Here's the court's decision.
[suspenseful music]
According to Article 36, Clause 1
of the Act on Special Cases Concerning Punishment for Child Abuse,
a child abuser is forbidden to approach their family members for a year,
compelled to leave the victim's home for a year,
forbidden to approach the victim via telecommunications for a year,
divested of all parental rights,
sentenced to 200 hours of community service and training,
and ordered to undergo treatment for alcoholism,
and also…
[Eun-seok] All I want is to show you how a perpetrator can be punished,
and not the victim who doesn't deserve it.
The victim will get to stay home
while the perpetrator's punished.
I'll show you that it can happen
And also…
sentenced to one-month long detention.
Ah, that's not right. I scolded my own child.
[Eun-seok] Depending on the reason,
the protective order can be changed or extended.
If you don't follow the order or accept the decision,
this case will be sent to the Public Prosecutors' Office,
and then you will likely face a criminal trial.
And the state is not obligated to bear the expenses
for alcoholism treatment.
Therefore, you must pay for it yourself.
[Yu-ri sobbing]
[sobbing loudly]
Even if you were a victim yourself,
that doesn't make it any less of a crime
to use violence towards your family.
[Eun-seok] The law judges facts.
Because you're a father,
because you're a son.
That doesn't matter.
What matters is whether or not
you are violent.
[emotional music]
That's all.
This trial is now closed.
[folder closes, thuds]
[cries]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[weeping]
-[mumbles and weeps] -[door opens]
[grandmother mumbles]
[Eun-seok] What is it?
Why didn't you tell me?
Your plan for Yu-ri's case.
If I had known, I wouldn't have been so harsh with you.
Are you saying it's my fault?
No, it's not that--
It wasn't the collegiate division's case, it was my case.
Do I have to report all the details to you?
Move aside, please. You're in the way.
[heels clacking fades]
-Mr. Seo Won-sik. -[handcuffs clinking]
You're under arrest for assaulting your mother during a trial.
"Assaulting her"? What the hell? Wha… Wait!
[Eun-seok] No one's living a fairy-tale life in this world.
Wait! Fuck!
[Eun-seok] I can assure you that from experience.
What makes a difference is whether or not you overcomes your limitations.
That's why there are courts and police stations around us.
[birds chirping]
And why people like me can make a living.
♪ There's a song in my heart ♪
Don't talk back to your elders like a spoiled kid.
Don't be offensive just because you're sad.
Don't put your emotions before your words.
Say hello to your elders first.
And even without a reason, try to smile.
Those things will bring you luck.
[gentle music]
[rustles]
Well done.
You were strong.
I never liked you.
I talked back to you so many times.
[sniffles]
Why are you doing this to me?
[Yu-ri] Why are you doing this to me?
[sobbing]
I really hate you.
[pen scribbling]
BAD FAMILY SITUATION
[phone vibrates]
MESSAGES
I WON'T COMMIT CRIMES ANYMORE I'LL WORK HARD
[phone clacks]
[rustles]
[emotional music]
-[oil sizzling] -[steam hisses]
-[plastic crinkles] -[sighs]
One more glass, please.
[glass clinks]
[bag clanks]
[Tae-ju sighs]
An apple never falls far from the tree.
My father was an alcoholic, and I really hated it.
I hated it so much I promised myself
that I would never ever even touch alcohol.
But this tastes so good.
I'm sorry, Judge Sim.
I should have…
I should have said that first.
[Tae-ju breathes deeply]
[Tae-ju] I was ashamed of myself for saying such harsh words.
[alcohol pours]
You do know I'm a bit of an outlander here, right?
Most judges got a degree from SNU Law School.
But I only got a GED, which is really rare in this field.
I studied really hard and I put in a lot of effort,
so I could work at a juvenile court.
Seriously.
I studied so hard that I even got blisters on my butt.
Why so much effort?
So they don't live like I did.
[dramatic music]
TRANSPORT MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
[door squeaking]
[judge] The court puts Cha Tae-ju on probation number ten
for attempted patricide.
[sighs]
[somber music]
I, uh, you know, I hate my past.
[emotional music]
[exhales]
I owe you big time…
for this trial.
[Tae-ju] She's a child who suffered from abuse.
Children like that never grow up.
Ten years? Twenty years?
Time will quickly pass by, yeah.
But she'll still be an abused kid. She'll still carry that weight.
[Eun-seok] I used what you said to persuade her.
When she heard that, she just cried…
without saying anything.
[lips smack]
Grown-ups have no clue how much that can actually hurt their children.
[alcohol pouring]
That's why my mother always brings me dried squid.
[glass clacks]
I never even touch it because it was that jerk's favorite dish.
My father was just like…
Yu-ri's father.
[Tae-ju] She's a victim.
Yu-ri needs protection. Don't you care about her at all?
How can you be so hard on her like this?
[sighs]
When I was little, not the judge in charge of me,
but there was this other judge who helped me.
[sniffles]
He whipped me into shape.
-[fire crackles] -[judge] Are you crazy?
You turned the whole facility upside down. You know that?
I had to come here right after a hearing to catch you, man.
The judge in charge of you is in a panic.
Just think of your mother.
Don't you feel sorry for her?
If you do, wake up.
Please.
[emotional music]
After I passed the bar exam, I was going to visit him.
But I couldn't.
We didn't keep in touch.
[Tae-ju chuckles]
[Tae-ju] I'm not sure if I couldn't or I just didn't.
And now, after over ten years, I can't quite remember his face.
I'm very…
regretful now.
I should have at least asked his name.
[Tae-ju] But I'm sure he's probably out there somewhere
and he probably became an even better judge
because he was born to be a judge.
I've worked in a courthouse for over 22 years.
So it's time to make a change.
I'm leaving the court.
And I'm joining…
the Assembly.
[uneasy music]
[sighs]
I have a lot to say to him when I meet him again.
[uneasy music continues]
Let's drink, shall we?
JUVENILE JUSTICE
[footsteps]
[steady breathing]
-[shower running] -[phone vibrating]
MISSED CALL
WHERE ARE YOU HIDING AGAIN? DO YOU THINK I WON'T BE ABLE TO FIND YOU?
COURT
-[guard] Good morning, Mr. Cha. -[Tae-ju] Good morning.
Here, have this. I bought two and got one free.
Oh, thank you! Thank you for the drink.
ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S OFFICE
[paper rustling]
[scribbling]
Good morning.
Mm.
For a moment, I thought today was Monday.
You worked late Friday night.
-[door closes] -I have a lot to read.
For you.
It was "buy one, get one free."
[Tae-ju chuckles shyly]
Actually, I'm grateful to you, too.
You listened to my story when I was drunk at the cart bar.
Actually, it was my first time talking about myself--
[Eun-seok] It made me feel uncomfortable.
When my colleagues talk about their personal lives and secrets,
I get really agitated.
And I don't want anyone…
[sighs]
…to know about me.
Ah.
I missed the chance to tell you this then.
[pages rustle]
We're here to work together. So let's just work.
Sure.
Counselor, your statement.
[lawyer] Hyeon-ji admits the charge
of making a fraudulent deal on an online thrift store
and deeply regrets it.
Her father also promised that he'll take better care of her
if you impose a mild punishment on her.
We ask for leniency.
Mr. Yoo, in the previous trial,
the court asked you to go to an alcoholism counseling center.
You're not going, are you?
I… I had to work, so I couldn't keep it up.
But you still had to go!
Hyeon-ji won't change, if you don't make an effort to change.
I'm sorry.
[sighs]
Do you currently have a steady job?
[Mr. Yoo] The economy is bad right now.
-Do you work day jobs? -Yes.
We'll send you to a vocational counseling center.
You should get counseling.
And make sure to return…
the 60,000 won
you obtained by fraud to the victim, okay?
[Mr. Yoo] Yes, Your Honor.
Yoo Hyeon-ji, I gave you two chances in the previous trials.
But you're standing in the court again.
I'm really sorry.
It's too bad. Since it's the third time, you're out.
This is the court's decision.
Yoo Hyeon-ji on probation number four for a year
and also probation number six.
Your Honor, please.
[thuds]
[Mr. Yoo] Hyeon… Hyeon-ji.
Your… Your Honor.
-Hyeon-ji… -You must leave the courtroom.
[sighs]
-[handcuffs clink] -[Mr. Yoo] Hyeon-ji? What?
[Won-jung] I'll change my decision.
When she's released from the Juvenile Classification Home,
send her to the Home for Girls instead of the probation six facility.
Not Shalom, Pureum.
Oh, it weighs on your mind, doesn't it?
Well, it's pointless.
Yes, sir. I'll call Pureum Home for Girls right away, Mr. Kang.
Oh, and also tell them that we'll make a visit this week.
[Yeong-sil] Yes, sir.
Uh, what did he mean by that earlier?
He said probation number six was pointless.
How much did Hyeon-ji get by fraud this time?
-60,000 won. -Exactly, 60,000 won.
Can she be sent to a, uh,
Youth Detention Center for just 60,000 won?
No.
But he couldn't send her back home either because he already gave her two chances.
So that's why he decided to put her in a protective facility.
[Yeong-sil] But then, he questioned himself.
He wondered if it was an appropriate punishment.
She's 14, so she's not allowed to work part-time
and no one in her family had an income.
She did that to survive, to get some money for food.
Her father, who was an alcoholic and not protective of his daughter,
is the cause of the problem.
So he thought it was pointless to impose severe punishment only on the child.
That's why he changed his mind to send her to the Home for Girls, a foster family
who can take care of her on her father's behalf.
Ah!
So rather than punishing her, he changed her environment.
While she's staying at the youth facility,
her guardian can undergo treatment for alcoholism
and get job counseling to build up strength to raise his child again.
They say a judge's decision reflects their character.
Well, that's quite unexpected.
"Unexpected"?
I'll tell Mr. Kang that.
Hey, you don't know him well. He's actually a good person.
Oh, by the way, why is it always Pureum?
WELCOME PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
[Yeong-sil] Well, it's the first foster care center of this court.
And, most importantly, it's run by Mrs. O Seon-ja.
LETTER OF APPOINTMENT O SEON-JA
Girls, I know it's a lot of questions, but you should take them seriously.
[Seon-ja] Be it honest.
Write down your names.
PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY
So, Yu-gyeong, are you okay?
-Yeah. -There are many reasons for anxiety.
For example, thinking your future is uncertain
or thinking your future is doomed.
Eun-sol got a good score on the GED
-and got two culinary art certificates. -[mother] Yes.
So my suggestion is that you get her enrolled in a culinary arts school.
[sobbing] Thank you, ma'am. Thank you so much.
Don't thank me. Eun-sol did really well.
-[giggling] -Mine came out really good.
[overlapping chatter]
-Want some gimbap? -[Seon-ja] Are you done?
-We're still doing it. -Guys, you made a mess.
-For goodness sake. -Do it like this.
-Here you go. -Oh!
Oh, Mrs. O Seon-ja runs Pureum?
O Seon-ja, the star lecturer and youth counselor?
Yeah.
Aww, that's awesome.
But I heard rumors that she has a really bad temper.
Hey, why don't you go out there and look for a good-tempered person
who has to deal with young offenders daily?
This is about their lives.
Do you think you can do this work with just a good heart, you idiot?
Yeah, you're right. The people in this court are proof.
Oh, and above all things, Pureum's program is pretty different as well.
Therapy sessions, career counseling, and even coaching for guardians.
Oh, and you know, um, that we have to start inspecting
the youth facilities in the coming week, right?
Detention centers, classification homes,
Cheonurye, the probation six facility, and foster care centers.
The court has to inspect all of those affiliated with it once a year
to check the conditions
and to see if they take good care of the young offenders
or if there are any irregularities.
Say, a prisoner escapes from a certain prison,
judges don't go chasing after them.
But if a young offender were to escape,
juvenile judges have to either chase them or find a way to catch them.
Why? Because juvenile judges have to supervise them as well.
Well, I'm planning to inspect the foster care centers first.
First time?
Yes.
My previous court didn't have any links with them.
Oh, good. It will be helpful for you to see them yourself.
Mr. Cha couldn't join last year. It's his first time, too.
-Yes. -Make some time tomorrow,
then we'll all go, go together, okay?
Oh, wait, both of you are visiting Pureum Home for Girls tomorrow, right?
-Yeah. -[Su-mi] Then I suggest
that you leave at eleven o'clock at the latest
and have lunch at a rest area.
The place is in Nonsan, so…
Ah…
The foster care centers are not state-run detention centers.
They're typically family homes,
so the state doesn't financially support them.
That's why they're not in the metropolitan area.
Housing costs are pretty high, you know.
PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
[uneasy music]
Hello. Hello.
I'm O Seon-ja. I'm the old friend of teenagers. Nice to meet you.
[Seon-ja] Nice to meet you.
All right. Let me start this off with a question.
Everyone, what's the question youngsters hate to be asked most?
Yes, that's right.
Youngsters hate all the questions asked by grown-ups.
-[crowd laughs] -Yes, that's the correct answer.
There are two reasons.
The first one, what's their intention in asking the question?
"What is my mom nagging about this time?"
That's what they think.
The second, the second reason, "What is your dream?"
I'm sorry you have to go through this trouble.
I'll drive on the way back.
Not at all, sir. It's nice to leave the city and get some fresh air.
[chuckles] Glad to hear it.
Why don't you take a nap on the way, sir?
We'll wake you up when we get to a rest area.
No, I wouldn't do that to Tae-ju. It's impolite.
[Tae-ju chuckles]
[Tae-ju chuckles quietly]
LIST OF GIRLS AT PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
[Eun-seok] A total of eight girls.
"Prostitution, fraud, theft, assault…"
[Eun-seok sighs]
And even a status offender?
It's like a gift set.
-Are the highlighted ones from our court? -Yeah. This center is just for girls.
[Tae-ju] Choi Yeong-na, O Yeon-ji, and Woo Min-gyeong,
it's the three of them.
Yeong-na is the girl you're in charge of.
She was put on probation number six for prostitution.
[judge] Choi Yeong-na, do you have anything else to say?
I'm sorry. I won't do it again.
And Yeon-ji and Min-gyeong, probation one and five
for assault and theft, respectively, are my responsibility.
It's run by a married couple?
Oh, technically speaking, no.
Her husband, who works at a large company,
was assigned to an overseas branch two years ago, so she's by herself now.
[Tae-ju] With her two young daughters.
[Eun-seok] She's amazing.
She takes care of ten kids all by herself?
-[phone ringing] -[Yeong-sil] Ugh, where did he go again?
YEONHWA DISTRICT COURT
Hello? Juvenile Criminal Collegiate Division.
Yes, sure, go ahead.
Uh, sorry? What… what are you talking about?
PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
-[animals calling] -[doorbell chimes]
We're from Yeonhwa District Court.
[clonks and squeaks]
-[both in unison] Hello. -[Won-jung] Hi.
-Hey. How have you been? -[phone vibrates]
[Tae-ju] Hi, Ms. Joo.
[Yeong-sil] Hi, Judge Cha. I'm calling you because I can't get a hold of Judge Kang.
Well, someone just called…
-the court office to report something. -[phone ringing]
YEONHWA DISTRICT COURT
Are you sure of what you just said?
Child abuse and embezzlement at the center?
If that's true, it's a really serious matter.
What's the name of the center?
Oh, dear. Hey, girls. Why are you out?
I told you not to come out all together when we have visitors.
Go back in at once. Go back in.
-Oh. -[Won-jung] Hi.
-Are you doing well? -Hello. Sure, I am. Go on in, please.
[Yeong-sil] It's Pureum. Pureum Home for Girls.
Did you girls say hello?
-[Min-ju] Yeah. -Hurry up and go back in.
[Seon-ja] Go and get things ready, okay?
Pureum, are you sure?
[Yeong-sil] Yes. I couldn't believe it either.
So I asked several times. It's Pureum, for sure.
But it's just a suspicion, so keep an eye out during the inspection.
[Tae-ju] Okay. I'll do that. Thanks.
Bye.
[phone chimes off]
Ah, Judge Cha Tae-ju?
Oh, yes.
[Seon-ja] Oh, I've heard a lot about you. I'm O Seon-ja, president of the center.
[Tae-ju] I see.
-Oh, my hands are dirty. -Uh, it's okay. I'm Cha Tae-ju.
-Please go on in. -Okay.
[uneasy music]
[bird crows]
CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
[Seon-ja] Girls, get up and give them a decent greeting.
[Won-jung] It's been a while. Let's take a picture. Come here.
-Who can take a picture of us? Hey… -Oh, give me the camera. I'll do it.
[Won-jung] Oh, okay, okay.
-[Seon-ja] You guys, too, hurry. -[Won-jung] Here.
-[Seon-ja] Sit down. -Hello.
Yeon-ji and Min-gyeong, how are you?
Judge Cha, come here and take a picture with us.
[Seon-ja] Come here, guys.
-[Won-jung] Hurry. -Here.
-We'll take another one with you, okay? -No, don't worry about it.
They're my daughters.
-Oh, I see! -[both chuckle]
[Seon-ja] They prefer taking photos than being in them.
[A-reum] All right. Ready?
One, two, three.
[camera shutter clicks]
One, two, three.
[camera shutter clicks]
Oh, come here, Judge Cha.
-Good. -[Tae-ju] Okay.
Well, Mr. Kang, I have something to tell you.
[chuckles] Sure, go ahead.
[Seon-ja] Now you can all go back to what you were doing.
What exactly did she say?
[Tae-ju] She said someone reported child abuse and embezzlement.
[Won-jung sighs]
Is it Pureum, for sure?
It's a suspicion, but she told us to take it into account.
Fine, then.
-Cover it up. -Mr. Kang.
Just ask them at the court office.
They get that kind of call several times a day.
Impersonating parents or uncles, saying their kids were abused
or asked for money, they call for various reasons.
Do you know why?
Because that way, the court starts suspecting the center.
If their kids are at an advantage, they can be released sooner.
No matter how many people make a false report,
I still think it's the court's duty to look into it.
Since we send young offenders to the facilities,
we have to be responsible.
[chuckles]
-[sighs] -[phone vibrates]
Considering the seriousness of the matter, we need to look into it, sir.
ASSEMBLYMAN EOM JUN-GI DO YOU HAVE TIME? LET'S HAVE DINNER.
[inhales, clears throat]
Let me put it clearly.
You do nothing.
Well, then… [inhales deeply]
You two could…
take it from here, right, can't you?
Sorry?
It's the TV station.
I have to go now, so…
Well…
-[Eun-seok] Wait, Mr. Kang. -Hmm?
Neither of us have inspected this center before.
Oh, well, it's not different from the other centers.
Just do it as you usually do, okay? Hmm.
[gate clanks open]
[gate thuds close]
-Okay, so, you… -Yeon-ji.
You too, Hye-rim.
-And after f(x), the problem… -What the heck are you saying?
Oh, the books, receipts, event photos, and bankbooks
that the court requested for you are all in the office on the desk.
[Seon-ja] Oh, put the tea over there. Yes.
[documents rustle]
[Eun-seok] There are not that many kids here,
so I thought we'd finish it quickly.
But there's much more to check than I thought. How do we split it up?
[hard knocks on wood]
Should we just go home? I'm pretty annoyed right now too.
I'm sorry. I was… lost in thought. [clears throat]
[sighs]
I can imagine how you're feeling.
But do you really think it's the court's duty?
Sorry?
No matter how many people make a false report,
I still think it's the court's responsibility to look into it.
It's not just a matter of finding the truth.
[Eun-seok] The court's inspection or investigation
could be inappropriate or unreasonable or even ruthless to some people.
When designating a foster agency,
the state considers various factors and reviews various requisites
because it involves several different government offices.
It's not just about our court.
That's why Mr. Kang disapproved and why we have to be discreet.
Yes. I know, I get it.
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
And if your suspicion is right, it will come out eventually
even if we stay quiet.
Because… kids are impatient.
[wind chime ringing]
Here, Mom.
Oh, my darling.
Oh, wow. Thank you.
You're the best.
[sighs]
[slurps]
-Oh, it's nice. -[both chuckle]
Where's A-jin?
[sighs]
Upstairs. She never comes down when I call her.
God, she's such a bitch.
Can you please stop using cuss words?
The girls on duty went to the senior center.
The others are being questioned.
"Questioned"?
What do you mean?
[A-reum] I don't know. The judges called them.
Isn't it part of the inspection?
What are you talking about?
You've seen an inspection before.
Since when did they interview the children?
[A-reum] Mom.
When did they take them?
[A-reum] A while ago.
[unnerving music]
[Min-gyeong] She's a devil.
The Juvenile Classification Home was way nicer.
This place really sucks.
Can you elaborate on that?
[unnerving music]
[clacking]
[cart wheels rattling]
[Seon-ja] Let's eat.
[all in unison] Thank you so much for the food, Mrs. O.
It's a sin to leave food.
If you do, you have to eat that for dinner. Got it?
[all in unison] Yes, ma'am.
[tableware clinking]
Mrs. O.
It looks like the rice went bad.
What do you mean? It's edible, right?
It won't kill you.
[Min-gyeong] But still, this is…
Can we get some fresh rice?
[tableware clinks]
[Seon-ja] Here.
-[shatters] -[gasps]
Why are you so picky? You can't even have rice in your own home.
So don't eat it. You don't deserve to eat.
[Min-gyeong] I'm sorry, Mrs. O.
I'll eat it. Please let me eat.
Oh, weren't you done?
Since you're done now, go to your room.
[sobs] I'm so sorry.
-Oh! -[thumps]
Whining at a table is bad luck.
Don't cry or I'll punish you.
Crying doesn't solve anything in this place.
Go upstairs.
Go ahead and eat, girls. You should go to school.
[sighs]
It's way too early.
Why make a scene? [sighs]
[spoon clinks]
[Yeong-na] She did that to all of us.
She's condescending because she feeds us.
But she gives us spoiled food.
And she makes us do laundry, clean the house, or wash dishes.
We even clean our neighbors' houses too like slaves.
[angrily inhales]
She doesn't feed us, if we don't complete our chores.
They told me not to mention this to anyone.
It's okay.
Actually, one of the girls is in a hospital right now.
-[Seon-ja] For God's sake! -[Yu-gyeong groans]
[yells] Hey. Hey!
Come here.
-Come. How dare you? How dare you? -[thwacking]
-How dare you? -Please forgive me!
-Hey, you wanna die, huh, do you? -Please forgive me!
[Seon-ja] Hey! How dare you defy me? You think I'm your buddy?
-For Christ's sake! You better watch it! -Please leave me alone.
Her name is Do Yu-gyeong.
She talked back to Mrs. O.
You know what happens if you lie to us, right?
It's true.
[tense music]
But why is this not on the following year?
-Number one. Yes. -[Eun-seok] Yes.
Like witnesses, events, or receipts, anything.
[somber music]
-[Eun-seok] Snacks. -Yes.
-[Eun-seok] Groceries. -Uh-huh.
Yes, 20…
GLAMPING IN FALL SEPTEMBER 25, 2021
[Tae-ju] I checked it.
-This is all good. -[Eun-seok] Okay.
[sucks teeth]
[Seok-yeol] I understand it was a hard decision to make.
[chuckles]
Thank you so much.
It's all thanks to Mr. Eom here. Thanks. [laughs]
You look even more handsome in real life.
You have sharp features.
You think so?
[both laughing]
I'm not even kidding.
You have a big future ahead.
[all laughing]
This is the chairman of SY Chemicals.
-He wanted to meet you so badly. -I see.
[Jun-gi] Everyone in my party got help from him.
You don't have to worry about anything, Mr. Kang.
[Seok-yeol] As for me, when I put my mind to something,
I achieve it by all means. [sucks teeth]
I assure you that a, uh, hibiscus could bloom on your chest like magic.
I can make it happen. Huh?
[laughter]
Thank you, sir.
I thought it'd take you a while to make the decision.
[Won-jung] Yes, I thought so too.
But I have to say, your words lingered in my mind.
"Now, Congress should fear minors too."
[cackles]
[Won-jung] Oh, boy. You know, I'm… [sniffles]
…a very scary person when I'm in court.
[guffawing]
Well, see? I'm a sharp judge of character, right?
[Seok-yeol] It's not just the dinner tonight.
I've prepared a full course for the next sessions as well.
You can look forward to it.
All right. Let's make a toast now.
-Okay. -Okay.
-[glasses clink] -[laughs]
PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
Did they say it was my fault?
[sighs]
It's the court that punishes young offenders,
but I'm the one who takes care of them every single day.
You see them for just two or three hours when you visit for inspection.
Us, on the other hand, we wrestle with them every day
to try to change them.
[overlapping chatter]
-[Min-gyeong] Oh, I'm starving. -[Yeon-ji] What's the big deal?
[Seon-ja] Let's eat.
[all in unison] Thank you so much for the food, Mrs. O.
It's a sin to leave food.
If you leave any, you have to eat that for dinner.
-[Soen-ja] Got it? -Yeah, got it.
-[blows air] -[giggling]
-[Hye-rim] Oh, it's hot. -[Min-gyeong] Mrs. O.
I'm gonna finish this food. But in return, you'll let me smoke.
What?
If you let me smoke, I'll eat well and behave well, huh?
-Me, too. -Real funny, huh?
-Ugh, she's so annoying. -Come on!
We're not here to be punished like those on probation six.
-[Min-gyeong] Am I wrong, Ji-eun? -No, not at all.
-You all agree too, right? -Yes, we do.
The other centers let students smoke.
Why are you so strict with us?
Which centers? Name at least one.
Cut the nonsense.
-Ugh, my god, this is to… -This place is too uptight.
-[Seon-ja] Just eat your meal. -[shatters]
-Ooh! -What the heck? Is she out of her mind?
-Why did you do that? -She's crazy.
You're wasting precious food.
"Why are you so picky? You can't even have rice in your own home."
-Is that what you're thinking right now? -Stop glaring at me.
I can't let this one slide.
-[chair rasps] -I'm not gonna east this crap.
-[clonks] -[girls chuckling]
Don't eat. You don't deserve to eat.
-[chopsticks clink] -So early in the morning.
-Why make a scene? -I can't believe she's…
"Why make a scene?"
[cackling]
-[Seon-ja] Be quiet and eat. -[Hye-rim] She's so ridiculous.
-She's cleaning it. -Ah, now, we have to clean it.
-[shushing] -[Seon-ja] It's okay. I got it.
I wish I could do that.
I thought a lot about it when she first asked me to let her smoke.
[Seon-ja] Because she said she'd behave well, if I let her do that.
She said the other centers overlook it.
But I don't think that's right.
No schools allow their students to smoke.
I don't allow my own children to smoke.
They also said you were making them work at your neighbors' houses.
[sighs]
So that's what they said?
[Seon-ja sighs]
Judge Cha.
How long do you think it takes to build a center like this in Korea?
Sorry?
I don't know. Maybe one or two years?
Four years.
It took as many as four years.
[community leader] Criminal facility!
[protesters] Criminal facility!
LAND RESERVED FOR PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
[Seon-ja] That's the time it took to get consent from the people
in this neighborhood even before the construction began.
Even though the kids in the center are young,
to people, they're just criminals.
-Sir. Now, stop! -Stop building a facility for criminals!
Build it elsewhere!
[crowd aggressively yelling]
So when kids come here, the first two things I try to teach them
are housework and greeting.
-Stop it. -[giggling]
Hey, you almost got me wet.
[Seon-ja] Whatever the excuses may be, it's true that they committed crimes.
There's only one way to overcome the strong prejudice against them,
taking the bull by the horns, volunteer work.
-[cheering and laughing] -High-five, Grandpa!
Shake your butt.
Shake your butt! Shake it! Woo!
-Work it! -[laughter]
And?
Have the people changed?
Oh, sure.
The kids who were used to getting blamed before
now are used to getting complimented.
Then why did they make such statements?
Because they know that nothing is compulsory here.
They came here because they had no guardians to protect them
or because of their criminal offenses.
They know this is just foster care.
It's not a detention facility,
like the probation six facility or youth detention centers.
They're protesting now, so that they can bend the rules.
You were swayed by them.
We know. They lied to us.
Yu-gyeong is in a hospital because Mrs. O was violent towards her?
Of course.
[phone clacks]
There. Call the hospital, then.
Need the number?
[phone clacks]
[line dials, rings]
DAE GYEONG HOSPITAL ORTHOPEDICS OFFICE
[nurse] Hello? General Ward of Orthopedics.
This is Do Yu-gyeong's guardian.
How is Yu-gyeong doing?
[nurse] She doesn't do rehab exercises regularly,
so we're worried, but she's getting better.
How was she when she arrived at the hospital?
[Eun-seok] Can you tell us in detail why she underwent to surgery?
[nurse] Who is this? We can't give patient information
to anyone, except their guardian.
Judge Sim Eun-seok from Yeonhwa District Court.
We sent an official document allowing the hospital's cooperation.
We're about to initiate legal proceedings for a case involving this patient.
[nurse] Oh, okay.
[keyboard clacking]
Uh, looks like we've received the document.
She had surgery because her thigh bone was fractured.
And she reported to the police that she was assaulted by a mob of girls.
That's what I have written here.
[chilling music]
I see. Thank you so much.
Judge Sim. Let me explain. It was…
It was her. She started the fight.
-[chair clatters] -[groans and cries]
[panting]
You fucking bitch! That's what you get.
[Eun-seok] Yes.
You're right, Mrs. O. It's true.
People like you play a bigger role at the frontline
than judges who meet the children for just two or three hours.
[sighs]
We're well aware of that. We are.
But there's just one thing.
[chilling music]
The support fund.
The court gives you 500,000 won per child every month.
Where did you spend it?
[nervously inhales]
This document covers all of that.
[rustles]
[Eun-seok] Visits to museums or concerts, play therapy,
outdoor activities like field trips, and food expenses.
This month alone,
you spent 4.5 million won more than last year as a whole.
But the children claimed that they didn't do such activities.
And most of the documentary evidence and receipts are omitted.
[paper rustles]
[sighs]
You have a clear set of values.
So I was pleased to meet you.
But I'm disappointed.
[tongue clicks]
You yielded to money like most people.
Let me explain. I needed it.
For an emergency. But I'll return it. I mean it.
The problem here is that you took the money
for personal use.
[sighs]
[inhales]
The inspection of Pureum Home for Girls is now over.
The inspection has shed light on an incident
that took place in the center of group assault and embezzlement
that you failed to report to the court.
All of these documents will be taken for further investigation.
Special investigators may visit you in the future
or you may be asked to come to the court.
But I can…
But…
Wait a minute. Wait a minute, judges.
[Seon-ja] Judges.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation,
the court may take steps to cancel the status of this center.
We may also cancel your licenses and take criminal proceedings against you.
-Judge Sim. -[trunk closes]
[engine starts]
Wait…
[sighs]
[Tae-ju sighs]
We have to report this to Mr. Kang, right?
Tomorrow.
So are you going to go straight home?
No, let's go to the hospital.
To Yu-gyeong.
We need to listen to her too.
[sighs]
Okay, I'm on it..
[chiming]
DO YU-GYEONG, AGE 16 DAE GYEONG HOSPITAL
The money…
was for my surgery.
[Yu-gyeong] The girls' parents refused to compensate me.
They said there was no evidence.
I lost contact with my mom…
[sniffles]
…a long time ago after her second marriage.
The doctor said I wouldn't be able to walk,
if I didn't have surgery right away, so…
[sobbing]
All she did was try to help me.
Can you please let it slide just this once?
I'll work and pay back the money.
[sighs]
While I was staying there, I had decent meals and slept comfortably.
For the first time in my life, I was happy and grateful every single day.
And I realized that sometimes love…
can be as simple…
as someone putting a side dish on top of my rice for me.
I'll work hard after I get out.
That's my purpose now.
I want to repay her kindness.
[sighs]
She shouldn't have kept it a secret from the court.
I asked her not to. She didn't report it because of me.
I begged her.
[engine revs]
[Yu-gyeong] I was afraid that could get me to be kicked out of Pureum.
I really want to stay there.
I want to stay with Mrs. O, Judges.
You have a clear set of values, so I was pleased to meet you.
But I'm disappointed.
You yielded to money like most people.
[tongue clicks]
[emotional music]
[siren wailing]
[line ringing]
[operator] The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.
Please try again--
ENTRANCE
[sobbing] [A-jin] Mom.
-Mom. -Kim A-jin.
[Tae-ju] A-jin.
-Judge Cha. -What, what happened?
What do I do, Judge Cha? That's my mom. What do I do?
-Let's go, come on. -My mom…
[uneasy music]
PUREUM HOME FOR GIRLS
[crackle]
LETTER OF APPOINTMENT
[gasps]
[suspenseful music]
[Eun-seok] Mrs. O.
[eerie music]
[clanks]
[sighs]
[chilling music]
Mrs. O!
[slippers skidding]
Where's Ms. O, huh?
And the kids?
Where did they all go?
What happened?
Kim A-reum.
Mom…
was taken by an ambulance to a hospital.
She suddenly collapsed.
What?
Mom, Mom. Are you okay, Mom?
[groans]
What's wrong? Are you okay?
Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!
Mom, open your eyes, Mom!
So I thought about it.
It's all because of those bitches.
My mom collapsed today because of them.
And I can't see my dad because of them too.
Mom said Dad was assigned to an overseas branch,
and that's why he hasn't been here.
But that's not true. They got a divorce.
[A-reum] Because of this!
Because of this stupid damn center Mom cares so much about!
That's why those assholes are the ones to blame.
A few days ago, my sister had really bad cramps,
so she had to go to the E.R.
But Mom didn't even go to see her
because feeding the bitches mattered more to her than A-jin in the ER.
[crying] We just…
[breathes deeply]
We… [sighs heavily]
We just always come second.
[engines rev]
What the fuck? We almost got caught.
-I know we're gonna be screwed. -[Yeong-na] Hey, shut the fuck up.
Be quiet. Come on, I'm just afraid that we'll get caught.
[Eun-jeong] Be quiet.
[Hye-rim] Hey, go faster. It's freaking cold.
[Yeon-ji] Don't push me.
-[Ji-eun] How far do we have to go? -[Min-gyeong] Wait, guys.
So? You just stood and watched as they ran away?
Did you enjoy watching them? You did, didn't you?
Actually…
Actually, what?
I told them to leave.
What?
I told them to get out, to leave my house for good!
-[shatters] -[all scream]
[Yeong-na] Hey.
-Hey! -[Eun-jeong] Hey, you fucking bitch!
[Yeong-na] Hey, what the fuck! Are you on drugs or something?
-[all screaming] -[Yeong-na] Oh, crazy fuck!
[pottery smashes]
Hey!
-[all scream] -What is she doing?
-Hey! -That's enough.
-[Eun-jeong] Stop! -[Yeong-na] Hey!
Hey, you want to join your mom in the hospital?
Hey, don't!
[slaps] Fucking bitch!
[panting]
Are you crazy?
[bat clanks]
I'm not.
You're the crazy ones here.
Get out of here!
[all screaming]
[Min-gyeong] Hey, stop her!
-[Hye-rim] Hey, you stop that! -[choking]
-[all clamoring] -Stop!
-[Yeong-ji] Stop it! Can you stop? -[Min-gyeong] Let go of her!
Stop! Get off her!
-[Min-gyeong] Are you okay, Yeong-na? -[Min-ju] Yeong-na.
[Eun-jeong] Are you okay?
That bitch is crazy. What's gotten into her?
-[Hye-rim] What's she doing? -What the fuck is she trying to do?
[Ji-eun] Oh, shit!
Get out of here!
[grunts]
[A-reum] It's all over now.
This center.
Those girls.
Everything.
[machine beeping]
-Mom. Mr. Cha, Mom. -[Seon-ja] Judge Cha.
-Mom, are you okay? Mom? -Are you okay now?
[groans]
Doctor, the patient here is up.
Oh, okay.
[Min-gyeong] Yeon-ji, wait for us.
[Yeon-ji] Hurry up!
[Min-gyeong] What even is this place?
-[Yeon-ji] Hey. Are you okay? -This sucks.
-[Min-gyeong] Ah! -[Yeon-ji] Oh, my gosh. Hey, what's wrong?
-[Min-ju] My gosh. -[Yeon-ji] Are you okay? Be careful.
[Min-gyeong] Ow.
[panting]
Let's go back. There's no way we can walk there.
The train station is an hour away.
You wanna go back? You think that bitch will let us?
If you don't want to come with us, get lost, asshole.
We don't need you.
-[Ji-eun] Hey, get up. -[Yeon-ji] Hurry up, get up.
Come on, get up. Let's go.
Be careful.
Let's go. Come on. You're okay.
-I can't keep walking! -[Yeong-na] Hey, hold on.
Hey. You have some money, right?
Hand it over.
I said, hand it over.
[phone ringing]
JUDGE CHA TAE-JU
[panting] Well, I think it's been about three hours.
No.
When we came here from the court for inspection, someone reported--
[unnerving music]
Give me a moment.
I'll have to call you back.
[crackle]
[uneasy music]
It was you.
[vehicle approaching]
[rustles]
SIM EUN-SEOK
UNIT 302, DONGGUK VILLAGE 54 YEONHWA-RO 9-GIL
[eerie music]
[phone ringing]
Yes, I found it.
[breathes deeply]
But I made the trip for nothing.
[crumples]
[somber music]
The person…
who wants this center to be shut down.
The person who reported to the court.
It was you.
♪ Find me some love ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Oh-oh ♪
♪ I see, feel ♪
♪ But I can feel the star ♪
♪ Starting to fade away ♪
♪ The light is gonna shine ♪
♪ Shining through ♪
THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS DEPICTED IN THE SHOW ARE FICTITIOUS