Original subtitles

PRO BONO

[male announcer] Fifteen.

THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS NOT SUITABLE FOR VIEWERS UNDER 15

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

THIS PROGRAM CONTAINS PRODUCT PLACEMENTS AND VIRTUAL ADVERTISING

SUPPORTED BY: MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM

AND KOREA CREATIVE CONTENT AGENCY

THIS DRAMA IS A WORK OF FICTION

CHILD ACTORS WERE FILMED SAFELY UNDER GUARDIANS’ SUPERVISION

ANIMAL SCENES WERE CREATED USING VISUAL EFFECTS

THE FLASHBACK SCENES OF THE IMMIGRANT WOMAN IN THIS EPISODE

ARE MEANT TO SHED LIGHT ON THE ONGOING PROBLEM

OF KIDNAPPINGS AND FORCED MARRIAGES IN SOME COUNTRIES

THERE IS NO INTENT TO DEFAME OR DISPARAGE ANY COUNTRY, ETHNICITY, OR RELIGION

The plaintiff Kaya had already given birth in her country before she got married.

[intense music playing]

- [gasps] - What? What on earth is he talking about?

It's not true, is it?

The plaintiff hid the fact that she had given birth

and deceived the defendant

for a fraudulent marriage.

Why didn't you tell us?

You gave birth before marriage? Is that really true, Kaya?

We're in a totally different situation now.

An annulment of marriage is different from a divorce.

It nullifies the marriage itself,

so it'll be as if you were never married at all.

The marriage visa you used to come here will be canceled.

You'll be kicked out from this country, Kaya!

What?

PRO BONO

[Jun-u sighs] It's one problem after another.

Just as we uncovered the truth, a marriage annulment?

They want a marriage annulment after sexually abusing her?

This is something you can't fix with a legal approach.

- We need to use our fists! - Hey!

Calm down.

No need to get worked up.

What we do is someone else's problem in the end.

What? How could you say something like that?

With my mouth.

- [laughing] - [door lock beeps]

- "With my mouth!" - [woman] Ms. Park!

Yes?

You all remember you have medical checkups this week, right?

That also includes our new hire, Mr. Kang.

Don't miss it this time. Where's Mr. Jang?

I can take it.

Right now, we don't have time to--

[woman] It's company policy for all employees.

There's an endoscopy as well,

so please start fasting from the night before.

Geez. How could the least busy team not have time?

Hold on. What did you just say?!

Have a nice day.

Don't get heated. If they want us to do it, we'll do it.

Do you know you're making me even more heated?

- Then, cool down. - [whirring]

[screams]

BLOOD PRESSURE RANGES

[rapid beeping]

[sustained beeping]

[inhales, yelps]

- I didn't put it in yet. - [exhales]

- [nurse] Breathe in. - [inhales sharply]

And hold.

Six, two, eight, three, five.

- And this? - [Gi-ppeum] 8, 3, 5, 2, 9.

- And now? - 5, 9, 6, 4, 2.

- And? - 2, 9, 5, 7, 4.

- Now? - 3, 8, 2, 3, 7.

- Four, three… - [machine beeping steadily]

See?

My body doesn't respond

to anesthesia…

What doesn't respond?

[amusing music plays]

Ms. Park.

You're not getting the endoscopy?

[gasps, sighs]

We've already returned to work after finishing our checkups.

You're the only one who's late after making a big fuss.

[chuckling]

Gosh, it was so hilarious though. It's a shame only I saw it.

[spluttering] What are you talking about? Did I say something?

Forget it. Go get changed and come out.

Come on out.

What?

What on earth?

Ow.

SUWON FAMILY COURT SINGLE-JUDGE DIVISION

"Marriage is a sacred promise."

"Just as a castle built on sand doesn't last,

a marriage built on lies cannot be continued."

"Judge Gu Ji-won."

I admire you, Your Honor.

While working as a family court judge for ten years,

you've emphasized the importance of being faithful

in a marital relationship.

Marital history, parental status, and criminal record.

Whatever it may be,

when someone married through deception,

you didn't hesitate to annul their marriage.

I've only ruled according to the law.

Yes, Your Honor.

For this case, please render justice according to the law as well.

Article 816, Paragraph 3 of the Civil Act.

"When the declaration of intention to marry

has been made through fraud or under duress…"

If hiding childbirth history doesn't fall under this,

- I don't know what would. - [scoffs]

Is the plaintiff going to accept the physical examination

to reveal her childbirth history?

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

The physical examination won't be necessary.

Uh, that means…

We admit the fact that the plaintiff gave birth…

before this marriage.

[governor's wife gasps] That damn bitch!

Is that true, Ms. Kaya?

Kaya.

[tense music plays]

Yes, Your Honor.

At first, you filed a lawsuit, claiming your husband strangled you.

Now, are you saying you had a child before your marriage?

I don't know which part of your story is true anymore.

My apologies, Your Honor.

We will make sure to reveal the whole truth.

Please allow us to examine the plaintiff one more time.

WITNESS

[Gi-ppeum] Thank you, Your Honor.

Have you given birth to a child

before you got married?

Yes.

[sighs]

How old were you then?

- [voice breaking] I was 14 years old. - [people murmuring]

How old was the child's father?

He was 32.

Did you know him?

I'd never seen him before. [sniffles]

I know it's hard, but please tell us.

What exactly happened?

When I… [breath trembling]

When I was 13,

I was picking firewood in the mountains.

[sobbing]

He kidnapped me.

And…

No!

No!

[breathing heavily] It's a lie!

Son! Dong-min!

I'm sorry, Your Honor, but may we have a short recess?

COURT 301, TODAY'S TRIALS

It's hard, isn't it?

Ms. Park.

This is just the beginning.

You have to remember every detail of that terrible incident

and say them as is.

A trial can be really cruel.

Kaya. You can do it, right?

COURT IN SESSION

- Well done. - Thank you.

Your Honor.

As you have just heard,

she was only 13 when she was abducted by a man in a neighboring village.

She was confined in his house and sexually assaulted for a week.

[light creaking]

She had an unwanted pregnancy as a result of that sexual assault.

If necessary, we'll present the neighbors from her village as witnesses.

[Myeong-hun] I'm sorry, but…

First off, thank you for the examination. You prepared very well.

But was this information even necessary?

Did the defendant's counsel not hear a word of the examination?

When she was 13, she was locked--

And so what does that have to do with this case?

I'm not a heartless, merciless person.

It must have been terrible to go through such a thing at a young age.

Regardless of the reason she gave birth,

I am not here to hold her responsible for the childbirth itself.

I am asking her why she did not tell her spouse-to-be such an important fact

before getting married.

Am I wrong?

How is this any different from a fraudulent car dealer

who sells a car by highlighting only its positive aspects

while concealing its negative ones?

The defendant, as you just saw…

He's not someone who can hide anything.

But the plaintiff,

who is so smart she studied Korean on her own to speak it fluently,

failed to say a single word to Mr. Cho

about this significant matter before getting married.

Is this really being faithful to one's future spouse?

- Then, let me ask the defendant's counsel. - Yes.

Before you got married, have you told your wife

everything about getting bitten by a dog when you were young?

What kind of pointless question is this?

- How is this any different? - What?

The plaintiff was basically bitten by a mad dog.

She was subjected to an assault completely against her will.

Fundamentally, what's so different?

- But still, this is-- - [Da-wit] I see.

It's different because it's sexual assault?

Because it involves sex?

Then, let me ask you again.

Before getting married, did you tell your wife

about all of your sexual partners

and about when, where, and every detail of--

What on earth are you doing right now?

Plaintiff's counsel, I see the point you want to make.

But please make your argument more serious.

Did I go overboard?

My apologies if I did, Your Honor.

I am just asking whether the argument that the defense claims is so obvious

is truly obvious.

Still, the history of childbirth is another story.

"Your wife-to-be has a child."

What's more crucial than that?

The assailant's parents took the baby right after it was born.

She has never met or seen the baby since then.

But we can't predict the future, can we?

We also do not know how giving birth at such a young age

will affect future pregnancies or childbirth.

History of childbirth

is one of the most important facts that must be disclosed before marriage.

Isn't that common sense?

The plaintiff's counsel is desperately using all sorts of misleading arguments

to divert our attention from this common sense,

Your Honor.

[Gi-ppeum] He's a former SPO prosecutor all right. How do we defend against this?

I admit it. That is common sense.

It's important.

The law should be based on common sense.

However, sometimes…

Once in a while,

common sense can miss some things.

Most people don't experience what Kaya went through.

At the young age of 13, she was kidnapped, confined, and sexually assaulted.

Common sense can easily fail to grasp

the pain and fear of such a person.

To resolve this discrepancy,

the Constitution protects fundamental human rights.

Article 17 of the Constitution.

"No citizen shall have

their right to privacy and freedom of private life infringed upon."

There are some things in this world

that are just too cruel to demand disclosure.

Yes, it is true that having a history of pregnancy

is an important fact

that should be notified to a future spouse.

It's common sense.

However, when it comes

to basic human rights protected by the Constitution,

shouldn't common sense at least allow an exception?

Compelling a victim of child sexual abuse

to disclose what happened to her…

How could… Hey, how could you do that?

Your Honor.

Please look at the big picture of this case.

This is the case of a child sexual abuse victim

requesting to end a marriage that cannot continue

after being sexually abused again by her father-in-law.

But the assailant, her in-laws…

Her in-laws, who haven't apologized at all,

are actually trying to use the child sexual abuse she went through

as a reason to deny and annul this marriage.

According to my common sense,

this is the culprit pretending to be the victim…

and it's despicable retaliation.

Your Honor.

Between my common sense and the defense's,

I kindly ask you to make a wise judgment as to which one is correct.

Your Honor, I would also like to add a few words.

I am not saying

that the plaintiff should have told any random person on the street

about what she had gone through.

We are arguing she should have told

the person she would spend the rest of her life with,

her spouse-to-be.

But she hid the fact instead of telling him. Why?

She knew perfectly well

that he wouldn't marry her once she told the truth.

If that's not a fraudulent marriage, then what is, Your Honor?

Despite the fancy arguments made by the plaintiff's counsel,

the nature of the case has not changed.

Marriage is a contract.

And a fraudulent contract can be annulled.

Please rule on the principles, Your Honor.

[tense music plays]

- You did a great job, Mr. Kang. - You too, Ms. Park.

Thank you, both.

Kaya.

This judge is known for being stubborn and adhering to principles.

She has previously ruled

in favor of annulment before due to childbirth history.

She won't go against her past rulings that easily.

Even so, it's fine.

What?

For the first time in my life, someone stood up for me.

And it was in this faraway land where I'm a foreigner.

Thank you so much.

Congratulations, Mr. Kang.

- What? - I think you've taken your first step

as a public interest attorney.

What do you mean by that?

You went into a fight, knowing that you'll lose.

That's a pro bono attorney.

[scoffs]

That is certainly not my thing.

My car is this way.

I know.

[Gi-ppeum chuckles]

Civil case number 2025-674221.

Civil case number 2025-674519.

The Court will deliver the verdict.

Article 816, Paragraph 3 of the Civil Act states

when the declaration of intention to marry

has been made through fraud or under duress

a spouse can request to annul the marriage.

Before two people enter the serious promise called marriage,

they should not withhold any lies from each other.

Not to mention that having given birth before the marriage

is an important fact that can affect the marriage in a tremendous way.

So of course,

a soon-to-be wife is obligated to notify her potential husband.

However…

However,

there are times when the law must allow exceptions.

It is true that the plaintiff gave birth to a child,

but it was against her own will,

and she was the victim of child sexual abuse.

And the relationship with the baby was severed a long time ago.

It cannot be denied that it is excessively cruel

to compel the victim of a crime

to bear the duty of disclosing what they went through.

Therefore, the plaintiff's failure to disclose her childbirth history

does not warrant condemnation

in light of her duty of good faith.

The Court renders the following judgment.

The Court orders…

the plaintiff and the defendant to divorce as a result of this case.

- [slams table] - [gasps]

The defendant's counterclaim is dismissed.

You have won, Plaintiff.

[people applauding]

This is absurd!

This is a scam!

- Ridiculous! You bitch! - Thank you, Your Honor.

Let go of me! Mr. Woo!

We won!

[sobbing, spluttering] Do I get to live in Korea?

- Really? - Yes!

Thank you, Ms. Park!

COURT 301, TODAY'S TRIALS

[Da-wit] Hmm?

Geez.

You upset the order of the court with cheap sentimentality.

- Stop it. You're dropping our standard. - What? I dropped something?

[both laughing]

- Shut it. - Ah.

See you soon.

Sure, sure.

- Will they appeal? - Well, it's up to them.

- Anyway, Ms. Park. - Yes?

I'll treat you to a meal since we won.

- Now? - Aren't you hungry?

[gasps softly] What's he up to?

[Gi-ppeum munching] Gosh. This burger is so good.

And the view's great too.

What's gotten into you today?

Now that the trial is over, we need to talk.

[Jung-in] Attorney Park Gi-ppeum.

She's an interesting one.

Ms. Park? Why?

She threatened me

with your video.

I heard you saw the video.

- Yes. - [sighs]

Who sent it?

The sender was unknown.

But obviously, it's someone who wants to attack you.

Of course, it's a setup.

Do I look like someone who would accept a bribe?

Right. It would be clumsy of you to accept it so openly.

Of course. How would I…

Wait a second.

You think of me as someone who does accept bribes then?

I rewatched it several times because it didn't make sense.

But no matter how I look at it, it was you.

And there's no trace of manipulation.

I'm disappointed, Ms. Park.

- Disappointed? - Yes.

Based on that single uncertain video,

you suddenly started to treat me as a criminal?

Where's the benefit of the doubt?

You're making light of something serious.

In what way?

Isn't it suspicious based on the situation?

In what way?

- I'm not just talking about the video. - Then what?

You don't have any interest in pro bono cases.

But you suddenly quit as a prominent judge to be a pro bono attorney?

You don't think that's weird?

You shouldn't misinterpret someone's goodwill.

I'm using my experience and skills to help the socially disadvantaged--

You made a deal with a 70% winning rate as a condition.

My goodness, you didn't know?

He proposed a 70% winning rate.

In return, he wants a recommendation to be a justice candidate next year.

I'll disband Team Pro Bono if he can't maintain that condition.

[Da-wit sighs]

I didn't know we were working hard

to win the bet you made to become a Supreme Court justice.

I said that to show I'd do my best--

I…

I still want to believe

that you're a good person.

What?

You look sincere in court when you make your arguments.

But if the others on the team find out,

I don't know if they will still believe in you.

- Nan-hui didn't like you in the first-- - Why should I care?

- What? - Think whatever you want.

I don't care about what others think of me.

Whatever my intention is, I can just win for you guys.

Is it fun to win only 20% of the time? You like that?

I mean, losing isn't your hobby. Right?

We've done enough team building for today, so I'll get going.

I'll pay for what I ate, so don't worry about it.

[sighs]

[keyboard clacking]

[door unlocks, opens]

Hello, everyone!

Hey, we won. What's with this vibe?

DEFENDANT CHO SUBMITS APPEAL

- [Jun-u] What? - [Gi-ppeum] What is it?

Mr. Woo submitted an appeal.

Really? My goodness.

He's a passionate guy who doesn't know how to give up.

It's because he gets too obsessed.

Runner-ups are always like that.

What argument is he going to make this time?

- Will it be okay? - Will it be all right?

The case already has a touching story.

Here.

Look.

How could he beat this? He's just being a sore loser.

That must be it.

And what's there to worry about when we have Mr. Kang? [chuckles]

Of course.

- Gosh, I hate him. - Here. Look.

SUWON FAMILY COURT, APPELLATE COURT

[Myeong-hun] Ms. Kaya,

after that man kidnapped you,

how long did you stay at his house?

For about nine months.

Oh. That's almost a year.

During that long period of time,

were you confined in some kind of locked room?

- No. - Really?

Then, why didn't you run away?

Did the man treat you so well that you didn't miss your mom?

[slams table] Your Honor.

Mr. Woo, please be mindful of your wording.

Yes, I will, Your Honor.

Ms. Kaya, let me ask you again.

Why didn't you run away?

I did.

- [tense music plays] - [panting]

A week after I was kidnapped.

And then, after that, you came back to the man's house.

You came back voluntarily?

I didn't go back because I wanted to! [breath trembling]

- [sobbing] - [speaking Burmese] My child!

You must've been so scared.

Mom…

Mom…

Go back!

- Dad. - You've already lost your worth

and dignity as a girl.

Do you understand that?

Who would ever marry you in now? There is nothing we can do.

When he comes, go live with him in his village.

- Honey! - You be quiet!

- Dad! - Go back! Get out!

[sobbing] Mom, please help me!

Mom, I don't want to go!

Mom, I'm scared!

Mom!

[Myeong-hun speaking Korean] Your parents sent you back to him.

"Go live with him in his village."

Isn't that an approval of the marriage then?

Right?

Marriage?

You call that marriage?

Isn't it? You lived at your in-laws' house with permission from your parents.

[trembling] That man hit me every day!

And every night…

I was violated.

[sobbing] I was only 13 years old, sir.

Still, if you lived with him for nine months,

wouldn't you say you had a stable relationship?

[sobbing]

I ran away again

after nine months.

What about the childbirth?

- You didn't give birth at his house? - No!

I couldn't live in that hell anymore,

so I ran away and went back home!

[sobbing]

While I was pregnant.

Did you give birth at your home then?

No.

Why not?

[speaking Burmese] Mom, Dad! Open the door for me, please!

- My child! - Mom!

My child, are you okay?

Honey!

- Go back now! - Dad!

Why didn't you listen to me? Why did you decide to come back?

With that body of yours

it will bring us bad luck! Go back now!

Go! Get out!

My child!

Mom! Dad!

Mom! [sobbing]

[speaking Korean] My father

didn't let me back in the house.

[thunder rumbling]

[Kaya] I… [sobbing]

…I gave birth there…

KAYA

…with the help of others.

[Myeong-hun] Mmm. I see.

Okay.

Thank you, Ms. Kaya.

Nothing further, Your Honor.

The Court will deliver the verdict.

According to the proceedings of this appeal case,

it is true that the plaintiff was kidnapped and sexually abused,

but it is also true she lived with the man for approximately nine months.

- However… - However…

Moreover, considering the date of childbirth,

the plaintiff became pregnant

not during the first time she was kidnapped

but during the time she lived with the man

under the permission of her parents.

No way.

Considering all of these circumstances,

it is hard to say the plaintiff's pregnancy and childbirth

seriously harmed her reputation.

That's nonsense!

- Bailiff. - Yes, Your Honor. Please be seated.

[judge] We will continue.

Thus, compelling the plaintiff to bear the duty of disclosing such facts

does not excessively infringe on her right to privacy

and freedom of private life.

The act of not disclosing her history of childbirth

is a cause for annulling the marriage.

And so, the Court renders the following judgment.

The first trial's ruling, which reached a different conclusion, is reversed.

The marriage reported to the chief of the town

on March 13, 2023, is annulled.

The plaintiff will pay the defendant 10 million won in compensation.

Your Honor.

- [governor's wife] Thank you! - This concludes the Court's decision.

What does that mean, Ms. Park?

Did we lose?

Kaya…

[somber music plays]

[Jun-u sighs]

Her father gave his permission,

so it's not sexual assault.

What kind of crap is that?! [screams]

Hey, that was mine.

[Nan-hui] Damn it.

[Gi-ppeum sighs in frustration] This doesn't make sense!

I mean, how can they…

Hold on.

Mr. Cho is a governor with a big local influence.

Who's their assemblyman?

Lee Du-cheol.

[Yeong-sil] It's Assemblyman Lee Du-cheol. Wait.

A former chief prosecutor and three-term assemblyman?

No way! He's the plaintiff's father from Byeol's case!

[Du-cheol] Judge Kang, that fool.

He just called and threatened me.

He said you abused an animal.

I just got goosebumps! Was it external pressure? Or connections?

If it was that kind of reason,

it would've been better.

What do you mean?

I got goosebumps when I heard the grounds for the verdict.

She was certain it was correct from a legal standpoint.

"She got pregnant after the sexual abuse. She should've notified him."

She looked so calm, as if she were solving a math problem.

[sighs] Those darn legal principles are like some kind of monster!

Doesn't the law exist for the people?

[Da-wit] The law isn't the monster.

It's the indifference of judges who treat it like a math problem.

Let's go to the Supreme Court.

[upbeat music playing]0

[chuckles]

Kaya is really amazing.

I got her a used sewing machine,

and she's about to hold a fashion show at the shelter.

How cute!

- Is it nice? - Yes.

[reporter] President Choi Yeong-seop will deliver a historic speech

at the UN General Assembly in two months.

The speech is to celebrate World Refugee Day.

It is expected to show the world Korea's current status

as a leader in not only economy and culture but also…

- Kaya. - …in human rights.

Are you okay?

Yes.

I'm fine.

You're the ones who are having a tough time.

[sighs] No.

Though we lost the appeal, at the Supreme Court, we'll--

I'm not worried.

I believe.

You believe?

Hmm…

Bad things can happen anywhere.

But Korea is amazing

because it corrects everything in the end.

You get rid of presidents if they do something wrong.

My father-in-law is a powerful man, but you arrested him right away.

I believe

that our trial will also turn out well.

Yes.

I'll make sure that happens, Kaya.

SUWON DISTRICT COURT, CRIMINAL PANEL DIVISION

In this case, the father-in-law sexually assaulted

his lonely daughter-in-law, who had come from a distant land.

Under Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Special Cases

Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes,

it is a felony with a fixed term of over seven years in prison,

and the defendant has to be held fully accountable.

The Court cannot dare to imagine

the pain the victim is enduring because of this.

- Therefore… - Therefore…

- However… - What?

[judge] …the defendant is of old age,

and hundreds of local residents have appealed for clemency.

Moreover, he is a first-time offender without any criminal history.

No way. He isn't building up to a suspended sentence, is he?

The statutory penalty is seven years. A reduction is three years and six months.

A suspended sentence is possible for up to three years. It won't happen.

Meanwhile, many residents testified

and criticized how the victim typically dressed and behaved.

Considering the annulment of her marriage

due to the victim's premarital childbirth and fraudulent act,

these testimonies cannot be taken lightly.

At the time of the incident, the defendant was heavily intoxicated,

and as a result, he lacked the capacity for judgment

or the ability to make decisions.

With diminished mental capacity as the first mitigating factor

and the various aforementioned facts as the second,

the Court renders the following judgment mitigated at its discretion

within the applicable sentencing range.

Double mitigation? No way.

The defendant is sentenced to three years in prison.

However, this sentence

will be suspended for five years from the date of this ruling.

- What the… - [bailiff] Order in the court.

[judge] To hold the defendant fully accountable,

the Court imposes 200 hours of community service

and 80 hours of sexual violence treatment courses.

This concludes the Court's ruling.

[bailiff] All rise.

[sobbing softly]

Thank you, Mr. Woo. [laughs]

But aren't those too many hours for community service?

Geez, Mr. Cho.

You have always provided service for the community.

You can do a little more.

Okay. Have a good day.

All right. Goodbye.

[Da-wit] After sitting on the judge's bench for so long, I'd forgotten…

[tense music plays]

[sobbing]

…the despair you feel below the bench.

What?

What? What is it now?

Kaya's final appeal was dismissed.

- What? - What?

Nonsense. We just filed that appeal.

Let me see.

How could it be so fast? That was the final appeal.

This means it was dismissed as soon as the petition was submitted.

Who's the justice?

It's Justice Shin Jung-seok.

[Jun-u] Justice Shin Jung-seok?

Wasn't he your court chief when you were a judge?

I trusted and guided you

when you were a nobody without a college degree.

[angrily] How could you betray me like this, you snake?!

If the appeal is dismissed, the marriage annulment becomes final.

Kaya's visa will be canceled, and she'll be deported!

[Nan-hui] Oh, no.

Mr. Kang.

[Jun-u] Mr. Kang?

- Mr. Kang! - [Nan-hui] Where are you going?

- [thunder rumbling] - [soft suspenseful music playing]

[imperceptible]

[Kaya] For the first time in my life, someone stood up for me.

And it was in this faraway land where I'm a foreigner.

[man on radio] In my address to the UN General Assembly

to celebrate World Refugee Day,

I will proudly illustrate how Korea will lead the world

not only in economy and culture but also in human rights--

Don't make me laugh.

Ms. Park. You're already here?

- Why are you here so late? - What?

I've already finished the draft

of the deportation deferral request to send to the Ministry of Justice.

What about the others?

They're researching data on the Immigration Act in the archives.

- Did you sleep well? - Hello, sir.

What about Mr. Jang?

He is at the Immigration Office while you ran away.

- Ran away? Don't be ridiculous. - [slams table]

Are you going to give up?

We have to find some sort of way.

Who says I'm giving up?

How much have you prepared so far?

Let's get started.

[upbeat music playing]

When the annulment of marriage is finalized,

the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Office

notify the residency termination right away.

Now, we're really fighting against time here.

Yes, Article 46, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Act.

It becomes the reason for deportation…

Here.

- Take a look. - Mr. Kang.

Could you look at this?

- [upbeat music continues] - [clock ticking]

Well, we can't just sit by and watch.

There's the suspension of execution

in Article 23 of the Administrative Litigation Act.

We can buy time if we file it along with a deportation annulment suit.

But there's a problem.

The current Immigration Act doesn't allow a suspension of execution.

We have to carry out a media campaign at the same time.

Okay. There's one conclusion then.

First, immediately file a deportation annulment suit.

Second, accompany it with a request for suspension of execution.

Third, emphasize humanitarian reasons to pressure the court to decide…

[Da-wit snoring]

We have to get the documents ready by tonight.

When they issue the protection order, she'll be repatriated…

in a short amount time.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE SUWON IMMIGRATION OFFICE

[upbeat music continues]

- [objects thuds] - Damn it.

- Oh! - [Da-wit grunts]

How did it go?

[splutters] It got suspended, right?

It was dismissed?

Let's post it on the national petition site.

- And let the media know. - [Yeong-sil] It's pointless.

They're deporting her tomorrow

- with other illegal aliens. - [tense music plays]

- What? What did you say? - [sighs]

[Nan-hui] No way. What is this?

That's ridiculous.

They're going to let the man who committed sexual assault go

and deport the victim?

What kind of country is this?!

[man] Stand right here.

One, two, three, four, five, six…

- Excuse me. - Yes?

I need to go home…

- Okay, all right. - Excuse me.

Sir, I haven't been paid yet.

- I need that money. - Okay, all right.

Okay, let's come forward. Please line up.

Follow me. Please come inside.

Do not talk to each other. This way.

Slowly.

[Da-wit] Hold on!

Mr. Kang.

[Da-wit] I'm Kaya's attorney.

We officially request her immediate release.

This person's visa was canceled, so she does have to be deported.

On behalf of Kaya,

who's been persecuted in this country…

What kind of country is this?!

[sighs]

- Let's seek asylum. - [upbeat music playing]

Pardon? What did you say?

Let's apply for asylum…

from this country at once.

Asylum?

Mr. Kang.

Under Article 5, Paragraph 6 of the Refugee Act,

a refugee applicant may stay

in the Republic of Korea until a final decision is made

regarding the recognition of refugee status.

Let Kaya go.

Right now.

SEOUL ADMINISTRATIVE COURT

REFUGEE STATUS DENIAL ANNULMENT SUIT

[indistinct loud chatter]

[bailiff] Order in the court.

- Plaintiff's counsel. - [Da-wit] Yes, Your Honor?

What is the meaning of this?

Is this trial is a joke?

Of course not.

I'm just in an annulment suit of a refugee status denial.

I officially requested the defendant, the Chief of the Immigration Office,

to recognize the plaintiff, Kaya, as a refugee,

but it was denied.

So, we have simply filed suit to annul the decision.

No, what I mean is

how is the plaintiff a refugee?

She came to Korea two years ago

through an international marriage.

Your Honor.

You know what the plaintiff has been through.

From her father-in-law sexually assaulting her

to a marriage annulment suit and deportation.

What do they have to do with refugee application?

According to Supreme Court precedent,

persecution that requires recognition of refugee status is…

"a threat to the life, body, or freedom

as well as the act

of violating and discriminating the fundamental dignity of humans."

If what she had experienced wasn't persecution, then what is?

[judge] Let's say it was.

Then, why on earth did you apply for refugee status so absurdly…

[hesitates] Asylum?

Where?

America? France?

Why does she seek refuge in Korea?

You said she was persecuted in Korea.

Then of course,

common sense would be to seek refugee status

or asylum in a different country.

Why is she seeking asylum in the Republic of Korea?

- Is that the real Republic of Korea? - What?

Your Honor, I'm asking the judiciary of the Republic of Korea.

A country that releases offenders of sexual assault and deports the victims.

A country that treats someone as a marriage scammer

for hiding her past as a child sexual abuse victim.

Is that kind of country the real Republic of Korea?

After being a leader in economy and culture,

this country now boasts to the world of being a leader in human rights.

That is the Republic of Korea I know.

Your Honor, don't tell me

you acknowledge that barbaric country

that trampled on the plaintiff's dignity as the Republic of Korea, do you?

[Myeong-hun] Your Honor,

the plaintiff's counsel is employing ridiculous and misleading arguments.

If this country isn't Korea, then where on earth are we?

Then, let me use the legal reasoning that the defendant's counsel loves.

According to the Constitution, the territory of the Republic of Korea

consists of the Korean peninsula and all of its adjacent islands.

It's just that the territory north of the MDL

is effectively occupied by the North Korean government,

a legally defined anti-government organization.

As you can see, different countries can exist within Korean territory.

A country that neglects victims and is generous only to assailants.

A country that ignores the powerless and protects the powerful.

A country of assailants, their protectors, and bystanders.

Surely, that can't be all there is in Korea.

They're just occupying a part of the territory effectively.

Because Kaya was persecuted in that barbaric country,

we go to the only legal government in this territory,

and we seek asylum in the free and just Republic of Korea.

[captivating music playing]

Which version of Korea is yours, Your Honor?

Which country's judiciary are you part of?

[hitting desk] Mr. Kang!

[sighs]

We will take a brief recess.

Both counsels, I want to see you in my chambers.

- [bailiff] All rise. - [music ends]

- [sighs] - [knock on door]

We're coming in, sir.

Judge Kang Da-wit!

I'm an attorney now, Your Honor.

For someone who used to be a judge, what on earth are you doing?

I've served this country my entire life as a patriot.

And now, all I'm waiting for is the day I can honorably retire!

Do you expect me to play along in this clown show?

A clown show?

Sure, I may be a clown.

But this trial isn't a clown show.

It's a desperate fight.

[sighs]

Your Honor.

Are you sure

this is a trial you're trying to win?

Isn't this just a trial you're using to publicly embarrass the country?

You have a horde of reporters in the first row!

You keep saying "Republic of Korea"!

What are you trying to do by exposing my country's flaws?

Don't you have the slightest bit of patriotism?

He's always been someone who'd do anything to win.

This ridiculous trial is…

Please end it immediately, Your Honor.

[exhales angrily]

I started this trial because I believe in my country.

If you end this trial before giving us a chance to fight,

can I take that as you running away because you're scared of me?

Someone as yourself who served in the almighty Marine Corps?

Come on. No way.

- [exhales angrily] - [thuds]

What did you just say?

[breathing heavily] Come here. Come out from there!

- [Da-wit exclaims] - [light thudding]

[whistling]

[Jun-u] Are you okay?

Judge Cho Gang-yeol is infamous for being hot-tempered and stubborn.

He didn't kick you or anything, did he?

Gosh, I would appreciate that.

I'd throw myself on the floor, sue the country for compensation,

and broadcast it live.

I'm glad the trial got a continuance, but will it be okay?

Mentally, I agree 100% with you in your argument.

- But legally… - Of course…

Of course, we'll lose.

What? If you know that, then why…

You said there are trials you have to do despite knowing that you'll lose.

You said that's the job of a pro bono attorney.

[hesitates] Well…

After making precedents by fighting in trials that are hard to win,

we can change the world one day.

That's what I meant.

Right now, Kaya needs--

I'm not interested in changing the world.

- I'm only interested in winning my case. - You said we'd lose.

We'd lose the trial, but we'll win the case.

At the very least, time is on our side.

What do you mean?

It's in a month and a half.

World Refugee Day.

[Gi-ppeum] World Refugee Day.

President Choi Yeong-seop will deliver a historic speech

at the UN General Assembly.

[gasps] The President.

The UN speech!

I've contacted every reporter I know,

so news should be flooding the internet by now.

This will rock the Ministry of Justice, which is the ministry in charge.

The President is on course to embarrass himself at the UN.

[snaps fingers] They'll ask for a deal.

The key to this trial is to stir up the world,

so they can't ignore it.

Ah. [snaps fingers]

You're quick, Ms. Park.

All right, everyone. Do you remember?

The last scene of Ms. Park's favorite courtroom film?

- [Jun-u] What? What is it? - [clears throat]

[imitating Woo-seok] Okay. I will now call out the names.

- Attorney Kang Da-wit. - [inhales]

Present. I'll get going first.

[Jun-u] What?

Attorney Jang Yeong-sil.

Present. I'll get going too.

Where on earth are you going?

Attorney Hwang Jun-u.

What?

Take good care of the office.

Okay. Wait, no.

Gi-ppeum, where are you going?

What movie is it?

[bailiff] You may be seated.

What is going on?

Why are there so many attorneys here?

Attorney Han, what is going on?

Your Honor.

We're attorneys from the public interest and human rights foundation Donggam.

As we agree with the intent of this trial, we have joined as co-counsels.

We're attorneys from the nonprofit organization Neolli.

We would also like to join as co-counsels.

[attorney 1] We're attorneys from the foundation Gyeongcheon, Your Honor.

The clients we have represented are here in this courtroom today.

They are the victims of the country

that persecuted the plaintiff Kaya.

May I request a moment for them to speak?

Go ahead.

I'm a victim of dating abuse.

I mustered the courage to report it,

but the police forced me to settle, saying it was a matter between lovers.

I'm a victim of workplace sexual harassment.

The assailant, who was my superior, said he was drunk and avoided punishment.

[voice breaking] After raising the issue, only I was fired.

- [sighs] - [woman] I'm…

- I am a victim of child sexual abuse. - [people murmuring]

That horrifying memory is still vivid in my mind. [breath trembling]

But that monster has already been released and moved to a neighborhood nearby mine.

What kind of country is this?

In addition to these people,

numerous people have been victimized like Kaya by this barbaric country.

[attorney 2] Our group of attorneys feels the same way.

No longer do we want to live in a country

that ignores victims

and protects assailants.

Your Honor,

please accept our application for asylum from everyone here.

- Please accept it. - Please accept it.

[chuckles smugly]

[sighs]

The Pro Bono Avengers are pretty incredible.

They're all experienced fighters.

[Gang-yeol] All right, I understand.

So please be seated.

Plaintiff's counsel, please continue.

Your Honor,

these people here aren't the only ones who are applying for refugee status.

Please accept my application for asylum!

WE SEEK ASYLUM REFUGEES ARE PEOPLE TOO

- We seek asylum! - We seek asylum!

Wait.

There are this many angry people who are willing

to make themselves refugees?

Your Honor, the plaintiff is trying to hold a trial by media

by dragging in external forces.

They're making all this chaos for just one foreign woman.

This trial is an embarrassment to Korea that harms national interest--

One foreign woman?

Am I wrong?

Does defense counsel still think this doesn't concern you?

This can happen to anyone, not just Kaya.

It's a case

where universal women's rights were violated.

You said it harms national interest?

Look at the photos.

Foreign workers working in factories.

Foreign daughters-in-law working on farms.

These people came from far away

to take care of the farms that we abandoned.

Your Honor,

we're living in a global world

where it's meaningless to talk about nationalities.

Goodness, today,

we have attorneys from big firms here en masse.

Mr. Woo.

All of your children are US citizens, aren't they?

Congratulations.

Going to New York every time to give birth must have been really tough.

Mr. Jeong, I heard you earned Dominican citizenship recently. [claps]

- I heard they don't pay taxes there. - [scoffs]

[Da-wit] Mr. Pyo and Mr. Ju.

Your children have attended

international schools since kindergarten

and now study abroad.

Both of you are preparing to immigrate as well.

What on earth are you doing, Mr. Kang?

I'm really curious.

Black-haired foreigners

who were born in New York and LA and briefly come to Korea

during vacations.

And Koreans from faraway places

who take care of our farms, fishing villages, and factories

as they work hard to learn Korean

while being ignored by our citizens.

Between these two, who are the real members of this country?

He said earlier this was an embarrassment to Korea

and it harms national interest.

In whose interest is that for?

Your Honor,

who lives in that Republic of Korea?

[captivating music plays]

Which country

are we living in right now?

Are you done with your arguments, Counsel?

Yes. I rest my case, Your Honor.

The Court will close the arguments of this case.

We will deliver the verdict in two weeks.

[Da-wit] In whose interest is that for?

- [somber pensive music plays] - [sighs heavily]

[Da-wit] Your Honor,

who lives in that Republic of Korea?

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

SEOUL ADMINISTRATIVE COURT

[bailiff] Please be seated.

[door closes]

[Gang-yeol sighs]

I've had many thoughts before arriving at a judgment.

To be honest, this was the first time in my 35 years as a judge

to preside over a case with such ridiculous legal arguments.

The plaintiff's counsel asked me

which version of Korea was mine

and which country's judiciary I was a part of.

[gentle music plays]

This is a personal story,

so I'm sorry and embarrassed to say,

but even after passing national exams,

I've been proud my entire life that I voluntarily enlisted and worked

as an ordinary soldier in the Marine Corps.

My grandfather died in Manchuria

while fighting the Japanese as a soldier in the independence army.

My father died in the streets during the April Revolution

while resisting the dictatorship.

I have given it a lot of thought throughout the trial.

What kind of country is the Korea

that three generations of my family have protected with their lives?

No matter how much I think about it, one thing is clear.

The lousy country

that so cruelly and shamelessly pushed away and persecuted

a young person who came all the way here

to pursue her dreams…

That is not my Korea.

Instead of a country of assailants, their protectors, and bystanders,

you said she seeks asylum

in the only legal government in this territory,

the free and just Republic of Korea?

No matter how much I think about it,

for the past 35 years,

I believe I've worked as a judge

in that free and just Republic of Korea.

- No way. - Damn it.

[Gang-yeol] The Court will deliver the verdict.

This Court hereby rules

that the defendant's denial of the plaintiff's refugee status

- is hereby annulled. - [Jun-u] Yes!

The defendant will bear the cost of the lawsuit.

- Yeah! - [people applauding]

Excuse me, Your Honor.

[bailiff] All rise.

[Myeong-hun] Your Honor!

[exclaims]

Ms. Kaya.

[sobbing] Yes, Your Honor?

It's been hard, hasn't it?

- I'm sorry. - [sobs]

[Gang-yeol] And thank you

for coming to Korea.

[sobbing]

- Yeah! - [attorney whoops]

- [whoops] - [people applauding]

- [sniffling] - [Kaya sobbing]

With a historic UN speech on World Refugee Day approaching,

the aftermath of the so-called "asylum verdict"

has put the Blue House in an awkward spot.

[speaker] As for now,

I don't think it's a case that we need to comment on.

[reporter] The foreign press has been questioning Korea's status

- in human rights. - It's going viral.

The comment section in the article about our trial is blowing up.

- [gasps] - [Da-wit chuckles]

Look at all these "We seek asylum" hashtags.

[Da-wit] Good. Things are going according to plan.

The Ministry of Justice must be going crazy right now.

They'll appeal but will try to make a deal behind the scenes.

Let's get it over with quick! [laughs]

[Jun-u] Mr. Kang.

[Da-wit] What is it, Mr. Hwang? Why are you so serious?

I thought Kaya's Pikki Pikki dance in working pants was so hilarious,

so I posted it on my social media page.

- [gasps] - Gosh, you sure have unique taste.

So what about it?

But do you know

who shared it on her social media page?

What?

Gosh, you're so frustrating. Who did what?

- Uploaded it where? - [Da-wit] What's going on?

BLACK… PINK's Jennie?

[amusing music plays]

- [shouting] Jennie from BLACKPINK? - [gasps, pants]

- [screams] - [Yeong-sil] What did he say?

[gasps] Nan-hui!

- [screams] - [gasps]

[gasps]

Jennie.

Mr. Kang.

Please drop the refugee case.

It turned the Ministry of Justice upside down.

What are you talking about?

You're the one who should drop it.

- Drop the appeal. - [upbeat music playing on phone]

Haven't you seen this yet?

Nationalistic YouTube creators are going crazy right now.

You should be giving us a medal for promoting Korea all over the world,

but instead, you're appealing the first trial's ruling?

What kind of job are you doing?

If you drop the charge, we will take care of Kaya's issue.

And how are you going to do that?

We'll issue a work visa so she can stay in Korea without any issues

and give her financial support to get settled.

If she wants, we can also find her a job--

She wants it.

Then, can I leave assuming that you'll drop the suit?

You can go. [laughs]

Now, shall we go and fight the remaining battle?

The second hearing for Kaya's father-in-law.

We have to send him back to jail for a very long time.

Mmm. You won't have to worry about it.

Why not?

He met the Grim Reaper.

- The Grim Reaper? - Yes.

[governor] I lost my mind for a moment and made a mistake while drunk.

I heard the criminals pray and say,

"Please let me avoid Judge Jung the Grim Reaper."

They shouldn't have done the crimes then. Those brazen bastards.

I'd like to say

that the 200 hours of community service ordered in the first trial was excessive.

And lastly…

DIE

I expect a wise judgment by Your Honor within a range permitted by law…

[clacking]

SENIOR ADVISOR OH GYU-JANG

[clacking]

- [knock on door] - [door opens]

Oh. Hello, my daughter.

- Did you ask for me, Father? - Yes.

Take a seat.

Okay.

Did you see this too?

- [Jung-in] Ah. - [chuckles]

It's pretty fun. Mmm.

Ever since Judge Kang came, we've had no time to be bored.

Father,

you should step back from work now and find a hobby to enjoy.

You can ride bikes, just as you mentioned before.

You can play the electric guitar too.

Jung-in.

Having power is my hobby.

Riding bikes? Playing the guitar?

Those things are for petty citizens.

There's nothing in the world more fun than power.

You should know as much

now that you're a CEO.

I'm doing my best

to not ruin your reputation.

Doing your best isn't enough. You have to excel.

[suspenseful music playing]

Disband Team Pro Bono.

What?

Father.

[music swells, stops]

Hello.

- Hey. - Hi.

- Hello. - Hi.

It feels like I'm getting healthier.

AWON GENERAL HOSPITAL

The medical checkups from last time.

[Jun-u sighs] Mr. Kang. I'm a man with no fear.

But the only thing I'm afraid of are syringe needles.

When they inserted the needle that day…

[Da-wit] See?

My body doesn't respond

to anesthesia…

Hey, hold on tight.

- Be careful. - [both laughing]

- I got it! - My goodness!

You scared me!

You got what?

You're innocent.

Of what?

You're innocent, Mr. Kang! Innocent!

[intriguing rock music playing]

What?

I was fired after getting blackmailed with a video of me taking a bribe.

Then, I came here.

They're going to fire us all. Starting with you.

Baekseung Law Firm has been close behind Oh & Partners in revenue.

What if we can take away their clients?

We happen to have a meeting today, so give it your best.

[Jun-u] What is she doing here?

[Jung-in] You got crushed in the first meeting?

- It wasn't that bad. - It's at EK Entertainment this time.

You'll pitch against Baekseung.

We'll be protecting you, Elijah.

This video was uploaded.

[slams table] What?

I guess not enough research was done on the client's industry.

Subtitle translation by: Yoon Hyewon

Synced and corrected by WEISSACHsubs