[♪ opening theme music playing]
The Judge from Hell
CHARACTERS, PLACES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND EVENTS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
CHILD ACTORS AND ANIMALS FILMED IN SAFE ENVIRONMENT
[Changseon groans]
Please stop, Mr. Won!
It's dealing with the have-nots that's most difficult.
The lowlifes.
[man] Is this emergency services? There's someone...
Stop right there, you bastard!
It's you.
I've waited for 25 years.
EPISODE 8
[breathing heavily]
[♪ intense music playing]
[heartbeat echoing]
The Judge from Hell
Did you change your shift?
They'll give me the day shift as soon as they find my replacement.
Come home right after school before it gets dark.
[Minjun] Okay, I will.
But he only attacked women.
I worry more about Ms. Jang, Ms. Oh,
Judge Kang and you than me.
Especially Ms. Jang. She goes to church every night.
Thank you, Minjun.
Ms. Oh, you should collect the recycling during the day.
It's dangerous at night.
Just take care of yourself.
You look even more dangerous.
You always work late. I'm worried about you too.
Be careful.
Do you sleep with your eyes open?
What?
I said, you be careful too. It's dangerous.
Right. I will.
Now, let us all pray that the missing detective
returns home safely.
Dear Father, thank you for allowing our Hwangcheon Villa family
to gather here today.
Please watch over sister Kim Soyeong so that she can return home safely.
Amen.
[all] Amen.
[Detective Yoo] As an active officer went missing during an investigation,
the chief gave instructions to solve the case
as quickly as possible by mobilizing all personnel.
The forensics team is currently examining the scene.
We won't know until we get the exact forensic results,
but the blood found on the scene
is presumed to be Detective Kim's.
One more thing.
Violent Crime Team 2 will sit this one out.
[Daon] What?
Look. We're looking for our team leader.
- Why would we sit it out? - Look at the state you're all in.
You won't be objective.
- But-- - It's the chief's orders.
Violent Crime Team 2 will focus on their case at hand.
Is it so terrible to miss one meal?
Why did you leave Detective Kim alone there?
Stop it.
You know it's not his fault.
I'm sorry.
No.
Eunseop is right.
It's all my fault.
Because of me, Detective Kim... [voice breaking]
We don't know what happened to her yet.
Don't you know what kind of person she is?
She will be back soon.
[Eunseop] Where are you going?
To her home.
Take care of him.
[Dahui crying]
[Hyeongseok] It's okay, Dahui.
Mom will be back, don't worry.
- [crying] - [keypad beeping]
- It's all right. - [door opens]
[Dahui] Daon.
Mom's not picking up.
[crying] Can you hurry up and find her?
Find her now!
[Daon] It's all right.
She'll be back soon.
When the statute expired and records were discarded,
Soyeong made a copy.
J SERIAL KILLING CASE 5
Soyeong told me not long ago
that she thought he was back.
I'm showing you this for one reason.
As much as she tried to keep the promise she made to you as an officer,
you should take responsibility
and do your job as an officer
without wavering.
Soyeong won't go down easily.
Let's trust that and wait.
Okay.
[buzzer beeps]
Are you back from work now?
Yes.
Did you find Detective Kim?
She'll be back.
Are you all right?
I'm fine. She'll be back soon.
- [keypad beeping] - [buzzer beeps]
[buzzer beeps]
[♪ soft music playing]
JUDGE KANG BITNA
KIM SOYEO
She'll come back.
Because Han Daon believes she will.
But has he been eating?
I don't think he's sleeping much.
DETECTIVE HAN
- [sighs] - [phone buzzing]
[Daon] Can you come with me to meet someone?
[Judge Kang] Who?
[Daon] Someone who will prove the victim's innocence.
[Judge Kang] I don't care about the victim's innocence...
[clears throat]
When are you going?
Choi Wonjoong is arguing that Won Changseon used the strike
to extort money because of his gambling debts.
His daughter has cancer and needs chemotherapy.
Insurance didn't cover it, so it's true he needed money.
But gambling?
That's a lie maliciously made up by the CEO.
I know it's a lot to ask, but could you say in court
what you just told me?
[sighs]
I was thinking to find another job anyway because I can't stand this company.
If it's for his honor,
I will gladly testify.
Thank you so much.
[people whispering]
WITNESS STAND
[defense attorney 1] Your Honor.
An hour has passed already.
At this point,
I think it's fair to say that the witness is not coming.
Let's wait five more minutes.
DEFENDANT
[guard] Excuse me.
[Jongsu] I'm a witness.
[defense attorney 2] You were close with the victim, correct?
- Yes. - The victim had a huge amount of debt.
Do you know why?
I heard it was from gambling.
[defense attorney 2] Did the victim tell you anything else in relation to the debt?
He said, "I'm going to threaten the CEO with a strike
and use the extorted money to pay off my debts."
[defense attorney 2] No more questions.
[Judge Kang] The victim had a large debt due to gambling.
He had no way to pay it back, so he used the strike
to threaten the defendant.
And the defendant
gave the victim money to end the strike.
But he couldn't contain his anger, so he kidnapped and assaulted the victim.
And the victim, who disappeared after that,
ended up taking his own life.
Is this the defendant's argument?
That is precise, Your Honor.
[Judge Kang] Does the prosecution have more to say
about the defendant's claims?
No, Your Honor.
I see.
I will see you on sentencing day.
[people whispering]
[crying]
[Daon] Sir, wait.
We need to talk.
[crying] I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry...
KICK JUDGE KANG OUT OF COURT
Thank you, Lord, for your grace and for blessing us with this food.
Thank you for blessing everyone who is gathered here today.
In the name of Jesus we pray.
- Amen. - Amen.
Please, let's eat.
Good work, Judge Kang.
You really earned this.
I didn't do much.
I'm actually honored
- to be dining with such a stellar line-up. - [chuckles]
By the way, how did you fabricate evidence related to gambling?
The documents were a work of art.
The lawyers did great work.
How did you get the union's vice chairman on your side?
Throwing away all pride and conscience
when offered even a small sum
is what poor people do.
I'd rather die than live like that.
What a wretched life.
Pretending to know their life without having been poor,
I don't care for that.
Everyone is vulnerable to money.
Judge Kang, my son is
praying hard in the lockup and reflecting.
Is he asking the deceased victim for forgiveness?
No, the Lord.
The Lord has already forgiven him.
It's now your turn to forgive him, Judge Kang.
[chuckles]
Shall we toast?
To a successful trial.
- [Jaegeol] Cheers. - [Chairman Choi] Cheers.
[Jaegeol chuckles]
[Arong] Here you go.
The only survivor of serial killer J,
- I found him. - Really?
Who is it? Where is he now?
Actually, you know him quite well.
Here.
Who in my close-knit circle is it?
[♪ suspenseful music playing]
HAN DAON
[Judge Kang] The kid who lost his parents and sibling
is Han Daon?
Yes.
Are you upset?
No, I'm really glad.
The thought of going back to Hell makes me happy.
I feel like flying.
- [bell chimes] - [Arong] Welcome.
Excuse me.
[Donghun] Daon. What do you mean we should protect Choi Wonjoong?
Moon Jeongjun, Bae Jayeong, and Yang Seungbin who were murdered,
were all released after receiving light sentences from Judge Kang.
If Choi Wonjoong is released after this trial,
he would be the next target.
So you want us to protect that bastard?
When we haven't even found Detective Kim yet?
- Who cares if that bastard dies? - Hey.
You're an officer.
[Daon] I know how you feel.
But before any more victims turn up, we have to catch them.
Detective Kim would want that.
So what should we do?
You can't just let her go. This woman stabbed me.
And thank you for acquitting Daon
for the direct assault.
What are you doing there?
[clears throat]
You said you wanted to ask me something.
I had to hear it from you.
Only then can I believe it.
What is it?
What time is it now?
It's 10 p.m.
That wasn't the question, right?
Why not?
Officers know the exact time, that's why I came.
And now that I know, I should go.
The sentencing hearing...
Whatever ruling you give,
do your best.
I will, too.
Okay, whatever.
COURT
Case number 2024GoDan235.
I'll pronounce the verdict on the defendant Choi Wonjoong.
The defendant, CEO of KO Food,
was unhappy with the activities
of Won Changseon, the chairman of his company's union.
Thus, he kidnapped, brutally assaulted, and seriously injured the victim.
Eventually, the victim took his own life.
The shame and humiliation that the victim,
an ordinary family man, felt during the assault by the defendant,
may have been more severe than the physical pain he experienced.
Therefore, a heavy sentence for the defendant is inevitable.
However, the defendant paid a deposit to the court,
has actively promoted the national economy as a businessman,
contributed to job creation, and deeply regrets his actions.
Taking this into consideration,
it is questionable whether giving the defendant a heavy sentence
is really in the public interest.
Also, though we can infer
that the defendant's assault contributed to the victim's death,
there is no decisive evidence confirming it was the cause.
And these are mitigating circumstances.
Criminal Act Article 281-1, Arrest, Confinement Causing Bodily Harm applies.
Having considered all this, the court
shall rule as follows.
The defendant, Choi Wonjoong, is sentenced
to one year in prison, two years of probation,
and 40 hours of community service.
[people gasping]
[bailiff] All rise.
[crying]
[Yugyeong] Your Honor!
[crying] Your Honor!
You can't do this.
Your Honor!
This isn't right.
He's never even apologized to us.
Why are you forgiving him as you please?
You have no right to!
What were you hoping for?
That he gets what he deserves.
I've always made my judgements that way.
This is ridiculous.
- [guard] Hey. - [people gasping]
- [guard] Are you okay? - [Jeongeun] Yugyeong!
Hurry, call an ambulance!
- Yugyeong, wake up! - [guard] Hurry, take her.
[Jeongeun crying] Yugyeong! Oh, no, Yugyeong...
Yugyeong.
[people whispering]
RUDE JUDGE'S ABSURD RULING
How dare a mere reporter write about a judge like this?
They're not wrong.
How can you joke right now?
You're all over the Internet right now!
Those idiots don't even know the law.
Because they don't know the law, you and I can make a living.
You should be grateful.
Anyway, congratulations.
Assemblyman Jeong will be happy with you.
[sighs]
Don't nag me. I'm going to quit when I'm ready.
You can like the malicious comments about me.
Wow, how did she know?
She might be a mind reader.
A mind reader?
[Mando] Yes, but the ruling
- is at the judge's discretion... - I understand you're upset,
but Judge Kang made the ruling based on the law...
[Mando] Yes, I understand, but...
Please stop yelling.
No need for you two to be yelled at for my ruling.
JUDGE'S OFFICE
[sighs]
Why did he look at me like that?
- Makes me feel bad. - [knock on door]
[Mando] Arong messaged me. She's done checking the place out.
Tell her to stand by so she can come as soon as I call her.
Okay.
They've been criticizing you harshly. Are you upset?
- [scoffs] When was I not criticized? - [chuckles] That's true.
Where are the thugs who kidnapped the victim?
They're criminals, too. I should kill and send them to Hell.
Yes, Jaehyeon and Dongju are asking around for them.
They'll report back.
By the way, Justitia, are you going to keep working with Arong?
Yeah, why?
Just, she doesn't seem like a good demon.
Demons are supposed to be bad.
But she's not just bad.
I really do think she's Satan.
What are you talking about?
There's no way she'd betray me. You might though.
Seriously, she might stab you in the back, Justitia.
Gosh.
How is the victim's daughter?
She's in the hospice ward because her condition is serious.
Are you... worried?
It's not my fault. Why would I worry?
[chuckling] Right?
By the way, is your terrible personality innate? [chuckles]
- Do I need to beat you to make you leave? - No.
[door opens and closes]
[sighs]
[♪ melancholy music playing]
[doctor] She stopped her chemotherapy for too long.
You should prepare yourself.
No, Doctor.
[crying] Please save my Yugyeong.
Yugyeong.
Yugyeong... [sobbing]
[Yugyeong] Mom.
I'm thirsty.
[Jeongeun] I'm right here.
I'm here.
The identities of four men who died
in a recent unexplained fire have been revealed.
They were all organized crime figures wanted for kidnapping
the head of the KO Food union.
- Park Hyeonggon. - [Jaehyeon] Why'd you do that?
Trash that cannot be recycled
has to be incinerated.
[Jaehyeon] Are you nuts?
We only clean up dead humans.
We don't interfere in their lives.
If Justitia finds out you kept them from her
and killed them yourself,
you're dead.
I'm not.
Because you'll keep it a secret.
[scoffs] Gosh.
It's become 1.5 cm smaller.
Is that possible, Doctor?
Sometimes, there are miracles that cannot be explained by medicine.
You don't have to worry about the cost now.
So don't miss your appointments.
I'd like to thank the person who sponsored my treatment.
They don't want to reveal who they are.
Don't forget their kindness,
and continue with the treatment
so you can live long, for your father.
Yes, Doctor.
Why did you donate 200 million to the hospital?
Don't you know demons are prohibited from donating?
You knew about that?
Goodness. If you don't like it, report me to Hell.
I can't be bothered.
[scoffs]
Isn't it amazing that Yugyeong woke up?
This must be one of those miracles people talk about.
- Miracles? - Yeah.
Who knows?
Maybe an angel visited her.
[♪ enchanting music playing]
- [dog barking] - [man] Let's go, run!
- [dog barks] - [man] Good dog!
[Daon] Why did you refuse protection?
[dogs barking]
The trial's over.
And I'm out.
Nothing's happened so far.
No one knows what might happen.
It sounds like you want something to happen.
I'm an officer.
It's my duty to protect you in case something happens.
There's no need. You can go.
Nothing's going to happen.
But if anyone does attack me,
I'll win.
- Donghun. - Yeah?
- He's refusing protection. - [scoffs]
He has no idea he should be afraid right now.
How can he be so cocky?
I think he's in danger.
Then let's move on to the next plan.
Okay. Let's get on it.
- All right. - Okay.
[♪ opera music playing]
CHOI WONJOONG
[Wonjoong] Heavenly Father, who has forgiven me all my sins,
thank you.
Thank you for being on my side
and with me always so I can enjoy
greater wealth,
health, and blessings compared to others.
I truly thank you.
[scoffs]
ARONG
- [dial tone ringing] - [call connects]
Start it.
[phone buzzing]
RESTRICTED CALLER ID
Yes, this is Choi Wonjoong.
[girl's voice] Mister, do you think praying at church
means you can get away with murder? [chuckles]
Hey, kid. You shouldn't prank call people like this.
[girl's voice] You hired thugs
and hung a poor man on a tree to die.
I have proof that you ordered them
to kill him.
Can I post it online? [giggles]
- Who are you? - [girl giggling]
Who told you to do this?
[girl's voice] If you're curious,
come to the theme park near your golfing range now.
Oh, right. Mister!
If you tell anyone or don't come alone,
I'm going to post everything online.
- [call disconnects] - Hello!
Weren't they killed in the fire? The guys we hired?
- That's what we heard. - "That's what we heard"?
Are the officers still outside?
Yes, sir.
[Eunseop] But do the police
really need to protect a scumbag like him?
Do you think I became an officer for this?
If Detective Kim were here,
she would have said we definitely need to.
[car indicator beeping]
Hey!
[Donghun] What's the license plate number?
- Three, five, two, nine. - [Donghun] Three, five...
- Okay, let's go. - Okay.
[♪ suspenseful music playing]
[doorbell rings]
Let's talk.
- Tell me the truth. - About what?
- You know what I mean. - [scoffs]
I know you're going to kill Choi Wonjoong.
Stop now.
I don't want to arrest you myself.
This is the last chance I can give you.
[Judge Kang] Why don't you be honest with me first?
What you think about the serial killer J
who brutally murdered your family?
Don't you want to find him and kill him now?
I do want to find him,
but I want him to be tried by the law.
I've never wanted to kill him.
The statute's expired. How will you put him on trial?
Detective Han Daon.
Don't chase me. Help me.
Then I will find him
and make him pay in your place
because the law can't.
Compared to what your family experienced, it will be more horrible
and violent.
I'm an officer.
I can't do that.
[scoffs]
[Judge Kang] I gave you a chance, too.
You're the one who refused.
[♪ soft music playing]
Let me just say this one last thing.
For believing in me
and telling me it wasn't my fault,
thank you.
Be grateful I didn't slap you.
It's my goodbye present.
[♪ melancholy music playing]
[♪ sinister music playing]
[girl's voice] Bang!
You scared me, damn it!
Who are you, asshole?
Damn it!
[girl's voice] You really came.
[muffled struggling]
It was so close.
- So close. - Nice shot.
Not now.
[Wonjoong groaning]
[exclaims] Nice shot, Justitia!
- Say it. - Nice shot.
- [Judge Kang] Where should I hit next? - [Wonjoong groaning]
You must be curious why I'm doing this to you.
[Wonjoong groaning]
But don't ask. I'm too tired to answer.
[muffled struggling]
If you move, you'll get hurt.
Well, you'll still get hurt if you don't.
- You guys can go home. - Oh, okay.
Go take it off.
[Wonjoong] You damn judge!
Why are you doing this to me?
Why?
I told you...
don't ask.
I won't ask, I won't...
[Judge Kang] Wow.
He fainted. He shouldn't faint already.
I should hit him to wake him up.
Good shot.
God damn it.
Stop!
Thank you!
What happened, sir?
Thank you!
[Dongju] For what?
Go, go!
[both laughing]
SERGEANT CLEANING
- Go! - Okay!
[Wonjoong] Please forgive me! I was wrong.
What the...
[both laughing]
[gasps]
[breathing heavily]
Let me out!
Please, let me out!
[♪ rock music playing]
What have you done to me?
I'm just getting started.
Your real trial begins now.
Do you admit that you, sinner Choi Wonjoong, murdered Won Changseon
and yet are unrepentant and unforgiven?
What kind of bullshit is that?
You bitch!
Fine. It's not fun if you repent right away anyways.
[Wonjoong] What kind of bullshit are you trying to pull?
[chuckles]
[creatures growling]
What's that? What the...
[♪ sinister music playing]
[Wonjoong screams]
TICKET BOX
[creature growling]
[Wonjoong yells]
[breathing heavily]
[creature growling]
- [creature roars] - [Wonjoong screaming]
Why are you doing this to me?
[♪ sinister music continues]
[Judge Kang] Did you have fun?
What do you think?
[groaning]
[whimpering]
Help!
[♪ rock music playing]
[music stops]
[Wonjoong] Help...
Yes, I was wrong. Let me go.
- What did you do wrong? - I killed him. I killed Won Changseon.
I hired people to kidnap him
and beat him.
I made it look like a suicide and killed him.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. Please, stop.
- I'm sorry. - Right? You killed him, right?
Yes.
Then do you regret killing him?
Have you been forgiven?
I repented at church.
I said "I'm sorry" at church.
[crying] And God forgave me.
Not that.
Did you apologize to the victim? Were you forgiven?
What?
I've already been saved by the Lord.
Wrong.
"Execute killers unforgiven by their victims
and unrepentant of their sins
and send them to Hell."
That's what God wants.
It's the only power God gave demons.
Demons?
Go to Hell.
[♪ sinister music playing]
geenna
[eerie whispers]
Court is adjourned.
[beeping]
[Daon] So you did kill them all.
Moon Jeongjun, Bae Jayeong, Yang Seungbin and now Choi Wonjoong.
How are you here?
For believing in me
and telling me it wasn't my fault,
thank you.
[tracker beeping]
No.
But what I said then was all true--
Shut up!
Give me your phone.
[gasps]
How...
How did you?
[Mando] Amen.
What did you pray for?
Someone's been picking on me.
I prayed they'd go back to Hell soon.
I mean, I even bought sulfur powder. For revenge.
How can you get revenge with that?
It's a secret,
but if you throw sulfur powder at a demon,
their powers are frozen for an hour or two.
Koo Mando, that idiot.
[grunting]
Let go!
Kang Bitna, you're under arrest for murder.
- You have the right to remain silent-- - Shut up.
I won't complain if you don't read me it.
I'm not petty or cheap like you.
[phone buzzing]
EUNSEOP
Go ahead.
You found Detective Kim?
Where?
I'm on my way.
[call disconnects]
[sirens wailing]
[♪ somber music playing]
[Daon sobbing]
[crying]
[Daon crying] Soyeong.
[sirens wailing]
YEAR 1999, YEONJU-DONG
[indistinct laughter on TV]
Wait! Don't step on it. We have to preserve the scene.
Requesting backup. There's a homicide in 312 Yeonju-dong!
We need emergency backup!
- [heavy breathing] - [Soyeong] Is someone in there?
[breathing heavily]
- Mom! - Wait!
You can't go out there now.
- Mom. - No.
Officer.
My dad, mom, and Jion.
When are they coming back from the hospital?
They'll be back soon.
[crying]
Why are you crying?
You're lying right now, aren't you?
I'm...
going to become a great detective
and catch whoever did this
to your mom and dad
and Jion.
I promise.
[crying]
[Hyeongseok] What happened to the boy?
There's no relative to take care of him.
[officer] From Yeonju-dong?
Was it White Tree Childcare Center?
I hear he's staying there.
But isn't the center too far
from Manjae Elementary for such a little boy?
[all] Fight!
- [boy 1] Get off, you beggar! - [children] Fight!
[boy 1] Get off me!
[boy 1] Move!
Get off, you orphan! Do you have a death wish?
[Soyeong] Stop it! Stop!
[boy 2] Han Daon lives in an orphanage.
[boy 3] Don't play with him.
Beggar!
[boy 4] He's an orphan.
[boy 5] It's because he doesn't have parents.
[Soyeong] Are you okay?
I bought you some sneakers. Do you want to try them on?
Do you pity me because I'm an orphan, too?
I'm not a beggar! I don't need this!
- It's not that. - You're a liar.
You said you'd catch the killer. You didn't keep your promise.
You suck, get lost!
- Get lost now! - [Soyeong yelps and groans]
[teacher] Kim Yeongsu's mother?
Yeongsu... Hello!
Next is Kim Chaeyeon's mother.
- [woman 1] Hello. - [teacher] Hello.
- He's alone. - Daon!
I told you.
Stop coming.
I don't want to see you. I'm tired of you.
[chuckles] Are you mad because I'm late?
Give it. Come here.
[Hyeongseok] Daon, let's do it together.
I made this, it's really good. We made this together.
Come on. Let's go.
There's one space left for parents' kickball.
- Would anyone like to join? - Me!
I'm Han Daon's mom. Class 3-1.
[teacher] Yes, Daon's mother.
- Let's go, Daon. This way. - Okay.
[teacher] It's Daon's mother.
- You got this! - We got this! Let's go, Daon.
MANJAE ELEMENTARY CLASS KICKBALL MATCH
[all cheering]
[people cheering] One more!
- [whistle blows] - [people cheering] One more!
[man] Hey, what are you doing?
- [referee whistles] Out! - [groans]
Give me your hand.
This? I'm fine. It's not even bleeding.
Not that.
Okay.
Why won't it get better?
That's annoying.
Have you thought about what Hyeongseok and I said last time?
When we move into a new house next year,
we want to live with you.
We would like to live with you
and be your family.
You can have your own room there.
I don't need it.
I want to sleep in the same room
as you guys.
What?
[exclaiming]
[chuckles and kisses Daon]
Thank you, Daon.
On the count of three, okay?
Now, smile.
One, two, three!
- [sirens wailing] - [radio chatter]
Daon.
[grunting]
Can you kill someone for me?
Who?
Serial killer J.
Find him and send him to Hell.
You can do it because you're a demon.
No, let's do it together.
I'm going to rip him to shreds when I see him!
- Han Daon. - [Daon] Didn't you hear me?
Should I say it again?
I'm going to kill that bastard!
No. Then you'll go to Hell, too.
After I kill that bastard,
you can kill me and send me to Hell.
I will gladly let you kill me then.
That promise,
make sure you keep it.
[gasping]
[heartbeat echoing]
[♪ somber music playing]
The Judge from Hell
SPECIAL THANKS TO ACTOR OH EUI SIK
♪ Please don't break no more ♪
Defendant. Have you ever killed anyone?
Have you ever wanted to kill?
What is it you want?
Are you omnipotent?
Hello, I'm Detective Jang Munjae.
What kind of person is Kang Bitna?
[Judge Kang] Do I need to feed you?
Open your mouth.
Serial killer J
has returned after 25 years and murdered a detective...
[Arong] Now that we know who serial killer J is,
all we need to do is kill him.
Whoever killed Kim Soyeong, listen carefully.
I will chase you to the ends of Hell!
And catch you myself.
[Judge Kang] If you want to go to Hell, you should see it first.
The moment you join hands with a demon,
you will have to give up many things.
[man] Whether you use Daon and discard him or protect him.
[Arong] She cried?
[man] It's up to you.
Translated by Jamie Jin