Original subtitles

Around midnight, a stabbing occurred in a bar in Yongpa.

The police believe a male customer

murdered Geum, the owner of the bar, and fled the scene.

They stated that they'd focus the investigation

on suspects identified through the security footage.

You said he was stabbed around midnight.

I paid and left the bar at 10:30 p.m.

Just a minute.

Look.

Are we not done yet?

Wait a minute.

Okay, you're good.

Pardon?

Your alibi checks out, so you may go.

YONGPA CITY HALL

I'm back, sir.

So?

What did the doctor say?

He said your wife suffered from temporary shock.

I told him to make sure she does not wake up.

I pay him so much to keep her asleep, but he can't even do that simple job?

Excuse me.

-Hello? -This is the police.

Is this Kim Hyung-soo who was questioned regarding the bar murder?

Yes.

Your DNA matches that of the assailant

of the 1997 Yiwang sexual assault case.

What?

Hello?

Ms. Hong Sun-hwa?

This is the Gangnam Police Department.

You reported being sexually assaulted in Yiwang 20 years ago, correct?

Yes.

We found the assailant.

Would you like to press charges?

Yes.

NOVEMBER, 1997

-What? -What?

Let's go. I'll take you home.

EMERGENCY ROOM

One month shy of its statute of limitations,

the assailant was identified for this sexual assault case.

The assailant is Kim Hyung-soo.

He is a spokesperson for the mayor of Yongpa.

In 1997, he was a senior in high school.

In 1997? That was exactly 20 years ago.

The victim is Hong Sun-hwa.

She is currently working as a janitor at Hankuk University.

At the time, she was also a senior in high school.

They left pretty good evidence for that time period.

They got her statement and took the DNA samples right away.

I know. Why couldn't they catch him then? Why did it go unsolved?

They met while traveling after taking the college entrance exam,

so he gave her a fake name and school information.

Well, who wants to give their real name when they meet someone at a club?

It's such a relief to have finally caught him, don't you all agree?

But 20 years is such a long time.

Would they remember?

I know. I was also a senior back then.

I can barely remember my classmates' names.

People's memories can't be perfect.

They often get distorted and erased when they're inconvenient.

What if they won't accept her statement as evidence?

The victim wants to press charges, so we must do our best.

Yes. They say there is no statute of limitations

when it comes to victims' pain.

Old cases tend to end with a slap on the wrist,

but let's not let that happen this time.

-Yes, ma'am. -Yes, ma'am.

You know that Kim Hyung-soo, Jo Gab-soo's spokesman,

was arrested for sexual assault.

They have solid DNA evidence too.

If we corner him hard while questioning him, he'll spill everything

about Jo Gab-soo's weakness.

So?

I need your help.

I know you haven't given up on catching Jo Gab-soo.

Please let me fight with you.

I'm saying I want to work here.

I don't want to.

-Pardon? -Don't you remember Kong Soo-ah's case?

What did you say to me back then?

You said you'd catch Jo Gab-soo and close Kong Soo-ah's case.

How did that go?

I'm repenting.

You're repenting, but you'll do what to Kim Hyung-soo?

You lost a case because of your personal reasons.

Once is more than enough.

And you seem to be confused, so I'll set you straight.

You're not a prosecutor anymore.

You're a lawyer.

And this is a law office.

If you want to prosecute, be a prosecutor.

If you still want to be one,

why don't you apply for experienced prosecutor positions?

A prosecutor? No way. My goal is to defend victims.

What?

You don't believe me. I understand, but I've changed.

I'm not the same Ma I-deum.

How could I not change after getting you fired?

I won't resort to tricks anymore.

I'll become a warm lawyer who wipes victims' tears

and fights against perpetrators. A lawyer that is honest and just.

Really?

Okay. I see.

In that case,

give it a shot.

Really?

Thank you.

PROSECUTOR: YEO JIN-WOOK

Ms. Ma will be joining

as a cooperating attorney on Kim Hyung-soo's case.

Keep an eye on her to make sure she behaves.

-Amazing. Really? -Yes.

What about this?

No, not that.

-No? -Of course not.

Hey. You're here.

What are you doing here?

Ms. Ma came up with a plan for the Kim Hyung-soo case.

And it's awesome. She indeed is our ace.

You're too kind.

Why would she come up with it?

And why are you listening to her?

Don't be so heartless. We should help each other.

Right? You are wise.

So? How far do you plan to take it?

I don't know how far yet, but I think we need to change the prosecutor in charge.

I mean, Mr. Park is such an ace.

And if I support him with all that I have,

it'll be awesome. You'll be shocked.

-I-- -Out.

I said I'd walk out on my own.

I'll call you.

Sit down. Here.

We'll start the questioning.

So you denied the charges at the station?

I did.

I have no memory of raping her.

Are you saying you don't remember?

No, I remember vividly.

It was Saturday, November 22.

We met near the river in Yiwang.

I even remember making a campfire at 9:00 p.m.

That's a lot different from what Hong Sun-hwa said. Are you sure?

Yes. At that time,

I fell for her at first sight.

My heart raced when we held hands.

I even remember how she smiled when I kissed her cheek.

I remember it because it was beautiful.

"Cuts and bleeding in the certain part. Panic from psychological trauma.

DNA found from the semen."

This is the victim's medical record.

HONG SUN-HWA

It seems far from a beautiful memory.

What happened 20 years ago

must be a sweet summer memory to you.

You'd better revisit your memory,

Mr. Kim Hyung-soo.

-Good job. -Thank you.

Ms. Ma?

I was just--

What are you doing here?

I found something on the floor.

It's hot.

Have you been well?

What?

As the attorney, I must defend--

You're such a liar.

I've known you for a while.

I know you're using this case to catch Jo Gab-soo.

I'm glad you know. Let's work well together.

Ms. Ma.

Don't worry.

I didn't forget about Kong Soo-ah's case.

I promised not to ruin the case for personal reasons.

Happy?

You must keep your word, okay?

But we need to split up the work.

-Split up? -You said yourself

that I'm a prosecutor and you're a lawyer, and we should each do our job.

I'll say the same to you.

From now on, you're an assistant lawyer.

You must follow my orders, requests

and commands.

But I'm not an assistant prosecutor.

You can quit if you don't want to.

I'll give you five seconds. Five, three, two.

Fine, fine.

-Go wait at the office. -Why?

"Why?"

-Are you staying here? -We should do cross-examination.

They're both telling us different stories.

If we go to court in this state,

the judge will say her memories might not be accurate.

We can only do it if the victim requests it.

Then I should make her request it first, right?

Car keys.

Seriously.

I don't want to.

I already told the police 20 years ago about what had happened.

I have nothing more to say.

-Ms. Hong. -No cross-examination.

-Please leave. -The washroom is nasty.

Ms. Hong!

-Yes. -Come here.

Don't you know you need to hurry?

You must clean the men's washroom and the auditorium in time.

Yes, sir.

Not again.

What's the big deal about going in here?

Other ladies can walk in

and clean it without a problem even when guys are in there.

I'm sorry.

I'll do it. So please reconsider it.

I'll clean it.

Here we go.

It's super clean. I did a good job.

Where did she go?

Ms. Hong Sun-hwa? Where is she?

Ms. Hong?

Please stop it.

I'm helping you.

This is how you should wipe.

Like this.

-Like this. Do it like this. -I got it.

Please stop that.

You're curvier than I thought.

Keep wiping. Okay?

Is he crazy?

This is too disgusting to look at.

Did someone poop here?

Did a group of pigeons come here?

Ma'am?

How does she disappear every time I blink?

How tiring.

MOU SIGNING FOR YONGPA CITY AND HANKUK UNIVERSITY'S MUTUAL DEVELOPMENT

MAYOR JO GAB-SOO

You didn't forget about the meeting with the prime minister, right?

Of course not.

But what is it about?

I think he's selecting a school for his grandson.

And it seems he's interested in your law school.

He wants his grandson to go to the law school he graduated from?

That would be meaningful.

Yes. I'll see you in a bit.

-Okay. -Bye.

Ms. Hong Sun-hwa. Where are you?

Did I scare you?

Don't be scared just yet. I just got started.

Where did Ms. Hong Sun-hwa go? Ms. Hong?

Ms. Hong Sun-hwa?

Ms. Hong? Where are you?

What the hell is wrong with that wench?

Seeing how she looked at me, I think she's planning to attack me.

Look into what she's scheming.

Yes, sir.

Gosh. Where is she?

This is driving me crazy.

Chan, did you walk all the way here again?

I told you not to do that.

I told you, I'll protect you, Mom.

You jump whenever a man passes by you.

Why do you tell me not to come?

I told you, I'm fine.

I know you're not fine.

My legs hurt.

Come on.

I know you always come for the piggyback.

That's not true.

Hey, I-deum.

Will it kill you if you don't come first?

Who said you should run while pushing all your friends?

You fell because you were being mean.

Mom,

do you want to make fun of your injured daughter?

If you'd run slowly and carefully, no one would have gotten hurt.

If you run slowly, how is that a race?

Forget it. I'm hungry.

Let's hurry home and eat.

There's only gimbap at home.

You said you wanted to eat a lot of gimbap,

so I made enough for you to eat for three days.

Mom!

Come on.

Stay still. Don't move.

You're heavy.

-No. -Gosh.

Let's hurry home.

Hey!

-Move! -What is going on?

What are you doing?

Get in.

I'm going to keep crawling until you get in.

Hey! What are you doing?

-Move it! -Please stop it.

Get in.

-Hey! -What are you doing?

Mom, it's too loud.

-What are you doing? -Come on!

Why are you not moving?

-Move your car! -Get going!

Hurry up!

-Son. -Dad!

Gosh, my son.

Hey, honey.

Who is she?

She's a lawyer helping Mom.

Hello.

Chan, I'll get going. You should go inside.

Mom, I drew a picture at school.

Look at it before you go. Please?

Ma'am,

will you be working on her case?

Yes.

Please

make sure that evil man gets punished.

It looks like you don't even live together.

Don't you think you're going overboard?

I don't want anything else.

I just want her

to live a happy life.

Although many years passed,

she still has nightmares.

And she's still scared of men.

Chan and I wanted

to help her get over it, but--

Please take good care of her.

As much as she was hurt…

No.

I want that evil man

to suffer in prison way longer than that.

You have

never been in my place, have you?

It's

not something that's just difficult.

You're telling me to relive the nightmare

along with the man who caused it.

Long ago,

there was a kind woman who ran

a noodle restaurant with her daughter.

That woman

experienced something similar.

It must have hurt a lot,

but she never showed it.

Then she was abducted

and confined by the guy who hurt her.

In the end, she died.

Without leaving a trace.

But

that jerk is doing well.

Do you know why?

There's no evidence to show that he did it.

Also, the victim who could testify

is no longer alive.

But you're alive and can speak.

You can tell people what he did to you

and how difficult it has been for you.

You said it's a nightmare, right?

This is your chance.

Escape from that nightmare.

Ma I-deum is a cooperating attorney.

Crimes Against Women and Children Unit is in charge.

It'll be a headache if Kim's found guilty.

So I need you

to take care of this.

Yes, sir.

If it gets too difficult for you,

let us know anytime.

Okay.

I remember now.

You've changed a lot.

We'll begin.

There was a fireworks festival in Yiwang.

I went there with my friends after the exams.

I met her on the second day.

Do you remember anything about Hong Sun-hwa at that time?

Of course.

She wore a white sweater with pearl collar.

Even from a distance,

she looked so beautiful.

So I mustered up the courage to go talk to her.

It was so long ago,

but your memory is very detailed.

Like I told you already,

it was a good memory for me.

We even talked around a campfire by the river.

And she got tired, so I walked her back.

I believe it was called River Bed and Breakfast.

It was about ten minutes away from the river.

She slowed down as if she didn't want to go inside.

I remember walking more slowly to play along.

RIVER, TEN-MINUTE WALK, RIVER BED AND BREAKFAST

I was going to leave after walking her to her accommodation.

It was her

that stopped me.

RIVER BED AND BREAKFAST

Go in.

Wait.

Can you stay a little longer?

Ms. Hong.

Is what he said true?

No.

Never.

He suddenly came at me.

I know it's hard,

but please tell us in more detail.

There was a lot of tall grass--

Hey.

Wait for me.

I'm fine.

I heard crickets,

and there was a cold breeze.

It was dark for a while and when I opened my eyes,

I saw pink flame grass.

Pink?

-Ms. Son, could you look into it? -Okay.

It started being imported five years ago.

Are you sure?

Are you sure that's what you saw?

I'm sure they were pink.

See?

-She's talking nonsense. -Mr. Kim, please.

Ms. Hong.

Do you remember anything more specific?

Well, just that

the breeze was kind of chilly

and there was a lot of grass.

Around where was that?

Where were you headed?

I…

I knew it.

She keeps saying gibberish.

If I really did it and she couldn't forget,

she'd remember everything.

Must I continue listening to her crazy talk?

What did you say?

Are you saying I'm crazy and talking nonsense?

Then what?

You enjoyed it too, but now you're accusing me.

Are you trying to destroy my life?

Look. That was out of line.

Look.

I'm destroying your life?

What about my life you destroyed?

For 20 years--

Do you know how I've lived for the past 20 years?

While you lived a happy, guilt-free life,

I never once--

I never once slept peacefully.

But what? Are you saying

I'm making this up to destroy your life?

What? I'm talking nonsense?

After how I've lived…

I really didn't want to go this far,

but my patience has run out.

MEDICAL HISTORY

ANXIETY AND PARANOIA DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING

This woman always had mental problems,

which is making her say such outrageous things.

-No. -I'll say it more clearly.

I had consensual intercourse.

No.

No. I--

I--

No.

No. I didn't.

I didn't.

I didn't.

Even if he is lying,

Hong Sun-hwa's case did get weaker.

How is her medical record available after 20 years?

Isn't it discarded after ten years?

That depends on the hospital.

With her medical history that he submitted,

if he claims it's her depressive delusion,

we'll have nothing to say to rebut that.

Then we'll just find other evidence.

Wasn't there another witness?

Yes.

-Good. Then let's-- -Good work today.

What? What the--

Mr. Yeo.

Ms. Son.

It's me, Ma I-deum.

-Ms. Ma. -Ms. son.

-What about the witness? -Don't be like this.

-She has no cell phone -I'm going to call.

-or credit cards. -I'll call Mr. Koo.

I've been trying to track her, but it isn't easy.

Please check with Immigration as well.

Will do.

So heartless…

LADY KO'S BIRTHDAY

KO JAE-SOOK PSYCHIATRY CLINIC

What a beautiful flower basket.

Your son must've sent it this year as well.

You must be so happy.

Thanks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. KO! FROM KSB'S WRITERS

CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNIT

PARK HOON-SOO YEO JIN-WOOK

Jin-wook, are you doing well?

Mr. Yeo.

We found Choi Gyung-ja.

She's a nurse at Naeil Nursing Home on Bujin Island.

Then let's leave in an hour.

Yes, sir.

What are you doing?

You're meeting a witness, right? I'll go with you.

Get out. Mr. Koo's coming.

No, he isn't. He knows I'll be going instead.

Come on. I'll get her statement, and you can read it later.

Must you tag along everywhere like this?

-Yes. -What?

I need to see and hear everything directly.

Wake me up later.

Is this it? Wait, I need to use the bathroom.

Wait for me here.

Hello. I'm here to see Choi Gyung-ja.

Ms. Choi? Okay.

Ms. Choi, you have a visitor.

What…

Ms. Choi.

Oh, my gosh. Look who's here.

Jin-wook, is that you?

Yes.

So this is where you work?

How long has it been?

Last time I saw you, you were a senior in high school.

That's right.

Why did you quit so suddenly back then? You didn't even tell me.

I was so sad.

Were you?

Well, back then, my little sister was very ill.

I was the only person who could look after her.

That's why I had to leave so suddenly.

How's your mother? Is she doing well?

Yes.

Anyway, what brings you here?

Mr. Yeo.

I almost died.

Let me introduce you.

She's Ma I-deum, a prosecutor--

I mean, a lawyer.

She's a nurse I've known for years.

Do you remember this person?

Yes, I do remember.

I was working

at a general hospital at the time.

Hey. Are you okay?

Hey. Miss.

EMERGENCY ROOM

What's her condition?

I suspect she's been raped.

She's bleeding as well, so please treat her.

Can you repeat

what you said in court?

Of course, I must.

She's been hurting for such a long time.

Good. We're done, so let's go.

You came a long way. Why don't you eat first?

No. We came a long way, so we should go.

Even if we leave now, we have to wait a few hours for the ferry.

He's right.

You came all the way here. Stay for lunch.

The food is very good here.

It's not bad, right?

It's not to my taste.

I don't want this.

You eat it.

Let me do it.

No. It's okay.

Go and eat.

I finished eating already.

You're still so nice.

You haven't changed one bit.

Even back then,

you helped a lot with hospital errands.

I was just trying to get credit for volunteering.

Jin-wook.

That lady

looks familiar.

I feel like I've seen her a lot before.

Do you

remember that woman?

The woman who saved you and me

when the hospital

was on fire.

She's her daughter.

I see.

I found it out only recently.

Wait. Ms. Ma.

Just a minute.

Here.

I dried them myself.

It seemed you loved the burdock tea, so--

You don't need to.

You feel like my daughter.

Like my niece, that's why.

Here. Just take it.

Thank you.

-I'll call you when I get back. -Okay.

Drive safely, okay, Jin-wook?

That nurse that we just met--

Is she always this nice to people she doesn't know?

Why?

I'm appreciative,

but it's a bit too much.

It's probably because she's thankful and sorry.

Fourteen years ago,

there was a fire at Senal Mental Hospital.

When it broke out, she and I were stuck

in the laundry room.

Everyone was escaping frantically,

but one patient opened the door and saved us.

It was your mother.

She saved us both.

My mom was such a busybody.

Who was she to save anyone?

Sure.

That's so like her.

I felt the same way as Ms. Choi then.

I was so thankful and sorry

that I wanted to do something for her.

That's why I went to Janghyeon-dong.

I still feel the same now.

I will do whatever it takes to catch the people

who did that to your mother,

and make them pay, no matter who they are.

No matter who they are?

Yes.

Fine.

I'm willing to accept their apology,

but I have no intention of forgiving them.

Hey.

Hi, Gyung-ja.

SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT PROSECUTORS' OFFICE

Do you still have more to investigate?

You saw for yourself that she was full of it.

This is the statement by the witness who first found Hong Sun-hwa.

WITNESS STATEMENT

-So? -It was long ago,

but because Hong Sun-hwa was in such a bad state,

the witness remembers clearly.

How could you say that after listening to her?

She said she saw pink flame grass.

You believed her and met with the witness?

I also thought what she said made no sense at first.

But…

YIWANG FIREWORKS FESTIVAL

According to the witness, this space was made for the fireworks festival.

It's consistent

with Ms. Hong's statement.

-There must be a mistake. -Are you sure?

I'd never force myself on anyone.

Think about it again.

I can do that,

but my answer doesn't change.

I only remember both of us enjoying ourselves.

You saw how angry she was the other day.

You really think she enjoyed herself?

You're being too biased in your investigation.

If you're done, may I go?

I'm a busy man.

I am

giving you a chance, Mr. Kim.

The chance to confess and reduce your sentence.

No.

I'm done talking.

-Heo Yoon-kyung speaking. -This is Kim Hyung-soo.

I think things have gotten complicated.

We've helped you enough, I believe.

Please talk to the mayor and--

I'm relaying the mayor's message.

The mayor is out.

-Mayor! -He's out.

-Mayor! -Stop!

Sir. Are you really going to abandon me?

Say hi.

This is my new spokesperson.

You know who I am, right?

Then you must know what I want.

Call me if you want to make a deal.

This isn't the place.

Not here. That way. Let's go.

This way.

We can't talk about this here.

Let's talk there.

Let's go.

-Here? -Yes. Here.

What did you bring?

Show it to me.

No. What I want first.

You're not a prosecutor anymore. Is there anything you can do for me?

I'll convince her not to punish you.

The court will decide that you've settled with her

and get you off with probation or a fine.

Do you mean it?

You have to.

From the looks of it, I'll end up in prison without it.

It depends on what you give me.

I have evidence that will be fatal to Jo Gab-soo.

Ahn Suh-rim.

His wife.

Based on the evidence and testimonies thus far,

the defendant's crimes seem to be evident.

Would you like to say anything further?

Your Honor.

I've obeyed the law every day of my life. I haven't even littered once.

If I really committed such crimes,

I'd apologize to her and pay for what I did.

But I do not think my memory is flawed.

I beg you to render

a wise decision.

Okay.

We will consider the defendant's statement

and render a decision thoughtfully.

Your Honor.

I'm the victim's attorney. I'd like to say something.

Yes, go ahead.

I'd like to submit a very important document related to this case.

Is all of this true?

Yes, it is.

This lays out reasons why the victim requests

a severe punishment against the defendant.

Your Honor,

as the victim's counsel,

I heard how the victim has lived since the incident.

The victim spent the past 20 years

reliving November 22, 1997,

the day of the incident,

and forfeiting

her life as a human being and as an ordinary woman.

Now is the time

to give the victim a chance to live.

In order for that to happen,

the defendant sitting there must be punished.

What are you doing?

This isn't what you promised!

You have to.

From the looks of it, I'll end up in prison without it.

The defendant asked me yesterday

to convince the victim not to punish him.

If he really didn't remember anything, would he have done that?

He remembers everything but claims that he doesn't!

He is shameless and shows no remorse!

Thus, we request the court to punish him severely.

While the victim has suffered for years and been unable

to recuperate from the crime committed,

the defendant hasn't repented for his crime

and has lived comfortably without any guilt.

Thus, he deserves adequate punishment.

Therefore, the defendant Kim Hyung-soo

is sentenced to five years in prison.

Thank you, ma'am.

Sure.

Thanks to you, I can finally

live like a normal human being.

I feel much more at peace now.

I guess what I've wanted all these years was to see that man get punished.

Thank you very much.

Mom!

You did great.

Ms. Ma.

You did great.

Well, I just did my job.

You know,

being a victim's attorney suits you.

I look forward to your help in the future.

There will be no "in the future."

You seem to be confused.

You know, I don't like assisting others.

Plus, the prosecutor gets all the glory.

All I get is a few hundred bucks.

Then what will you do now?

Hold on.

Hello, Ms. Min.

I'll come in right away.

What else? I should be a prosecutor.

Just you wait.

I'll return as an experienced prosecutor, as your superior at that,

and rearrange that naive brain of yours.

Okay. I'll be waiting.

JO GAB-SOO'S CASE

Jo Gab-soo makes connections

using women and lobbying.

I'll get a list of people who visited that place,

gather evidence of sexual service received,

and catch Jo Gab-soo.

Where is "that place"?

Kingdom.

JO GAB-SOO

SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE CHAE-KYUNG, JO JAE-WAN, JO YI-HYUN

AND KWON YONG-HYEON FOR THEIR SPECIAL APPEARANCE