Original subtitles

Defendant,

please give your final statement.

I...

I decided to become a judge...

out of anger and resentment

caused by society

for being an orphan.

As I read case files and rendered rulings,

I realized that the anger

and resentment I had could

become love and hope in the eyes of the law.

When I was in my robe,

it was

the happiest moment of my life.

Ten years ago, on the night of the incident...

Please save me.

From the other side of the call,

-I ignored her desperate cries... -Save me, please.

to be saved.

And I strangled...

the girl instead.

For what did I commit such a monstrous act?

I will not claim

that it was for my family.

It was for the life I had built as a judge,

my reputation, and the praise I received.

Ironically,

in order to save those,

I threw away the law, my conscience,

and...

myself, who always followed...

the law and my conscience.

How are you my mother?

I know the law very well.

Knowing the law is

most dangerous to those without a conscience.

Our society is bleak with people who try to stay above the law like I do.

This society isn't capable of punishing people like me.

There's no hope for this country anymore.

In the end, however,

the tightly knit web of the law has caught me.

I stand here to be judged by the stern people

of this country.

And in this courtroom,

there is my alter ego,

whom I cherish like my own daughter.

In order to protect myself, I pointed my sword at her.

But at the same time,

I wished she would point that sword back at me.

I desperately wished

she would bring me to court and punish me.

If misjudgment scares you enough to avoid the substantive truth,

you must take off your robe.

It's just a speculation.

As long as Assemblyman Do has an alibi--

His alibi is...

fabricated.

I'll do it.

-Pardon? -I'll make sure...

that your brother gets a retrial.

This is a war now.

Professor Yoo.

My testimony will be your finishing blow.

Now, I dare say...

that my standing in this very courtroom in a prison uniform

proves that

the law and justice are still served...

in Korea.

To prevent our society

from suffering due to people like me, who try to stay above the law,

I'd like to ask

all of you to judge wisely...

and execute me.

By order of the court,

I hereby sentence Defendant Yoo Myeong-hui...

to death.

I'm sorry,

but you can't do that.

Pentobarbital sodium.

This is enough...

to euthanize a person.

And you'd have about four minutes left to live.

However,

you will not receive

the four-minute sentence you gave yourself,

but the sentencing of the court.

Just as the stiff bamboo would break and not bend,

the defendant chose suicide

to pay for her crimes.

However, that is not receiving punishment according to the law,

but it is arrogance and an attempt to escape

disguised as a punishment.

You stand here

as a defendant accused of murder...

and not as a judge.

You paid a guard

to bring you the drug?

No longer

will the law and the world be manipulated

by you.

You must atone for your sins

to the victims who had to live in pain for years

because of your actions.

You cannot

sentence yourself.

In the trial

of Korea University Law School's Professor Yoo Myeong-hui

for the murder of Kim Ga-yeong ten years ago,

only the sentencing remains.

Both Yoo Myeong-hui and her husband,

Assemblyman Do Jin-myeong,

previously claimed to have committed the murder,

which caused a setback in the case.

CASE NUMBER 2017G916, MURDER YOO MYEONG-HUI'S SENTENCING

I will read the order of the court.

Applying the most severe sentence of limited-term imprisonment

permitted by the Criminal Act ten years ago at the time of the murder,

we order the following.

By order of the court,

we hereby sentence Defendant Yoo Myeong-hui

to 15 years in prison.

DO JIN-MYEONG, CALL RECORDS

DO JIN-MYEONG, DNA TEST REPORT

Are you sure about this?

-He's still your father-- -Please.

Okay.

Take a short break and come back.

Okay.

What are you doing? Why aren't you sleeping?

I'll go to sleep.

Treat Yoo Myeong-hui as an enemy

like Kim Ju-hyeong, who killed your brother.

Why are you in pain like this because of someone like her?

Go to sleep. You have work tomorrow.

Assemblyman Do Jin-myeong, prosecuted for charges

of raping a minor and soliciting murder,

was sentenced to prison time.

Assemblyman Do was once thought to win the presidential election,

but he is now headed to prison instead.

The court found that there was sufficient evidence to prove

the rape of Ms. Kim at Gwangdeok Reservoir,

solicitation of the murder of Seo Gi-ho, and more.

Do you want a drink?

-Yes, I'll have some. -Here.

Eui-hyun,

I'm going to close down my law firm.

I want to close it down and take a break.

I'm going to stay a few months at the orphanage

that your grandfather used to run.

Would you like to do that?

You'll be okay without me, right?

I'm sorry.

For what?

For everything.

I'm sorry too.

I think I can finally understand why you couldn't turn your back

on Han-jun's parents.

Don't be like me.

I always felt

like I was indebted to them,

but don't you ever feel that way towards anyone.

Don't think...

they ended up that way because of you.

Of course I won't.

But why does it feel like you're my father?

Let's drink.

Okay.

Good.

COURT

FROM YOO MYEONG-HUI

Isn't that a statue of Lady Justice?

FROM YOO MYEONG-HUI

Would you like me to treat you to lunch today?

All right. Let's dig in.

Judge Sah,

when did you start suspecting Professor Yoo Myeong-hui,

and how could you tell she was going to commit suicide in the courtroom?

I had a criminal law professor at Harvard Law School.

The professor committed suicide with a pistol in the office.

A novel written by the professor was later discovered,

and it was centered around the professor.

A perfectionist professor committed crimes

and tipped off some clues to the police,

trying to see if the police could catch the professor.

In the novel, the professor decides

to commit suicide right before getting caught

by the police.

When I looked at Professor Yoo,

I was reminded of that professor.

Would I ever be able to forgive Professor Yoo?

If you were in my shoes, Judge Sah--

It wouldn't be easy to forgive her.

It would just be

hard around Han-jun.

Han-jun came

to my house the other day.

He told me it was his last time seeing me.

I couldn't deny it.

I couldn't tell him to not say such things.

I must meet with Professor Yoo.

Should I come with you?

It must have been hard for you to come here.

Thank you for visiting me.

Why did you send me the statue of Lady Justice?

I just don't understand.

You helped me become a judge

because of your guilt towards my brother.

How could you instigate his murder like that?

I came here to hear your answer.

To become a judge,

I tried really hard as if my life depended on it,

and I finally earned my judgeship.

But...

if it had been revealed that my husband raped...

a female middle schooler after getting too drunk,

I would've had no choice but to forfeit my judgeship.

To keep your judgeship,

did you murder Kim Ga-yeong and violate the law?

Yes.

That's when I made my first mistake.

I met you in the restroom...

because of your brother's case file.

And after you became a judge,

you were assigned to Jang Sun-bok's retrial.

I thought it was all fate.

I wanted you,

as a judge and my alter ego,

to punish me.

I thought I'd be able to accept my punishment that way.

That's why I wanted you to uncover the truth I had concealed.

That's why I helped you with Jang Sun-bok's retrial.

Then instigating my brother's murder doesn't make sense even more.

But the more...

The closer you got to the truth,

the more I became afraid.

Even if I were to lose everything,

including my status and reputation,

I thought I'd be able to reveal the truth.

But I was wrong.

If the truth behind Jang Sun-bok's case were to be revealed,

then the truth behind

Choi Gyeong-ho's case would be revealed as well.

The idea of that frightened me to death.

At that moment, I wasn't in the right mind.

Oh.

So...

after all these years,

you're saying you tried to destroy yourself

out of guilt for murdering my brother, right?

I have...

committed a horrendous crime towards you, Jeong-ju.

I was ultimately...

your ticking time bomb.

I was a bomb you could neither keep

nor throw away.

I will pay for what I had done to your brother.

If you thought...

you could pay for what you did by committing suicide,

you will never be forgiven.

Day by day,

you will continue to pay for your crime.

Face the consequence...

of what you had done.

DONGSEONG PRISON

Did you meet her?

Yes.

I guess she accepted your request for the meeting.

She refused my dad's request.

Let's go.

TRUE CORRECTION, RIGHT ADMINISTRATION

Why did you come here?

You should go see your mother instead.

Why didn't you...

tell me the truth about her wounds?

How could I?

You know how much I hated you

because of the misunderstanding over her wounds.

Think about how distressed

your mom must have felt to harm herself.

I am the cause of her pain.

How could I have told you the truth?

Your mother...

treated her judgeship as her calling.

She lived her whole life with the pride of being a judge.

I think...

I can understand why she did

what she had done.

She is as straight as an arrow and knows no compromises.

It's a relief that she didn't try to kill herself a long time ago.

It's all my fault.

So don't hate your mother.

I'm leaving Seoul.

What?

Han-jun.

I won't kill myself. Don't worry.

I can trust you on that, right?

Yes.

I don't know when it will be,

but stay healthy until we meet again.

I'll get going now.

I'm sorry.

Bye.

Don't forget to take...

your blood pressure medicine.

Father.

CONTACT LIST

HAN-JUN

-Hey. -You pick up even before it rings now.

-When did you come? -Just now.

I was just about to call you.

Hey,

do you want to sleep over for the first time in a while?

What?

Come in.

Look. I cleaned for you.

The house feels so empty since no one is here.

It even feels cold. Sit down. Sit.

I feel too sick to drink because I've been drinking so much lately.

Are you hungry? Should I make you some ramen?

It's okay. Sit down.

-Why? Let's eat-- -I want to talk to you.

What is it?

Judge Lee...

went to see Professor Yoo.

I know.

She's so thoughtless. Don't you think?

How could she go there?

She shouldn't be visiting my mom now.

How did you know?

I went to see my dad too.

"Dad"?

I can't call him Assemblyman Do. He's no longer an assemblyman.

That's true.

Good job.

What was that?

Gosh, I never thought I'd hear you say that to me.

I'm feeling too good. I need a can of beer.

Do you want soda?

-Yes? -Okay.

Okay, have some soda.

Thank you.

The chicken is here.

It's nice and hot.

All right.

It looks delicious.

Cheers.

This is great. It's been so long since we've done this.

Sorry.

I didn't even eat chicken with you all this time.

Don't be sorry.

So much has happened recently.

Gyeong-ho died, and then we had the retrial.

Are you okay?

Of course you wouldn't be.

Eat this.

Eat this and let the bad memories fly away.

Have a wing.

This is hot.

I feel thankful.

I didn't think you'd actually sleep over like this.

Hey, Eui-hyun.

After tonight, I'm leaving Seoul.

What do you mean?

It's just...

I keep thinking about my mom and dad here.

It's also hard to be near Jeong-ju.

If you weren't here,

I would've been too worried about her to leave,

but I can leave without worrying because you're here.

Take good care of Jeong-ju.

Make her laugh, okay?

Do you know how pretty she is when she laughs?

Why me?

I can't believe it. You don't know, do you?

Do you know how you look when you look at her?

It's just like how you look at me.

What that means is...

you care for her very deeply.

Whatever. I'm going to sleep.

You should sleep too. You have work tomorrow.

For the retrial of case number 2017G25,

we hereby deliver the verdict of Defendant Choi Gyeong-ho.

The court found Defendant Choi Gyeong-ho

guilty of rape and murder ten years ago.

As a result of our retrial, however,

we found that the defendant had made

a false confession to pay back his family's remaining loans

and to provide his mother's surgery fees.

Not only did the witness, Yoo Myeong-hui,

fabricate a portion of the evidence,

but we have also found Do Jin-myeong guilty of the rape

and Yoo Myeong-hui guilty of the murder.

Choi Gyeong-ho is acquitted of the charged crimes.

Therefore, there is no proof of the crime

for the charges of this case.

According to

the latter section in Article 325 of the Criminal Procedure Act,

the court's ruling is as follows.

By order of the court,

I hereby find the defendant innocent.

My brother's innocence left a bitter taste in my mouth.

It was a compromise for his young sister and sick mother,

but he also violated the law.

His sacrifice to protect his family

even if he had to violate the law is

an example of "No penny, no pardon."

It's a sad portrait

of our lives in this bleak world.

As I wear the robe of a judge

under my brother's shadow,

I feel the weight of my brother's innocence

upon my robe.

To make sure the court is free of such rulings,

I will walk into the case files.

I will approach the cases and the people involved

with a warm heart

and a cool head.

I feel so relieved now that the retrial of Choi Gyeong-ho is over.

-Sit down. -No, thank you. I'm good.

I told you. We can't move now.

You didn't want to move to Gangnam for her grades,

so I gave your brother a loan for his store.

Anyway, let's talk at home later. Okay. Bye.

Gosh, what's the big deal with academies?

What is it? Your kid's education?

After all,

children's school matters are harder than judging cases.

There's no answer.

You're not in a place to say that.

I heard that your son studies on his own and is at the top of his class.

That's because he takes after me,

so he has nothing going for him except grades.

My gosh.

Oh no. My gosh.

-How could they... -Why you...

-What is it? -What?

Look at this.

-Gosh. -What is it?

-Hey, get up. -Does it hurt?

These middle schoolers hit another student this badly?

The assailant posted this?

-There are three perpetrators, -Hey.

-and one of them filmed it. -Did you flirt with him?

-Get up. Hey. -Gosh.

-What is happening to this country? -Are you kidding me?

How did their parents raise them...

-Turn that off. I can't watch. -Hello?

What's wrong?

A video?

I actually just saw it.

What?

Okay. Where is Yeon-gyeong?

Okay.

Let me reassign a form, and I'll head to the police station right away.

Okay.

Where's my chamber?

There it is. Okay, stop crying.

What's wrong with the head chief?

I don't know. I have no idea either.

By the way, I'm giving a lecture on law this week

at Daewon Girls' Middle School.

How should I make it fun for the students?

I went to Daewon Girls' Middle School.

Really? Then will you do it instead?

They'll throw stones at me if I go.

If I were them, I'd look forward to eye candy

and hope for a hot male judge.

I can't disappoint them.

Does that mean

you think I'm hot?

I'm just saying...

Sure. I can't deny it.

Then Judge Lee,

you must get to enjoy eye candy every day thanks to me.

Right?

Wait for me. I'll be your eye candy.

Judge Sah,

I hear you're lecturing tomorrow at Daewon Girls' Middle School.

Yes.

How dare you flirt with him?

-They're middle school students. -Why were you flirting?

As someone with a daughter around their age...

Hey.

-It's very distressing. -I told you to get up.

Please give a lecture raising awareness

so that these things don't happen again.

Hey, get up.

A single lecture won't fix this,

but I will try.

How...

If the assailant posted this herself,

that means she's completely unaware of her crime.

She is incapable of empathizing with someone else's pain.

They met at the same academy. How...

What were they thinking...

I wonder how the victim and her parents would feel.

The victim will carry that wound

as a traumatic experience for the rest of her life.

I'm worried.

I think the parents and school are

largely responsible for their inability to empathize.

If there was anyone among their family members, teachers,

or friends that they could trust and depend on,

they wouldn't have done something so cruel.

I know.

Han-jun is a friend

like that to you, right?

Han-jun isn't in Seoul.

Pardon?

He says he wants to take a break for the time being.

I see.

Han-jun is

much stronger than anyone I know,

so I'm sure he'll be able to get past this nightmare.

Yes, I have faith in him.

Did he say where...

I guess that really was our last moment.

Even until the moment he left,

he was worried about you.

He hopes you'll be able to laugh again soon.

Did he say anything else?

If you weren't here,

I would've been too worried about her to leave,

but I can leave without worrying because you're here.

Take good care of Jeong-ju.

No.

Chief Seo.

Where did he go?

It looks like he didn't come in at all.

You're right. I'll give him a call.

-The person you are calling is... -He isn't picking up.

Let me see if he called the administrator.

-Okay. I'll try again. -Okay.

SU-YEON

Hello, Su-yeon.

Wedding date?

Yes.

My sister said we shouldn't push it off any longer.

Well, you see...

She's in France for work right now,

and she wants to book the venue as soon as she returns.

She said we should go here and set a date.

When can you go?

If you're busy, I can go alone--

Su-yeon,

I think we should reconsider our wedding.

Chae-seong.

I'm sorry. It isn't about you. It's my problem.

I'll call you once it's resolved. I'll do it within this week.

Next is the Gobaek-dong middle schooler assault case.

Gosh.

This came to us.

The public is watching this case closely,

so it was decided to be judgement by agreement.

And the case is assigned to our panel.

JUDGEMENT BY AGREEMENT: A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE CASE TO BE HEARD BY A PANEL

Based on my experience with cases like these,

we can work hard and hold a proper trial,

but at the slightest wrong turn,

we could become a target of the public and get attacked.

We need to be extra cautious.

We must make sure we aren't swayed by the public sentiment.

I agree.

An important case like this cannot be judged by the public.

But we can't ignore the public sentiment.

My daughter is also a scary middle schooler,

so this case hits close to home.

Let's begin.

Okay.

CASE NUMBER 2018G1053, GROUP ASSAULT

Case number 2018G1053 is for group assault.

Last autumn, the defendants, who are all female middle school students,

gathered after academy in an underground parking lot

and beat the victim

with their hands, feet, and umbrellas,

causing bodily harm to the victim.

Defendants, do you admit to these charges?

Choi Chang-ran admits to everything and is reflecting on her actions.

Not just as an attorney, but as a fellow parent,

I'd like to sincerely apologize to the victim.

Defendants Byeon Su-wan and Seo Yeon-gyeong admit to everything

and are reflecting upon

the emotional scars they gave to the victim.

However, Seo Yeon-gyeong was coerced

by Choi Chang-ran

and merely recorded the assault.

She did not participate in the actual assault.

Please put that into consideration.

Defendant Choi Chang-ran,

you harmed the victim because the boy you liked

had liked the victim, correct?

She knew I had my eyes on him.

She flirted with him, so...

Defendant,

do you think that's an excuse to beat up your friend like that?

Your Honor,

Defendant Choi Chang-ran is deeply repenting her wrongdoings.

If she's deeply repenting, how could she say such a thing?

Why in the world are you crying?

The act committed by the defendants is so brutally vicious

that it's hard to believe it was done by middle schoolers.

The horrendous beating has left the victim

with unspeakable pain.

Defendant Choi Chang-ran,

why are you crying right now?

I'm sorry.

I won't do it again.

Turn in an apology letter to the judicial panel,

thinking of the blood and tears shed by the victim,

explaining the meaning behind your own tears,

and describing how you plan to ask the victim for forgiveness.

The same goes for the two of you too.

I sincerely hope

that you are crying because you are repenting

and sympathizing with the victim's pain.

I'll see you in front of the parking lot.

How could you do this?

Chang-ran's family hired competent lawyers from a big law firm.

The lawyer said she's going to put in a good word to the panel.

How can Yeon-gyeong go to trial with a public defender?

Public defenders are competent too.

Don't be like that.

Hire competent lawyers from famous law firms.

And can't you ask the panel to be lenient on Yeon-gyeong?

I can't.

The court doesn't know that I'm the father of a defendant.

I understand that you're disappointed in Yeon-gyeong,

but shouldn't you use your connections in a crisis like this?

Connections?

Haven't you seen in the news lately about the consequences of that?

And imagine if they find out that the defendant's father is a judge.

People will spread rumors and jump to conclusions.

If that happens, it will be harder for Yeon-gyeong.

You should go now. I have a meeting with the associate judges.

And the judges on the panel won't be

convinced by any special requests,

so don't get your hopes up.

If anyone bullies you, tell me right away.

I... Hold on.

Hello. What brings you here?

Nothing. It's nothing.

Bye.

Hello? It's nothing.

Why am I telling you this?

I just realized it's been a while since we talked.

Did you get there safely?

Yes. It's so nice

to breathe in some fresh air.

Your birthday is in two days.

You should have left after your birthday.

No, that's all right. Forget about my birthday.

Now that I think about it, you always had your birthday soup

at Han-jun's place.

Okay.

No, we can just order it online.

Besides, it's cold and we don't have a car.

But we can't wait.

We need to switch the bulbs tonight.

Fine, I'll buy it on my way home. Bye.

Do you...

need to go shopping?

Yes.

I think these are the ones.

You think?

You must be certain.

You must be certain in order to finish the job in one go.

Check with your mother if she's at home.

No, I'll just buy them. I can come back if I'm wrong.

Are you wanting to come back here with me?

No.

Whatever.

Where's the meat section?

Judge Sah.

Don't call me like that in here.

Then how should I address you?

Call me by my name.

Or stay close to me so you don't have to call me.

What?

This isn't right.

I'll just make sure I don't have to call you.

Judge Lee.

I don't think that's the meat section.

You said this wasn't right.

Let's go.

Over there.

You said you have to cook seaweed soup, right?

Welcome.

-The meat for seaweed soup-- -Give me 400 grams of brisket and flank.

It sounds like you can cook seaweed soup pretty well.

No, I only know the recipe well.

I'm serious.

Just like how someone who has never dated knows a lot about dating.

"Dating"?

I'll wait for the meat.

Can you pick out some seaweed for me?

Sure.

I'll carry them for you to your front steps.

No, that's all right. I must carry my own groceries.

Okay, suit yourself then. Go inside now.

Thank you.

Hey, Jeong-ju. My goodness.

Look who's here.

Oh my. The bag must be so heavy for her.

No.

Let me carry this to your front steps.

Only to our front steps? It'd be better if you could bring it inside.

-Mom. -Since he's here, he could change

the bulbs for us too.

Remember?

I fell when I did it last time. It was so dangerous.

Mom.

Could you put one in there?

Well... It's almost done.

This is why you need a man in the house.

We've done just fine without one.

I mean it's better with one.

It's done. I'll get going now.

Why? You should eat first.

It's okay. It's pretty late.

Really? Then you should go.

Pardon?

Okay.

-Don't come out. -Why not?

You should at least walk him out.

No, it's fine.

He always tells me to go in first anyway.

I won't see you out. Thank you.

I'll go now.

Goodbye.

Everything else is fine.

You brat. I think he's offended.

No, he isn't like that.

COURT

The phone has been turned off. Please leave a message

after the tone...

Yes?

-Chief Oh. -Yes. Hello.

Let's begin.

But Judge Sah isn't here yet.

Judge Sah?

He called to say he's taking the day off.

He didn't call you?

Pardon? He's taking the day off?

Yes. You and I can discuss the cases on our own first.

Did he say why he was taking the day off?

He said it was something unavoidable.

He didn't sound so well.

Seeing that he didn't even tell you,

I wonder what he's up to.

Anyway, let's begin.

Okay.

The phone has been turned off. Please leave a message...

The phone has been turned off. Please leave a message...

What's going on?

Judge Sah.

No way. Snap out of it.

What are you doing?

I must've lost my mind.

Why do I keep thinking about him?

Do I like Judge Sah?

Do you?

Now I'm hearing things too.

Do you like me?