong-su had this underlying condition five years ago,

but I kept it from him,

so that he might live out the rest of his days as fate would have it.

[breathes shakily]

You know materials are provided at the prosecutor's discretion.

Yes. Any help would be appreciated.

I'll consider it.

Thank you.

Why are you giving up so easily?

I didn't say I'd consider it for long.

You do know how to apply for access, right?

Um, of course.

-Then apply right away. -Okay.

Now, where on earth did I put that medical book

with useful information about Ehlers-Danlos again?

Ah, there it is.

[Hyo-min] And his death...

SYMPTOM-BASED VASCULAR EDS

...added a little bit of justice to this world.

Do you think humans have the right to live?

-[music concludes] -We do.

[soft music playing]

Perhaps our right to live is determined by the traces we've left on others.

If those traces... only left behind pain and despair...

that deprives one of the right to live.

And the death of one who has lost that right is no longer a tragedy,

but only a piece that gives a little balance back to the world.

How twisted must the path of his life have been for people...

to have attempted to find justice even in his death?

Hamjji's on my side.

Nuh-uh, Hamjji's on my side.

On my side.

[chuckles]

You're smiling again

BEYOND THE BAR

-["Home" playing] -[objects clattering]

-Attorney Kang Hyo-min is here. -[Hyo-min] Have we met?

[tires screech]

[Yeong-mi] I was sure you wouldn't recall.

-[Hyo-min] PTSD? -[screams]

[Yeong-mi] I was bullied viciously at school.

[Ji-ung] Was Attorney Ko capable of planning all that?

How in the world can we prove it?

[Na-yeon] Yeah, there might be a solution to that, actually.

[Myeong-suk] How dare you represent her?

She's responsible for our daughter's death!

-[Hyo-min] I will do my best. -Now the knockout punch is what you want.

This is it.

♪ No more tears ♪

♪ You got me home ♪