Original subtitles

We will now begin the trial presided by the 91st Criminal Judicial Panel

of Seoul Central District Court, case number 2017G1243.

Defendant, you admitted

to the assault in your first trial,

but your improper answers after that

put the trial on hold.

If similar behaviors continue,

we will hold you responsible for disturbing the trial

and use your actions as a reason to aggravate your sentence.

Chief Choi, shall we begin now?

Yes.

Gyeong-ho is not

a bad guy.

Gyeong-ho, don't sit there.

Come here, Gyeong-ho.

Please be seated and quiet down.

Let us continue our trial.

Defendant,

why did you assault Kim Ju-hyeong?

Did you assault him

because of your sister?

Kim Ju-hyeong held your sister hostage

and tried to harm her.

I don't have a sister.

You don't?

Are you implying that a judge told a lie?

Defendant, is your sister in this courtroom?

Is she here or not?

Defendant,

you may refuse to answer

disadvantageous questions if it's too much for you.

I choose not to answer.

The victim, Kim Ju-hyeong, agreed to settle

with just an apology from you.

Why didn't you settle?

If you do, you won't be sentenced as it's against the victim's desire.

I will take responsibility for my actions.

Do you not have any intentions to apologize to the victim?

I do not.

I don't think that's a wise decision.

You may submit an affidavit before the ruling

that the victim does not wish you a punishment,

so consider your options until the day of the ruling.

I hope it will yield a beneficial result for you.

So the man behind Kim Ga-yeong's rape and murder ten years ago is

someone else?

Yes, that's what I heard.

It might be me,

so please run a thorough investigation.

Are you joking?

I wish I was joking. Hang on.

I should show you this so you can believe I'm not joking.

I'm a prosecutor.

Oh, you're a prosecutor.

Some call me the vicious prosecutor of Seoul District,

and others call me Prosecutor Knucklehead.

I just told you I'm going to be as docile as a lamb,

so you'd better give it your best shot.

Well, I mean...

I don't think that's a smart move these days.

Okay, I got it. I'll take a look.

Okay, you just gave me your word.

Go on, please.

The next trial will be held

on December 13, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.

This is all for today's morning trial.

One three seven one.

How is the vehicle with that license plate number

connected to the rape and murder of Kim Ga-yeong?

There's no connection. I made a false report after killing her.

A false report? What report?

You reported it?

Why is Choi Gyeong-ho being so pigheaded?

It's wise to settle and get his case dismissed.

He's not pigheaded. He's insane.

I guess that's where Judge Lee gets her insanity from.

Judge Sah.

Yes?

You must've forgotten while working as an individual judge,

but when you're filling in for an associate judge,

your place is on Chief Choi's left.

Is there a law for that?

There isn't.

It has just been a custom in our court.

If it's a custom that reveals the status of the judges,

I believe that breaking the custom is better than keeping it.

So you want to break the custom?

Do you think we, associate judges, kept it because we're thoughtless?

The triangle formation of the Criminal Judicial Panel is

a beautiful custom that represents the associate judges' respect

toward the chief judges. Don't you think so, Chief Choi?

What?

Well... Is that so?

Since you insist that it's a beautiful custom,

when an individual judge fills in for an associate judge,

shouldn't I be on the right of the chief judge

and you be on the left?

That means we must switch seats on the bench. Are you okay with it?

Are you planning to take over the Criminal Judicial Panel?

You crossed the line earlier too.

I, the presiding judge, was leading the trial,

but you sent the wrong signals

to the defendant without knowing all the particulars.

When you do that, it all goes in the wrong direction.

I went in after reading all of Choi Gyeong-ho's case files.

He's right.

During his time as an associate judge on my panel,

he extensively read over all the case files.

Chief Choi.

Why are you lording over him? It's unlike you.

I did not...

When did I ever lord over him, Chief Choi?

Are you siding with the individual judge right now?

I'm sorry for causing trouble again.

This is nothing compared to being held hostage in a courtroom.

I was Choi Gyeong-ho's attorney at his initial trial.

Did you know?

I found out recently while reading the case file.

I do vaguely remember that he had a sister who was in high school.

But if you're Choi Gyeong-ho's sister, your last name should be Choi.

Why is it Lee?

That was due to a personal reason.

It's your personal life, so I should stay out of it?

I'd like to as well,

but what should we do about this?

Sitting on the panel at his trial is a reason for exclusion.

What should we do about that?

I can't have a moment of peace.

Isn't that interesting?

Eat up.

Even my prosecutor's instincts say that Choi Gyeong-ho wasn't the murderer.

So please investigate me thoroughly.

Detective Jang, I'll send you his case file tomorrow by a messenger.

Have you gone mad?

I told you. I'm a knucklehead.

-Look. Prosecutor Do Han-jun, right? -That's right.

I don't know what you're up to,

but if you want to be investigated, you should go elsewhere.

Come on, Detective Jang. Why aren't you keeping your word?

You said you'd review it.

I said I'd review it, not investigate--

Yes, please investigate.

I heard you worked at Gwangdeok Police Station ten years ago.

I also heard you were best friends with the head detective on the case.

I'm sure you heard stuff about it back then.

From what I can tell, you're perfect for this investigation.

Why are you doing this to me?

What do you mean?

I'm at the vending machine, so come out for a few minutes.

Hey, Judge Lee.

I heard

that Judge Sah sat on the panel for you.

It must've been hard to watch your brother's trial.

You did well.

But did Judge Sah know

about you and Choi Gyeong-ho?

Over here.

I hear you're working hard for Judge Lee here.

I can't say I'm just doing my job.

It's a bit too annoying.

You don't need to hold back your thanks because he said that.

When he says it's annoying,

it means it worries him.

His dad was the same way.

He'd say it was annoying,

but he'd do everything for you.

You only pretend to be cold, right?

I don't drink coffee from vending machines.

The coffee still tastes the same.

Your dad used to like it too.

If you have nothing to say, I'll get going now.

I do.

You're quite popular at the law school.

Give a special lecture for me during winter break.

-A special lecture? -Think it over and let me know.

Now that I've seen both of you, I should go see FHJ.

They're who I came to see anyway.

Thank you.

But how did you know that Choi Gyeong-ho was my brother?

Oh, that?

I heard not long ago from Han-jun.

He told you?

Eui-hyun.

You said you were busy,

but you had time to fill in for someone else's trial.

Did an individual judge have to do that

for an associate judge?

Did you ask him to fill in for you?

Why do you care?

That's right. I remember now

about my sneaker in Choi Gyeong-ho's case file.

You said it was for your best friend.

That best friend was Do Han-jun,

wasn't it?

That means Do Han-jun gave it to Kim Ga-yeong.

Wait a minute.

What did you just say?

Did Han-jun really give it to her?

I don't know yet.

Then did Han-jun really--

Nothing's for sure yet.

The fact that Kim Ga-yeong was the daughter of Han-jun's villa manager,

the car with license plate 1371,

and everything related to Han-jun's family

were omitted from the case file.

Was that a coincidence?

It's all speculation.

But Seo Yong-su said

that 1371 was the license plate number of Ga-yeong's murderer.

But 1371 was

Han-jun's car.

And you bought the sneakers with "1371" on it for him.

Unless he has a foolproof alibi for the time of the crime,

everything points to Han-jun.

We can't believe everything that Seo Yong-su says,

and we haven't investigated Han-jun's alibi yet.

I understand that you can neither doubt Han-jun

nor be assured about him.

But you're turning someone into a murderer.

Unless you have conclusive evidence, speculation is prohibited.

KOREA UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, RESEARCH SOCIETY

How did you find this?

I stopped by FHJ's office,

and it looked like a case you were looking into.

I presided over Choi Gyeong-ho's rape and murder trial.

You should've deleted the name at least.

If he did,

would that change the substantive truth?

Were you okay?

Would you be okay?

If it were me, the mere fact that my child's name is included

would be offensive.

It's very offensive.

I'm about to lose my mind.

I'm sorry, Professor.

There's no need.

My son's name will drop out soon anyway.

I don't think that'll be too easy.

Do Han-jun must've been close enough to Kim Ga-yeong

to give her a very expensive gift.

Didn't you know, Professor?

Darn it.

Make sure your associates don't talk.

Don't let them post stupid things on intranet forums.

You should control your own associate.

What do you take my associates for?

My associates have

sealed lips just like I do.

JUDGE LEE, DISGRACE OF THE COURT

SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT

The cold breeze is refreshing.

We should always take a walk like this when we go out to eat.

It's much nicer to walk than sit in a stuffy car.

MY MOM, JANG SUN-BOK, IS INNOCENT SHE IS NOT A MURDERER

It was nice not seeing him for a while.

I know.

He stopped coming ever since his mom went to the hospital...

"Gyeong-ho was also wronged."

He added something.

Who's Gyeong-ho?

Why does that family have so many people who were wronged?

He looks cold.

How is Jang Sun-bok's retrial request going?

Well... The thing is...

What is it?

MURDERER CHOI GYEONG-HO IS JUDGE LEE'S BROTHER

Judge... Judge Lee Jeong-ju...

Lee Jeong-ju again?

JUDGE LEE'S BROTHER RAPED AND MURDERED A MINOR IN 2007

Judge Lee Jeong-ju's brother is

a rapist and murderer?

Rapist and murderer?

What did you do this time?

Everyone in the court found out that Gyeong-ho is your brother.

-They know everything. -I told them.

What? Have you lost your mind?

You even changed your last name to cut ties with him.

You're a judge.

If your brother is a rapist and murderer,

who would want to have you as a judge?

Mom, please

leave me alone.

How could I leave you alone?

I hear too many things.

Then quit working here.

I hate being dragged here every time something happens.

Hey, did you look into it?

Gwanak Police Station?

Thank you.

Why are you going to the police station?

GWANAK POLICE STATION

Why are you guys doing this to me?

As if a prosecutor wasn't enough, a judge is on this too?

Do you want me to investigate you too?

Investigate? What do you mean by that?

That's what I'd like to know.

I have no idea what that crazy prosecutor wants from me.

Is the name of that crazy prosecutor

Do Han-jun?

If you know him, please stop him.

I wasn't even the detective in charge of the case.

I truly don't know anything about it.

I heard you were close to the late detective in charge.

Yes, we were close.

I understand it must be hard to remember,

but someone's life depends on it.

I heard that Choi Gyeong-ho called the police

after Kim Ga-yeong was raped and murdered.

He made a call?

That's right, he did. I answered the call.

I was on duty.

He said a middle schooler had gone missing

and gave me a license plate number.

Oh, right. Choi Gyeong-ho was the first person to report it.

-Are you sure it was him? -Yes.

He was immediately found to be the murderer,

which was an uncommon case at the time.

That's why I remember that.

Ever since then,

I haven't overlooked people who make the first calls.

Was the number that Choi Gyeong-ho gave you

1371?

How would I remember that?

This is driving me crazy.

PROSECUTOR DO HAN-JUN

I think it would help your investigation.

You're going to let him keep filling in?

Judge Lee can't join

because she's the victim of Kim Ju-hyeong's case.

It would be discourteous to ask an individual judge to keep filling in,

so this will be his last trial as a substitute.

Since Judge Sah has more experience as an individual judge,

how about we give him the right seat this time?

I cannot do that.

I will stay on your right side.

We should head out before we're late.

The prosecution may bring up the charge committed.

DEFENDANT

Defendant Kim Ju-hyeong

threatened Judge Lee Jeong-ju

during his first trial on November 22, 2017,

trying to burn the record of his trial.

With a knife, he wounded

Lee Jeong-ju's neck which required treatment for an unknown number of days.

The incident caused the trial to be adjourned,

and he held a sitting judge of this court hostage.

His action of attempting to burn the record of his trial is

considered to be a serious crime.

Therefore, the prosecution charges Defendant Kim Ju-hyeong

for infliction of injury according to Clause 324,

Article 3 of Criminal Act.

Please sentence him to severe punishment.

Are the defendant and his counsel ready

to present their case?

I did not harm her.

Who wounded whom?

Your Honor,

that prosecutor has feelings for that idiotic judge.

That's why he charged me with an ulterior motive.

I did not charge him with an ulterior motive.

Then is it true that you have feelings for her?

Have you prepared evidence that shows bodily harm during the hostage

or the number of treatment days?

PROSECUTOR

Your Honor,

I do not make false statements in this sacred courtroom.

It is true that I have personal feelings for Judge Lee.

However, this is a place for a fair and rigorous trial.

I did not prosecute the defendant out of personal retaliation.

I will call in a witness who will prove that I am not making false statements.

Who is the witness?

He was in the courtroom during the hostage incident.

After she was released from the defendant,

he was able to check the condition of Judge Lee's neck.

I request Judge Sah Eui-hyun to be a witness in the next trial--

Oh, that judge.

I think that judge also has feelings for the idiotic judge.

Hey, why is an individual judge filling in for an associate judge?

Don't sit there in the next trial. I need you on the witness stand.

This is the shoe you tried to take from Seo Yong-su.

Why do you have this?

Did you get it for me?

Judge Lee found out that you bought the sneakers.

So? Is she certain that I'm the real murderer?

Suspicious circumstances cannot conclude that you're the murderer.

Even if you bought them,

there's no definite proof that you gave them to Kim Ga-yeong.

Just because the number on this shoe matches your license plate number,

I cannot jump to conclusions that you killed her.

Yes, that's exactly my point.

I also cannot rule out the possibility that Seo Yong-su is wrong

about the car owner being the murderer.

All these long years could have distorted his memory.

Yes, that's exactly how a judge ought to think.

My gosh, I am so relieved to hear that.

Help Judge Lee feel relieved as well,

-and tell her you are not the killer. -What?

What was that?

Do you really have feelings for Jeong-ju?

She can neither doubt nor feel assured about you.

I just feel bad for her.

If you're serious about your feelings for her...

Thanks for your concern and advice, but don't go any further.

If you do, I might be tempted to give her up

to such a nice guy like you.

I'm taking this shoe.

-You want to be investigated? -Yes.

I'll go to the police and tell them everything you want to know, so...

You must be freezing. Let's grab some hot coffee and talk.

Tell me.

I need you to tell me everything today.

Okay, I will.

Your brother isn't the real murderer.

I mean, I don't think he is.

-What? -So is it me?

No, it's not me either.

Then who is it?

-I need to find that out. -Are you joking?

I'll take whatever you throw at me,

but please look after yourself.

Who did you give the sneakers to?

I'll tell the police about that.

Son,

what are you two doing here at this hour?

Jeong-ju, I really want to drop you off, but I must leave now.

You said you needed to go back in, right?

That punk.

You remember this, don't you?

It's dirty. Get that off my desk.

What is that?

It's Jin Se-ra's shoe I bought you a long time ago.

I found out you gave them to Kim Ga-yeong.

You remember this, right?

No, I don't remember.

You must be scared to remember it.

But I'm sure you remember that you scrapped my car.

-That was because-- -Was it to destroy the evidence?

What? Destroy the evidence?

You drove my car to the villa that day, didn't you?

-What are you talking about? -Think carefully.

How could I remember that?

It happened ten years ago.

"Ten years ago."

But you remember very clearly

that the rape and murder happened ten years ago.

What? What are you getting at?

What are you implying, you knucklehead?

If you don't want the knucklehead to indict you,

present your alibi from September 12,

the date of the incident ten years ago.

You must have lost your marbles.

You should go get yourself checked out.

You encouraged me to try everything except for rape and murder.

I had no clue that you spoke from experience, Assemblyman Do.

You little...

How violent. Are you going to hit me too?

Go ahead, but is that tool good enough for you?

-How dare you? -Do Han-jun.

What are you doing?

Get out.

September 12 is

our wedding anniversary.

Ten years ago on that day,

I prepared a surprise for your mother.

He's right.

I had to leave early from a team dinner

because of the surprise he prepared.

You.

Did you really suspect him?

You didn't give

the shoes to Kim Ga-yeong, did you?

That's a rape and murder case I defended ten years ago.

These are the copies of the record your father requested.

I defended Choi Gyeong-ho.

There was nothing I could argue for as he willingly confessed,

but I don't know why he'd need those documents.

I thought I'd feel much better

if I heard him say it wasn't him.

However,

it's worse than not hearing anything at all.

He says Gyeong-ho isn't the killer.

Han-jun said that?

That one sentence gave me the chills.

In an instant, everything became frightening.

It is frightening.

If that's true, an innocent man rotted

in jail for ten years.

Based on the suspicions recently raised,

we should hurry and investigate

whether Choi Gyeong-ho really is the killer.

Why are you so interested in Choi Gyeong-ho's case?

Choi Gyeong-ho and I

met ten years ago.

Mom,

you have to live.

I'll be fine in prison,

so you have to get surgery and live too.

Live at least for Jeong-ju's sake.

I...

Mom...

I love you, Mom.

The Choi Gyeong-ho I saw...

was a good son.

You're leaving already? Take a sip before you go.

If I take a sip, you'll tell me to finish it.

I'll grab coffee on the way.

How could you drink something so bitter?

You ought to drink the sweet coffee

from the vending machine at court.

My goodness.

Oh, right.

I put the copy of the record Chief Oh wanted me to give you

on your desk.

Why did you want Choi Gyeong-ho's case file?

Well, someone asked me to look into it.

I was reading his case file too.

You were? Why?

The ruling was final and conclusive. Why?

Because the ruling could've been wrong.

What on earth?

Yoo Myeong-hui doesn't make incorrect rulings.

That opinion could be wrong too.

Dad, until when

will you live as Yoo Myeong-hui's admirer?

What?

I really respected you.

I grew up watching your trials since elementary school.

I wanted to be a respectable judge like you,

so I dreamed of being a judge and am wearing the robe now.

I hoped that you would be a judge forever,

but you gave up your career because of Professor Yoo.

Eui-hyun, no. You must have gotten the wrong idea.

I resigned because--

No, it's you who doesn't know the truth.

I turned my back on Professor Yoo whom I considered as my mother and drew

a line between myself and Han-jun who was like a brother to me

all because of you, Dad.

Because of me?

I didn't want you to be associated with that family anymore.

I'll get going now.

Judge Lee, you're already back from your appointment.

I have a lot to look over.

I'm trying to start afresh with the thought

that judges must speak through their rulings.

That's true. There are so many cases we must settle on.

It's time, right?

"Case number 2017G184,

the theft case for a habitual offender..."

This habitual offender violated from Article 329 to Article 331

of Criminal Act.

The defendant served in prison more than twice.

Within three years after serving time,

the defendant violated Article 329 of Criminal Act,

along with Article 5-4, Clause 6,

of Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

It requires the minimum of 3 years up to 25 years in prison.

I'll write up the ruling for this case right away.

Okay.

Come to think of it, Judge Jeong,

don't we have a case about a scary dog?

Was it a pit bull terrier?

Yes, that case--

Case number 2017G234 is

an injury case.

Did you already look over it?

A mother and her daughter in elementary school were exercising.

A dog was out for a walk without a leash and bit the child.

Before that, the child avoided the dog because she was scared by the barking,

but the dog owner didn't do anything about it.

Yes, I'm the presiding judge of this case.

As the owner of my own dog Mong-sil,

I need to think hard about this.

I believe the problem was

the ignorant thought of an owner that their dogs don't bite.

Had the dog owner given up this blind trust

that their dog wouldn't bite people...

That's right. These days, people treat dogs like their kids.

It's the same mindset of believing

that their kids would never do such a thing.

Okay.

That's right.

My mother also told me he would never do such a thing.

Why couldn't I think of that?

I'm not sure if this has been on your mind at all.

"When should I stop Jang Sun-bok's retrial?"

Something like that.

Can you come to Courtroom 13?

Honey, come quickly.

CASE FOR DAMAGE COMPENSATION

Case number 2017G253.

This is the trial between Plaintiff Lee Yeon-sun and Defendant Myeong Su-jin

regarding damage compensation.

Lee Yeon-sun states that the handbag she borrowed from Myeong Su-jin

was actually a counterfeit,

but she believed it was real when she lost it,

so she borrowed money from a loan shark

to buy an authentic handbag for 50 million won.

She gave it to Myeong Su-jin in place of the lost handbag,

but she later found out that the one she had lost was

a counterfeit.

Thus, the plaintiff requests the defendant to return the handbag

or reimburse her for it.

Is that correct?

Yes, Your Honor.

Defendant Myeong Su-jin deceived me,

saying the counterfeit bag was real,

so please punish her

and let me reclaim that handbag.

Your Honor,

this is a civil case, not a criminal case.

-Her claim is absurd. -Gosh, she doesn't even have a lawyer.

She is making groundless accusations.

If you have the money for a lawyer, just give her the money.

Judge Lee and Judge Sah, I've been seeing you often.

At this rate, I may end up seeing you more than my associate judges.

I called in both of you today

to verify the facts.

Judge Lee, you presided over your brother's trial?

Yes.

I went in, not knowing it was Choi Gyeong-ho's trial.

I found out after I took the bench,

so I tried to leave, but...

You didn't leave, knowing you'd be disciplined, right?

Discipline?

You must've known it was a reason for exclusion.

Shouldn't you have known?

Isn't that right, Judge Sah?

I think we should think it over more before taking disciplinary action.

What?

Every case has circumstances surrounding the action.

It's the court's duty to investigate what those are.

Judge Lee filled in for another judge

without knowing that the defendant was her family member.

A criminal trial cannot proceed

without three judges present on the panel.

Even if she found out it was her brother, she couldn't have just left.

I think that should be considered.

I didn't want to say this because it would sound like an excuse,

but I'm in a pretty unique situation.

Whatever that situation is,

you should not have presided over that trial.

The defendant is your biological brother--

He's her biological brother, but they have different last names.

Thus, that family is not your average family.

It is extremely exceptional.

To disregard such complex circumstances

and to discipline her purely because they are biologically related

seems unduly severe, in my opinion.

Even if their last names are different, what's most important here is

the fact that he is biologically her brother.

Wasn't there a case where the court decided differently

when the parties were biologically related but had different last names?

For a family dispute,

you rendered a decision like that as well.

What do you mean?

A divorced woman got married to another man

and had her children take on her new husband's last name.

When she sued the biological father

for refusing to pay child support,

you stated that the biological father had no obligation to pay.

You said their last names changed, and so did their environment.

You didn't insist on

their biological relationship.

Wait, what does that have to do with this...

Fine. Even if I give you that,

according to Article 82, Clause Two of Civil Act--

Clause Two states

that a biological relationship continues even after adoption.

Regardless, it is a reason for exclusion,

so Judge Lee is in no position to argue.

You should ask the head chief for mercy

so that this won't reach a disciplinary hearing.

Do you know how many people are talking about you

on the intranet forums and social media?

I'm sorry.

The chief justice is very concerned about this as well.

He's already stressed out about Jang Sun-bok's retrial matter.

If you'd be willing to suspend Jang Sun-bok's retrial--

If you keep talking, it may become abuse of authority.

"Abuse of authority"?

The rules prohibit sticking your nose into trials of other--

I'm not sticking my nose in!

Look. It's not like I told her to suspend the retrial request.

I was just being cautious--

Even a cautious comment can

sound like pressure when coming from a superior.

And some give in easily to this pressure.

I don't go around pressuring junior judges.

I'm not like that.

Is that how you felt?

-Pardon? -Did you also think

that I was pressuring you to suspend the retrial request

as Judge Sah states?

Well... I...

Not yet.

See? She says, "Not yet"! Not yet.

Anyway, it'll be difficult for the chief justice

to bury this incident like he did for the video of you

going on a rampage in court.

If he buries this again,

people will criticize him for covering up for his people.

You'd better be prepared.

Head Chief.

If you have nothing more to say, I'll go ahead and get going.

Even if I did, I'd be too afraid to say anything.

You'd say I'm sticking my nose in or abusing my authority.

It's hot. That's why!

My gosh.

That punk is so...

He has no respect for his seniors.

What is happening to the court?

What are you doing there? I'm done talking, so leave.

What's this? Why do you have a picture of a judge?

Your sister grew up this much?

What an honor for your family.

-Guys, look. -Hey.

Gyeong-ho's sister is a judge.

-Oh my gosh. -She's so pretty.

-She is. -You're so lucky.

You must be happy just looking at this.

Then the judge who was held hostage that time...

Her last name was Lee, though.

Our mom

couldn't bear to live pretending she didn't have her precious son,

so she just died.

But I will live.

I'll live my life just fine, pretending you don't exist.

You're not my brother anymore.

The Choi Jeong-ju who was born from the same womb as you

no longer exists.

CHOI JEONG-JU

Inmate 3007, you have a visitor.

Jeong-ju.

I need to check something.

Ten years ago,

how did you pay off the loan shark

and Mom's hospital bill?

You told our uncle that you won big in a gambling match.

But I realize now that it doesn't make sense.

Have you eaten?

You made a deal?

Was that deal paying off the debt and Mom's bills

in exchange for taking the fall for the crime?

No, there was no deal.

What you've known until now is the truth.

Is it?

Mom told me,

"Even if the entire world throws stones at your brother,

you can't do that."

But I...

I threw stones at you too.

She said, "Your brother would never do such a thing."

But I scoffed at her

for not knowing her own son.

But you were right. That's the kind of guy I am.

Then why did you do it?

I heard that ten years ago, you let Mom hear your voice

just before she went in for surgery.

You asked a guy you met in the court bathroom to record it.

How did you...

That guy became a judge.

He works at the court with me now.

It's funny

how I heard about you what you did ten years ago

through my colleague.

You must've seen him at your last trial.

It was the judge who was sitting

where I had sat before.

Had I known,

I would've relayed

Mom's message to you sooner.

Mom said

that she knew everything.

Mom said

she loved you too.

-Stop it. -Look me in the eyes.

Who did you make the deal with?

So you did make one.

There was a deal.

-This visit is over. -Not yet.

Is it Do Han-jun?

Did you make a deal with Do Han-jun?

Time's up.

Answer me, Choi Gyeong-ho.

Do you know what's thrilling

about standing here as a professor

and not as a judge?

I can share my opinions with you freely.

What about when you were a judge?

"Judges must speak through rulings."

Have you heard of that phrase?

-Yes. -Yes.

I'll tell you from my experience.

I was considered a competent judge at court.

Hey, stop covering your ear. This is all true.

Rendering decisions isn't easy.

Especially in criminal trials,

whether it's guilty or innocent,

I'd be grateful if it is certain,

but when there isn't a clear answer,

then the battle of the mind begins.

DIFFERENT RULINGS ON THE SAME CASE

I wrote these rulings

as an assignment when I was

in the Judicial Research and Training Institute.

Of course, it wasn't a real case,

but it was so hard to render a decision.

I wrote both rulings based on the defendant being guilty and innocent.

When judges aren't sure

of their decisions,

they try writing both rulings after much consideration.

In this process,

they end up reaching a conclusion.

All right. At this point,

someone could ask

if I had a similar experience.

-Did you? -Did you?

Yes, I did.

-Just one case. -May I ask which case it was?

-Are you curious? -Yes.

-Would you like to know? -Yes.

Hey, have you seen my toothbrush?

Why? What happened?

Inmate 3007, you have a visitor.

-Disciplinary action? -Yes.

It could've been swept under the rug as long as the news didn't spread,

but a judge having a brother as a rapist and murderer

is beyond shocking.

How did it get around? Who started it?

-Judge Lee revealed it herself. -She did?

I'm sure it must've been hard for her to reveal it.

So Gyeong-ho, you need to make

a decision for Judge Lee now.

-What decision? -File a petition for a retrial.

Gyeong-ho,

if your name is cleared of the rape and murder--

Please cut it out.

Do you know that Prosecutor Do Han-jun loves your sister?

It seems like Judge Lee cares about him too.

-They might start dating-- -No!

Let's break our deal.

I don't plan on staying away from Jeong-ju.

No, she can't!

-Gyeong-ho. -Choi Gyeong-ho!

She cannot date that scum, Do Han-jun.

Please get Jeong-ju for me.

PETITIONER CHOI GYEONG-HO

DELEGATE LEE JEONG-JU

PETITION FOR RETRIAL

Judge Lee.

The muscles near your wrist have been ruptured,

so it will take some time to get your grip back.

Don't lift heavy objects.

If you can, please use your left hand.

-You're all set. -Thank you.

What happened? Are you hurt?

It's nothing.

You said you wanted to see me.

Yes, I made a deal

with Do Han-jun.

I can't break the deal now.

-Then you'll be in danger. -Because of me,

you'll serve time despite your innocence?

I'm fine.

-But I'm not fine. -Jeong-ju.

I said I'm not fine with it.

How could I be fine?

PETITION FOR RETRIAL DELEGATE LEE JEONG-JU

Gyeong-ho.

"My brother would never do such a thing.

He didn't do it."

It never crossed my mind

that you weren't the killer.

No,

I never doubted it.

I'm sorry, Gyeong-ho.

I'm sorry.

Mom.

You know, right?

Mom, you know how much I love you, right?

Jeong-ju.

Yes, Mom.

Even if the entire world

throws stones at your brother,

you can't do that.

Jeong-ju,

you can do that for me, right?

Your brother would...

never do something like that.

Tell your brother

that I know everything.

Tell him...

that I

love him too.

Tell him that for me,

okay?

LATE LEE GYEONG-SUK

Mom,

I did well, right?

I will come back

with Gyeong-ho next time.

PETITION FOR RETRIAL

That brat, Jeong-ju, says

she'll quit being a judge if you don't listen to her.

You brat. You're about to ruin your sister's life.

What about your life?

And your mom?

If she finds out you ended up like this so that she could get surgery,

how would she rest in peace?

Please stop Jeong-ju.

You stop her.

Get out of there,

and do your part as her brother.

Who would want a judge hearing their case

if her brother is a rapist and murderer?

If you tell anyone about this,

you're dead as soon as you get out of here.

It's almost over.

You need to be here for only a few more years.

That brat, Jeong-ju, says

she'll quit being a judge if you don't listen to her.

You're about to ruin your sister's life.

It never crossed my mind

that you weren't the killer.

No,

I never doubted it.

I'm sorry, Gyeong-ho.

I'm sorry.

Gosh.

What brings a prosecutor here during a trial?

I can revise the indictment except for the bodily harm charge.

What's wrong? You're scaring me.

It can't be for free.

You want to make a deal?

Yes, let's make a deal.

Should I show you my hand first?

What do you say?

You want me

to accomplish something this hard?

Hello?

Okay, I'll be right there.

I'll get going first.

Okay.

Goodbye.

Mom.

What's wrong? Did something happen?

PETITION FOR RETRIAL

Gyeong-ho finally sent it.

I'll put everything back

to where it belongs.

Of course, you should.

EMERGENCY CONVOY

Once you board the bus,

we will go straight to the court without making any stops,

so use the bathroom before we leave.

BATHROOM

So that knucklehead judge is your sister?

Did you know

that your sister is super sexy when she takes off her robe?

PETITION FOR RETRIAL

PETITIONER CHOI GYEONG-HO

I took off your judge sister's robe twice, you know.

Shut it.

If only Prosecutor Knucklehead hadn't

claimed her for himself,

I would've given her sex education.

Why you little...

Why did you have my toothbrush?

Using that, I'll stab and kill

Prosecutor Knucklehead for you,

so give me your sister.

Then I'll remove her blouse this time

and give her a proper sex education.

Why you little...

-Let's do it in one go. -What?

Goodbye, Choi Gyeong-ho.

He... He tried to kill me.

It happened in the bathroom.

We have an emergency.

Send the medic.

SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT

RECEIPT OF SUBMISSION