As the series wraps up its storyline, the last two episodes bring justice to past and present juvenile crimes. Likewise, the puzzle pieces of Judge Sim Eun Seok’s well-kept past are revealed.
One stressful case after another is not enough. Judge Sim Eun Seok also had to deal with the re-appearing man who happens to be his ex-husband. Likewise, she has to work with Head Judge Na Geun Hee, who clearly stirs up buried pains and trauma. On top of that, her ex-mother-in-law marched to Yeonhwa district court just to slap her on the face and make a ruckus in her workplace.
The final straw for this impending dilemma is when she sees a case file of a juvenile offender who is seemingly a link to her unspoken past; the usual stern and strong Eun Seok crumbles in hysteria, and hyperventilation eventually collapses in the office floor.
Nathan Llantos watched Juvenile Justice on Netflix
Juvenile Justice Episode 9&10 Key Moments
Episode 9 Plot Recap
Eun Seok awakens in a hospital bed. Judge Cha Tae-Ju and the other Judicial Associates took her to the hospital. The doctor said that it was because of extreme burnout and tiredness. Eun Seok did not bother explaining why she was triggered.
Subsequently, Tae-Ju brings her home. He discovers that Eun Seok’s refrigerator contains only a few bottles of water, and the whole house is unfurnished.
The only thing that decors her living space are unopened boxes, piled-up books, and case files on her table. Additionally, Tae-Ju also drops 2 bags of groceries at Eun Seok’s front door, showing his concern for his colleague.
Moreover, the new case at Yeonhwa district court is about a girl named Seon-A. In particular, the case is about an alleged gang rape. Seon-A was found passed out on a worn-out mattress at a construction site covered in bruises.
Apparently, the poor girl was forced to drink by the gang. She met one of them online and was invited to meet up to talk about her problems. Never did Seon-A expect what tragedy would befall her.
More importantly, the results of the tests ran on Seon-A implies that two of the individuals are guilty of the crime. However, Seon-A’s account is contradictory. Under the influence of alcohol, she was uncertain if there were three or four guys involved in this case.
History Repeats Itself
Afterward, Tae-Ju investigates In-Jun and discovers that he already has a juvenile record. He threw a brick from the roof, which struck the victim and killed him instantly. On top of that, the current Head Judge Geun-Hee was the one who handled the case.
What is more, the situation then shifts to Hwang In-Jun, which greatly affects Eun-Seok. Subsequently, Geun-Hee appoints Eun-Seok as the primary judge for the two boys accused of raping Seon-A.
Meanwhile, Tae-Ju is handed the case of Hwang In-Jun. Eun-Seok is dissatisfied; she eagerly wants to be in charge of the case against In-Jun. Eun Seok has scarcely remembered In-jun, but she never forgot about the incident and is resolved to exact some form of retribution.
The one who In-Jun killed was Eun-Seok’s toddler son. For fun, In-Jun and his friend threw a brick on top of the roof to the kid they wanted to prank. It was revealed that this was the cause of Eun Seok’s disdain for juvenile offenders.
In-Jun easily got away with it. And now he stands on trial once again. Additionally, In-Jun’s defense during the trial claims that he only took part in the incident because he was afraid of the gang and attempted to interfere when he recognized the seriousness of the crime they were going to perpetuate.
Unfortunately, the tape of In-jun boasting to the victim’s father, which was previously mentioned, isn’t legally valid, as a piece of court evidence. Eun-Seok was able to return to the murder scene and acquire dashcam film from a cab parked across the street from the construction site where the crime occurred.
To summarize, the video plainly indicates that all three guys, as well as In-Jun, entered the crime scene, contradicting his allegations.
Episode 10 Plot Recap
The last episode picks up the pace of the previous one. The Head Judge Geun Hee finally realizes that Eun Seok was the mother of the toddler killed by In-Jun. Subsequently, she confronts Judge Sim Eun Seok about this.
As the opportunity arises, Eun Seok finally told Geun Hee what she has been bottling up for years. She lectured Geun Hee about how her decision to abruptly end the trial that day resulted in In-Jun and his peers’ confidence that the law is something they can bypass.
Moreover, Eun Seok emphasized how the three minutes of the juvenile trial she held that day could not possibly have taught those youngsters anything about the very real consequences of their acts. As a result, Eun-seok is removed from the case, and she is threatened with an investigation.
Naturally, Eun Seok shows no signs of yielding. This time, Judge Cha Tae Jun reminds her to take caution and avoid involving herself. Nevertheless, she still urges him for details on why he thinks Do-Hyeon was also an accomplice of the crime.
Eventually, Tae-Ju tells her about one of the female juvenile offenders he’s responsible with, who worked with Do-Hyeon’s fugitive group as a ruse to assault and extort clients who pay for prostitutes.
To illustrate, Do-Hyeon is known for being the insane head of the group, which also includes those who assaulted Seon-A. It was revealed how he was participating in some in the incident despite not being seen on the cab’s dashcam film.
The Room Where It Happens
Eun Seok traces these accounts and discovers a rather intricate scheme. Gruesomely, the gang rapes young women, films the act, and sells the material for a hefty profit. Not only that, but it gets worse. They also con the gigolos (also known as sugar daddies) by having a girl member of their gang portrayed as a prostitute, then the corner and threaten the client to get more money.
Eventually, Eun Seok finds Do Hyeon’s hidden lair for their gang’s heinous and immoral operations. However, Do Hyeon discovers her spying on his computer. They then engage in a physical fight where Eun Seok is at a disadvantage and is badly beaten.
They collide in a back room, and there Eun-Seok notices a sneaker that looks just like Seon-A’s, one that was left at the scene of the crime. Moreover, as she scans the area, she sees many sneakers being displayed like trophies.
Evidently, Do-Hyeon and the gang had violated numerous girls already. The several sneakers prove just how many victims they had already wronged. And as Do Hyeon begins strangling Eun-Seok, he is stopped by the arrival of the police vehicle. Consequently, Eun-Seok returns to the courthouse blood-stained and weak.
Burying Old Bones
Fortunately, Tae-Ju is able to persuade the other two boys of the gang into disclosing Do Hyeon’s involvement and the scope of the gang’s operation, as well as give the court access to the cloud drive containing all the proof of their operations.
Head Judge Geun-hee lowers her pride and lets Eun Seok’s words sink into her. Hence, with a changed mindset, she guarantees that Do-Hyeon will take the stand to be shown all of the evidence collected during the trial.
Unable to contain himself, Do Hyeon lashes out at In-Jun, thus exposing himself further spilling more beans while beating In-Jun. What is more, Eun-Seok is in the courtroom, while Seon-A observes the chaos from another room.
She’s been allowed to express her final thoughts on the matter. Furthermore, with Eun-Seok’s guidance, she raises her head high as she speaks through the microphone.
More importantly, Head Judge Geun Hee’s role, in this case, compels her to apologize to Eun-Seok and anybody else whose actions she may have influenced.
It was then revealed how former Head Judge Kang urged Geun Hee to speak on behalf of Eun Seok before the Supreme Court disciplinary committee, where she reaffirms her opinion on young offenders. Before facing the committee for her trial, she opens and brings her late son’s things and burns them as a sign of moving forward.
Later on, she again states her iconic line of how she hates juvenile offenders. However, she also emphasized how she will handle the cases objectively and treat them befittingly before the Supreme Court.
Juvenile Justice Episode 9&10 Series Musings
Outstanding Character Portrayal
Hands down to Kim Hye Soo. She really owned her character as Judge Sim Eun Seok. For instance, her portrayal as a grieving mother was so on point. Besides that, the way she acted out during the hysterical scene was convincing was full of tension.
Until the last two episodes, she claimed her character as Eun Seok. Indeed, the other actors and actresses also did justice to their portrayals in the finale. Juvenile Justice delivered the compelling and realistic representation it is aiming for from the first episode up to the last.
Don’t miss the emotional series finale of Juvenile Justice. Watch episodes 9 &10 available for streaming on Netflix.
Get to know more about the actors and actresses, and the producers of the series:
Press Conference: “Juvenile Justice” Aims For A Fair Presentation Of Juvenile Crimes”
Photos: Netflix
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