After one of their professors is killed during a mock trial class, students become embroiled in an intense murder mystery. Prosecutor Yang Jong-Hoon becomes the prime suspect; however, he may or may not actually be responsible.
Joon-Hwi and Kang Sol-B share the belief that Assemblyman Ko has connections to Lee Man-Hoo’s death through an unrelated hit-and-run incident, they suspect him of having involvement.
1. Seo Byung-Ju
Law School begins with its students participating in a mock trial led by Professor Seo Byung-ju. Each one acts as judge, prosecutor and defense attorney in their roles; but soon afterwards their professor has been found dead – could it have been suicide or murder? Additionally it remains unknown whether his death has any relationship to past cases and the recent release of child rapist Lee Man-ho.
This story follows a group of law students at an elite university, all facing personal struggles of their own. Han Joon-hwi stands out among his classmates as an intelligent yet even-tempered law student; most notable among these is Han Joon-hwi – smart yet even-tempered student who hides the fact he’s Professor Seo Byung-ju’s nephew until investigation closes in on him, only then managing to cause enough suspicion to become one early suspect.
Yang Jong-Hoon, a no-nonsense former prosecutor who once worked closely with Professor Seo Byung-ju, serves as dean of the university and acts as chief investigator upon Professor Seo Byung-ju’s murder; although his motives for doing so are ominous: as previously seen during Seo Byung-ju’s dismissal for taking bribes from Assemblyman Ko Hyeong-su (Jung Won-joong), Seo had him fired for taking money bribes from Assemblyman Ko Hyeong-su (Jung Won-joong).
Assemblyman Go Jae-hyun (Lee Joon-gi), was responsible for freeing Lee Man-ho and used his crimes to advance his political aspirations. Additionally, he wanted to provoke Professor Seo as he believed she caused his father’s toy factory to fail leading up to his death; so he recruited Ye-seul’s roommate Seo Ji-ho as an agent provocateur; Ji-ho initially believed Professor Seo was to blame but eventually realized it was actually Man-ho’s boss Assemblyman Go.
2. Yang Jong-Hoon
After Professor Seo Byung-Ju’s murder during a mock trial class at Hankuk University Law School, his death sends shockwaves through students at Hankuk. Yang Jong-Hoon, known by students as Yangcrates due to his harsh tone and strict teaching methods, becomes one of the prime suspects. Although known for being harsh with students he was once his prosecutor turned law professor career has taken an unexpectedly dark turn – along with suspects such as his brother Joon-Hwi; vice dean Kang Sol B, and Joon Hwi cousin Le Man-Ho.
Yang as part of his defense reveals that he was responsible for catching Seo Byung-Ju taking drugs and mixing them into his coffee, then showing how Professor Seo experienced hypoglycemic shock before ultimately passing away from hypoglycemic shock and death.
But the prosecutor doesn’t buy it, explaining that evidence indicates Yang as the person who planted drugs due to his knowledge of professor Seo’s situation and as being the only individual capable of planting the drugs.
At stake is not just one murder trial but also several plot lines which must be resolved, such as Kim Eun-Sook’s efforts to free Le – an rapist she reluctantly sentenced to light prison terms when she was judge 11 years earlier – while Sol-B is embroiled in an plagiarism incident involving Byung-Ju’s work that links Sol-B to Yang through Byung-Ju’s laptop file that links him directly. There will likely be twists, secrets and unsavory dealings but it will fall to seven law students to prove him innocent until his murder trial begins and we may finally learn all about why Professor Yang died so soon!
3. Han Joon-Hwi
Joon-hwi is an intelligent law student who keeps his relationship with Seo Byung-Ju hidden from everyone. A natural leader, he forms study groups to help his classmates and can sometimes be cold and arrogant; his personality conflicts with those in his class but at heart is always ready and willing to assist those around him.
He starts an uproar at university by initiating a petition and calling for investigation of Assemblyman Ko for land bribery; but most students prefer leaving him alone. Later, Yeon-seul needs help from him when she is having issues with an abusive boyfriend and asks for advice. He offers her guidance.
Professor Yang’s trial has started, and he’s being interrogated by police. He claims his innocence but other suspects include Joon-hwi and Kang Sol B, the vice dean of law school. When Professor Yang discovers a witness who looks just like Victim 2 in parking lot he attempts to bring her in for questioning but she runs off and runs off again before they arrive at home.
Joon-hwi’s world starts to unravel in this episode. Being his uncle’s murder victim, he quickly gets drawn into the investigation as well as becoming an early suspect. Along with other students he and others begin uncovering evidence surrounding Assemblyman Ko’s killing; though how they will bring Assemblyman Ko to justice remains uncertain. Additionally, during interrogations sessions with witnesses he reveals his father was falsely accused by this prosecutor turned professor; plans are laid in motion to prove this claim in court.
4. Kang Sol-B
Kang Sol-B is an ambitious student determined to become a lawyer, yet struggles in law school. While her natural legal brain excels, competing with peers such as Joon-Hwi and Ji-ho who achieve top grades without much effort, her mother pushes her into studying even if it means plagiarized work being submitted; ultimately leading to her breaking point.
She clashes with Professor Kang over his refusal to allow laptops in class and discovers on her computer a file that links her directly with Byung-Ju’s plagiarism allegation, suggesting she could have been involved. Additionally, Assemblyman Ko’s chauffeur Lee Man-ho was present at the scene of Professor Seo’s murder, prompting her to wonder if perhaps he may have played some role.
At his arraignment, the vice dean stands up and begins confessing to murdering Professor Seo. Just when he begins speaking, her voice echoes through the courtroom and stops him cold. Defense counsel then questions her until just as she begins answering, her father enters and abruptly suspends proceedings.
Kang Sol-B realizes she’s being set up when they meet privately; although she did not take the laptop with her, she does possess a sugar sachet matching those found at the crime scene. She informs her father she suspects him of withdrawing his alibi for her and realizes she could have been the killer; in response he tells her he won’t ever remove her, promising she will find out the truth surrounding Professor Seo’s death and clear her name.
5. Le Man-Ho
Following an unsettling death, a group of law students become embroiled in an intense murder case which puts their careers and relationships under strain. Yang Jong-Hoon (Kim Myung-min), an accomplished prosecutor-turned-professor, is among them; so is Han Joon-Hwi (Kim Bum), an exceptional first year law student with top grades across all classes.
Professor Seo is murdered during a mock trial class at Hankuk University and Prosecutor Yang is suspected as the main culprit. To uncover the truth behind this crime and prove Professor Seo’s innocence, students work together.
Though each character faces their own personal challenges, they all share an aim of becoming successful lawyers and seeking justice. Even though she comes from an affluent family, Sol-A works tirelessly to maintain high grades despite coming from one. Her intelligence and determination cannot be denied but her focus may become diverted by an inappropriate romantic interest who stalks her.
The drama also provides a view into Korean politics that many may prefer not to witness: drug and sexual exploitation of children being one of Korea’s major issues; depicted through entire family’s lives being affected and corruption within its legal system being made apparent in this show.
This story is compelling as it begins as a murder mystery but then progresses to more universal themes such as Assemblyman Ko and his corrupt prosecutors, leading viewers into feeling sorry for Joon-Hwi and Sol-A as they fight to get to the bottom of this scandal – but don’t despair, as this drama also offers hope and redemption in its final episode – making for an intense experience that keeps audiences on their toes throughout its runtime! It is truly riveting!