Original subtitles

[theme music playing]

BEYOND THE BAR

[theme music concludes]

TWO YEARS AGO

- [tense music playing] - [insects chirping]

[bicycle thuds]

[gasps]

[tires screech]

25SA 2138.

25SA 2138.

25SA 2138.

[gasps] 1-1-9.

The phone. Where did I put it?

[yelps]

[groans]

Honey, honey, honey. Are you hurt? Where are you hurt?

Oh.

Huh?

Let's go inside. Come on.

Careful, careful.

- [siren wailing] - 1-1-9.

Student.

[Chung-hyeon] Honey? Are you all right? Are you okay?

- Honey. - Just a moment. [groans]

[sobs]

It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.

[siren wailing]

- [continues sobbing] - [music concludes]

That student, right after arriving at the hospital,

he was pronounced dead.

Judging by how the blood had dried,

he had probably been left like that for about an hour.

DEFENDANT

She really struggled with a sense of guilt,

saying if first aid had been...

administered right away, then he might have made it.

She also blamed her condition for what happened.

DETECTIVE UNIT 1

I definitely saw it.

25SA 2138.

[Chung-hyeon] It was a secluded place, so there were no cameras around,

and all we had was my wife's testimony.

And you're sure you saw it?

Yes.

[Chung-hyeon] My wife was completely focused on catching the culprit.

Whenever she was lucid, she would recall the scene and record it in detail.

To go on the witness stand with a clear mind,

she took her medication diligently

and constantly strived to hold onto her thoughts.

Thanks to her efforts...

that person was arrested.

Ma'am, please answer the counsel's questions slowly according to memory.

WITNESS

We've met before, right? I've introduced myself every time.

Do you remember my name?

- That doesn't matter. - It's Yoon Seok-hoon.

You wrote the plate number in a notepad immediately

after witnessing the hit and run, correct?

Yes.

But then after witnessing the accident in such detail,

why didn't you report it to 1-9-9 right away?

Because...

If you had reported it immediately after witnessing it,

couldn't the victim have lived?

- Objection! - I withdraw the question.

I was going to call them, but...

What's my name again?

What is my name again?

[indistinct hushed chatter]

A moment ago I told you, but you forgot, right?

Answer the question, please.

The victim was a middle school student.

I know you taught middle school

before you were diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Is that correct?

Yes.

And that's the reason you knew the victim was a middle schooler from a distance,

because you recognized the school uniform.

Is that correct?

Yes.

How could a teacher who cares so deeply for students not call 1-1-9

even after seeing a student bleeding out after being hit by a car?

That's... because...

You forgot to report it, am I right?

Just like you forgot my name.

Over there in the gallery,

do you see the woman in gray sitting with the man in green?

Who are they?

I've been told they were your favorite students during your tenure.

Is that correct?

Yes.

Their names are?

- You forgot, didn't you? - [gasps]

[students crying]

You forgot my name, which I just told you.

You forget the names of your favorite students,

and you forget to dial 1-1-9.

How can we trust the testimony of a woman with severe dementia?

In your initial statement, you claimed that,

"Primary responsibility lies with the hit-and-run driver,

and my illness is the second perpetrator."

Surely, you must have had some guilt in your role as perpetrator.

In order to free yourself from your own secondary guilt,

you wanted to identify the primary perpetrator immediately.

Isn't it possible your dementia, coupled with your own wishes,

is only creating another victim?

Don't you think that your illness might be deceiving you?

[indistinct hushed chatter]

LOVE IN ALL ITS COLORS

Next is the announcement about our performance and compensation system.

INCENTIVE PAYOUTS

This is the new system that will be active going forward.

[sighs]

FIXED PAY FOR ADVISORS AND FORMER OFFICIALS WILL END

[clears throat] I'm 100 percent against this.

Me too.

[sighs] Attorney Kwon, how could you implement all this?

You've just been appointed to the position,

so how could you change the incentive system

without getting our consensus?

And how, exactly, would one build up consensus

around a system that's disadvantageous to the partners?

Yet, with this in mind, you still made the decision?

How long are we supposed to just watch this happen?

Our associates bleed dry with low-fee cases.

Because we're relying on our partners' connections

instead of our own skills to get cases,

which means having to undercut our fees, isn't that right?

Then you leave all the actual work to the associates,

while completely neglecting your own duties with "karaoke marketing"

or "golf marketing" and what have you.

Meanwhile, losing touch with the actual work

and all the required expertise.

Are our fees the only place where we're competitive?

Take a look around after hours.

Our associates are working throughout the night.

But even despite that, they don't get properly evaluated.

If one of our associates were to do 100 million won worth of work,

when a partner lowballs the retainer fees to ten million,

their work is undervalued and their salaries are cut.

Tell me what kind of associate would stay at this firm?

[scoffs] It hasn't been long since you made partner,

and you're trying to teach us.

So, what, is there no hierarchy? Huh?

Attorney Kim, you're just going to watch and do nothing?

Come on, please, say something to him.

Ah, yes, well, we should start by sorting out the titles.

Kwon Na-yeon is the managing partner and I'm the chief executive.

Anyways, a law firm doesn't demand absolute obedience,

it's a partnership system.

You're a partner and you're a partner,

you're also one, and I'm a partner as well.

So you're really going to pressure him?

- That's pathetic. - [sighs]

We make a living being logical, so let's use some logic.

Please, continue.

In the second half of last year alone

do you know how many competent associates left our firm?

[groans] The MZ generation went off

in search of their precious work-life-balance.

Work-life-balance wasn't the reason they left.

They left because of work-pay balance.

It was a work-pay-balance issue, not about balancing work-life.

They left because the system of being rewarded

for the work you do is collapsing.

I think that's all we have for today. Let's wrap it up.

As long as I'm managing partner here,

the revised system for compensation will be implemented.

If you have any objections,

feel free to claim the position for your own.

That's all we have on the agenda, so the meeting is adjourned.

[sighs] Everyone just stood and watched this happen?

Yes, Attorney Kim even went so far as to basically side with them.

But... this didn't come from Kwon's head alone.

I bet, yeah, Kwon's good at her job, but office politics isn't her game.

- Of course, it's Yoon Seok-hoon. - [groans]

Work-pay-balance?

He sat there and hid his claws when Kwon Na-yeon was ousted,

then convinced the old-timers to reinstate her as managing partner,

and then what?

What comes next, huh?

Should I try digging up some dirt on Yoon?

[groans] It's Yoon Seok-hoon, you won't find any dirt on him.

Well, you never know.

I have someone looking into it already.

If we keep digging,

I'm sure a speck of dirt or two will appear.

[doorbell ringing]

Attorney Yoon.

Come on in.

[camera shutter clicks]

What the... Isn't that Seo Hye-jin? Holy crap, that Yoon Seok-hoon...

So he's getting it on with a second-year associate

while pretending to beyond reproach?

- Man, what is this, huh? - Wow.

What are Yoon Seok-hoon and Seo Hye-jin doing together?

Why else... would a woman enter a man's house at midnight, huh?

According to the firm's internal sexual harassment manual,

partners are advised against dating associates and assistants,

and the person who pushed this through was Seok-hoon himself.

- So it looks like he broke his own rule. - [chuckles]

Man, what a hypocrite, who would follow him?

Right.

We still need more though.

There is an internal regulation, but it's not a disciplinary rule,

and violating a recommendation isn't enough to land the blow.

In that case...

Attorney Kim Bo-yun is repping MGC Securities

- in that incomplete sales lawsuit, right? - Yes.

Isn't Attorney Seo a member of Kim Bo-yun's team?

Oh, yeah, that's correct.

And the opposing party is TS Insurance Company,

but TS insisted on using Yoon Seok-hoon, so we barely managed to get MGC's consent,

and set up an ethical wall to take the representation.

Oh, really? Well, then...

That's right.

Yoon Seok-hoon got involved in a relationship

with a second-year associate,

then coaxed said associate into extracting confidential info

that could be disadvantageous to the opponent.

Winning the case with info he got unfairly.

Wow, how perfect.

And so, in one fell swoop he tarnished Yullim's reputation

by totally destroying the public image

of Yullim's ethical wall after all of that effort.

What's more, up until now,

because of the external trust in this ethical wall,

it was possible for us to officially represent both sides in a case

without conflict of interest by going through the proper channels,

but by undermining that trust

so we can no longer represent both parties,

he has threatened our profits.

But then all that unfavorable confidential info,

who's going to deliver it to Yoon Seok-hoon?

He's a pretty smart guy so we'll need to move fast,

so he doesn't catch on.

- Let's have a drink. - Oh.

[chuckling]

- [indistinct chatter] - [phone vibrating]

Hello?

Ah, yes. I'm on my way back from Singapore,

there was arbitration at SIAC. Mm.

Okay, yeah. I'll send it once I'm back at the office.

Yes.

Excuse me, Mister Hwang Chung-hyeon? We're with the police.

What is this?

[officer] Mister Hwang.

You're under arrest for aiding in the suicide of Cha Yeong-sun.

Please, come with us.

Did you really have to go that far?

I did.

I'm sorry about what happened to your wife, but I was only doing my job.

Well, then.

[officer] You have the right to an attorney,

the opportunity to explain yourself, the right to remain silent,

and you may apply for a review of the legality of your arrest in court.

- [Seok-hoon] What's this about? - Who are you?

I'm a lawyer.

Aren't you...

[officer] Ah, his wife's younger brother has filed a criminal complaint against him

for aiding and abetting her suicide.

His wife took her own life?

Yes.

Would you like to accompany us?

Yes. I'll go to the station if you don't mind.

No, I don't need a lawyer.

Please, be on your way. I'll accept my punishment.

Let's go.

[Chung-hyeon] What? What are you talking about?

Not happening. No way.

I'm already dead though.

I am nothing but a husk.

Yeong-sun.

Please. Please. I'll try harder. I'll try harder!

I want to do it this way so that I don't hurt you!

I could jump, you know, or slit my wrists.

I mean, I could even go out by dissolving all of my organs.

I could do any of these things.

But you'd have to clean up after me.

Could you live a normal life after witnessing me like that?

And I still want you to think I'm beautiful.

I don't want you to have to clean up my dead body.

[crying] Even when I die, I just want to lie down to rest

while keeping my dignity.

And that's how I want you to remember me.

I want to live on in your memories, as pretty as ever.

[both sob]

In Switzerland... euthanasia was made legal.

Let's spend some quality time there and say goodbye.

[Chung-hyeon sobs]

[Seok-hoon] Euthanasia?

Yes. Apparently, he euthanized his wife in Switzerland,

and was arrested on his way back.

What? Are you heading out?

I'm going to visit him at the detention center.

Oh, are you taking the case? Maybe you should just leave him.

[Chung-hyeon] Please, go away. I appreciate the gesture, but no.

I think that the hit and run lawsuit had a real impact...

on your wife and her decision to do what you both have done.

And you made your choice anyway.

What can I do to put your mind at ease, Mr. Hwang?

There's no need for that. That isn't the issue.

Are you doing this because you want to be punished?

Why is that? Do you feel guilty?

Please, don't.

To feel guilty after deciding to respect your wife's choice

would be nothing but a betrayal of her choice.

When I made that choice, I was prepared for this.

All the responsibility...

I want to accept whatever may come without resistance.

Reference number 248-13, Hwang Chung-hyeon.

The defendant's wife was an Alzheimer's patient,

and with the defendant's help,

she ended her life in Switzerland by assisted suicide.

The defendant is facing criminal charges filed by his wife's younger brother

for aiding and abetting suicide.

- You've reviewed it? - [both] Yes.

The nationality principle gets applied alongside the territoriality principle

in criminal law, so punishment is possible,

but there are no cases where a companion to an assisted suicide in Switzerland

faced persecution upon their return to Korea.

While there were no prosecutions for being a companion,

in this case, the defendant did more than just accompany her.

He actively assisted her throughout the process, leading to prosecution.

According to Supreme Court precedents, lending implements for suicide,

such as guns or knives, giving advice, encouragement,

providing active, passive, material or mental means

are all considered aiding,

so considering the defendant's active role,

it seems unlikely he'll avoid prosecution.

What can be our defense?

It's an act that doesn't go against social norms,

so I think we could argue that this falls under justification for illegality.

However, there is one unfavorable fact

that makes this just a little more difficult.

What is it?

The husband was due to inherit her estate upon her passing.

- How much? - It's about 17 billion.

They never had children,

so the husband was set to inherit her estate upon her passing,

but should the husband be found guilty, his rights would be revoked

and the wife's younger brother would inherit the estate.

Which seems to be the reason the younger brother filed a complaint.

- This isn't easy. - That and...

there's also evidence of his affair.

- His affair? - Yes.

- It seems to have been recent. - Oh, man. [sighs]

Draft up a statement around the claim

that this falls under the justification for illegality.

- Yes, sir. - Okay.

COURT

[judge] Prosecutor, please state the charges.

On May 11th, 2025, in Switzerland,

the defendant aided the entire process of his wife

being administered the euthanasia drug prescribed by a doctor,

which resulted in her death, and for that he was charged under

Article 252, Paragraph Two of the Criminal Act,

for aiding and abetting a suicide.

Please, state your plea to the charges.

Your honor, we plead not guilty.

Before your sister's death, what was the relationship like

between the defendant and Ms. Cha Yeong-sun?

It wasn't great.

My sister was upset over her husband's affair,

and he'd asked her for a divorce so he could live with his mistress.

Around that time...

my sister was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Chung-hyeon withdrew his divorce request, I believe.

My sister was going to die from her illness soon anyway,

so he'd get her inheritance soon enough without getting divorced!

That must be why he withdrew it!

Objection. That statement is speculation.

I'm not making things up! That man...

The only thing on his mind is getting my sister's inheritance

and living happily with this mistress!

My poor sister. It's not like she had much longer to live.

But he couldn't wait that long, no.

So he manipulated my proud sister into committing suicide

under the guise of euthanasia!

Your Honor, please tell the witness to refrain from testifying

about the thoughts of others rather than his own experiences.

Sir, please, restrain yourself.

[Seok-hoon] Did you have an affair?

Yes.

And what was the time frame for this?

The relationship began about a year

before my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

And after the diagnosis, I ended things with that person.

Did you ever ask your wife to get a divorce?

Yes. On that very day...

my wife told me about her Alzheimer's.

It was like being hit over the head with a hammer.

It had never even crossed my mind, not even once.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Are you sure?

It could be a misdiagnosis.

Did you get a second opinion?

Of course I did, you know me.

But how?

I mean, you're only in your mid-40s.

Okay. Let's get divorced.

- That's not important now. - You said you wanted a divorce.

No, that isn't what...

Now you're going easy on me?

Sweetheart, let's just focus on your treatment.

- These days, there's great medication. - I'll handle it myself.

Bring the documents. I'll sign them.

EARLY SIGNS OF DEMENTIA IMPAIRED MEMORY

[cries]

Honey? What are you doing out here?

I'm... Uh, I'm sorry.

What?

You can call it an excuse if you'd like, but in hindsight...

you acted that way because you were sick.

But I was so petty that I misunderstood you,

and let all the little things pile up.

Until my heart just grew cold.

But what are you saying?

I knew how meticulous you were about the promises you made,

yet you kept forgetting your promises to me.

And suddenly, out of nowhere, you started to yell,

and to ignore me, no matter what I said.

You were bothered by me.

I didn't know it was because of your illness,

and used my loneliness as an excuse to cheat.

If only...

If only I had been a little bit more attentive,

we might have discovered it sooner and gotten you treatment.

But I was always sneaking around behind your back.

[crying]

Come here.

[continues crying]

[birds chirping]

[door opens, closes]

[Chung-hyeon] What are you doing?

When did you get here, Yeong-jin?

Huh?

Your brother-in-law, I guess he's not coming home today.

He'll come though. I know he'll return to me no matter what.

I am his only home, after all.

I'm heading out.

What about my kiss today?

What?

We've been married less than a year. Is our honeymoon phase over so soon?

Come here.

My wife's backwards flow of time... did come with its fair share of perks.

How things were during our honeymoon phase.

The way that she looked at me back then.

A reminder.

Before my wife got sick,

love was just a one-dimensional and superficial emotion to me.

But then, traveling back through time

with my sick wife taught me...

that love is like the colors of a rainbow.

Love shines with countless emotions.

Red for passion.

Orange for warmth.

The joy in yellow.

Green for peace and blue for trust.

Indigo for depth.

And purple for... mystery.

Our relationship probably started with red and turned into other colors over time.

The change in color didn't mean that it was no longer love,

but I didn't know that.

From red, it became a deep orange

where we could feel each other's warmth and comfort,

and it gradually embraced all the other colors to shine brilliantly.

Except that I...

took it as proof that our love was gone.

At the time that she died, did you love your wife?

Yes. Yes, I loved her.

Which is why... I respected the choice that she made.

[prosecutor] As the witness testified,

the defendant decided to actively assist

Ms. Cha Yeong-sun's suicide

and abetted Ms. Cha under the pretext of euthanasia.

This is a crime that falls under Article 252 of the Criminal Act

for aiding and abetting suicide and must be punished.

A bill on assisted death with dignity has recently been proposed,

recognizing active euthanasia.

If we were to see from the viewpoint that shouldn't be ignored,

but instead respect the wishes of someone

who chooses euthanasia to the fullest possible extent.

For a family member to assist in this act

does not violate Article 20 of the Criminal Act,

regarding acts committed in contravention of social norms,

negating the illegality of aiding and abetting suicide.

Therefore, I ask that the defendant not be found guilty.

Your Honor, this case involves active euthanasia,

where in the individual administered the medication himself,

which led to his death,

and it was done to avoid the neuropsychiatric disorder

known as Alzheimer's, not physical pain.

How can the husband's act of assisting with her euthanasia

not be seen as an act committed in contravention of social norms?

Your Honor, Alzheimer's disease, to the same degree as physical pain,

has certainly been known to cause unbearable suffering

to the individual especially, for a person like Mrs. Cha Yeong-sun,

who was accustomed to commanding respect from her students

and the people around her.

The prosecutor's argument,

which only requires physical pain as suffering

and neglects the significance of mental pain entirely,

is extremely one-sided and old-fashioned.

Moreover, the defendant was first in line to inherit Ms. Cha Yeong-sun's estate,

even after he committed adultery

in the course of his marriage to Ms. Cha Yeong-sun.

He also had motive to aid the suicide of his wife.

The claim that my client aided his wife's euthanasia

for the inheritance money

is merely a baseless assertion from the prosecution.

I'd also like to ask that you consider the fact

that the defendant's affair had nothing to do with this case,

which we know from the timeframe.

Okay. I've heard the case from both sides.

Prosecutor, proceed with the sentencing.

We request the defendant to be sentenced to three years in prison.

COURT IN SESSION

In light of the various circumstances and events described by the defendant,

it is my opinion that he decided to help his wife

with her euthanasia process because he truly loved her.

However, if the court were to apply the law differently

for every individual circumstance.

That could ultimately lead to the undermining of fairness

and justice inside all of Korea.

Therefore, since the law must apply in equal measure to the defendant,

despite the request from the other party that he aid her in her suicide,

under the current Criminal Act, this cannot be permitted by law.

I will now pronounce the sentence.

The defendant is sentenced to one year in prison.

[indistinct hushed chatter]

Yeon-a, you know I like you a lot, right?

[Yeon-a] I mean...

[Seong-jun] I'm... I'm ready.

I get that you feel that way,

but you can't keep coming to see me like this.

- I want a divorce. - But why are you doing this?

I don't love you anymore.

There's no spark left and all the butterflies are gone.

I no longer feel anything.

You really think that's a reason to divorce?

It's been over a year since we slept together.

We were both busy is why.

And since you put distance between us,

I just assumed that what we both needed is a little time off.

- I will try harder. - I won't live like this.

In such a loveless... and dry relationship.

That day, by our house, when you saw us.

I saw you, too.

That man, he hugged me and you simply turned and walked away.

I don't want to blame you

for someone else's one-sided feelings for you.

You don't need to feel guilty. I don't suspect you.

I don't have any reason to feel guilty. I don't care about that person.

- I know. - But...

I let him hug me.

Seeing him was like seeing you from ten years ago.

The way he looked at me, his passion.

It was the version of you from ten years ago that I longed for.

There's more to love than passion.

This level of comfort you and I've managed to reach is love as well.

[scoffs] There's this feeling of ennui

that's slowly eating away at me, every day.

It's true that the feelings from the beginning have faded a bit,

but new emotions have taken their place.

My family. My wife.

The one I depend on, and who can depend on me.

- These feelings are also love. - [sighs]

I'll be at my parents' house.

Yeon-a, wait.

- [phone ringing] - It's me.

Can we meet up right now?

What's going on?

This is the first time since our divorce that you contacted me first.

Is something wrong?

Today, a husband in court said something about his sick wife who picked euthanasia.

He compared love to a rainbow.

Said there's more than just the color red.

The way he said it was...

that love merely changes in color as time goes on...

and that the different colors...

don't mean that it wasn't love.

I know. I know I was wrong.

- Really? - Mm.

I know that now.

I didn't realize that when I was by your side.

I only realized it while living with Won-jun. I'm sorry.

I was inexperienced in love back then.

It was all because I was immature.

The soap and cologne, you can stop making them for me.

As for Hash, drop him at the hotel on time.

Not too early and not too late.

Let's never run into each other again.

[sizzling]

Oh, you made it!

Could you not start eating alone?

Calling me that many times while I'm at work, are you kidding?

But you owe me a story.

- I do? - [Jin-woo] Uh-huh.

- I don't think so. - That part of your life I'm unaware of.

[chuckles] Not a chance.

- Auntie, a soju and a beer, please. - [owner] You got it!

- You were dying for a drink. - God, I'm starving.

Oh, you're hungry? Give it a second, it's almost ready.

- [Min-jeong] Wait. Start with the skin. - Start with the skin, of course.

- It's hot, be careful. - Hmm.

Cheers!

- [Min-jeong] Ah. - Why won't you tell me?

Stop asking me for that, okay?

- Another soju here, please. - Hey, stop ordering drinks.

- You can't hold your liquor. - Oh, I'm not drinking.

- You're the one who's drinking. - Are you that drunk?

No, I'm not that drunk.

When you're drunk, all of the stuff you keep bottled up spills out.

Uh-huh.

I have always been curious...

as to what kind of experiences led you to become the Heo Min-jeong you are today.

I've always found it fascinating.

What's that?

You know, how excited you got, like it was your first time doing anything.

Almost as if you were a teenager really.

Man, what kind of a law firm workshop is this?

At an amusement park of all places.

- Heo Min-jeong. - I'm so excited.

Hurry, hurry, come on.

This kinda stuff is meant for kids, you know.

- [Min-jeong] Hurry. [screams] - [groans] You're driving me crazy.

[both screaming]

[Jin-woo] Seeing how excited you got about an amusement park,

like it was your first time,

made me wonder what kind of life you had led

for you to never have experienced it before.

[Min-jeong] It's true, that was all my first time.

As a teenager, I studied like crazy,

and promised my mother that I would give her a life of luxury.

In my 20s and 30s I devoted my life to work.

And in my late 30s I did everything possible to make a new life.

I met you after I'd turned 40, after all.

To be honest, I'm grateful.

I would never have done those things alone,

but I got to do them with you.

So, thanks, Jin-woo. [chuckles]

Well, no, I'm the one who should be thanking you.

There were things I tried so many times, but they became almost tedious.

But when I did them with you, noona, they were fun again. [chuckles]

YOON SEOK‑HOON

- [phone vibrating] - [Min-jeong] Hmm?

- It's Attorney Yoon. - That's not like him.

I know.

[laughing] Come on, slowpoke. Hyung.

You didn't need to run.

I had to run, since you of all people said you wanted to see me.

I would have flown over if I had wings.

I came as well. That's okay?

- Of course. - Are you drunk?

No, not yet.

[chuckles] I'm a little drunk, Attorney Yoon.

[Jin-woo] Oh! This is the first time you two are out together, right?

Even at company dinners, either you both didn't show up,

or one of you didn't.

Nope. We went to company dinners back when I was a paralegal.

A paralegal? When was that?

I worked part time when I was in law school.

Another part of your past I didn't know about?

- That's right. - Man, you got me good.

I knew you were too good at your job for a first year.

- You knew that, right, hyung? - [Min-jeong] Of course he knew.

He was an integral part of my past, you know.

- For real? - [Min-jeong] Mm-hmm.

Attorney Yoon was the reason I was able to become a lawyer.

[Jin-woo] Huh?

[Min-jeong] He supported me through law school.

I was stuck in the gutter and he pulled me out.

My father died young and my mom went through all sorts of hardships

just to send me to a great university.

But I met the wrong guy immediately after I got into school,

and then we had a kid together.

I endured all kinds of verbal abuse,

they hated me, both my husband and his parents.

But what finally broke me

was seeing my own daughter look down on me.

[sighs] I wanted to get back at them.

No. I think I wanted someone to validate this sense of injustice.

So I went to see a lawyer, and that was Attorney Kim Yul-seong.

Mm. Wow, you two have quite a history.

And that day I met the benefactor of my life.

Really, was the benefactor of your life Attorney Kim?

[groans] No.

The lawyer who sat next to him.

Him?

- Wow. - You know what Attorney Kim is like.

He backed out when he realized I wouldn't be able to pay the legal fees.

Attorney Yoon, on the other hand,

as soon as he heard my story, he stepped in to help.

And when I was determined to get revenge, here's what he said.

[sobs] I'll pay all the legal fees.

I promise. But could I pay them later on? Please?

The best revenge against those living in the gutters is to just get out of there.

If you need anything from me...

I'll help you.

I will help if you want to get out of there.

- Isn't that so cool? - [Jin-woo] So cool, so cool.

[Min-jeong] Man, I still tear up whenever I think about that moment.

Attorney Yoon, we need to toast this.

- [Jin-woo] Cheers! - [Min-jeong] Cheers!

- To the gutter! [laughs] - [Jin-woo] Where did you pick that up?

[sighs] I'd expect no less, Attorney Kang.

You're amazing. Mm. The best at drafting statements.

You're more than qualified to be my junior.

Oh, you flatter me.

You taught me everything I know, Attorney Yoon.

No. You're really just that good, Attorney Kang.

That's why I call you an attorney and not some miss or mister.

[chuckles] Oh, come on, now, it's all thanks to you.

- How long are you going to keep that up? - [gasps] Holy crap!

Attorney Yoon.

Oh. How long have you been there?

The whole time.

What are you doing here at this hour?

[sighs] I didn't feel like going home.

Why not? Is it something at home?

No, no. It's a lack of something.

[Hyo-min] Hmm.

Would you like a cup of tea?

[somber music playing]

Is something wrong?

Maybe you'll feel a little better after talking about it.

That's how it was for me when I spoke to you about my mom.

It's difficult to explain.

No, it's not.

You're a master of words, there's nothing that you couldn't explain.

You've always listened to what I had to tell you,

but I'm a good listener as well, as long as you give me a chance.

[music concludes]

My ex and I...

we dated for three years and were married for seven more.

She remarried a few years later, and now she even has a child.

[somber music playing]

When I was in high school,

I had a friend who was a pathological liar.

MENTAL STATE OF BELIEVING IN A MADE-UP WORLD OF ONE'S OWN MAKING

Reading people comes easy to me, so he couldn't fool me.

I just went along with it since he wasn't causing any real problems.

But one day, that friend did something to annoy me.

Being able to look into a person's heart...

means seeing their biggest vulnerabilities,

and being capable of tearing them apart if things go wrong.

So I...

did just that.

[panting]

On that day...

I realized just how much words could cut deeply into people,

and became a lot more quiet.

But I wasn't like that with her.

We spoke about day-to-day things.

I shared my feelings with my wife,

and sometimes we talked about nothing at all.

After our divorce, my feelings for her stopped,

but it felt like who she is now and the person I knew from the past

were two totally different people.

It was easy to let go of the person she became,

but that past person was hard to let go of.

I missed talking to the person she was in the past so much

that I used to talk to her by myself, as though she was really there.

Like a crazy person.

But today...

it's like that person from the past has...

disappeared like a popped bubble.

You've let everything go and your heart feels hollow

because all that's left is empty space, right?

Maybe so.

Mm. I'm sure you have a big house.

Maybe you came here to avoid going into that empty space in your big house

with your hollow heart.

[chuckles] Maybe so.

The only thing that's truly irreplaceable would be your own self.

That person from your past, she can ultimately be replaced.

- Is that right? - Yeah.

All the emptiness will go away as well.

You can deny it, but time makes fools of us all.

I've heard it said that all emotions will erode in time,

and that time will erode even time itself.

A good saying.

I'm going for a walk to sober up.

Okay.

- [Seok-hoon] Attorney Kang. - Yes?

Thank you.

Sure.

Attorney Yoon.

See you tomorrow.

Yes. Tomorrow.

[Jin-woo] Wow, you're good at putting on slippers.

[Min-jeong] I'm fine, I'm fine. Just go already.

[groans] I said I'm fine by myself.

All this fussing, bussing, trussing around.

Fussing, bussing, trussing? Really? Just let me return the favor.

You always used to walk me home, you know.

[chuckles] All right.

And now leave. Thank you, goodbye, Jin-woo.

Hey, where are you going?

Whoa! I didn't see.

Oh, my head.

- [screams] - [gasps] You scared me.

What are you doing here? You haven't left?

[groans] You're not seriously telling me to go home at this hour.

I'll just sleep on the couch and then leave.

- Hey! - My house is so far away.

And I'm also a little drunk and would probably fall asleep

during the cab ride.

It's a scary world out there, even for men these days.

Oh, fine. Do what you want.

It's so cold. I'm freezing. [groans] Guess I'll freeze to death then.

It's freezing in this house. It's so cold.

- Oh, God. - Here.

- [Jin-woo laughs] Thank you. - [Min-jeong] I'm going to sleep now.

[Jin-woo] Thank you. Good night.

Wow, so fluffy.

[birds chirping]

[groans]

[chopping]

- [gasps] Mom? - You're awake, huh?

Go wash up.

When did you get here? Doenjang jjigae!

I've been craving your doenjang jjigae recently, Mom.

Is that so, my dear?

Mom, did the guy who was sleeping here leave?

Well, I guess so. Wish he'd at least stayed to eat.

Mom, did I tell you about him? He's an associate I work with and...

- All right. Go wash up now. - Oh, all right, all right.

It's just, I want to smell you a little longer.

[sniffs] You smell so nice.

Oh, my, you're a 20-year-old woman and you're still acting like a baby.

Mom, what do you mean, 20?

How can you not know how old I am? I'm 42 years old.

That's right.

I'm 42 years old.

And my mom...

passed away when I was 23.

Mom?

This is a dream then?

Mom?

Mom, that was really a dream?

[crying] Mom. Mom, am I dreaming right now?

Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom.

[sobs]

Mom.

Mom.

[sobs]

Noona, what's wrong? What's wrong? Are you okay?

Hey, what's wrong? Huh? Are you okay?

What is it?

Who said you could just come into my room?

Oh. No, but you were crying.

- Are you okay? - Go to sleep.

- Do you want me to stay with you? - What?

- Sleep here next to you? - Are you kidding me right now?

No, I mean, just sleep here without doing anything.

[groans] Just get out.

It's just, seeing you cry like that broke my heart a little.

I'm the one crying. Why would that affect your heart?

Well, I guess seeing someone who doesn't usually cry her own heart out

affected my heart a bit.

[sighs]

- Seriously? You're ridiculous. - Oh, man.

Man, oh, man. Oh, man.

CONFIDENTIAL: MGC SECURITIES

INVESTMENT STRUCTURE AND BACKGROUND CONFIDENTIAL: KEY RISK ANALYSIS

What is this?

What?

What's this doing here?

What is it?

This looks like internal review materials about MGC Securities.

What are you talking about?

It was sitting right here. Why do we have it?

Whoa. This is the other side's confidential info.

They must have mistakenly sent material meant for Attorney Kim's team to us.

No way. Let's see.

This is dangerous talk. We cannot cross the ethical wall.

Right, so then what is this doing here?

Wait a minute. What is this number here?

This all seems different from what was provided to our client.

Right here, the sensitivity analysis is different.

Oh, my.

MGC Securities' internal report contains a different analysis than what we have.

Yes. The defendant determined the recoverability of the principal

and interest at maturity significantly affects the spark spread

of the power plant and listed it as a key investment concern in the fund...

PROFITABILITY METRIC FOR GAS POWER PLANTS

...which is why they concluded that they wouldn't invest their own funds,

then invested the plaintiff's funds anyway.

If the defendant knowingly concealed the existence of investment risks,

that means...

Their primary claim could decide to request a cancellation of the contract

on account of fraud.

And could tack fraudulent transactions on top.

We could use their violation

of investor protection obligations as a claim and...

The case was difficult to win with just the breach of investor protection,

but with this data we can win even if the fraud claim is dismissed.

[sighs] But how do you think such confidential documents

ended up in our files?

Maybe we should check where they came from?

Not necessary.

What? But don't you think we should check?

Include the internal report in the statement,

and revise the grounds of claims and circulate them internally,

but keep it secret from our clients and all outsiders.

Attorney Yoon, I don't think we should use

the other party's confidential documents like this.

In a conflict of interest situation...

Revise the written statement.

- All right. - Understood.

You may go now.

[sighs]

[Min-jun] Damn it.

KID CONSTRUCTION SEOUN BANK

TS INSURANCE MGC SECURITIES

[gasps]

COMPLAINT

Well...

PLAINTIFF: TS INSURANCE

YOON SEOK-HOON, HEO MIN-JEONG LEE JIN-WOO, KANG HYO-MIN

[Hui-cheol] Oh, my.

PREPARATORY BRIEF

Wow, good work. Your partner review's next year, right?

Yes. I'll be working hard.

Man, love that energy, great.

Go get some sleep, we'll talk this over ourselves.

- Good work. - [Min-jun] Oh, okay.

I'll see you around.

Hmm. Good. All right.

Wow, this is just...

That Yoon Seok-hoon is dumber than I thought.

I can't believe he fell for it so easily.

I knew he would take the bait right away, that man is so competitive.

- Really? - Yes.

So then, we should call a partner meeting?

Well, I guess so.

And while we're getting rid of Yoon Seok-hoon,

let's weed out his subordinates.

Especially that new woman lawyer, she's been getting on my nerves.

- Who's that? - A certain Kang Hyo-min.

Oh, the top graduate, huh?

[Tae-seop] Ah.

Who cares about all of that? She's an arrogant kid.

Why get so worked up over a single new employee, huh?

Come to think of it,

you're particularly harsh on our female associates.

That's still better than getting involved romantically.

[Tae-seop chuckles] Yes, that's true.

The only thing I trust you with is not having any issues with women, you know?

[laughs] Right.

But, still, be nicer to them. Try not to be so harsh, all right?

[Geum-ok] I said tell Heo Min-jeong to come out right now!

- You need to make an appointment. - [Geum-ok] Heo Min-jeon!

- Mom, let's go. - I'm telling you to come out!

Mom, let's just go.

What do you expect from someone I just divorced seven years ago?

Oh, oh, God.

I had my doubts, but look at you. You're practically a different person.

What's this about?

That's the very first thing you say to your mother-in-law after years?

[scoffs] Who do you mean by mother-in-law?

You disrespectful bitch. Look at the way you talk.

What is this all about?

Ah. Well, it's not the kind of thing to talk about while standing here.

Let's go sit down somewhere and talk.

- Let's talk here. - [laughs]

I mean, if we were to talk out here, it would be embarrassing.

For you, of course.

Not at all. Go ahead, now.

Okay.

Why didn't you tell me that you became a lawyer?

Ah. You came here to ask that?

I am talking about that uncultured swine, Ja-hyeon.

She dared to team up with you to ruin us. You evil witches!

Speak in a language I can understand.

My wife said she wanted to hire you to divorce me.

Yes. She asked me to and I refused her.

Hey, remember the college tuition and living expenses we paid you years ago.

Thanks to us, you graduated from college,

then law school, and now you're a lawyer.

You basically owe us. Don't you agree?

[sighs] I did hear you were broke. You're here begging for scraps?

[Dae-won] I mean...

[gasps] How dare you speak to me that way!

[gasping]

[Dae-won] You're really asking for it. [groans]

Did you just hit me? [groans]

- Oh, my God. - Oh, God!

Hey, hey. Stop it. She... She must have lost her mind.

Can you please call security.

- Okay. - And call the police as well.

- Yes, ma'am. - [Geum-ok] Let me see.

Leave. Go before this gets even worse.

Bitch!

You orphan bitch who seduced my successful son

and got pregnant before marriage.

Ungrateful! I took you in and this is what I get?

[laughs] Same words as always, I see.

[Geum-ok] You're laughing? Why, you...

How on earth are you managing this building?

What's the point of security if you let in

all these random people to disrupt our work?

Oh, please. We're not random people.

- Sorry, ma'am. - Get them outta here.

Yes, ma'am. Come this way.

- Are the police here yet? - Should I try them again?

Yes. Have them charged with interference.

Hey, let go of me! I... I'm leaving.

You want money?

My mom sent me to college, you only paid for one year of tuition, at most.

Living expenses?

You exploited me for household labor every day for 14 years.

Want me to bill you for it?

Come back here again and I promise I will destroy you.

- Are you okay? - What's that?

After your showdown with your ex-husband.

What does that matter?

Mad respect, by the way.

- Busy later? - Why?

Want to have dinner with me?

I'm watching my diet.

Me too, I'm trying to lose some weight.

There's a good salad place. Want to have salad together?

No, thanks.

Then how about that gookbap place that we used to go to all the time.

No.

[sighs]

Why do you keep wasting your time on me?

- Hmm? - Aren't you going to get married?

What, you have infinite time or something?

What's the point of a meal with me?

Go on a date with someone. If you can't find one, go on a blind date.

Why do you keep wasting your time asking me for dinner?

[Jin-woo] I'm so upset.

What kind of a dream were you having?

Hey.

Did I wake you?

Go sleep outside.

- But why? - Go back to the sofa.

- But I can't sleep on the... - Come on.

- Just get out of here. - [groans]

Really?

- Man. - [Min-jeong] And close the door.

You're such a meanie.

Okay. Good night.

What's the reason for calling an emergency partner meeting like this?

And why did you explicitly request that a certain partner

be excluded from this meeting?

Well, the partner I requested we keep out today is what this is about.

Attorney Yoon's the purpose of this meeting?

Yes, that's right.

Someone anonymously sent this photo to my office.

Know who this is?

It's a photo of Attorney Seo Hye-jin entering Attorney Yoon Seok-hoon's house

in the middle of the night.

[groans]

Well, the fact that she entered his home doesn't exactly prove

what kind of relationship they have,

and even if they were dating, is that really a problem?

He's breaking the recommendations that he created himself.

How hypocritical is that?

Well, uh, I'm uncomfortable talking about Attorney Yoon's personal life,

but he is divorced, so it's not an affair.

Aren't you blowing this out of proportion?

Attorney Yoon Seok-hoon has undermined the ethical principles

and integrity of our company.

What do you mean?

He had an inappropriate relationship with a junior

and tried to exploit these...

confidential documents belonging to the other party,

secured through unscrupulous means.

He threatened to destroy the integrity of this law firm's ethical wall,

built over long years of trust.

Just what is the meaning of this?

[clears throat]

[tense music playing]

BEYOND THE BAR

No way. Guys, guys, guys. He just resigned.

- I'm not gonna explain anything. - [Jin-woo] What a mess. An absolute mess.

[Hye-jin] That's when I thought about killing myself,

but I came to you as my last resort.

- You're just gonna go? - What's going on here?

- Explain yourself. - [Seol-a] Unni!

[officer] There's plenty of evidence and she was caught in the act.

[Hyo-min] Something's not right.

[Seok-hoon] I'm guessing Kang Hyo-min's next.

If you don't want to be ruined, back off.

To me, justice is protecting those I need to protect.

Even if it's illegal?

[music concludes]