Pro Bono (2025) s01e08 Episode Script

PRO BONO
There she comes.
It's her.
Ms. Cha Jin-hui.
Pick whichever one you need.
Elijah!
My goodness, congratulations!
-Congratulations!
-Elijah's mother tipped us off herself.
Do you know that?
I had been so angry
because of Ma Yeong-suk.
How did you make time?
Well, I just had to come, of course.
I heard the great news today.
It's pretty confusing, isn't it?
All right.
-Let's thank them.
-Shall we?
Thank you, Mr. Kang.
-Yes, you did a great job.
-It was nothing, ma'am.
Goodness, excuse me
if I'd been rude to you.
I apologize.
It's embarrassing,
but that's what it's like to be a mother.
When it involves your child,
you panic and get overwhelmed.
And you become blinded by rage.
That's how it is. I'm sorry.
No, I completely understand.
That's how it feels when you're a mother.
-Thank you.
-Mom.
These pro bono attorneys
did an amazing job too.
Right. Goodness, thank you so much.
It was nothing at all.
Mr. Jang stayed up all night
to do the hardest part
of tracking IP addresses.
Really? All those… Thank you.
No need to thank me. It was nothing.
-Yeong-sil.
-Yeah?
You said Ji-hye was Elijah's avid fan.
Ask her for an autograph.
-I also want one.
-My autograph?
There's a client
I've been advising recently,
and she's a big fan of yours.
She would be thrilled
if she could get your autograph.
If you're helping her,
she must be in a very difficult situation.
You should come with her sometime.
I'll give her an autograph in person.
-You would meet with her?
-Yes.
She's going to be ecstatic.
Thank you, Elijah.
We have a bit of a busy schedule.
-So, please excuse us.
-Of course.
You all are full of surprising charm.
We'll get going now.
Thank you!
-Have a good day.
-Goodbye!
Do you think it's true?
"How could a mother do that?"
Is that what you mean?
What was that? What about a mother?
You have good ears.
That would be ridiculous.
Her mother tipped them off?
EPISODE 8
Right? She doesn't have any motives.
Before being a mom,
she's the CEO of her agency.
What would she get out of it?
I have a feeling Gu Ji-hwan is right.
What? Why?
He's known for making a living
by doing a variety of dirty work
for clients
in the entertainment industry.
Ms. Cha might have asked him
to do something.
No way. But they're family.
How could a parent
do that to her child?
Family can be more cruel
than anyone else.
I'm surprised
to hear you sound so cynical.
What?
Well, it's just…
It's probably because of Ji-hye's case
that I've been working on.
In any case, we won today.
Nan-hui was the star today,
so it'll be her treat.
-Sounds good.
-What? Why would you…
It's on me! Because I'm not petty!
Eat and drink all you want! Cheers!
Cheers!
You know how petty I am.
What is it?
Isn't that Elijah's boyfriend?
Why? What is it?
ELIJAH'S MAN IS A CHEATER?
-Has this prick lost his mind?
-Hey, it's mine.
What a jerk!
-Who's a jerk?
-Mr. Kang.
-What?
-Let's meet with Ms. Cha right now.
What?
I think I know
what she asked Gu Ji-hwan to do.
Are you kidding me right now?
Why can't you understand?
You think the words just come right out
when I write songs?
It was just a mistake I made
while I was working!
Just let it go.
Shut up, you jerk!
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm all right.
By the way, the attorneys
are in Ms. Cha's office right now.
What?
Why?
Please come and sit.
I'd like to say this first.
I don't know if you'll believe me,
but with issues
between a mother and her child,
I can't be objective.
I'm always on the mother's side.
Okay, and why do you say that?
Why did you do that?
What are you talking about?
You tipped them off
about Elijah's boyfriend, didn't you?
What are you basing that on?
I'm a bit confused.
The online site that released
the article on her cheating boyfriend
is run by Mr. Gu Ji-hwan
under a different name.
Ms. Cha, do you know
what kind of person he is?
He's an attorney, but he makes a living
using others' weaknesses to threaten them.
Someone like that doesn't care
about protecting their clients.
He came and ratted you out
as soon as he was cornered.
You're her mother.
How could you tell him
about your daughter's affairs?
Because I'm her mother.
Sorry?
I would do even worse things
if it was for my child.
-It was you?
-Let's talk outside.
Let's go out.
It's my privacy.
Did you really do that?
Why on earth would you?
Did you want to destroy me?
No!
Why would I want that?
I just asked him
to get that awful jerk away from you.
Trust me. It was for your own good.
No, please.
I was worried
you'd go down the wrong path. Please.
They go around digging in others' privacy.
Don't you know
what kind of people they are?
After getting paid by you,
they tried to make more money
by revealing her boyfriend for clickbait.
I must have lost my mind.
To me, that guy wasn't the one for her,
but my Elijah kept insisting.
How can a mother
just sit by and watch
when her child is making a mistake?
How?
You're right.
He's garbage.
Yes. You know it now too, don't you?
But he was garbage that I chose.
Come on…
I should have been the one who dumped him.
Elijah.
It was for your own good.
I only did it for my precious daughter.
I'm sick of it now, Mom.
Elijah.
What am I going to do?
Elijah!
Gosh.
Calm down.
Calm down already.
Her boyfriend cheated on her,
and her mother leaked that information
to a garbage-tier YouTube channel.
Seriously, why are they
doing this to my Elijah?
I know.
How could he cheat on someone like Elijah?
There, there.
So many guys chased after her,
but they all ran away within six months.
This makes no sense.
What's there not to like about her?
MESSAGE
I'm really sorry.
It won't ever happen again.
I promise.
Please forgive me.
Can I really trust you this time?
You haven't eaten anything today.
You'll get in trouble
if you keep doing this.
Let's go. You have to
eat something. Come on.
It's all right.
I'm only halfway through practice.
Don't be like that.
As you know, the fate of our agency
depends on my US debut.
We've invested so much in the album.
I can still take it.
Why are you always so worried?
We'll start again.
Let's not do this between colleagues.
I'm an attorney too.
Business has been bad,
so what choice do I have?
I have to prey on other attorneys
to make ends meet.
I'm gathering your victims
to pursue a class-action lawsuit
against you for damages.
It's nothing personal.
I feel terrible too.
Please help me out.
Don't do this, Judge Kang.
What is with you?
You know how things work.
Like I said, I feel bad.
I'll do anything…
I'll do anything
you want me to do. I will.
Just help me out this one time.
I don't need anything from you.
-But--
-However…
I do have a question.
Yes. Go ahead. Ask me anything.
Elijah's mother, Ms. Cha.
-Yes.
-Was this your first deal with her?
Well… We've been doing business
for a while now.
At first, I gathered inside information
on the entertainment industry.
What about after Elijah got into college?
I made sure
that losers stayed away from her.
Interesting. Did you go old school
and hire thugs to…
No.
-That's outdated.
-It is?
Yeah. So…
I simply hire a nice looking guy.
A guy?
To guys chasing Elijah,
he comes and says,
"I'm seeing Elijah. Okay?"
"Go away. Stop hanging around her!"
Would they really believe what he says?
-They would.
-What?
They believe it when he shows
photos of Elijah sleeping in her pajamas.
Photos of Elijah in her pajamas?
Where would you get…
Ms. Cha.
She gave me the photos
and ordered me to do it.
Use these this time
to drive those losers away. Okay?
Isn't it crazy?
The parents of celebrities hate it
when their children date.
They want to hold on
and mooch off of them forever.
If some random person takes them away,
it's not fair.
Bastard.
What?
-What a bastard.
-Me?
-I've seen you somewhere though.
-What?
You're…
You're going to help me out, right?
How about this one?
It's so-so.
Bring me something striking.
Yes, Ms. Cha.
You're the newest one, aren't you?
You're good at your job.
Thank you, ma'am.
Please take your time, Ms. Cha.
You know what I like too.
Ms. Cha.
Okay. How about this one?
Let me help you--
No, not you. You do it.
Yes, Ms. Cha.
Hello, Mr. Kang.
Hello, this is Kang Da-wit.
I've given it some thought,
but I think I should tell you.
What is it?
Sorry?
I'm worried about Elijah.
I know. She must've been so shocked.
Hello.
Hi.
Wait. Elijah, what brings you here?
Your office is much bigger
and nicer than I thought.
Don't tell me…
The thing is, Mom…
What on earth were you doing?
You're the company director, but didn't
know she was gone? What were you doing?!
I heard you didn't even
show up to work today!
Actually, Mom,
I went to see the doctor
with So-yeon today.
You…
For goodness' sake. What do we do now?
Hurry and find her!
Did you run away from home?
My mom's house is right next to mine.
I can't go on like this anymore.
Where are you going to stay then?
For now, I'll stay in a hotel
until I find a new place.
But that's not what matters.
I don't know much about the law,
but this isn't a simple issue
between a mother and her daughter.
Am I right?
Yes, it's a case
between an artist and her company.
Yes.
The agency deceived its artist
and interfered in
and leaked her private matters.
It's an outrageous breach of contract.
Then…
I want to end the exclusive contract
with my company.
Please file a lawsuit.
EASTERN DISTRICT COUR
Gosh, look who's here.
Isn't it Mr. Woo, who lost his client
to someone without a college degree?
Gosh, look who's here.
Isn't it Mr. Kang,
the lawyer without a college degree
who stole someone's client
by using Elijah's fans?
I heard you couldn't let it go
and went to see Ms. Cha,
asking her to give you this case.
Do you want to lose to me that badly?
A little snot came out.
Think whatever you want.
-Come on.
-Yes, sir.
And I'll think however I want too.
SUIT DISPUTING EXCLUSIVITY
Your Honor,
the plaintiff has already sent
a certified letter notifying
the termination of her contract.
We request that you confirm
the non-existence
of an exclusive contract between the two.
Which part of the contract
justifies the termination?
Your Honor, perhaps I still don't have
enough legal experience.
But I've never seen
a contract like this before.
The defendant, EK Entertainment,
is the dominant party.
The plaintiff, Elijah,
is the subordinate party.
As you can see, the subordinate party's
contractual obligations are…
One, two, three, four…
How many are there?
There are more than 20.
"Comply with the company orders
without question."
"No social media. Maintain a strict diet."
On the other hand, the dominant party
does not have any obligations.
Zero.
You indeed are the dominant party.
Didn't the plaintiff read
and sign the contract?
When your mom hands you
a contract to sign,
what child is going to
read it thoroughly line by line?
On top of that,
she had just finished high school.
As an adult, she should at least know
that she has to be responsible
for the contract she signed.
But on what grounds
are you terminating
the exclusive contract?
It's a breakdown of trust.
Which article and paragraph
of the contract is that mentioned in?
Whether it is stated
in the contract or not,
trust is essential given the nature
of an exclusive contract.
Precedent has shown
it can be terminated once trust is broken.
You must have forgotten
much of the Civil Act
after working so long as a prosecutor.
I understand.
Aren't you the one who's forgotten
about the relationship
between the plaintiff and the defendant?
-Is that a question?
-Does it sound like an answer?
I'll answer for you
since it seems you don't know.
They are mother and daughter.
-Gosh, I see.
-You didn't know.
The breakdown of trust
between a mother and daughter.
Are you trying to sever
the sacred bond between family?
What have I done that was so wrong?
I've only done my best for my daughter.
You have never once respected
the plaintiff's free will.
What, because I worried
my precious daughter would date a bad guy?
Because I pushed her
to dream big and not settle?
That was wrong?
Then, every parent
in this county is guilty!
Ms. Cha, you have demanded the plaintiff
undergo an abnormal level of dieting,
infringing on her physical
and mental health tremendously.
As it's a profession with high visibility,
she simply persuaded her daughter
she had to put in more effort than others.
How can she become better if she only does
the same as everyone else?
I am her mother.
What mother would hurt
her daughter deliberately?
Okay, all right.
Please calm down. Plaintiff.
Please continue with your argument.
It leaves us with no choice, Your Honor.
I request that you order the defendant
to disclose details
of income and expenditures
for the plaintiff's entire career,
and submit the related accounting ledgers.
What?!
Goodness.
Do you really want to
play this out to the end?
Plaintiff, please submit
the relevant grounds in writing.
Elijah, are you all right?
You didn't have to
come in person to court.
I'm not going to avoid it.
It's my business.
It'll only get uglier.
That's how trials are.
I'm ready for it.
Geez, I'm fine.
Anyway, after skipping practice
for the first time in eight years,
the day feels so long.
It feels so lonely
staying in the hotel all by myself.
Elijah.
We have a vacant room at my place.
-It's not fancy, but do you want to come?
-Really?
I'd love that.
-But will it be okay with you?
-Of course. Come with me.
Sure!
Ms. Park,
you're not going to make her
serve food at the bakery, are you?
To get rich by getting fans
from all over the world to visit?
Mr. Kang!
Don't always view the world
from your perspective.
I think you liked the idea.
Geez, EK Entertainment!
We asked for income and expenditure data,
and they sent a bunch
of useless stuff too!
So they're trying to mess with us?
My goodness!
It's not easy to win
an exclusive contract termination case.
As for the boyfriend issue,
they'll blur things
with mother-daughter relationship stuff,
so we have to dig into the payments issue.
If we find something here,
there's no way out for them.
What are you all doing?
Get ready to stay up.
Look at Mr. Jang.
It's cramped there,
so come here and work.
What a terrible working environment.
Being a pro bono attorney…
It's terrible.
We can do it!
-Let's go!
-We can do it!
Over there. She's a famous singer.
Hello…
Hello.
Hello.
I'll be staying here for a few days.
You know sign language?
In the past,
I learned it for a film shoot.
But I'm not sure if I'm doing it right.
It's right. You're really good.
Thank you.
Just a moment.
It's all right.
It's because I'm bored.
Is it okay to help you?
Gi-ppeum will scold us
if we make you work.
I promise I won't tell her.
It's okay.
What do we do?
We might be in trouble.
The earnings from music sales
and performances are substantial.
Why take in more investment
when they were making good money?
I wonder if they
even paid Elijah properly.
I doubt it.
Probably not.
-Mr. Jang.
-Yes?
Could you take a look at this?
The money flowed
into these foreign companies.
-Okay.
-It's such a strange flow.
-It isn't normal.
-I smell something fishy.
Doesn't it smell like ramyeon?
Is he eating alone? How cheap.
Doesn't it smell like distrust?
Kang Da-wit is the best!
I was especially craving
ramyeon today for some reason.
-Thank you!
-Thank you!
Thank you.
Where are we?
Ms. Park just showed us something.
-You should take a look.
-Okay.
Mr. Kim, as company director
of EK Entertainment,
you are responsible
for finances and accounting. Correct?
Yes, I am.
Since last year, you've pushed to bring in
investments for Elijah's entrance
in the US market, correct?
Yes, that's right.
Elijah must have made a lot of money
from music sales and performances.
You still needed
additional external funds?
-You don't know how this business works.
-I see.
It requires a fortune
to create a global artist.
The expenses for consulting and marketing
to enter the overseas market--
Is that so? Expenses like these?
Halford & Brown Company in LA
and JC Mackenzie in New York.
How did you…
But the thing is,
we found signs that showed
more than half of the funds
that were sent to these companies
was transferred to a third company.
After going through various steps
of money laundering,
the money ended up right there.
A limited company located
in an offshore tax haven called
It's "hope," right?
I don't know.
What does that have to do with me?
You failed to attract investments
in the end. Why was that?
That was the investors' call.
Why would you ask me that?
Wasn't the failed investments
due to accounting fraud?
Your Honor, Mr. Kang is asking
leading questions based on speculation.
Do you have grounds, Counsel?
We will submit them if needed.
This is the actual audit report
from an investor's accounting team.
"The balance sheet
of EK Entertainment cannot be trusted."
"Capital outflow has been confirmed."
You siphoned off the profits
that were to be paid to the plaintiff.
No! Those were all fabricated!
-Busted.
-Let me ask you one more thing.
In the truckload of documents
you submitted,
someone found this.
Mr. Kim, insurance fees
were part of your expenditures.
It was a substantial amount.
What was this for?
How would I remember all the details?
I think you do remember all the details.
We tracked it down,
and it was a life insurance plan.
It was life insurance
for Elijah, your sister.
That's…
At the…
At the company level,
for the artist--
"For the artist."
Who is the beneficiary though?
The person who will get that money
if anything happens to Elijah.
The sole shareholder of Hope,
where the money was sent.
They were the same person.
Seven-year-old Kim So-yeon.
Your only daughter.
No! They're all lies…
SOLE SHAREHOLDER OF HOPE
This is a lie.
Your Honor, this is all
merely vague speculation.
You can borrow your family's name
to open an account.
Plaintiff's Counsel, you should file
a criminal suit for embezzlement instead.
Stop making malicious false accusations
based on unverified evidence.
Okay?
We will submit the relevant evidence.
How dare you scam your mom?
You stupid prick!
I told you not to get greedy!
You took much more than I did,
so why are you yelling at me?
You shouldn't have gotten caught then!
Who do you think you are to be so greedy?
What? I'm not allowed to be greedy?
What?
Grandma!
Why did you come out, So-yeon?
Hi, Grandma.
Play with me.
I need to talk to your dad,
so go back inside.
So-yeon, you'll get sick out here.
Let's hurry inside.
Grandma.
Just go. She's coughing!
That little prick…
I'll raise my daughter
to be way better than Elijah. Got it?
I'm going to give her anything she wants.
The best of everything!
-Hello.
-Ji-hye.
Elijah.
This is Ji-hye.
Hello.
Elijah.
Are you really Elijah?
Yes. It's me, Ji-hye.
You know my name?
I can't… I'm not dreaming, am I?
Of course not, Ji-hye.
I really love your music, big sis.
I can't wait for your next song.
Am I really your big sis?
-Yeah.
-They say the big sis is the cool one.
Okay, then.
Should we take out the things
I prepared for Ji-hye?
Gifts!
Ta-da! It's my merchandise.
You know Ponies, right?
-Is it really okay for me to take this?
-Of course. Here.
This is a T-shirt with my face on it.
It's Elijah!
Thank you.
There's a lot of stuff.
She gave so many gifts.
Thank you, Elijah.
We'll get going.
Good night.
Did you say Ji-hye's uncle took
her parents' death benefits?
Yes. According to Mr. Jang,
he might be abusing her too.
How could he do that to someone so nice?
What even is family?
Elijah.
Did you really have no idea
that you weren't being paid correctly?
Mom always said
she would take care of the money,
so I could focus only on music
without worrying about it.
And you believed that?
She's my mother.
Someone who wishes the best for me.
Did you trust her?
Or did you want to trust her?
DEFENDAN
Plaintiff's Counsel.
Plaintiff's Counsel!
Yes, Your Honor.
Your Honor.
To expose the defendant's non-payment
and embezzlement of music revenue,
we will file a lawsuit
for embezzlement against Mr. Kim.
We request a tentative hearing date
until the investigation results come in.
Plaintiff's Counsel.
Since you studied it so long ago,
did you forget all about the Criminal Act?
What do you mean?
Article 361
and Article 328, Paragraph 1
of the Criminal Act.
Exemption of Crimes by Family.
These are fundamental basics.
And you were even a judge.
Property crimes committed
within family cannot be punished.
Did you forget
that a sibling can't be penalized
only if they live together?
If they live apart, they can be punished.
Does Mr. Kim live with the plaintiff?
Put it up.
This is a family photo
taken early last year.
The whole family lived together back then.
The plaintiff knew about it.
Did the plaintiff's counsel not know?
Your Honor, the capital outflow
that the plaintiff claims
mostly occurred
while she was living in this house,
so the Exemption of Crimes by Family
can be applied.
A lawsuit would be dismissed immediately.
Their claim is a waste of time.
If it happened while they lived together,
you'd be correct.
Right. The last incident occurred
after she moved out.
You can sue for that one if you'd like.
How much was it again?
-It's 820,000 won.
-It's for 820,000 won.
Your Honor,
it is true this it occurred
while she was living in that house.
However, the defendant's attorney
is overlooking one aspect.
Kim So-yeon, Kim Ju-won's daughter,
has to avoid outside contact
as much as possible
due to severe atopy and allergy symptoms.
Therefore, Mr. Kim installed
a separate door on the second floor
where his family lived,
and strictly prevented
other family members from entering.
They used a separate restroom
and living room.
And, of course, living expenses
were spent separately too.
Basically, he lived for free
on the second floor of his mother's house.
Can you actually say
that they lived together?
You are very well-prepared.
But…
Your Honor.
Ms. Cha would like to share a few words.
Okay. Go ahead.
Thank you.
It is all my fault.
Mr. Kim Ju-won just did
what I, as CEO, told him to do.
Whether it's fraud or embezzlement,
just please sue me.
Elijah.
Is this what you wanted?
To sue your mother.
-Do you have a tissue?
-Tissue…
Right.
With mothers, it doesn't matter
if they lived together or not.
As she is a lineal blood relative,
she is exempt from punishment.
LINEAL BLOOD RELATIVES EXEMP
FROM PROPERTY CRIME PUNISHMEN
Now, you won't waste your time.
Is it a lineal blood relative this time?
Yes.
So, you have to sue her mother?
Are you giving up on the bet,
Attorney Kang?
What do you mean, sir?
We already took the case
from Baekseung and won. And--
You got it wrong.
The bet you placed
was to take clients from them,
not a single case.
The client who pays the legal fee
isn't that little girl, Elijah.
It's EK Entertainment.
I heard that girl is penniless.
You're picking a fight
with the client you barely won over
for a penniless girl?
Why are you doing this now
instead of stopping me from the start?
-Do you think I'm that free?
-Sorry?
Why would I follow up
on such a trivial case?
Give up the bet.
Disband the team quietly as promised.
Do I have your word?
-You're dismissed.
-No, Dr. Oh--
Still,
it'll be very beneficial for us if we win.
We can take cases of other celebrities
who have been mistreated
by their agencies.
Okay.
Is this
the new Oh & Partners you wanted to make?
Korea's punching bag?
A law firm for filial impiety?
Or did you empathize too much?
Did you relate to the daughter
who wants to drive away her mother?
I'm disappointed.
I thought you resembled me.
But I was wrong.
Stop that lawsuit at once.
And break up the team.
Two number 4 desks.
One 4.5-foot desk.
-Sir.
-Yes?
What are you doing?
I was told to take out all the desks.
-What?
-What?
Really?
Yes, really.
Mr. Kang.
Is our team really going to get disbanded
if we proceed with this lawsuit?
This darn firm won't let us
represent the weak.
Well…
It's been bothering me from the start.
This isn't right.
Honestly, this isn't a pro bono case.
Frankly, a celebrity isn't
socially underprivileged.
She's isolated and can't trust
her mother, brother, and company.
Didn't we become pro bono attorneys
to help someone like her?
If I get fired,
I'll become a dismissed worker too.
Is wanting to keep my job a crime too?
Am I the only jerk here again?
I'm desperate too!
Jun-u.
What are you trying to do?
You really want to get disbanded
after this case?
If we quit,
we become the team
that ran away after coaxing
Korea's sweetheart to sue her mother.
The worst piece of trash team in Korea.
And you're their captain.
What do you want to do, Captain?
Fuck.
Ji-hye.
Shall we go in, Ji-hye?
Be careful.
Elijah.
She was constantly asking me
to come see you
because she was worried about you.
I bought your favorite, strawberries.
But you have it hard too.
Ji-hye!
Ji-hye?
Ji-hye, is something bothering you?
Should we sit for a moment?
-Let me see.
-Okay.
Ji-hye!
Ji-hye.
Who did this to you?
Yeong-sil!
How did it go?
Ji-hye's case didn't go well?
They can't punish Ji-hye's uncle either?
He'll only get a slap on the wrist
for the assault.
The charge of embezzling
the death benefits of Ji-hye's parents
was dismissed
without even an investigation.
I had begged them to investigate it
because there's a civil suit too.
What kind of law is this?
So it's okay to steal if you're family?
That's why some people took their cases
to the Constitutional Court.
But it was ruled constitutional
about a decade ago.
Then, are we all out of options now?
For both Ji-hye and me?
At a legal level, that's correct.
Is this right?
You're attorneys.
Is the law always correct?
You can do anything you want
if you're family?
No, you can't.
Elijah.
Actually, I ran away from home
before you ran from yours.
I left my home when I was in high school.
Wait. You never mentioned that before.
It's not a pleasant story.
My father ran a big business.
He had two wives.
The problem was
my mother was the second one.
Yeong-sil.
Father came home once a week.
But he didn't like me at all.
I stuttered
every time I saw him
because I was so nervous.
I still stutter
when I get even a little nervous.
Like right now…
I stutter.
How can I be an attorney
when I'm like this?
It's funny, isn't it?
Is that why you stayed quiet?
Whenever I stuttered,
Father would beat me so badly.
He said it was the only way to cure it.
Up until high school,
I was beaten every week.
Now, I'm certain of it.
That…
That was a crime.
We can't cover up crimes
in the name of family anymore.
Mr. Kang.
We have to do something.
Mr. Jang.
This time, it's a totally different case.
The Exemption of Crimes by Family
has existed as a legal provision
since the establishment
of the Constitution in 1953.
It was already ruled constitutional
in 2012 at the Constitutional Court.
It might also provoke public outrage.
-And--
-Use me.
Sorry?
Think of how many people out there
are like Ji-hye.
I'm a celebrity who makes a living
off of people's attention.
Use me to show the world
that people like Ji-hye exist.
People are being oppressed
in the name of family,
and they're not protected by the law.
Elijah.
What if we gather the victims
of family property crimes
and file a lawsuit together?
I'll pay for all of it.
Including Ji-hye's too, of course.
We appreciate it,
but you can't.
-What?
-Why not?
Because…
that's a job
for us pro bono attorneys to do.
Right, Mr. Kang?
The team is on the verge
of being disbanded.
You want to take on a fight
where we have a low chance of winning
and a high chance of being denounced?
Yes!
That's what pro bono attorneys do.
Do you all really feel the same?
Really?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
I have to keep my promise to you, Mom.
What should I do?
I've become entangled with clueless fools.
You haven't dropped the lawsuit yet.
Are you disobeying me?
Are you saying,
"I'm still the CEO here"?
Is that it?
Call a partners' meeting
to discuss a replacement for CEO.
Yes, Father.
But before I do that,
please take a look at this.
What is this?
It's a recording transcript
made by Ms. Seo, who you fired.
It's what you discussed on the phone
regarding the appeal case
of CEO Jang Hyeon-bae.
With someone in the Supreme Court.
-What are you doing?
-What are you going to do?
An alleged trial rigging
could be fatal to our firm.
If the senior attorneys
find out about this transcript,
there will be quite a disturbance.
Did you set a trap?
No way.
Ms. Seo came to me,
crying and saying it was unfair.
You fired her mercilessly in front of me.
Don't be ridiculous.
You probably bought her off in advance.
If I did,
I must've learned it from you.
"There is no one in the world
without a weakness."
"If such a person does exist,
plant a weakness."
I'm impressed.
Okay.
I'll watch your childish game
a little longer.
TRANSCRIP
Hey, Jung-in.
Let's do it.
Did you persuade Dr. Oh?
Persuade?
If you lose, it'll be over
for both me and you.
Mr. Kang!
My motto has always been,
"Don't start a fight you can't win."
But I can't do that this time…
because of some clueless fools.
Mr. Kang, then that means…
Let's go.
-Really?
-To the Constitutional Court?
That would take forever.
Then, where do you want to go?
I looked into the Constitutional Court,
and another constitutional complaint
had been filed.
It's been a while,
but it hasn't gotten far.
It hasn't been getting attention.
Let's make it so we get all the attention.
Because we have
a star.
No way!
A street concert to urge
an unconstitutional ruling?
That's attention seeking.
-Then what?
-Change the law?
The biggest stage would be…
Yeouido.
Let's go to the National Assembly
to change an unjust law.
Yes!
Let's go!
You can sit this out if you want.
I'll talk to Oh Jung-in--
It's okay.
It's the majority's decision,
so I should follow it.
Jun-u.
I'll do my job as a part of the team.
Please do your job as well, Mr. Kang.
Promise me
you'll win it.
Popular singer Elijah
was selected as a witness
for the Assembly's government audit,
garnering significant attention.
All eyes are on Elijah to see
if she will testify before the Assembly
about allegations of embezzlement
against her mother.
Elijah has already
sparked intense interest
in property crimes among family
with her recent lawsuit
against Cha Jin-hui,
her mother and the CEO of her agency,
to terminate her exclusive contract.
Hey, all the Assembly members are excited.
It's their chance to get a close-up
on network news.
Is that so?
All the beauty salons in Yeouido
are fully booked.
I heard they unanimously
selected her as a witness.
It's nice to be a celebrity
in times like this.
CHA HOLDING PRESS CONFERENCE,
PREPARE TO RESPOND
-What on earth?
-What?
Is there something going on?
Hey.
-Take a look.
-What is it?
Breaking news.
As top star Elijah's
expected attendance tomorrow
at the National Assembly
draws attention across the country,
her mother, CEO Cha Jin-hui,
opened an emergency press conference
moments ago.
Woo Myeong-hun, that prick.
Just blame me.
I'm a bad…
I'm a bad mother.
Ms. Cha's deep maternal love,
as you can see,
was the cause of everything.
What do you mean by this?
My daughter…
left home and abandoned me
because of a guy.
And she filed a lawsuit
against me right away.
She's accusing her mother
of embezzlement and theft.
This is just killing me.
Use this, Ms. Cha.
These days, there's a term called "MOW."
It means a "man-obsessed…"
Something like that.
To put it nicely,
they've lost their minds over love.
Isn't it true Ms. Cha admitted
to all embezzlement charges
in civil court,
but wasn't investigated
due to Exemption of Crimes by Family?
Ms. Cha, we have no choice.
Please tell the truth about this matter.
Mr. Woo, you're so cruel.
How could you ask me to say that myself?
I will say it on her behalf then.
Ms. Cha…
No, Cha Jin-hui,
who is a mother before being a CEO,
made a false confession
to take all the blame for the embezzlement
that her son committed by himself
and said she did it all.
What are you talking about?
Mom.
You know that's not true.
Mom?
-Ms. Cha!
-Ms. Cha!
I have a question!
What?
Did you see?
This is what a mother is.
Someone who embraces
all her children's faults as her own.
That's what mothers do. But…
But Elijah,
the so-called "Korea's daughter,"
wants to send her mother to jail--
I'm shocked.
How can she do that to her mom?
But a mother can't dump
her adult daughter's boyfriend.
I'm afraid my daughter will do that.
She's not Korea's sweetheart.
She's Korea's unfilial girl.
-Elijah!
-Elijah!
Top star Elijah will arrive shortly
for the Assembly's…
Lies every time she speaks.
WE LOVE YOU, ELIJAH
Her detractors and her fans have gathered
in front of the National Assembly.
And they have been aggressively
expressing their respective opinions.
What are we going to do with her?
Elijah is here!
Elijah!
-Elijah!
-Elijah!
-We object!
-We object!
Are you okay?
Are you all right?
Let's just go.
GOVERNMENT AUDI
FOR CRIMINAL ACT AND SYSTEM REFORM
After the press conference yesterday,
we also chose Ms. Cha Jin-hui
as a witness for the sake of fairness.
Are the counsels for both parties present?
-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.
Honorable Chairman, with your permission,
would it be okay
if Ms. Cha Jin-hui could say a few words
before Elijah makes her witness statement?
Sure. Go ahead.
Thank you.
Thank you.
To the honorable members of the Assembly,
this foolish mother
would like to ask a shameless favor.
My daughter was traumatized by her father
who yelled and got angry
when she was young,
so she gets severely upset
in similar situations.
I know this is a serious setting,
but I sincerely request
that you ask her questions
in the softest way possible.
Even in a situation like this,
you still worry about your daughter.
Because I'm her mother.
Even if she stabs me in the heart
and steals everything from me,
a mother still hopes
her child does not trip
on her way out.
We'll keep that in mind.
I ask the Assembly members
to be extra careful.
Okay, then. Ms. Elijah,
please come stand at the witness podium.
Yes, sir.
Ms. Elijah,
we will refer to you as Witness.
Yes, sir.
Did you see
the press conference yesterday?
-Yes.
-Was what she said true?
Some of it was true,
but some of it wasn't.
Which part was true?
When I was young,
my father did break stuff in the house
without any reason whenever he was drunk.
Every time he did that,
my mother hugged
and protected us with her whole body.
Then, she divorced our father for us
and struggled to make ends meet.
That's all true.
Honorable Assemblyman Kim Jun-pyo,
could you ask
the witness, Elijah, a question?
-You can ask her yourself.
-Thank you.
Witness.
Yes?
You know a constitutional complaint
on the Exemption of Crimes by Family
is in progress. Correct?
Yes.
Did you come here to form public opinion
to influence that constitutional trial?
That is right.
So in the end,
you're trying to change the law
so that your mother,
who struggled to raise you,
will be punished criminally.
Correct?
Yes, that is correct.
That is all.
Thank you, Assemblyman.
I think this actually shows why we need
the Exemption of Crimes by Family.
I think the witness has shown us proof
that a family can be maintained
when there's a limit
preventing parents and children
from suing each other
over property issues.
Isn't that so, Witness?
Witness?
Sir.
I'm Witness Elijah's attorney,
Kang Da-wit.
May I say a few words?
-Go ahead.
-Thank you.
Ms. Cha.
You know how smart and brilliant
your daughter is, don't you?
Don't you see why
such a smart person for all that time
did everything her mother told her to do,
signed every contract
her mother handed her,
and didn't ask or complain
about whether she was being properly paid?
-Don't you get it?
-What are you talking about right now?
Did you think she really had no idea?
Am I supposed to answer that?
No, just answer what you can.
Do you really think she didn't know?
Ms. Elijah.
You endured everything
despite knowing all along, didn't you?
You were grateful
for how she protected you
when you were young.
Despite knowing all along,
you endured it.
Correct?
No matter how hard you try to hide it,
the truth is bound to be revealed.
It's because there are people
who genuinely care about the witness.
Even within EK Entertainment,
do you know many people
are truly worried about you, Ms. Cha?
And your love for luxury brands
and your extravagant taste?
What are you talking about?
This is the hallowed National Assembly.
On what grounds,
are you making these claims--
Under whose name
is the Seongsu-dong apartment you bought
with the money you stole from Elijah?
Wait a minute.
Wait. What are you talking about?
Can he say whatever he likes
because he's an attorney?
Ms. Cha, please calm down.
Counselors, are you two here to fight?
This is a place
for explaining, listening, and asking.
Please be careful.
Okay. Please continue, Counsel.
Sir, we have one more key witness present.
May they come in?
I will allow it. Let them in.
-Thank you, sir. Mr. Hwang?
-Who's the witness?
-Can they do that?
-No. Usually, they can't.
Not you. You do it.
Chairman, may he come stand at the podium?
Yes.
Elijah.
Mr. Kang Min-ha.
You're a sales associate for VIPs
at a luxury brand store
in Cheongdam-dong. Correct?
Yes, that's correct.
Could you tell us who bought you
the apartment you are living in?
Yes. It was Ms. Cha
who is sitting right here.
I'm sorry, but may I see
the company card you carry?
Yes.
Gosh, it's a black card!
Goodness. Which company's card is this?
I heard this card
has a really high credit limit.
It belongs to EK Entertainment's CEO.
My goodness. Oh, dear.
The Exemption of Crimes by Family
doesn't apply
to embezzlement of corporate funds.
It's not true. He's lying.
I don't remember that card.
And I don't even know who he is.
I see. I didn't know
you were generous enough
to give this to a total stranger.
I understand.
Mr. Kang, why did Ms. Cha
offer these to you?
This is embarrassing to say,
but she said she liked me.
Okay, all right.
That ungrateful child.
I made her a star.
She's a nobody who thinks she became
a success because she's special.
I'm going to live for myself from now on…
with you
while having fun.
Chairman.
These days, there's a term called "MOW."
Pardon? MO…
It's a "man-obsessed…"
Something like that. To put it nicely,
they've lost their minds over love.
Kang Da-wit, that crazy…
Mr. Kang, it must've been
a difficult decision
to go against a big sugar mama… Sorry.
To go against someone
you're so grateful to.
What made you decide
to disclose the truth?
What? It's because you said
you'd try me as an accomplice…
Isn't there another reason?
Right. Well…
The apartment Ms. Cha gave me
turned out to be pretty run-down.
It's worthless with a full mortgage.
No, this is a fabrication!
Who on earth are you?
Witness, she says she doesn't know you.
-If you commit perjury, you'll be--
-Ms. Cha, I seriously trusted you.
But she gave the real deal
to a top host bar guy.
-How could you…
-This is slander, sir!
-How can love change?
-Calm down!
Calm down. This is not a court.
Both Counsels, that is enough.
We'll resume after taking a short break.
Elijah, drink some water.
You did great, Mr. Kang.
Now, you can say
what you've really wanted to say.
Everything is set.
Okay.
Mr. Jang!
Elijah.
Hi, Elijah.
Hi, Ji-hye!
-Thank you, Mr. Jang.
-It's nothing.
-Good luck, Elijah!
-Good luck!
You can do it.
How did my mother and I…
end up like this?
She was such a good mother
when I was young.
Was it the money?
Maybe.
Our family had never
laid hands on that kind of money,
and when it started pouring in,
I think it all started then.
Honestly,
I didn't want to go this far
and fight with my mom.
Money?
I didn't care if I gave it all to her.
All I wanted
was freedom.
I didn't want to live my whole life
as her ATM machine.
If I could somehow
get the exclusive contract terminated,
I was going to leave.
But…
Elijah.
When I met Ji-hye over there,
I realized it was not just about me.
Not only did Ji-hye's uncle and his wife
embezzle their niece's disability pension,
but they also still kicked her out
into the streets to beg to make money.
If she didn't make enough money,
they'd beat her.
It's sad, but sometimes,
family can be the assailant
who's the closest to you.
Is she talking about me as the assailant?
Just listen.
Could you stand for a moment?
Ji-hye.
They are the members of my fan club
and victims of family property crimes
who have gathered here,
thanks to pro bono attorneys.
An elderly man whose entire fortune
was stolen by his child.
A boy whose inheritance from his mom
was stolen by his stepdad.
A person with a physical disability
who couldn't stop her brother
from taking her money.
I'm embarrassed to say
I've received more love than I deserve,
but I haven't taken
full responsibility for it.
I simply exist because you care
and show interest in me.
The only way to repay this love
is to become a tool
to help tell the world
about the suffering people endure
that hasn't received attention
but needs to be known.
Please help them to ease their pain
and the injustice they feel when the law
and their families don't protect them.
Elijah.
The Exemption of Crimes by Family
has existed since ancient Rome.
The famous saying goes, "The law stops
at the doorstep of the house."
It's a custom that's very old.
And in Korea,
the law hasn't changed for over 70 years
since it was established.
Legal stability is a value
that is as important as,
or even more important than,
specific validity.
Yes, you are right.
Legal stability.
That's an important value.
But, sir, if it hasn't changed
for over 70 years,
couldn't that also mean
some have been suffering
for over 70 years?
If the law stops
at the doorstep of the house,
brutal, lawless chaos
unfolds behind that door.
Honorable members of the Assembly,
the law should change
along with the changing times.
I believe it is the noble duty
of the National Assembly
to breathe life into the law
so it becomes a standard
that lives and breathes with the times,
rather than a fossil trapped in the past.
Members of the Assembly,
I humbly ask
for your wise decision.
Mr. Woo.
Mr. Woo.
Excuse me, Mr. Woo!
What do we do?
-We should talk to a prosecutors' office--
-Why do you keep touching me?
Are you going to say you like me too?
-Mr. Woo!
-Never!
I never take on clients
who don't tell me everything.
Find another attorney.
Wait.
Wait, Mr. Woo.
Come on, Mr. Woo!
Wait!
Hey, you!
-For goodness' sake! What is it now?
-I really hate to admit it…
But you were pretty cool today, Mr. Kang.
Come on, now. Please.
That's old news.
When was I ever not cool?
There you go bragging again. This was why…
But how will it go?
Will we be able to win?
We don't know. We might lose.
But you know what?
Even if we lose today,
it will become a stepping stone
for the world to take
half a step forward tomorrow.
And next time, someone will be able
to start fresh from there.
Mr. Kang!
I know I said it,
but it was pretty cool. Do you agree?
Right, Jun-u?
Of course.
You sounded unfamiliar for a moment,
but now, you sound
just like the Mr. Kang I know.
-What?
-"Even if we lose,
today's win will be a stepping…"
Forget it.
-Ms. Yoo, call me big bro now.
-Why?
You're the big bro
if you're the cool one, right?
-Why would I?
-"Even if we lose…"
-That's what you said!
-I didn't!
ONE MONTH LATER
The Exemption of Crimes
by Family provision in this case
uniformly exempts
a wide range of relatives
from punishment for property crimes
without considering their severity.
Therefore, there is a concern
it will result
in allowing financial exploitation
of family members
in vulnerable positions.
Therefore, the Constitutional Court,
in which all members agreed unanimously,
rules the following.
The Court rules
Article 328, Paragraph 1
of the Criminal Act
is hereby declared unconstitutional.
Today, the Constitutional Court
issued a historic ruling
that deemed the Exemption of Crimes
by Family as unconstitutional.
Now, a path has opened
to protect people from the legal loophole
of property crimes committed
by their family members.
-I'm the CEO here!
-Don't resist.
Oh, my gosh!
Elijah.
Wait. I was wrong.
-Let's go.
-I was wrong.
It was all a misunderstanding.
Mom.
Hold on. Yes, Elijah?
Thank you
for bringing me into this world
and raising me.
Yes. My kind little Elijah.
Okay, you can drop the charges now,
and we can--
But, Mom…
you're fired.
I want you out of my life.
-Let's go.
-Go.
You know how hard I worked to raise you?
-Stop.
-Hey, you!
Damn you, bitch!
I'm the one who made you a star!
Excuse me.
Is this Team Pro Bono?
Yes, it is. Who are you?
The Alliance of Judicial Victims
referred me to you.
They said you'd take my case.
Right. They told us about you.
You lost your father
due to a wrongful trial.
Yes.
The presiding judge abused his power
and killed my father
through a manipulated trial.
What was the name of the presiding judge?
Kang Da-wit.
Ms. Park Gi-ppeum.
I've spent the past ten years
gathering these.
Trust the evidence.
I don't care if I go to hell
as long as I can expose
Kang Da-wit's hypocrisy.
We've had a long, bitter history.
About Yoo Jae-beom,
his father was the CEO.
The defendant was changed by Mr. Kang.
Go get Yoo Baek-man.
Otherwise, I cannot proceed.
It was a manipulated trial.
What is happening?
CEO Jang's case was also rigged?
Is Kang Da-wit out of his mind?
I will take care of it.
Step down.
-Why don't you take the case?
-How could we…
Isn't it your job to help the victims
of abuse-of-power crimes?
Are you really going to take my case?
They all want to?
Please tell us everything.
Subtitle translation by: Yoon Hyewon