All language subtitles for The.Judge.Returns.2026.E08 - Copie

I knew it.

Who knew I'd cross paths
with an enemy in a spot like this?

What kind of nonsense is that?

An enemy?

It's not nonsense.

This is exactly why the law exists.

Hey, you scumbags!

I waited forever and you never showed up.

Who the hell are you?

Did he take a loan from you, too?

Who messed up our boss?

Not me.

It was him.

Darn it.

Darn it.

Hey.

Hey, you alright?

I told you to stay put!

Keep it down.

Look at this punk...

Are you seriously okay?

I'm good.

[Episode 8]

Hey, my foot's caught.

I've got Chu Yong Jin and Cheon Hak Su here.

I'm at the Buyong Patrol Division in Incheon.

I'm sending over the file on the slush funds

Chu Yong Jin funneled
to Kang Jeong Tae right now.

Yes.

All right, let's move.

[JT Slush Fund Payment Records]

Okay.

I'm sorry.

I got jumped out of nowhere.

Chu Yong Jin slipped through our fingers.

Chief.

I know where the boat is docking.

I'll take care of it right now.

No.

Put yourself in his shoes.
Would you get on that boat right now?

What should we do?

It's gonna be tough to track him down
if he decides to go underground.

We have to cut him loose.

Chief.

I've been thinking it over and over.

Something about Judge Lee Han Young bothers me.

First, it was the draft-dodging ledger.

Ever since Judge Lee Han Young
entered the picture...

things keep going sideways.

Who the hell was it?

It looked like he knew

Chu Yong Jin's crew.

You need to prove your worth.

That's the only way you'll last by my side.

You know it, too.

That I'm the only one who can heal your wounds.

I have a job for you.

I've been thinking it over and over.

Something about Judge Lee Han Young bothers me.

First, it was the draft-dodging ledger.

Ever since Judge Lee Han Young
entered the picture...

things keep going sideways.

I'll find out soon enough.

Here are the printouts from your USB drive.

The person who ordered the hit on you.

The "JT" listed here.

It's Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae, right?

I'm right, aren't I?

If you catch him...

can you add attempted murder to the charges?

Technically, it's solicitation of murder.

[JT Slush Fund Payment Records]
This "JT"...

is definitely the ruling party's
three-term lawmaker, Kang Jeong Tae.

I made regular monthly payments.

And during elections,
I delivered cash in bundles.

Right after I finished
the prosecution interrogation...

he pushed me to take a smuggler's boat.

Guess he intended
to turn me into fish food all along.

Man, this water is refreshing.

But...

drinking water on an empty stomach

makes my insides feel weird.

What's good to eat here?

Let's grab a meal together.

I'll chew him up
and spit him out for you, bit by bit.

I'd love to,

but it won't be long

before word gets back to Assemblyman Kang.

I'm in a rush to secure
a search and seizure warrant.

Go ahead and eat while you wait.

Oh, and...

at this place,

the spicy pork is the best.

Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae's name
was mentioned.

A search and seizure warrant is being filed
right away as well.

Nominee Woo Gyo Hoon.

You've admitted
to the fake address registration, haven't you?

[Nominee for Minister of State]
Yes.

My daughter was suffering from depression.

She had one friend she truly relied on.

I committed that wrongdoing just to send her

to the same high school as that friend.

I apologize.

[Lee Seong Hun, Han Sang Min]

I requested you submit
your daughter's medical certificate,

but you refused, didn't you?

I cannot submit

the medical records

because of patient confidentiality rules.

I'm just asking to verify the fact

of whether she actually had depression.

Hey.

Are you telling a nominee for Justice Minister

to break the law right now?

Please be quiet.

This is my questioning time.

Well, then just ask your questions.

Why are you telling him to violate the law?

Who do you think you're talking to like that?

How many terms have you served?

- Why bring that up right now?
- What?

Nominee Woo Gyo Hoon,

back when you were
a secretary at the Blue House,

[Held stocks under his sister-in-law's name]
you entrusted stocks to your sister-in-law

and then took them back, right?

I'm talking about so-called stock parking!

I believe it's inappropriate to discuss a case

that is currently under investigation.

You remember

the topic of stocks coming up
with your friends back then,

don't you?

I have no memory of that.

We demanded
your wife's stock transaction records,

but you refused to submit them, right?

I didn't submit them

because it's private information.

Isn't refusing to submit the data

essentially an admission of the allegations?

Assemblyman Park,

stop making such absurd speculations.

If he responds this way
to facts everyone already knows,

the public won't buy it.

Stop making groundless attacks.

Is this hearing some sort of YouTube channel?

Quiet down!

Is a nominee who can't even answer properly

qualified to serve as Justice Minister?

[Make Nammyeon-gu a great place to live!
A powerful Assemblyman!]

What business brings you here?

I'm Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo from the Seoul
Central District Prosecutors' Office.

[Search and Seizure Warrant]

Alright, go ahead and start.

- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.

What is this?

Step back.

[Office of Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae]
Come on out.

You need to bag everything here, too.

Send him a message not to go far,

because we're going to request
an arrest warrant once the session is over.

- Finish typing that up.
- Yes.

Let's keep it up!

The prosecution has raided the district office.

You keep beating around the bush.

Nominee Woo.

As soon as Kim Jin Ah was appointed
as a prosecutor,

she went after Jang Tae Sik.

Please, answer the question.

I'll answer as many questions as you have
regarding allegations against me.

However,

[Nominee for Minister of State]
I don't believe matters related to my family

fit the purpose of this hearing.

Hurry up, Prosecutor Kim.

[Prosecutor Kim Jin Ah]

What's this?

Another case.

Try handling this one
with your conviction, too.

There's no one

I can trust but you.

That's a lie.

Catching Woo Hee Young
to bring down Woo Gyo Hoon...

I'm the one who set that stage.

The prosecution moves based on a plan
set by a mere judge?

That's a lie, too.

Investigator Baek.

Yes.

Let's go.

Where to?

Hello?

I'm Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae.

I need to have a word

with you privately.

Yes.

I'm on my way
to Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae's office.

My gut as a prosecutor says

he's definitely going to ask for a deal.

I have to verify what hand he's playing.

Let's go together. It might be a setup.

Nobody messes with a prosecutor
in Korea that easily.

And...

The crime scene belongs
to prosecutors, not judges.

I'm hanging up now.

[Chungnam District Court Judge Lee Han Young]

Prosecutor Park!

[I'm Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae.
I need to have a word with you privately.]

[Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae]

Yes, Chief.

Haven't you brought down Woo Gyo Hoon yet?

I think he'll be finished before 12.

Should we check it out together, then?

What is it?

Is there a problem?

No.

Where should I go?

Come to my office.

Yes, understood.

[Chungnam District Court
Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo]

Come on, pick up.

[Chungnam District Court
Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo]

[Chungnam District Court Judge Lee Han Young]

[Facts Regarding Stock Parking Allegations]

I think we've talked enough.

[Nominee for Minister of State]
Do you have anything more to add?

Alright, it's getting late.

Let's call it a night.

Alright, everyone, hold it right there.

As of now, I'm arresting everyone here

for violating the Narcotics Control Act.

- Get a grip.
- You have the right to appoint legal counsel.

You'll be given a chance to defend yourself.

And regarding the review
of the legality of arrest...

Who are you?

How did you get in?

You must be Prosecutor Kim Jin Ah?

Hi, I'm...

Well...

I'm Song Na Yeon, a reporter from Daejin Daily.

[Song Na Yeon]

Judge Lee Han Young told me that

if I stuck around here,

I'd run right into you.

[Nominee for Minister of State]

What's this?

[Justice Minister Nominee's Daughter
Arrested for Drug Use]

It says emergency arrest.

He talked so much about family.

He's totally busted. Truly busted.

That's a proper family.
[Arrested for Flight and Tampering Risk]

[Justice Minister Nominee's Daughter
Arrested for Drug Use]

What an incredible family.

Seriously incredible.

Come on, Your Excellency...

Please.

Please.

Please.

Please, I beg you.

[Woo Gyo Hoon]

This is really driving me nuts.

[Woo Gyo Hoon]

Why isn't this jerk answering?

[His Excellency Park Kwang To]

Your Excellency.

Please help me.

Start with the press...

You've worked hard all this time.

I'm sure there's another way
to serve the country.

Your Excellency.

Your Excellency.

Your Excellency!

There he is!

- Hurry.
- This way, over here.

- It's Woo Gyo Hoon.
- Assemblyman!

Assemblyman Woo.

Knock it off!

[Minister Nominee's Daughter
Arrested on Drug Charges]

[Letter of Resignation]
Woo Hee Young,

daughter of Justice Minister nominee
Assemblyman Woo Gyo Hoon,

was taken into custody
by prosecutors for illegal drug consumption.

Prosecutors executed an emergency arrest
of Ms. Woo and her party

late last night inside a VIP room
at a club in Gangnam.

Good job.

There's something I want to ask you.

What was your reason
for taking down Woo Gyo Hoon?

He treats people like garbage.

Is that it?

Plus, he's full of himself.

Could that really be true?

I just can't stomach the idea

of a jerk like him sitting as Justice Minister.

What?

Should there be more to it?

No.

Blowing away a Justice Minister

is nothing for him.

I wonder where he gets that kind of power.

So, you're not asking for anything
this time around either?

Not at the moment.

"Not at the moment,"

I'll be waiting.

By the way,

you know Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo, don't you?

The word is you two came up
from Chungnam together.

Yes.

You two worked a case together.

You two close?

No.

We just ended up involved in the same mess.

Is that so?

Well, that's good news.

I'm on my way
to Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae's office.

My gut as a prosecutor says

he's definitely going to ask for a deal.

I have to verify what hand he's playing.

He's in trouble.

[Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae]

Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae?

Sir?

Looks like Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae

reached out to Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo.

Kang Shin Jin summoning me was no accident.

If Chu Yong Jin starts talking,
he puts Kang Jeong Tae at risk, too.

That's just how politicians are.

But what's Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo
going to do?

Is he going to team up
with Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae?

Or will he refuse?

I'm curious.

The reason you approached me.

To be honest,

there is something I want.

So you finally have a wish?

There's only one way

to rescue Prosecutor Park Cheol Woo
and escape this mess.

Allow me

to catch Justice Hwang Nam Yong.

What?

My motive for approaching you was

Justice Hwang Nam Yong all along.

That's enough.

Defendant Lee Bong Seok is hereby sentenced

to imprisonment

for a term of one year and six months.

The defendant may file an appeal

within seven days from the date of sentencing.

If no appeal is lodged,

this judgment

shall become final and conclusive.

True, that did happen.

It was you back then.

I figured I needed your influence

to bring down Justice Hwang Nam Yong.

I guess that explains
why you removed Woo Gyo Hoon

exactly as I instructed.

I wanted to prove my worth to you.

People don't change without a reason.

And in your case,
it was a thirst for vengeance.

I'm embarrassed.

Don't be ashamed of wanting revenge.

It's a source of power.

It's the fuel that makes you stronger.

Without that drive for vengeance,

do you think you'd be
the respectable judge you are now?

You know,

I was sitting on that bench that day as well.

Were you aware?

You were the Associate Judge
sitting to the right of Judge Hwang Nam Yong.

Then you must resent me as well.

In that ruling,

Judge Hwang Nam Yong took
S Construction's side completely.

The Associate Judges

on either side wouldn't have
had a chance to step in.

I'm starving.

[Closed]

I assumed Presiding Judge Kim Jin Han

was the only one close to Chief Kang,

but looks like there's another one here.

Do we look close?

This is...

a bit awkward.

He's a good man.

Please take good care of him.

This liquor is a bribe.

It's good stuff.

- Thank you.
- Enjoy the meal.

It was before I was even ten years old.

I left the orphanage and literally begged

for food while wandering the streets.

One day, while I was rummaging

through food waste thrown out by a restaurant,

a young woman smelling heavily
of cosmetic powder called out to me.

That was the start of it.

I ran errands for the gisaengs
at a high-class hostess club

and did the cleaning in exchange for meals.

I fed him

plenty back then.

Hurry up and eat.

Let's see what this bribe tastes like.

You're right.

Back then, Hwang Nam Yong

was in league with Jang Tae Sik
of S Construction.

And Jang Tae Sik has now
become the CEO of S Shopping.

What do you plan to do?

Corporations are groups that pursue profit.

Whether right or wrong,

Jang Tae Sik simply did his best in his role.

However,

Justice Hwang Nam Yong

made a ruling

that went against his role.

The Chief Justice will be replaced soon.

If you stay by my side,
you'll be able to see and hear a lot of things.

I'll do it.

Hand it over.

When the Chief Justice is replaced,

I'll throw Hwang Nam Yong to you.

Thank you.

Is there anything else you haven't told me?

No, nothing.

You'd better keep it that way.

I'll keep that in mind.

What are you doing?

Excuse me?

She will scold you if you leave food behind.

How come it's still all there?

It's tender and delicious.

[Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae]

Are you all right?

Are you asking if I'm okay?

I told you over the phone.

Kang...

[Kang Jeong Tae]

Let's go together. It might be a setup.

[Chungnam District Court Judge Lee Han Young]

So, where were you
after saying we should go together?

I was eating.

I was almost strangled to death,

and you could stomach food?

Look, that's why...

I called you to say we should go in together

because it might be a trap.

Then you should have come right away!

"The crime scene belongs
to prosecutors, not judges."

You never...

You never let me have the last word.

My neck really hurts, too...

Seriously...

I'm glad you're alive.

If anyone heard us,

they'd think we were best friends.

What?

Our friendship was just in my head?

Come on!

Report this to the police,

but keep my name out of it.

What for?

If they ask why I was here,
what are you going to say?

That we were out to get
Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae?

They might figure out we're in cahoots.

In cahoots? What are you talking about?

I...

I was strictly doing my duty
as the lead prosecutor.

Oh, please.

I'm the one who handed
Chu Yong Jin over to you.

I even gave you the slush fund ledger.

Is this the police station?

Jesus! My heart...

Hop in. I'll drive you to the scrap yard.

Should I?

No.

Never mind, just go.

The traffic's going to get bad
if you wait any longer.

It's not rush hour yet.

Right?

No.

Just get going.

It won't look good
if a judge shows up late, will it?

Right, honey?

Sure,

a judge can't afford to lose face.

Everything ends up at the junkyard,

but how come no junk cars are coming in?

- Should I get you a set of wheels?
- Forget it.

It's not like a judge makes big money anyway.

I'm taking off.

Boss,

are you off to work?

How about...

I buy you a bicycle instead?

Never mind.

Let's go.

Walking will do you some good.

Hand over the evidence or the witness

so I can catch Jang Tae Sik.

Do you honestly believe you can take him down

with just a piece of evidence or a witness?

You let him walk
after the emergency arrest, right?

Was a lack of evidence the excuse back then?

I didn't arrest Woo Hee Young

just because you asked me to.

The order to bring her in came from the top.

Did they toss you a trash bag
when they gave you that order?

How on earth did you know about that?

I told you already.
I designed this entire game.

A regular judge pulling the strings
of the prosecution...

and I'm supposed to buy that?

Who is it?

Who's the figure backing you?

Is that person controlling
the Prosecutor's Office too?

You're spot on.

I arranged the pieces,

but someone else called the shots.

Who is it?

He fabricates evidence, gets rid of witnesses,

and trades verdicts without a second thought.

So letting Jang Tae Sik go...

that was his doing as well?

Give me a name.

He is the cancer rotting the Judiciary.

If you start this,

you have to go all the way.

You'll have to put your life on the line.

Are you going to stay in the car?

Defendant Chu Yong Jin

leveraged Taemyung Construction,
a company under his control,

to illegally secure bids
from the District Office

[Defense table, Defendant's table]
and executed substandard work.

If you had managed to snag
Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae,

I would have rolled out

the red carpet for you.

Why don't you have some?

Help yourself.

Poor Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae...

dying so pointlessly.

Why did he give me such hell

just to fill his own belly?

Be it Taemyung Construction or the slush funds,

all I did was follow orders.
Is that such a crime?

The dead tell no tales, after all.

I'll cooperate with the investigation

in every way possible,

so let's wrap this up nicely.

I was told you two are acquaintances.

Man, that smells delicious.

It feels good to be alive
and eating, doesn't it?

What?

If you touch him again, I won't let it slide.

You!

Sit down.

Who are you?

You will first submit
to a prosecutor's investigation.

We've met in court before.

Your act as a loan shark really had me fooled.

Defendant Chu Yong Jin, tell me.

Who murdered Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae?

- What was the motive?
- I don't know.

It wasn't me.

You handed over
nearly 10 billion won in bribes.

Do you really think
he spent all that cash by himself?

You sided with the prosecution
to save your own neck,

so they had Kang Jeong Tae taken out.

They wanted to stop the investigation there.

Then it's all over.

No,

my real trial starts now.

The Nammyeon-gu sinkhole.

The Nammyeon-gu sinkhole disaster

was caused
by Taemyung Construction's negligence.

The real owner of Taemyung Construction
is Chu Yong Jin.

But Chu Yong Jin

blackmailed the family of the young victim
who died in the sinkhole

and pressured them into signing
a Settlement Agreement.

Better skip the 100 million won the victim got.

He coerced them into that Settlement Agreement
without paying a dime.

Have you lost your mind?

Or maybe

a story breaks right away saying

Chu Yong Jin was the bagman
for Kang Jeong Tae's slush fund operation

and he's going to tell prosecutors

exactly where that money went.

So how long before

that rope tightens around your throat

all over again?

That never happened.

Sure,

but once that story hits,

you're done for.

So you're

protecting him now?

Some guy who lost his kid in a sinkhole.

Yeah,

except

he's not just "some guy,"
he's a victim's family member!

A victim's family member!

Look,

I feel terrible about it.

You think I saw that accident coming?

I'll increase the settlement

and give them a real apology.

So just...

Keep your mouth shut.

No apologies,

no playing the remorseful act in public.

Don't lower your head.

Look them in the eye

and show them who you really are.

Because if you don't,

that rope's going right back around your neck.

The defendant's greed went even further.

By ordering

or allowing substandard construction,

he completely ignored public safety

to line his own pockets illegally.

These actions amount to abuse of power,

occupational breach of trust,

and extortion.

Tragically, because of this,

an innocent man in his twenties died.

Then, to hide what he'd done,

he strong-armed
the victim's family into a settlement.

The defendant's conduct,

prioritizing personal gain over human life,

is absolutely unforgivable.

The prosecution is therefore requesting

a sentence of ten years

plus a fine of five billion won
for defendant Chu Yong Jin.

That concludes my statement.

You know who murdered
Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae, right?

I don't.

The day he was killed,

you were going on about
how it might be a setup.

You knew something, didn't you?

No,

I was just saying watch your back.

You're lying.

[Nammyeon-gu Sinkhole Disaster Was Man-Made]
The prosecutor's search of Taemyung Construction

exposed the true face of corrupt politicians

who treat citizens' lives as expendable.

Investigators found that

Taemyung Construction had been
taking massive bribes

to secure government contracts for years

while deliberately flouting

safety standards.

[Rest in peace, Heo Min Gu]

As the nation's anger and grief intensify,

[Our heartfelt sympathies to the deceased]
people keep coming to pay their respects

at the Nammyeon-gu sinkhole

where a man in his twenties

[Sweet Bamtoll, may you find joy in heaven]
lost his life unfairly.

[Sweet Bamtoll, may you find joy in heaven]

Thank you.

[Rest in peace, Heo Min Gu]

My son can finally be at peace now.

I hope the two of you

can find some peace as well.

Your son

would've wanted that for you.

I checked on the Chu Yong Jin matter
you requested.

The slush fund investigation hit a wall

at Assemblyman Kang Jeong Tae.

Someone incredibly powerful
must be pulling the strings

if a three-term ruling party member
is just a small piece of the puzzle.

He is the cancer rotting the Judiciary.

If you start this,

you'll have to put your life on the line.

Judge Lee Han Young,

seems like you've already made that bet.

Today we're here

to discuss selecting the next Chief Justice.

The President

rashly appointed Jeon Heung Woo,

and now the entire judicial system's a mess.

We've got to get rid of him.

Since it's judiciary business...

My suggestion would be Justice Hwang Nam Yong.

How was his confirmation hearing?

His Justice confirmation went smoothly.

Make sure this doesn't blow up
like it did with Woo Gyo Hoon.

Understood.

Sir.

Chairman Jang Yong Hyun's going
to be over the moon

if Hwang Nam Yong takes over as Chief Justice.

Haven't they been in bed together
for like 20 years?

CEO Jang Tae Sik's been tangled up
with them since the S Construction days.

The old man and his kid,

riding the gravy train
generation after generation.

With Hwang Nam Yong as Chief Justice,

you'll have the power
to handpick the election commissioners

and their chairman come election time.

That's the idea.

So,

Woo Gyo Hoon's still out there on his knees?

Hey.

Your daughter's looking at probation.

Is that what His Excellency wants?

You're about to face an investigation

over stock parking allegations.

What?

A civic group already filed
against you, didn't they?

That's just for show.

The law's all about procedure,

bare minimum rules people came up with.

I've got to speak with him.

No need for that.

Get out of my way.

What the hell do you think you're doing?

Want me to upgrade your daughter

from casual user to drug trafficker?

What?

Or maybe swap out stock parking
for stock manipulation?

You son of a...

What's your problem with me?

Ever wonder

why your wife goes through drivers
like tissue paper?

Where you come from doesn't necessarily
make you a decent person.

His Excellency handed me this
and made it crystal clear

that moving forward,

there's no room for error whatsoever.

Yeah.

The future's always the problem, isn't it?

From this point on, you show up when I call,

and when I say leave,

you leave.

Whatever task I give you,

no questions,

no slip-ups, not even one.

Play it that way

and you'll keep your family safe

and hold onto your seat come the next election.

So...

Let's kick off the operation to bring down

Chief Justice Jeon Heung Woo.

[I denounce Chief Justice
Jeon Heung Woo's abuse of power]

[I demand the resignation
of Chief Justice Jeon Heung Woo]

[Unilateral decisions and lack of communication,
the Chief Justice must step down]

[Chief Justice, please leave the judiciary]

[Post]

This has turned into a complete circus.

And the press?

We've lined up several news organizations
that are tied up in lawsuits.

By tomorrow, the stories will be everywhere.

Think he'll be gone

in a week or so.

The guy clawed his way up
from nowhere on pure grit.

Even with his neck on the line,
he'll hang on for at least a month.

Yeah...

I'll work on finding another approach.

No, don't rush it.

We'll strike after we've drained him first.

Yes, got it.

By the way, who's been chosen

as the next Chief Justice?

Chief Justice Jeon Heung Woo

[Justice]
won't survive a month before stepping down.

[Hwang Nam Yong]
And his replacement...

Justice Hwang Nam Yong.

Clear your schedule tonight.

We've got somewhere to be.

Yes, understood.

Right, it's Judge Lee Han Young.

I want him there when I sit down
with Justice Hwang Nam Yong.

Chief.

Judge Lee Han Young isn't on our side yet.

Are you pushing boundaries again?

I get it.

You're the only one I count on.

Do I need to say it out loud?

My apologies.

Tell Presiding Judge Lee Seong Dae

he's with me tonight.

Yes, understood.

[Presiding Judge Kim Jin Han]

Yes, come on in.

You wanted to see me?

Yeah, take a seat.

What's Judge Lee Han Young been up to lately?

Well...

Nothing special as far as I can tell.

What about him and Chief Judge Baek Yi Seok?

I believe he's been called in a few times.

For what reason?

Sorry?

Why would he call him in?

That's something I'm not really clear on...

What's your read on it?

Think Lee Han Young's in Baek Yi Seok's camp?

No, I doubt it.

Baek Yi Seok's the one
who brought him up to Seoul though.

Also, he might end up
marrying into Haenal Law Firm.

Still,

his background is totally different...

Keep tabs on him.

What was the deposit from S Shopping?

3 billion.

Pay attention today and make it happen.

Will do.

Hey.

Chief Kang,

It's been ages.

[Justice Hwang Nam Yong]

I figured as much when you called.

What with how things have been
playing out at CourtNet.

So if I take the Chief Justice seat,

what do you stand to gain?

I gain the head of the judiciary,

a Chief Justice.

You think it'll pan out like that?

I get the top spot,
you get your Chief Justice...

we both come out ahead.

Though

what's stopping me
from ending up like Jeon Heung Woo?

I was your associate judge back in the day.

It won't come to that.

I'm supposed to take your word for it?

Absolutely.

Start by switching to a mid-size vehicle,

and dump those stocks.

Our team will handle
some charitable contributions

under your name.

You're at Gangcheon Palace
in Gangnam, aren't you?

Unload that and relocate to a modest apartment.

Presiding Judge Lee Seong Dae

will scout out something
in Gangbuk, roughly 30 pyeong.

Quite the to-do list.

Anything on my end?

The younger judges are taking a stand

against Chief Justice
Jeon Heung Woo's overreach.

Back them up.

You're right.

Can't let the juniors down.

Go ahead and have a drink.

Jeon Heung Woo's days are numbered.

I'm set on installing
Hwang Nam Yong in his place.

All you need to do is deliver on your word

to give me Hwang Nam Yong.

How far does your trust in me go?

How far

does your trust in me go?

That's some nerve.

I can't haul Hwang Nam Yong into a courtroom,

though I can tear those robes off him.

A Justice's robes

carry as much weight as the eighteen months

your dad spent locked up.

Wasn't the plan to seat

Justice Hwang Nam Yong as Chief Justice?

So then,

who reaches the finish line first, you or me?

I wonder.

Water for you.

Here, take it.

What's this?

A love letter?

Yeah, it's a love letter.

Someone got a job?

[Recruitment Evaluation Score Sheet]

Wait, hold on...

Dead last on the written test,

but top score in the interview.

Nothing shocks me anymore.

[Final Selection, Hwang Tae Sung]

Who's this Hwang Tae Sung?

Eighteen years back,

he's the son of the judge
who presided over my father's case.

What?

Han Young.

[Seoul Central District Court]

Chu Yong Jin's trial is done.

My apologies for not seeing it through.

Don't worry about it.

When the charges change,
the court has to adjust.

The assault on the victims came out,

you didn't have a choice.

Right,

good judgment.

Nice job.

I'll push myself harder.

Lately,

Chief Presiding Judge Kang Shin Jin,

you still seeing him regularly?

Grabbing dinner and all that?

I'm concerned, honestly.

Word is he's bad news.

We've had meals,

shared drinks as well.

What?

That's it?

He told me as long as I handle my assignments,

he'll grant me anything I ask for.

There, you see?

I'm warning you, he's trouble.

Grant you anything? My foot.

Stay away from him from now on.

Why the silence?

I already laid out

everything I'm after.

What?

What is it?

What you wanted from him.

I'm sorry.

Hey,

what are you sorry for?

Why can't you tell the Chief Judge?

I'm sorry.

I saw you've got a different car
for your drive in now?

Is that really all you asked
Chief Presiding Judge Kang Shin Jin for?

Actually, I bought the car
through financing myself.

So you're telling me that's a lie?

Listen!

When you lie, you've gotta make it convincing.

I guess our connection ends here.

I'll pay you another visit.

This is our only chance

to take down Baek Yi Seok,

the Guardian of the Judiciary.

It was right about this time
that Lee Seong Dae got himself into deep debt.

This can't be happening!

[Breaking, Taekyung Bio Removed from Listing]
My 400 million won!

A group of investment fraudsters
has set up shop in Gangnam.

How do you expect
to make a profit from con artists?

They build up credibility
by making those interest payments without fail.

It goes on for roughly three months.

With the bait out there,

the hunt must be handled firsthand.

Whether it's legal or otherwise...

I'm going to do it my way.

If this goes south,
the consequences will be too much to handle.

Will you let me in
if I put my life on the line?

What? The prosecution?

We have a tip that
the Asian investment scammers are here.

Just headed into the elevator.

Hurry up.