Original subtitles

LEE JAE-YOUNG

Cause of death is multiple compound fractures.

The decisive cause of death being multiple compound fractures to the cranium.

Was it external?

The victim was not wearing a seat belt.

He could've snapped his neck in the recoil.

His calf muscles were stiff?

That's a possibility if he died with his foot on the brake.

There were no brake marks on the scene.

So, what could it be?

Why do you suspect homicide?

The car caught on fire,

but not a trace of smoke was found in his trachea. Why is that?

Because he wasn't breathing.

We can't rule out immediate death upon impact.

And the possibility that he was already dead?

I guess that's possible...

Just take a look at the corpse! You can tell right away what the COD is.

An autopsy isn't performed based on impressions.

It should be based on fact.

Stop it with the ambiguous facts! What does your gut tell you?

Accident or homicide?

Jae-young... Jae-young!

Jae-young...

It's homicide, isn't it?

Please stop. You know I can't answer.

Off the record.

For reference only.

I'm not asking for a conclusion. I just want to hear your opinion. Please?

I know it was a car accident, but it seems too perfect.

There's one thing that's nagging me.

A bruise on his wrist.

-A bruise? -Bruises can form after death,

but they appear different in color and shape

because blood has stopped circulating.

So there was a struggle? Is that it?

In my opinion, it happened just before he died.

This is purely speculation.

We don't have anything conclusive to back it up.

Thanks.

I never said it was homicide. Understood?

LEE JAE-YOUNG 1981-2018

How can this be?

How can one person's life

be so futile?

Let's head back.

You should take care of yourself.

Come on, Eun-ju.

Hello?

How's the mood over there?

Nothing's happened yet,

but there's a strange vibe as if something might.

Really?

The autopsy results are inconclusive.

AUTOPSY RESULT

This isn't enough to send the case to prosecution.

It's 50/50.

A 50 percent chance it's an accident,

but also a 50 percent chance it could be homicide.

Then bring me something to tip the scale.

A variable.

A variable...

VARIABLE

-We got the autopsy result? -Yes, we did.

The thing is, the result it's inconclusive.

Whether or not this goes to trial

will depend on how the police interpret the result.

-How's it going with interviews? -Well. Honestly...

We may be in the middle of a huge unemployment crisis,

but people have their standards.

Sub-par wages

with hours from dawn until God knows when.

Such poor working conditions.

In addition, it seems the ones I like

aren't quite ready to jump into this harsh reality.

Prepare a shortlist for final interviews tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Tomorrow... Tomorrow it is.

Tomorrow?

You have no idea how picky kids these days are.

Tomorrow...

RÉSUMÉ

Goodness.

I'm here because of my undying passion for humanism,

but they can't all be like me.

So, tomorrow...

AUTOPSY RECORD

CAR ACCIDENT ON MORNING OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 2018

Have some. It'll warm you up.

At least the funeral proceedings went all right.

I took care of the expenses.

The press will leave you alone for the time being.

I made some calls and asked for their understanding.

I've been in this industry for more than a decade already.

They'll hold back for now.

From now on, think only of yourself

and your unborn baby. Got it?

We can't close the case due to unresolved suspicions.

You said there was no evidence of homicide.

That's what the autopsy said.

Still, it's premature to rule it an accidental death.

That's your personal opinion.

Why do you want to bury this?

I'd like...

people to stop speaking ill of him.

I'm sure you want to preserve his honor.

But what if it wasn't an accident?

Shouldn't we find out for the sake of your husband?

Regardless of how one has lived his life,

there is no death than can be discarded.

Of all people, Hye-ran is party to the scandal.

My husband died and my friend is under suspicion.

People only want to know about the nature of their relationship.

His death alone

was enough to break me.

I don't want to go through something so unbearable.

You're sure you want to let this go?

Won't you regret it?

Think of the baby.

From now on, think only of your child.

The living must go on.

You're a mom now.

I won't...

regret it.

If only for my unborn child.

Yes, I'm a mom now.

I should go on.

I'm returning to the U.S. once things calm down here.

It'll be...

easier for me there.

I know a skilled OB-GYN. I'll make a call.

Thanks, Hye-ran.

I owe you so much.

Tell me if there's anything I can do for you.

It's all right.

You killed him. Murderer.

What kind of crazy ass sent this?

I have evidence you killed him.

Are you just going to leave Hye-ran be?

We immediately regained the six percent we lost

and got another five percent as a bonus.

That's great. It's all good, but...

We're not in the business of making sales. We report the news.

It's Hye-ran who made that news what it is today.

She's the only anchor who can bring in 11 percent in one sitting.

Her potential is not something we should easily give up on.

And the risk she entails?

Do you have a countermeasure in place?

I'm sorry. Excuse me.

It's irresponsible of you if Hye-ran is the only card

you have left to play.

You know that, right?

You're taking good care of my livelihood, right?

So far.

I heard the autopsy results were inconclusive.

Autopsies are always like that, though.

Leaving room for interpretation while they decide how to pursue the case.

I don't think there's enough to go to trial.

Are there any other variables?

First of all, Eun-ju doesn't want to take this further.

She wants to honor her husband's death.

She's planning on returning to the U.S. as soon as she can.

When she does...

-I just received an interesting text. -Pardon?

Someone claims to have evidence you're a murderer.

Mr. Seong is pressuring me enough as it is.

If something that'll shake up this situation pops up...

You know, right?

You and I are both done here.

This isn't the first time I received weird threatening messages

as an anchor.

I've received terrorist threats and even death threats.

You should think of it as something along those lines.

I want to. But...

as the head of the desk,

I can't help but have an alternative lined up.

You're not...

considering Ji-won, are you?

You're out of moves.

Detective Kang is coming at you claiming it's homicide

and Ji-won is charging at you from behind.

Seems the Press Secretary position is a goner, too.

And you're getting threatening texts?

Goodness.

This is indeed the biggest crisis of your life.

You didn't do it, right?

If only I'd killed him myself...

If that were the case,

it wouldn't have become such a big mess.

You would've been meticulous and created the perfect alibi.

You, Hye-ran, would've done it better.

Can you think of a way out?

You have your husband,

Tae-wook.

What are you doing?

Let's go back to the States.

You have a tournament coming up. Let's go and prepare for it.

Forget about the tournament.

I'm in no shape for competition.

You should stop drinking.

I told you to stop.

I'm exhausted.

There's only a month left

and I have to work hard to get back in shape.

Let me rest, Eun-ju.

Let me skip this one, okay?

If it's about the money, I can just shoot a few more ads.

You're so full of it.

Did you forget how we got here?

Every single day I cleaned buildings

until I got blisters on my hands and feet so I could support your dream. And what?

You're exhausted? You want to rest?

How can you say that?

Have you lost your mind? Stop! Stop drinking!

You're the one who should stop.

I feel like I'll die every time you do this!

It's suffocating. I can't breathe.

Damn it.

That's why you slept with another woman?

You said it won't happen again.

You said you won't hurt me again.

That was less than a year ago.

Yet you have an affair as soon as we come to Korea?

Fine, I'll let you off the hook for Ji-won.

She's young and pretty.

All it takes is a moment's lapse in judgment. But...

Hye-ran?

She's my friend.

How can you do that to her?

How can you do that to me?

-It's me. -No... Don't go.

Okay, I got it.

Stop right there. Stop!

It's over between us if you leave right now.

-I wonder who has it. -What are you talking about?

Ko Hye-ran's dash cam memory chip.

That's the decisive key to this case.

Why are you sitting in the dark?

Just thinking.

Nothing can be done with the autopsy result.

Even if it's handed over to the prosecution,

you won't be indicted.

I know.

Then what is it? Why are you so worried?

There are enemies all around.

Enemies?

Even those unrelated to the case are looking to use it to bury me.

Mr. Seong, Mr. Jang and Dae-woong.

We've worked together for almost ten years,

no, even longer than that.

Did I lead such a horrible life?

There are two kinds of people around ones who do well in life.

Ones who want a part in the success,

and ones who are jealous and harbor ill wishes.

Neither truly like the person.

Becoming Blue House Press Secretary is out of the question.

There's still so much you can do.

You think so?

I don't know when they'll kick me out at News Nine.

Let's go together.

The managing partner of Kang Yul will be there.

INVITATION TO NIGHT OF LAW PROFESSIONALS,

HANKUK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI

Your VP at the station, Mr. Seong,

he's a close friend of Mr. Kang.

So?

We have to do something.

I'll make sure

that you get to keep your position at News Nine.

You'll do that?

While we're there,

it'd be best if we can tie up loose ends on this investigation as well.

Mr. Kang

has a lot of connections at the Prosecutors' Office.

But you...

despise asking for favors.

I'm tired. You should rest.

I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

Even if the case gets sent to trial,

it won't be an issue because I'm innocent.

I don't give scandals a second thought. They'll be forgotten with time.

Whether or not I can hold on to News Nine...

that's my problem.

You shouldn't have to get involved.

If you step down for no reason,

the public's doubts about you will spiral out of control.

And dealing with that is my problem as well.

No,

it's our problem now, Hye-ran.

When I said I would protect you,

I meant your fame, your stature,

what you have now and everything you wish to have.

This goes against your beliefs.

A belief system which keeps me from protecting my wife is meaningless.

Tae-wook.

I was a bad husband to you

for the last five years.

I want to apologize and make it up to you by taking this all the way.

You...

really are a bad husband.

How can you...

make me feel...

so sorry?

I won't let anyone touch you.

I won't let anyone hurt you.

Whatever happens,

I'll keep my promise to you.

It's all right.

Everything will be all right, Hye-ran.

LAW OFFICE OF KANG TAE-WOOK

Here you go.

So where did you work before?

I served my sentence in prison for 19 years.

I apologize.

Jeez, it came out of my nose.

That was hot. I see.

That's what you did. Congratulations.

Nineteen years, wow.

It's, um... yeah. What's wrong with going to prison?

It's better you don't, but what's done is done.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with prison...

So you...

19 years, huh.

-What... What is it that you-- -Murder.

RÉSUMÉ

Cheers to realizing law and justice!

Cheers!

Do well, okay?

Honey, I can't believe

you'll finally become a member of Gold Moon Club.

We don't know what'll happen yet.

You said Mr. Kang told you specifically to come tonight.

He must want to offer a partner position at Kang Yul Law Firm.

It's high time you left the prosecution and started living the good life.

Seriously, is there a better candidate among your classmates?

You're too much.

I get the feeling we're being snubbed.

That's all right. Right back at 'em.

Tae-wook, is that you?

Gosh, long time, no see.

How are you?

How long has it been since you left to be a public defender?

Has it been about five years?

It's been too long, sir. Hope you've been well.

It's always the same for me.

I've been hearing about you from time to time.

This is my wife.

Say hello.

He's the managing partner of Kang Yul Law Firm.

Nice to meet you. I'm Ko Hye-ran.

I'm Kang In-han.

I've been enjoying your news program.

Thank you.

-Let's go over there. -Yes, sir.

Let's go.

Yeon-jung. What's happening to Prosecutor Byun?

Hye-ran must be out of her mind. How could she come here?

-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you.

Hello. I'm Kang Tae-wook. Nice to meet you.

How are you?

-Shall we go? -Okay.

Let's go.

-Let's talk over there. -Yes, sir.

Gold Moon Club.

It's a closed-doors organization

comprised of alumni from Hankuk University Law School

and the Judicial Research and Training Institute.

It's where the foundation of Korea's judiciary branch

and media are created.

It's a club wielding ultimate power,

one that exists for sure, but also doesn't.

Say hello.

He's the former chief justice and Secretary of Civil Affairs.

Congressman Jung Dae-han.

Nice to meet you. I'm Kang Tae-wook.

He's the son of Chief Justice Kang Han-soo.

So you're Tae-wook. Nice to meet you.

Hello, sir.

This way.

Say hello.

This is Seong Nak-joon.

Who is this?

This is Kang Tae-wook.

A very promising young lawyer.

He's the son of Chief Justice Kang Han-soo.

Gosh.

-Nice to meet you. -How do you do, sir?

My wife has told me a lot about you.

Ms. Ko Hye-ran is his wife.

If your husband can mobilize the people over there,

then it's game over.

He's just a public defender. How?

There's a rumor that his father

is a founding member of the Gold Moon Club.

You know how they love to dote on their children.

If Tae-wook put his mind to it,

it'd be a piece of cake to get them...

on his side.

Shouldn't it have been Prosecutor Byun who went in there today?

You know how hard Yeon-jung worked to get him inside those doors, right?

I never knew how powerful the son of a former chief justice could be.

He's no ordinary former chief justice.

What'll you do about him?

Looks like you made quite the effort today.

You're very beautiful, murderer.

Shall I expose you here? Should be fun.

You must be quite worried about Hye-ran.

That's the nature of gossip.

There's no truth to it, yet it causes so much pain.

It's not just Hye-ran.

It's troubling for our station as well.

We're bombarded with complaints daily.

There's a huge public sentiment she should be replaced.

Public sentiment

can always be veered in the right direction

according to the decision-maker's intentions.

Don't tell me

you came here to resolve your household matters?

Your son was brought in with a drug charge

when I was at Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

I remember...

it caused you much heartache until your son was released

due to lack of evidence.

That's right.

Tae-wook, you were the prosecutor-in-charge.

I'm not asking for favors.

I'm here to respectfully make a request.

Trust Ko Hye-ran and protect her, please.

Come on, Eun-ju.

Ms. Ko should be able to stay put for now.

With the presumption she is innocent, of course.

The autopsy results are ambiguous.

Depending on how you look at it, the case could be sent to trial.

What is it you want?

A non-prosecution disposition.

There's not enough evidence anyway.

Why would you do this when she won't be indicted

due to lack of evidence anyway?

Is there any other variable you're worried about?

Taking all the variables into account,

I want to bury it as if nothing ever happened.

Would it be possible?

You're Jae-young's agent, right?

Am I right?

Don't hide. Come out now.

What are you trying to pull?

Hye-ran, where are you?

KO HYE-RAN IS A MURDERER

Did you see who did this?

No.

Hye-ran.

Something seemed off in the ballroom, so I chased him down here...

but I lost him.

I heard the car alarm and came over to find this.

Are you being threatened?

I didn't want to have to tell you.

You're going through enough as it is.

This much,

I can handle alone.

I'm fine.

It's cold.

Let's go inside.

I won't leave him alone.

Whoever this jerk is

that's screwing with me...

I won't leave him alone.

Can you zoom in?

He's completely covered up.

You can't see his face at all.

He was well-prepared.

He knows where all the cameras are.

Look, he never faces the camera directly.

I got something.

Can I see the face again?

He's got quite the sob story.

A real tear-jerker.

Given his background, it's obvious why he's threatening you.

DUI, DINE AND DASH, EMBEZZLEMENT

SISTER: RENAL FAILURE, AWAITING TRANSPLANT

GAMBLING DEBTS, LOAN SHARK DEBTS

Mr. Kang, you're here.

How was your alumni gathering?

Has there been any recent police activity?

No, not yet.

Actually, we have a bigger problem.

A problem?

The thing is... I was very firm and explained nicely. But...

Just a moment.

I said, "This place is only for those who believe in justice. Leave."

He must be hard of hearing or something.

He just doesn't understand.

He's been coming in at the same time for three days.

What do we do?

It's not even worth a look. It doesn't make any sense.

ONE PRIOR CONVICTION, MURDER

ACCEPTANCE LETTER HANKUK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

Don't you have to be at court?

-Not until eleven o'clock. -It's almost time.

No... What?

Where did the time go? I'll see you later then.

Gosh.

Mr. Kang.

Excuse me, Mr. Kang.

Sure.

I'll be right back.

Welcome.

Hello.

I'm Byun Woo-hyun. We spoke on the phone.

What can I do for you?

You're in charge of the Ko Hye-ran case, right?

Are you talking about the Kevin Lee case?

I heard Ko Hye-ran is the prime suspect.

I'm quite interested in the case, you see.

Could you tell me about it?

-You were accepted to law school. -Yes.

-And you have a record. -That's right.

Murder, huh?

I saw a job ad for a hard worker.

I'm in need of a job.

Was it accidental homicide or premeditated murder?

He bullied the weak

just because he was rich.

My friend was the victim.

I couldn't just leave him be.

How much can you do?

How much do you need me to do?

Come on, Eun-ju.

Can you find him?

He's taken cover.

Could this man become the variable in this case?

He was always with Kevin Lee and probably knew everything.

There's a high probability he knows something about this case.

He seemed anxious when he testified and then disappeared after the funeral.

We've been looking for him.

The missing memory chip from Ko Hye-ran's dash cam

and Kevin Lee's agent who's disappeared.

If you can bring me any one of the two,

then I'll do what I can to create a masterpiece.

Hey, Dong-hyun.

Can we talk?

Where? In here, or outside?

Do you want to die?

Why did you come here?

Baek Dong-hyun. Age 29,

formerly Kevin Lee's agent and currently unemployed.

Arrested on five counts of DUI.

Jae-young covered for you

after you jumped the bill at a club two months ago,

and recently you started using company funds.

You blew tens of millions of won at the racetrack,

but Jae-young is no longer around to clean up your messes.

-You ran a check on me already? -You're running out of time and desperate.

You even went to a loan shark, but you have no one to fall back on.

Your sister, your only family in this world,

needs dialysis treatment every other day.

You were hard-pressed and resorted to threatening me.

You're Ko Hye-ran indeed.

Jae-young said you shouldn't be taken lightly.

Does your sister know?

Does she know you're embezzling, even threatening a person

-to come up with hospital fees? -Shut up.

-You're running out of time and there's-- -I said shut up!

Wherever you look, there are only cliffs and dead ends and you can't breathe.

You blame the world for your pathetic life--

Damn you.

I could just...

God damn it.

One can't see or think clearly when they're cornered.

That's the state you're in.

But you shouldn't live that way.

What you did is what's going to bring you down later.

What a load of crap. Hey.

Who are you to be lecturing me on life?

You're a murderer.

Says who?

Was it Jae-young's ghost?

I know you went to see Jae-young that night.

I saw everything in the parking lot!

So,

what can you prove?

I can't prove anything, but I sure as hell can torture you.

The photos from Thailand. I have the originals.

Sorry, but that's not enough to control me,

but it sure as hell can get you arrested for blackmail.

Is that so?

Why don't you try?

We'll take this to the end.

What about your sister?

You'll let your sister die just so you can torture me?

Do you really want to die?

Damn it.

-I've settled your unpaid hospital fees. -What?

She's also been moved to the top of the kidney transplant list.

-I'll take care of the surgery costs, too. -What do you want?

Bring me the originals.

You shouldn't mess around with those.

So...

you want to make a deal, huh?

I'm giving you a chance.

A chance to do right by your sister.

Hello? Yeah. I'm coming in now.

Something's off.

Hi, everyone.

-Look who's here. Hi, Ji-won. -How are you?

Hey.

-Hello. -What is this?

How are you?

Han Ji-won returning to duty.

Wow, the air feels different with you here.

You're our air purifier.

How can one person make such a big difference?

Feels like all the fine dust in the newsroom has been lifted.

Welcome back!

Hi, Eun-ju. What's up?

Today?

I can make time around 5:00.

Okay.

See you there.

What's up?

I'm trying to set a date for my flight,

but there's a lot to take care of.

Like our place.

I'm sure.

Do you want me to get you someone to help?

It'll be tough handling it by yourself.

Leave it to a pro and--

That's okay.

I don't think that's right.

It's our first home together in Seoul.

I don't want to be rushed

into a fire sale.

Which is why...

I'm putting off returning to the States.

I don't want to leave you to clean everything up

while I'm over there.

I'll stay in Seoul

and take care of everything

one by one.

What?

Regarding Jae-young and you.

What do you mean by that? What about me?

I hear the police haven't cleared you for Jae-young's accident.

Eun-ju.

I realized once again

exactly how important a good friend is while going through this tough ordeal.

It's my turn.

I'm going to pay you back

for everything you've done for me.

Sorry I'm late.

I'm going to pay you back

for everything you've done for me.

You can look forward to it, Hye-ran.

Hwanil Steel filed a suit for breach of contract.

I was hoping you could take the case, Tae-wook.

Do I make you uncomfortable?

Why are you together?

-Baek Dong-hyun! -Get him!

You have until end-of-day.

Find out what he has, please.

Why don't we reveal your cards one by one?

Did Hye-ran not tell you about her past?

Of course she wouldn't. That's who she is.

What's this music?

Hye-ran used to love listening to this in high school.

Don't play it at home.

This is interesting.

I wonder who you're waiting for.