I Want to Know Your Parents (2022) - full transcript
An eighth grade student kills himself but not before writing the names of the students who victimized him. Their parents are then called into the school and a battle goes on regarding the will.
Don't talk to him.
He's a scumbag peddler.
Nice to meet you, sir.
I'm Kang Ho-chang, a lawyer.
My counsel team just left.
They're getting things
ready for your trial.
I specialize in inmate consultations.
I see.
These buttons keep giving me problems.
Every time I stand up,
my shirt gapes open.
"Get buttons replaced."
This uniform. It's lousy.
Lousy, okay.
Lousy. Replace fabric.
- If you go to my office,
- Yes, sir.
The Times should've arrived.
Make sure you bring me that.
- Sure.
- There's a Bible on my desk.
Bi…
A Bible? Okay.
THE TIMES, BIBLE
Is there anything else you need?
Hello, this is Kang Ho-chang.
Pardon?
Hello, sir.
I'm Han-gyeol's father.
Nice to meet you.
Do I look like a teacher to you?
Excuse me?
I must've missed the
mark with today's outfit.
I'm a parent too.
Oh, I see.
So why did they call us here?
No clue. They called me
here but haven't said why.
Did the kids get into a fight?
What's your son's name?
Do Yoon-jae.
Yoon-jae? Yoon-jae…
It's only natural for boys to
get into fights sometimes.
That's how they grow and
mature. Wouldn't you say?
Some kids might be like that.
But Yoon-jae isn't
the type to hit anyone.
He's gentle, you see.
Hello.
I'm the Grade 8 Class
3 homeroom teacher.
Oh, hello. I'm Han-gyeol's father.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hello.
Would you like coffee or green tea?
Coffee, please.
Thank you.
I should've come by sooner to
say hello, but I've been so busy.
Oh, that's not necessary.
I didn't get a chance to
come on Teacher's Day...
- That's hot.
- Are you okay? Oh, no.
- It's fine. It didn't burn me.
- I'll go get you a wet wipe.
Geez, that was hot.
She could've just taken it.
You must be the teacher. Hello.
I'm a parent of a student.
Oh, I see.
You must be the teacher. Hello.
I apologize for not coming by sooner.
I'm Park Kyu-beom's grandfather.
He's a parent of one
of the students too.
Do Yoon-jae's father.
My, you give off such
a warm impression.
You look like a teacher.
Gosh, should I not have come today?
Is this a meeting for fathers?
No.
I'm here because my wife went
overseas to Haiti to volunteer.
She's doing wonderful
work. That's so admirable.
Oh, well, mine is…
Oh…
Hello. You may stay seated.
Looks like everyone's here.
Mr. Jeong, you can go sit over there.
- Are you the dean of students?
- Yes, but I'm here as a parent today.
I'm Jeong I-deun's dad.
I'm Oh Jung-sub, the principal of
Haneum International Middle School.
We made an urgent request for you all
to come despite your busy schedules
because the police called the
school early this morning.
Haneum International Middle School.
Our school's PE uniform?
- Geon-woo.
- Is he a student from your school?
A fisherman fished him out of a lake.
He must've gotten
him out pretty quickly.
Goodness, he's one lucky kid.
When a person drowns,
their whole body blows
up like a balloon,
and their face looks
like it's going to explode.
All the hair on their
body falls out too.
It's too hideous to look at.
My gosh, how did the accident happen?
It wasn't an accident.
Geon-woo's homeroom
teacher, Ms. Song Jeong-uk,
received a letter from him.
Read it, please.
"I have been the victim of
bullying for a long time now."
I couldn't say a thing because I
was scared they would retaliate.
- "They don't see me as a human being."
- They don't see me as a human being.
I don't see myself as a
human being anymore, either.
I'm sorry, Mom.
- "I'm thankful to be your son."
- I'm thankful to be your son.
I love you, Mom.
"Grade 8, Class 3, Do Yoon-jae.
Park Kyu-beom.
Jeong I-deun.
Kang Han-gyeol."
That's it.
Excuse me. Why is Yoon-jae's
name in that letter?
He's the first name here.
Yes,
so why is my son's name in that letter?
Excuse me, Mr. Do.
Please calm down and have a seat.
Have a seat.
We'll go ahead and start our
meeting now, as outlined
in our school's bullying policy.
Geon-woo's parents are
supposed to be present as well.
Ms. Song. What does
Geon-woo's father do?
His student card only has
information about his mother.
I'm only a temporary homeroom
teacher, so I'm not sure.
Excuse me. I suppose you're not aware
as you're only a temporary teacher.
My son donates 30,000 won to UNICEF
every single month
because he feels sorry for
all those dark-skinned kids.
Principal Oh.
Have you questioned the students?
All four kids said the same thing,
that nothing like that ever happened.
See? There's no truth
to it. It's not true.
Oh, Goddess of Mercy…
Where's Han-gyeol right now?
The offending students are waiting
in the debate room right now.
What kind of nonsense is that?
Excuse me?
What will the other students
think if our kids aren't in class?
You're branding them as criminals
before even having all the details.
Students legally have
a right to be in class.
You should act according to the law.
Why are you detaining
innocent children?
They're just staying in the
debate room, not being detained.
That's the same thing.
When your elders are speaking, you
don't need to give your two cents.
Ms. Song.
- Song!
- Song!
- Hey, snap some pictures.
- Goal!
Goal!
Yes. Don't worry, Mr. Chairman.
My apologies.
Oh, yes. Of course.
Of course, we can't allow the
school to become a topic for gossip.
Especially not for something like this.
Mr. Do.
Our school has a no-smoking policy.
That's why I'm ventilating the room.
Do Yoon-jae, Park Kyu-beom,
Jeong I-deun, Kang Han-gyeol.
GEON-WOO UNCONSCIOUS, SCHOOL
VIOLENCE, SUICIDE NOTE
They're not in alphabetical order.
You're right.
Maybe Han-gyeol's name is at the
end because they're roommates.
He shares a room with my son?
I'll bet he's too scared
to get any sleep.
Has anything like this
ever happened here before?
No way, never.
I didn't want to say
this, but to be honest,
Ms. Song is a temporary teacher.
She may not have a strong sense of
responsibility when it comes to the kids.
How could they make someone
like her a homeroom teacher?
The school is largely
responsible for this.
So why are they spewing nonsense
about the kid getting bullied?
What was his name? The kid who died.
Is he some kind of troublemaker?
It's Kim Geon-woo. And he's not dead.
They said he's just unconscious.
And could you stop talking?
You're making me uncomfortable.
How did I do that?
Just don't listen then.
To be honest… I don't know
if I should say this either,
but Geon-woo is a beneficiary of a
program for low-income students.
Parents of kids like that
often have unreasonable expectations.
I believe that excessive
pressure placed on him
played a big role in his
attempt to take his life.
See?
Kids with problems have
problematic parents.
Why don't we do this then?
Until Geon-woo wakes up, let's
keep the letter undisclosed
and leave it in the
care of the principal.
Ms. Song is so young and
lacks a sense of responsibility.
That's what I'm saying.
A suicide note can be used as evidence.
Not disclosing it would
be concealing evidence.
- Suicide note? That's not a suicide note.
- Then what would you call it?
It's just a letter.
A suicide note becomes valid
upon the death of the writer
and contains their last words.
Didn't you say he isn't dead yet?
If you do something wrong,
you should be punished for it.
If the contents of that letter come
out, regardless of what the truth is,
the names in that letter will
become the names of criminals.
It's a parent's duty to lead
their child down the right path.
You're not his parent, though.
Instead of being blamed your whole life
for ruining your grandson's future,
tell Kyu-beom's dad
to come here instead.
I assure you,
every father in the world
thinks and feels the same way.
It's different with grandfathers.
Ms. Song.
But Geon-woo gave this to me…
I'll hold on to it for safekeeping.
Read it.
Read it.
"A faculty member may not
accept any object from a student.
If they happen to come into
possession of an object…".
They must notify the principal
and follow his or her orders.
TO MS. SONG JEONG-UK
They want to make a group chat.
Could I have your phone number?
I don't know how to
do things like that.
Mr. Park, you're quite the frugal man.
I'm sure you've retired,
but you still wear your
police-issued shoes.
Where did you work?
I retired from the National Police
Agency and went into teaching.
You were one of the elite.
Since we've been brought
together like this,
we just wanted to communicate
with each other, that's all.
After all, we're all in the same boat.
I don't get on boats. I'm
prone to getting seasick.
Mr. Kang, take care.
- Geez, why did you do that?
- Do what?
Yoon-jae, this isn't going to work.
You need to go back to the States.
Man, I'm not going
back. I just got settled in.
You punk. You call harassing
kids getting settled in?
Then again, the kids
who take it are the idiots.
Do Yoon-jae. You need to
watch yourself for the time being.
This is your last warning. Got it?
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
Will you look up from your
phone when your dad's talking?
So you and Geon-woo are roommates?
Yeah.
Did you hear about the accident?
Yeah.
Nothing happened, right?
Yeah.
Okay. Make sure you
keep your mouth shut.
I'm off.
KANG Han-gyeol
KIM Geon-woo
Jesus Christ.
What are you doing here?
Why are you so surprised?
I told you, didn't I? All dads
think and feel the same way.
Ms. Song.
It's tough, isn't it?
It's too bad the school doesn't
know how dedicated you are.
Want me to look into
a position for you?
Just a second.
Hello, this is Song Jeong-uk.
You got hold of Geon-woo's mom?
Okay, I'll head over to
the hospital right now.
- Sorry, I need to go.
- Sure.
I'm sorry.
Where are you, honey?
The department store
at a time like this?
Go to the hospital. Yes, right now.
Song!
- Hey!
- Song, what's up?
See you later!
So long!
Keep going, there you go. Nice job.
Nice. Later!
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTER
What… What's wrong, Geon-woo?
Wake up.
- Wake up. Geon-woo!
- Ma'am, please.
- Why are you trying to go first?
- You'll really kill him at this rate.
- Ma'am, please. Calm down.
- Geon-woo!
I'm Geon-woo's homeroom teacher.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Ma'am.
You punk.
I hit him, and he couldn't even flinch.
Sergeant Lee! Just a second.
When will you start investigating?
We don't investigate suicide attempts.
It might not have been
a suicide attempt.
Ma'am. He has cuts all over his wrist.
Looked like he tried
hanging himself too.
He's already made a few
attempts to kill himself.
Pay some more
attention to your students.
Honey. I-deun's teacher is
talking to the police right now.
The police? What did she say?
I don't know. I can't hear a thing.
For goodness' sake.
SAEMGOL SPICY FRESHWATER FISH STEW
I'm home.
Why are you so late?
Aren't you off today since
you worked last night?
Something came up at school.
They pay their staff peanuts and
milk them for all they're worth.
Are temps not even human beings?
Geon-woo.
Han-gyeol?
Why didn't Han-gyeol stop
him? He definitely saw him.
It was 5:15 a.m.
3 HOURS
Three hours?
What went on during those
three hours, Geon-woo?
Let's go.
I found it,
so you should be the one to open it.
Damn it. What building
doesn't have an elevator?
- Hello, this is Kang Ho-chang.
- This is Song Jeong-uk.
Did something else happen?
Sir… Did you take
something from the room?
I saw that you went to the dorm.
Oh, Han-gyeol asked me to take
home some stuff he doesn't use.
Han-gyeol's desk is on the right,
but you were on the left.
I assumed the messy desk was my son's.
Mr. Kang. Did you touch any
of Geon-woo's belongings?
Ms. Song. I'm a lawyer. Do you
think I would steal from a kid?
Sorry, but I'll have
to call you back later.
I'm in the middle of work.
MOBILE SOLUTIONS
Welcome.
I'm here to get this phone unlocked.
A service center can
do this for you for free.
- Really?
- But,
I'm sure there's a reason
you came to see me.
It'll cost 200,000 won
to recover the data.
All right, then.
ID, please.
We operate according to the law.
We need proof of identity.
So,
how much in total?
This is a no-parking zone. Plate
number 5232, please move your car.
- Please move your car.
- Just give me a ticket and go.
Do you have any cash on you?
Go grab a bowl of
jajangmyeon on the first floor.
I'll get it to you when I'm done.
I-DEUN'S FATHER: MS. SONG
WAS TALKING TO THE POLICE
How old are you?
I was born in the Year of the Rooster.
- The Year of the Rooster.
- Yes.
We're the same age,
and we seem to click.
My name's Do Ji-yeol.
Kang Ho-chang.
Delivery. 10,000 won.
You guys are pretty talented.
You even ride your
bike down the stairs.
Hurry. I'm busy.
Here. Good work.
Thanks.
Let me see that.
GROUP CHAT
I-deun, Kyu-beom.
I-deun, Kyu-beom.
I don't see Yoon-jae.
What about Han-gyeol?
I don't see him either.
What were they looking at?
LET'S GO AGAIN TOMORROW!
Man, the weight's coming right off.
What are you doing, Geon-woo?
Are you ignoring us?
Hurry up and take a piss, jerk off!
Did that jerk just dodge that? Did you?
I asked you if you dodged it!
- Answer me!
- Hey, Han-gyeol.
- Did you dodge it!
- Make sure you're getting everything.
Answer me.
Answer me! Did you dodge that?
Did you?
Go on and take a piss. Hurry up!
Hurry up and do it!
Why would they film
something like this?
So, who was the instigator?
That isn't important.
It looks like Yoon-jae gave the orders,
and Han-gyeol filmed the video.
Are you blind?
Watch it again from the beginning.
Your two kids laid hands on him.
My son was just singing.
No way. Just singing, my foot.
Ma'am, you should say something.
Our kids didn't instigate it.
Aren't their kids worse?
They were all complicit.
If he dies and they investigate,
or if he wakes up and talks,
it's all over.
Let's get this show on the road.
What if he wakes up?
That's why you should hurry up and go.
You're a lawyer.
You're good with words.
I'm scientifically minded.
You use your mouth
and I'll use my hands.
Let's make this fair and
make use of our talents.
Jeez.
Why are you overthinking it?
We're just helping someone in need.
If he wakes up in the next few days,
he could be discharged right away, so…
I'm in a bit of a pinch.
I understand. All right.
Are you Kim Geon-woo's mother?
Yes.
I'm here as a representative of Haneum
International Middle School's PTA.
Hello.
Do you think the principal
will give us the note?
He has to.
What do the other parents do?
One's an obnoxious hospital chairman.
One's a retired cop who's
raising his grandson.
And one's a lawyer.
His wife ran out on him.
Just do as I tell you.
Are you threatening me right now?
As the wife of a faculty member,
I completely understand.
But you spent the kids' lunch money
on building this vacation home.
Do you think other people
will understand that?
Our school
has become the best in the country
thanks to my sacrifices and services.
Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Jeong?
Of course. I completely agree.
But if you give us Geon-woo's letter,
I'll make there's not even a cent
out of place on the documents.
I am a math teacher, after all.
Maximum of three years,
minimum of two years.
A middle school student from Daegu…
Maximum of three years and six months…
Three years and six months…
NEW MESSAGE
WE GOT RID OF THE LETTER!
- I-DEUN'S DAD
NAM JI-HO
NAM JI-HO
MESSAGES
I HEARD YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT
I'M WORRIED BECAUSE OF WHAT
I SAW THAT DAY, CALL ME
Who are you?
PIN NUMBER
DON'T PRINT RECEIPT
Your request is being processed.
Please wait one moment.
Hello.
Which room is Kim Geon-woo
in? He came in yesterday.
He's been discharged.
He woke up?
No. His mother decided to
move him to a bigger hospital.
I see. Thank you.
The phone is turned off. You
will be transferred to voicemail.
You will be charged after the tone.
Son.
What are you dreaming about?
You haven't been getting any sleep
because you've been studying.
Things have been tough
for you, haven't they?
We're at a big hospital in Seoul.
Your friends' parents
helped us out so you could wake up.
I'm so thankful.
So Geon-woo,
sleep just a bit more
and wake up soon.
I'll be waiting for you.
Gosh, you little punk.
My eyes are about to fall
out from having to watch you.
Geon-woo.
Geon-woo.
Just keep breathing.
If you die, my son will be done for.
Let's live quietly as if you were dead.
There's someone we need to find.
Mrs. Kim?
Mrs. Kim.
Mrs. Kim!
Mrs. Kim!
Stop right there!
Hello, sir.
Oh, you're having lunch.
A kid by the name of Nam
Ji-ho lives here, right?
Are you here from the detention center?
Someone from the center
already came by this month.
Seeing the kids often
helps us bond with them.
Wait. Which unit did she live in?
Ji-ho.
Who are you?
KANG HO-CHANG
Where's your ID?
ID?
He works for me. He's
my office manager.
Like a lackey?
I hear you and Kim
Geon-woo are best friends.
No, we're not.
Yeah, right. I know you are.
Ji-ho. I'm a lawyer.
I can only help Geon-woo if I
know what happened to him.
You two have met before, right?
Did you see anything that day?
I saw him once after not
having seen him in forever.
On the 15th floor of the apartment.
I got a really bad feeling.
Why?
Geon-woo lives on the first floor.
He said he just came
up to get some fresh air.
I was skeptical, but I let it go.
So you… saved him.
I saw him again not too long ago.
On the first floor.
Eat it.
Eat it. Go on.
Eat it.
Did you see that?
What was that?
What is he doing?
He really ate it like a dog!
Hey, son. Did you eat
the gimbap I made?
Yeah…
What's with your voice?
I just woke up.
I see.
I finished my work early today.
I'll be home soon.
I should be there in an hour.
- See you later.
- Bye.
Why the hell is she coming early?
Hey. Why's she coming home early?
Why's she coming early again? Why?
Why? Die!
Why the hell is she coming early again?
I was going to watch the soccer game.
Damn it.
KOREA INFORMATION
OLYMPIAD AWARD CEREMONY
Geon-woo looks a lot like his dad.
His dad bit the dust after
he fell off a construction site.
Hey.
Your dad looks so lonely.
You're a good son, Geon-woo.
Time to do your duty as a son.
You should
die too.
Want us to help you? Do you?
Want me to help? Do you?
Do you?
Did you see their faces?
All four of them?
I never said there were four.
There were three kids.
One was tall with a dark complexion
and looked like he played sports.
One had curly hair and was heavyset.
And one was fair-skinned
and pretty like a girl.
He's the one who cut him with a knife.
Right here.
Did Geon-woo die?
What?
I went to his apartment
earlier because I was worried.
All the lights were off,
and I got a weird feeling.
Hey, kid. You've got
some impressive skills,
popping in and out of other
people's homes like that.
The door was open.
Listen to this cheeky
little brat lying to us.
I'm not lying!
Come on.
Who would believe a girl
who's been in and out of juvie?
I don't want any part of this.
You guys do whatever you want.
Ji-ho. You should collect
your pay for your services.
Nam Ji-ho saw nothing.
That's the truth.
Go.
Han-gyeol may not be in the video,
but his name's in the suicide note.
I told you. It's a letter,
not a suicide note.
Mr. Oh, please give it back.
I looked it up on the
education office's site.
Letters are fine because they don't
come with an expectation of reciprocity.
It also doesn't violate
the anti-graft law.
Mr. Oh, Geon-woo's letter…
I went through a lot
of trouble for this.
FULL-TIME TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
Sign it and bring it back.
Hello, Mr. Jeong.
Gosh, ma'am. Congratulations.
I think you owe me a meal.
- That's great news!
- Everyone, have your fill.
- Congratulations! You must be so happy.
- Congratulations.
Eat lots.
HANEUM INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
SONG JEONG-UK'S FORMAL TEACHER RECRUITMENT
- Jeong-uk's here!
- Congratulations, Jeong-uk!
- Want me to set you up with a guy?
- Of course, you should.
All right, ladies. Let's drink.
To Song Jeong-uk!
- To Song Jeong-uk!
- To Song Jeong-uk!
Congrats!
FULL-TIME TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
THE DUTIES OF THE FULL-TIME
TEACHER ARE AS FOLLOWS…
NAME: SONG JEONG-UK
- Way to go!
- Way to go!
- Good job, everyone.
- Good job.
- Nice work.
- Good job.
- Good job.
- Goodbye.
Ji-yeol!
Three, two, one, shock!
Three, two, one, shock!
- Did you try epinephrine?
- We did, but we couldn't...
- Sir...
- Shut up.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe!
Breathe.
Breathe, damn it!
Please!
Now it's no longer a
letter but a suicide note.
Ji-yeol.
I tried to save him.
I really did.
This may sound harsh,
but it would've been hard for
both Geon-woo and his mom.
Rather than living
in a vegetative state,
his passing like this might be better.
We just have to fulfill all our duties.
And the last piece of evidence is gone.
It's true that his death
makes things easier for us.
Take it away.
Doctor, my Geon-woo isn't dead.
He's still so warm.
Yes, Geon-woo. Mom's here. I'm here.
Geon-woo! Geon-woo, please!
Geon-woo!
Doctor, my Geon-woo isn't dead!
Geon-woo, Mom's here!
You said you could save him!
You told me he would wake up!
I'm sorry.
It was me who killed him.
Geon-woo told me
he didn't want to go to that school.
That it would be hard on me
to have to pay all that money.
He said he wouldn't go.
I made him go.
I killed him.
I killed my son.
No, Mrs. Kim. It wasn't your fault.
Geon-woo…
Geon-woo wanted to
tell you he was sorry.
That he was thankful to be your son.
He asked me to tell
you that he loved you.
Where did you…
Where did you hear that?
He sent me a letter.
Geon-woo sent you a letter?
In it,
he wrote the names of the
students who bullied him.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
Yoon-jae.
What's the occasion? I was
going to take the school bus.
What's that?
A birthday gift from Yoon-jae.
A middle school student
doesn't need toys.
Get in.
POLICE
WARM AND RELIABLE HYEONIN POLICE
- Mrs. Kim.
- My son…
He was bullied.
The names of his bullies
were written in a letter.
Please…
Please catch them.
Look up how to properly
pay respects to a man.
Why?
Just do as you're told.
Just go.
And don't forget to
sign the guest book.
Don't stay there to eat either.
Just come out right away, okay?
Honey. Why do I miss
our son all of a sudden?
Focus on taking care
of your living grandson.
FUNERAL HOME ENTRANCE
Yoon-jae.
Honey!
Dad.
Cry. This is the time for it.
I have greatly sinned in my
thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and
in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed…
WHERE ARE YOU?
I'M GETTING MY COUPON
TO HEAVEN. HALLELUJAH.
Our son is a good kid.
He's just surrounded by bad
kids who have done bad things.
It'll be a little awkward if this
ends up on his permanent record.
SHOOT, I'M AT A PSYCHIATRIC
CLINIC. I'M OFFICIALLY A NUTJOB.
The kid's mom reported the case
and threw a wrench in the works.
But I'll wait for the right time
and get it wrapped up.
I'm counting on you.
Don't worry about it, sir.
I'M HAVING DINNER WITH
A COP. SO ANNOYING.
I'M HAVING DINNER WITH
A COP. SO ANNOYING.
Don't touch my laptop.
Why did you do it?
Do what?
Why did you do that to him?
It wasn't me.
What was the reason?
Where did things start to go wrong?
Have I wronged you in some way?
And how did Geon-woo wrong you?
Why did you do it? Why!
It wasn't me!
It wasn't me, Dad.
I didn't do anything to Geon-woo.
It was all the other kids.
I swear I didn't do
anything. It wasn't me!
I was just there because
they told me to be.
And I just watched Geon-woo
because I was told to.
Dad, I really didn't do anything.
I swear I didn't.
Please believe me. It wasn't me.
Thank you
for saying it wasn't you.
Ms. Song, what is this insanity?
They say pregnant women
shouldn't go to funerals.
But how can I not be here
when it's for one of our kids?
Kang Geon-woo was such a nice kid.
His name is Kim Geon-woo.
Oh, right. Kim Geon-woo.
He's number one on our class list.
Number two. Number
one is Kang Han-gyeol.
Oh, that's right. I got
the two mixed up.
Ever since they were in seventh
grade, they were such good friends.
They were joined at the hip.
They were best friends?
Ms. Song, I'm disappointed.
A temporary teacher should
still know things like that.
I guess you wouldn't know this, either.
At the beginning of the semester,
they had a bit of a falling out.
Han-gyeol.
Kang Han-gyeol.
Han-gyeol.
Kang Han-gyeol!
Han-gyeol…
Geon-woo was a close friend of yours.
Did something happen between you two?
Why don't you come clean...
What are you doing?
Giving him a chance to apologize
before Geon-woo's laid to rest.
But he didn't do anything wrong.
Mr. Kang, you have
no idea what happened.
Even if you do, you want
to pretend like you don't.
Even if you loiter
outside someone's house,
you can be charged for trespassing.
If I ever see you
again, I'll report you.
Leave.
You all are worse than the kids.
You should be ashamed
in front of your kids.
FULL-TIME TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
NAME: SONG JEONG-UK
Give me back the letter.
Go work as an exchange teacher
at our sister school overseas.
I teach national history.
You can apply for teacher
training and study overseas.
My specialty is Korean history.
How about studying world history then?
Ms. Song, have you no conscience?
How can a teacher throw their students
under the bus for their own benefit?
For the police to properly investigate,
they need that evidence...
That letter never existed.
Mr. Oh.
Yes?
What? We can't have a funeral
bus coming to the school!
Block it!
Geon-woo was one of our students too.
How can you do this to
him until the very end?
Are you trying to turn
the deceased into a hero?
Do you want to throw a parade for him?
Hurry up and block it!
- Stop!
- Stop the bus!
- Stop!
- Get out of here!
- Get out of here!
- Open the door, sir.
Sir, this is private property.
Move the bus right now.
- Get out. Move the bus.
- What are they doing here?
- Are you out of your mind?
- Why would you come here?
- For goodness' sake.
- Move the bus.
Let's go, Mrs. Kim.
What are you doing? Stop them.
- What are you doing?
- Ms. Song, wait.
Ms. Song. The school is
strictly off-limits to outsiders.
Parents of our students
are not outsiders.
Let's go, Mrs. Kim.
- Ms. Song!
- Wait.
- Stop them!
- We can't let you inside.
- You can't do this!
- Ms. Song.
You can't do this.
- Don't let them in!
- You can't go inside.
- Ms. Song!
- You can't go inside.
- We can't let you go inside.
- Ms. Song!
Lock the front doors!
- Lock the doors!
- Please stand back.
- Hurry up and lock the doors!
- Hey! Don't push!
- Ms. Song!
- You shouldn't be doing this.
- No…
- No!
We've locked the doors.
Let's go!
You can do it!
You've got this, I-deun!
Hang in there!
Hey, Kang!
Why are you so late?
- You must've had a trial today.
- Yes.
Look, it's Han-gyeol. Look at this.
I got a great shot of Han-gyeol.
Honey, look! Here they come!
Hang in there, boys!
Hang in there!
Come on, Han-gyeol!
Haneum International is pulling away.
Twenty meters, ten
meters, five meters.
Goal!
They've won the race.
Our kids will be okay, right?
They've wrapped up the investigation.
- Yes!
- Haneum International!
HANEUM BULLYING AND SUICIDE INCIDENT
BRING BACK THE LATE KIM GEON-WOO!
This isn't right. How can
you just wrap it up like this?
Please relaunch a formal investigation.
Get out of the car.
Geez, the pair of you are
driving me nuts today.
Mrs. Kim.
Ms. Song.
What do you want us to do? We
looked thoroughly but found nothing.
There's no evidence that the
four of them did anything.
I'm the evidence. I told
you, he sent me a letter.
Hand it over then.
See? You don't have it.
She told you she had it before.
She told you she saw the
letter! The suicide note!
Ma'am.
Find the note and bring it.
Until you do, you can
forget the re-investigation.
Let's go.
- Let's go inside.
- Let's go.
Mrs. Kim.
HANEUM BULLYING AND SUICIDE INCIDENT
BRING BACK THE LATE KIM GEON-WOO!
Big smiles, everyone. One, two, three!
Okay, one more time. One, two!
Nice. Let's take one last
picture. One, two, three.
All right. That came out nicely.
- Everybody, clap!
- All right.
Smile bigger.
Hello, Mr. Chairman.
Hold on a second.
What's up?
What?
Say what?
I'm the Grade 8 Class 3 homeroom teacher
at Haneum International Middle School.
My name is Song Jeong-uk.
In order to reveal the truth behind
a case of bullying at this school
and demand a proper investigation,
I'm sitting in front of this camera.
The school authorities at Haneum
confiscated a letter
written by Geon-woo
and tried to conceal this incident.
The perpetrators named
by Geon-woo in the letter,
Do Yoon-jae, Park Kyu-beom,
Jeong I-deun, and Kang Han-gyeol.
Not one of them has apologized.
To everyone who watches this video,
I'd like to make an earnest request.
Damn it. What if we
end up in the slammer?
Come on, no way.
We'll go if we have to.
Just think of it as a mini vacation.
We wouldn't be there for long anyway.
What happened?
The case was picked
up by another precinct.
They're going to re-investigate.
From now on, we'll have
to get our oars in sync.
If even one of us slips
up, we'll all drown.
There's no way out of this.
Let's have them turn themselves in.
How can you make it sound so simple?
All kids roughhouse a little
when they're playing around.
If that's a crime,
every person who went to school
in this country is a criminal.
We'd have to turn ourselves in first.
What if we just partially
acknowledged it?
It might lessen the consequences
a bit, but a criminal is a criminal.
We can't admit to it.
If they turn themselves
in, they won't be innocent.
Reach a settlement
with his mother first.
We cannot settle.
If they aren't acquitted, it'll
go on their criminal record.
What are you suggesting we do?
Is there really no way?
The police won't find the evidence.
The letter, the cellphone.
Everything's gone.
We just have to get
our stories straight.
With the homeroom teacher
having blown the whistle,
who would even believe us?
She spread false information
and is blackmailing us.
Song Jeong-uk is the liar, not us.
She is blackmailing the
school and the parents
to get a full-time teaching position.
That's how we'll drive
her into a corner.
- Here she comes!
- There she is.
Is it true you tried to negotiate a
settlement on behalf of the victim?
Were you aware the school filed a suit
for the spread of false information?
Were there any issues?
Who knows? I'm sure Yoon-jae did well.
I wasn't in the interrogation room.
- This way, sir.
- Which law firm are you from?
Good day, sir.
His dad's a lawyer?
Apparently so.
They say he's a well-known
inmate consultation attorney.
Don't say a single word.
Okay.
Hi.
So you're Han-gyeol.
You're a good-looking kid.
Let's make this quick and easy.
I'd like to finish this quickly too.
Han-gyeol.
You saw Geon-woo leave on
the day he drowned, right?
That early in the morning? How?
A dashcam got a perfect
shot of your face.
It's possible since they were
roommates. He's also a light sleeper.
Why didn't you stop him from going?
For all he knew, he could've
been out to get some air.
Can't your son speak for himself?
Hey, kid. Let me hear your voice.
So what did Kang
Han-gyeol do after that?
He fell back asleep until
the morning bell went off.
Is that so?
Let's take a look.
TESTIMONY
In March,
you called Geon-woo to the pool
and subjected him to water torture.
Han-gyeol, why'd you
ask me to come here?
That never happened.
Kang Han-gyeol threatened and
assaulted Geon-woo with a weapon...
Wait, hold on. Who gave that statement?
You stole Yoon-jae's
drone too, didn't you?
- That was a birthday gift.
- A gift that costs four million won?
Those are all lies made
up by Do Yoon-jae.
Do you have any evidence?
Do Yoon-jae and Jeong I-deun's
statements say the exact same thing.
All the times, locations,
and details match up.
They colluded to come up with a story.
Their lawyer schemed all this up.
Han-gyeol. You threatened to
kill Geon-woo before, didn't you?
No, he didn't!
You invited your friends
on your birthday
and nearly killed Geon-woo
as they watched.
His wrists.
You cut his wrists
like this with a knife.
- Isn't that right?
- Detective!
Han-gyeol did what?
On his birthday… His birthday…
Did you say he assaulted
and nearly killed Geon-woo?
When Geon-woo is smiling like this?
Ma'am.
Senior Superintendent
General Park wants to see you.
Sir. How have you been?
Just living it easy.
Things must be tough right
now because of your grandson.
I'm too ashamed to face you.
Don't worry about me,
and act according to your convictions.
Ma'am.
- What is it?
- The informant is here.
Right.
Well, take care, sir.
Detective Choi. Bring her in.
Is that the guy?
Geon-woo's lawyer…
Lieutenant Shin. Request an arrest
warrant for Kang Han-gyeol.
- Make sure to add destruction of evidence.
- Dad!
- No. It's not true!
- Dad!
- Dad!
- It's not true!
I can explain!
- That's not what happened.
- Dad!
Dad!
I HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF BULLYING…
After we get rid of the note,
our work is done, right?
We had to have one more
go down to end this game.
I feel kind of bad for Han-gyeol's dad.
What's wrong? Do you want
to switch places with him?
No.
It sure feels reassuring with the
senior superintendent general here.
Sir, thank you.
Don't overthink it.
Just think of our kids who have
their whole lives ahead of them.
All right, let's have a drink.
Cheers!
Ji-ho!
Nam Ji-ho!
Nam Ji-ho!
Where's Ji-ho?
At home probably.
Why? Don't you know her address?
What's the reason?
Why me?
Why does it have to be my son?
I'm not sure.
I was curious about that too,
so I asked my son.
He just doesn't like him.
I feel that way too.
Let go! Let go of me!
He's going to end
up dying at this rate.
I'm here to see inmate number
829, Kang Han-gyeol.
Inmate 829 has rejected your visit.
- Why?
- I said Kang Ho-chang was here,
and he refused to come out.
Ma'am, please tell Han-gyeol
that I'm sorry.
- Okay.
- Goodbye.
Get back safely and don't get drenched!
Don't run! The road's
slippery! Goodness.
- The dorm's going to close soon.
- We're doomed.
- Let's hurry.
- Hey, be careful.
- Hello.
- Hi, welcome.
Ma'am, could I ask you a few questions?
Yes, that's him.
He used to come here often and
buy bread, milk, and even coffee.
- He came often?
- Yes.
But it's a 30-minute walk
from here to the school.
Gosh, you know there's
nothing in front of that school.
But he always came in
the middle of the night.
His face always looked just awful.
He had bruises
everywhere, a busted lip,
and his arms and legs
were in bad shape too.
Goodness. I felt so
bad for the poor kid
that I used to give him
an extra banana milk.
What was his name again?
- It's Geon-woo.
- No, not Geon-woo.
What's the name of that one newspaper?
The Hankyoreh.
That's what his name sounded like.
Not Geon-woo?
Han-gyeol came here?
Hankyoreh. He was the pitiful boy.
- Han-gyeol?
- Yes.
Hello.
- Han-gyeol came here?
- Yes.
He would always buy ointment
and pain relief patches.
Han-gyeol?
Are we a joke?
Tell us the truth.
Hey.
You bastard!
He's trying to hold out.
Hey.
You think we're a joke, don't you?
Damn it.
You ratted us out, you bastard!
It wasn't me!
Geon-woo… Geon-woo went to
Ms. Song and narked on you guys.
Do you want to die?
You want to live?
Want to trade places?
Hey, you'll catch a cold. Let's go.
Let's give Han-gyeol a hand.
Nice shot, Han-gyeol.
Nice!
SAEMGOL SPICY FRESHWATER FISH STEW
Ms. Song!
Ms. Song!
Han-gyeol wasn't the instigator.
He was a victim, just like Geon-woo.
Geon-woo wrote Han-gyeol's name
and held him accountable.
He put Han-gyeol's name at the end.
That means he had room
in his heart to forgive him.
If it's true that Geon-woo
would've been willing to forgive him,
you took away any chance
he had to be forgiven.
Ms. Song!
Don't testify tomorrow!
Han-gyeol is Geon-woo! Ms. Song!
I'll fight hard until the end
to bring the truth to light.
How does it feel to
accuse your students?
Why did you reveal the
names of the students?
- Could you tell us how you feel?
- He's here!
How does it feel to be
defending your own son?
- Coming through.
- Move to the side, please.
Lift up your head.
Let me see my son's face.
Case number 7416,
defendant Kang Han-gyeol.
Case number 7416.
Defendant, Kang Han-gyeol.
PROSECUTION
COUNSEL
Please be seated.
Prosecution, state your position.
"The defendant, Kang Han-gyeol,
called the victim, Kim
Geon-woo, on March 3, 2017
to the Haneum International Middle School
swimming pool, where he assaulted him,
and for three months, until
May 18, when the victim
threw himself into a lake,
he humiliated, coerced, threatened,
and inflicted injury on the victim."
Counselor. Does the
defendant admit the charges?
The defendant, Kang Han-gyeol,
has never participated
in any criminal acts
that led to the death of Kim Geon-woo.
He denies the charges.
I call Song Jeong-uk
to the witness stand.
"I swear to tell the whole truth without
hiding or embellishing any facts,
and if there is any untruth, I vow
to accept the penalty for perjury.
Witness, Song Jeong-uk."
WITNESS
Witness, what did you
write under occupation?
Counselor. We're starting
with the prosecution.
The witness, Song
Jeong-uk, is not a teacher.
For the testimony to have veracity,
every small detail must be truthful.
Witness. Are you currently a teacher?
I'm preparing for my appointment
exam, as my contract has ended.
I was a teacher during
the time of the incident.
Please revise the witness's
occupation to unemployed.
We'll be checking things thoroughly.
- You may question the witness.
- Witness.
Did the victim, Kim Geon-woo,
send you a suicide note?
Yes, he did.
He said he had been
bullied for a long time,
and because he was
scared they might retaliate,
he couldn't tell anyone about it.
Do Yoon-jae.
Park Kyu-beom.
Jeong I-deun.
Kang Han-gyeol.
The names of the perpetrators
were listed in the suicide note.
Evidence cannot be accepted
without an original copy.
The principal and the
parents of the perpetrators
saw the note.
They requested that we
do not disclose the note,
which contained the
names of their children.
Nothing of the sort ever existed.
Song Jeong-uk testified
that she gave you the suicide note.
She told me Geon-woo had sent her
a letter, so I asked her to bring it.
But instead of bringing the letter,
she only demanded to be
hired as a full-time teacher.
She said she would handle
the matter discreetly.
I refused her demand, as
it went against regulations.
Then, I guess it's possible that
Song Jeong-uk could've had
a grudge against you
because of that incident?
She came and threatened me
and filed a malicious complaint
with the education office.
She also brought shame
to a prestigious school
by spreading false information.
I have no further questions.
Are you sure this path
is the right one?
If you trust and follow
me, you'll survive.
I quit.
Because I was so heartbroken.
"I swear to tell the whole truth without
hiding or embellishing any facts,
and if there is any untruth, I vow
to accept the penalty for perjury.
Witness, Do Yoon-jae."
Dad.
Why is Yoon-jae in a school uniform?
He went back to school.
My friend, Kim Geon-woo, was
popular because he did well in school
and had a good personality.
It was Han-gyeol's birthday that day.
Geon-woo said he'd throw him
a party and asked us to come.
I really didn't want to go, but
I went because of Geon-woo.
Han-gyeol doesn't have any friends,
and he's really strange.
Geon-woo was passed
out on the floor of the pool.
We tried to call an ambulance,
but Han-gyeol refused to let us.
- That's not true…
- I don't know the reason why.
That's not true… It's not true.
I performed CPR on him.
My dad taught me how to before.
Geon-woo, who was
on the verge of death,
came back to life.
You made me do it.
- You made me do it!
- Han-gyeol!
You're the ones who bullied him!
- No! I'll do the talking.
- You're the ones who killed him!
I'll do the talking.
- Han-gyeol.
- You made me do it!
- Han-gyeol.
- I didn't do it!
Han-gyeol, let Dad do the talking.
- Counselor, don't do this. Move!
- But they keep lying!
- I didn't do it, Dad!
- Get out! Go on.
Dad!
Court is adjourned
until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
HOSPITAL ENTRANCE
What is your relationship with
the victim, Kim Geon-woo?
- We went to elementary school together.
- Again.
- Do it properly.
- Geez.
You can tell he was a former general.
He has the eyes of a pro.
- We lived in the same apartment...
- Again.
Ji-ho, you need to do a good job.
- We went to elementary school together.
- Again!
The old lady knows
how to handle people.
She's the pro.
- We went to elementary...
- Do it with sincerity!
I'm not doing it!
Let go of me!
You little punk!
This is tough.
That girl, I swear…
Excuse me.
Mrs. Park!
- Mrs. Park!
- Ji-ho!
Oh, no! Ji-ho!
Ji-ho.
I have a favor to ask.
Ji-ho!
Open the door! Open it!
Ji-ho!
Honey!
Ji-ho, I'm really sorry,
but could you be honest tomorrow
and tell everyone what you know?
You know Han-gyeol wasn't there.
If I tell the truth, what
will you do for me?
I'll give you everything. I can
give you everything I own.
Please.
I beg you.
But you just have one kid, Han-gyeol.
That side has three.
Do Yoon-jae.
- Park Kyu-beom. Jeong I-deun.
- Hey! Ji-ho!
Their dads already gave
me three times the money.
- Hey.
- Get out of there!
Hurry up and get out of there!
Nam Ji-ho! Get out of there right now!
I'm sorry,
but could you cut me some slack?
Ji-ho! Get out of the car!
- Come out!
- Open the door!
All right.
Get out of the car!
- Ji-ho!
- My gosh.
Stop the car!
My God! Ji-ho!
Are you okay? Come on.
Gosh, what a psycho.
All right, let's go, everyone.
"I swear to tell the whole truth without
hiding or embellishing any facts,
and if there is any untruth, I vow
to accept the penalty for perjury.
Witness, Nam Ji-ho."
Prosecution, you may
question the witness.
You witnessed Kim
Geon-woo being assaulted.
Is that correct?
- Yes.
- Where did it take place?
At Kim Geon-woo's apartment.
Could you be more specific?
They tied
a leash to Geon-woo's neck
and dragged him around.
They made him lick food off the floor
and said he should
die like his dad did.
They said they would help him do it.
What else?
Also,
they threatened him with a knife
and cut his wrists with it.
- You bastard!
- Bailiff! Take her outside!
- You bastard!
- Come here! Calm down!
I will kill you! You bastard!
- Bailiff, take her outside.
- I will kill you!
Get off me! I'm going
to kill that bastard!
Get off me. Judge! Give
him the death penalty!
Please give him the death
penalty. Geon-woo!
- Geon-woo! My baby…
- Calm down, ma'am.
- Calm down.
- Get off! Get off me!
Let go! Let go of me, you jerks!
- I'm going to kill him!
- Lift her up!
If you make a scene, you will be
removed from the courtroom.
Prosecution, please continue.
He unlawfully entered
the victim's residence
and threatened to
kill him with a weapon.
He then attempted murder
by inflicting bodily injury.
As a parent myself, I find
these actions deplorable.
Witness, did you clearly see
the perpetrator's face on that day?
Yes.
Was it the defendant, Kang Han-gyeol?
Yes, it was.
The defendant's father, who
is sitting at the counsel table,
came to see you once. Isn't that right?
He said
that he was Geon-woo's lawyer.
It's true. I went to see her.
When I visited you,
did I ever try to coax or
threaten you not to testify?
No.
You made the decision to not testify,
so why the sudden change of heart?
Because I thought I
should tell the truth.
I have a question for
the truthful witness.
How many perpetrators were there?
The counselor is asking a repeat question
on a fact that was already testified to.
Witness, answer the question.
Kang Han-gyeol was
the only perpetrator.
You're saying the defendant,
Kang Han-gyeol,
threatened and attempted
to kill the victim, by himself?
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
If I tell the truth, what
will you do for me?
You just have one kid, Han-gyeol.
That side has three.
Their dads already gave
me three times the money.
Do Yoon-jae.
Park Kyu-beom. Jeong I-deun.
The defendant, Kang
Han-gyeol, wasn't there.
There's a small store next to a lake
that's 4 km away from the school.
According to a statement
by the store's owner,
every night,
Kang Han-gyeol ran errands for Do
Yoon-jae, Park Kyu-beom, and Jeong I-deun.
His face and body were covered
with the evidence of an assault.
He also bought medicine
to tend to his own wounds.
Though he'd have to walk for
an hour to get there and back
with an injured body
and on little sleep,
he couldn't tell a soul, out of fear
that the other kids might retaliate.
To Kang Han-gyeol,
for whom violence had
become a part of his daily life,
every day was a nightmare.
As a victim of school bullying
himself, I'm sure Kim Geon-woo…
felt the same way.
Honorable Judge.
I am…
an inmate consultation attorney
with very little experience
in defending someone…
in a court trial, such as this one.
However, this trial is one in
which I must defend my client
as if my life depended on it.
It is the trial of Kang Han-gyeol,
my very own son.
My son, who was a victim of
heinous acts of school bullying,
was put into confinement due to the
false testimonies of the perpetrators.
For my failure to protect my son,
I feel an endless
sense of incompetence.
However, right here, right now,
I believe this is my last chance…
to protect my son.
Honorable Judge.
I sincerely hope…
you will make a wise judgment…
based on truth.
That can't be used as evidence.
Neither can false testimonies.
You scumbag.
Your son's the one who killed him!
He did it all by himself!
That's the truth, you bastard!
Any truths created by you
are all lies now.
Don't you feel guilty about
what happened to Geon-woo?
Are you certain the
defendant is innocent?
How did you feel when you learned
that the defendant was a victim?
How does it feel to
clear your son's name?
Do you have any words
for the victim's family?
Will you be taking legal action
against the other students?
In connection with the
case involving the suicide
of Haneum International
student Kim Geon-woo,
the Gyeonggi District Court has issued
arrest warrants for three students.
For three months, from March to May,
students D, P, and
J assaulted the victim
dozens of times around
the vicinity of the school,
which led to the suicide of…
Son.
How have you been?
Goodness, welcome!
Thank you so much.
There's nothing more I could want now.
You shouldn't have.
They're gift certificates.
Honey, I signed a paper
and got these certificates.
I pulled the kid out of the water, yet
you're the one getting a present?
Did you pull out the student
who fell into the lake?
He forgets things all the time.
He's going to a care home in two days.
I didn't do it with my net.
I went out to him in my boat.
Goodness, there was
this peculiar-looking bird…
No, wait, what was it?
It was whizzing and
flying all around the cliff.
But then…
It started to attack the
person sitting on the cliff.
Then he fell into the water.
But then…
Behind him, there was this other guy.
The guy and the plane just
flew off somewhere after that.
Did you see
who it was?
It was too foggy to see anything.
Gosh, but that plane…
That tiny little thing was… Gosh.
Are you nuts? Why are you doing this?
Why would you kill yourself? Why!
You can't even take that
much? Are you a wimp?
You're a bigger wimp.
This is all your fault.
It's because you ratted them
out to the homeroom teacher.
It's all your fault!
You're…
worse than they are.
What? What did you say?
Just die.
Just die! Die!
Die! Die already!
MY SON
MY SON
I WANT TO KNOW YOUR PARENTS
He's a scumbag peddler.
Nice to meet you, sir.
I'm Kang Ho-chang, a lawyer.
My counsel team just left.
They're getting things
ready for your trial.
I specialize in inmate consultations.
I see.
These buttons keep giving me problems.
Every time I stand up,
my shirt gapes open.
"Get buttons replaced."
This uniform. It's lousy.
Lousy, okay.
Lousy. Replace fabric.
- If you go to my office,
- Yes, sir.
The Times should've arrived.
Make sure you bring me that.
- Sure.
- There's a Bible on my desk.
Bi…
A Bible? Okay.
THE TIMES, BIBLE
Is there anything else you need?
Hello, this is Kang Ho-chang.
Pardon?
Hello, sir.
I'm Han-gyeol's father.
Nice to meet you.
Do I look like a teacher to you?
Excuse me?
I must've missed the
mark with today's outfit.
I'm a parent too.
Oh, I see.
So why did they call us here?
No clue. They called me
here but haven't said why.
Did the kids get into a fight?
What's your son's name?
Do Yoon-jae.
Yoon-jae? Yoon-jae…
It's only natural for boys to
get into fights sometimes.
That's how they grow and
mature. Wouldn't you say?
Some kids might be like that.
But Yoon-jae isn't
the type to hit anyone.
He's gentle, you see.
Hello.
I'm the Grade 8 Class
3 homeroom teacher.
Oh, hello. I'm Han-gyeol's father.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hello.
Would you like coffee or green tea?
Coffee, please.
Thank you.
I should've come by sooner to
say hello, but I've been so busy.
Oh, that's not necessary.
I didn't get a chance to
come on Teacher's Day...
- That's hot.
- Are you okay? Oh, no.
- It's fine. It didn't burn me.
- I'll go get you a wet wipe.
Geez, that was hot.
She could've just taken it.
You must be the teacher. Hello.
I'm a parent of a student.
Oh, I see.
You must be the teacher. Hello.
I apologize for not coming by sooner.
I'm Park Kyu-beom's grandfather.
He's a parent of one
of the students too.
Do Yoon-jae's father.
My, you give off such
a warm impression.
You look like a teacher.
Gosh, should I not have come today?
Is this a meeting for fathers?
No.
I'm here because my wife went
overseas to Haiti to volunteer.
She's doing wonderful
work. That's so admirable.
Oh, well, mine is…
Oh…
Hello. You may stay seated.
Looks like everyone's here.
Mr. Jeong, you can go sit over there.
- Are you the dean of students?
- Yes, but I'm here as a parent today.
I'm Jeong I-deun's dad.
I'm Oh Jung-sub, the principal of
Haneum International Middle School.
We made an urgent request for you all
to come despite your busy schedules
because the police called the
school early this morning.
Haneum International Middle School.
Our school's PE uniform?
- Geon-woo.
- Is he a student from your school?
A fisherman fished him out of a lake.
He must've gotten
him out pretty quickly.
Goodness, he's one lucky kid.
When a person drowns,
their whole body blows
up like a balloon,
and their face looks
like it's going to explode.
All the hair on their
body falls out too.
It's too hideous to look at.
My gosh, how did the accident happen?
It wasn't an accident.
Geon-woo's homeroom
teacher, Ms. Song Jeong-uk,
received a letter from him.
Read it, please.
"I have been the victim of
bullying for a long time now."
I couldn't say a thing because I
was scared they would retaliate.
- "They don't see me as a human being."
- They don't see me as a human being.
I don't see myself as a
human being anymore, either.
I'm sorry, Mom.
- "I'm thankful to be your son."
- I'm thankful to be your son.
I love you, Mom.
"Grade 8, Class 3, Do Yoon-jae.
Park Kyu-beom.
Jeong I-deun.
Kang Han-gyeol."
That's it.
Excuse me. Why is Yoon-jae's
name in that letter?
He's the first name here.
Yes,
so why is my son's name in that letter?
Excuse me, Mr. Do.
Please calm down and have a seat.
Have a seat.
We'll go ahead and start our
meeting now, as outlined
in our school's bullying policy.
Geon-woo's parents are
supposed to be present as well.
Ms. Song. What does
Geon-woo's father do?
His student card only has
information about his mother.
I'm only a temporary homeroom
teacher, so I'm not sure.
Excuse me. I suppose you're not aware
as you're only a temporary teacher.
My son donates 30,000 won to UNICEF
every single month
because he feels sorry for
all those dark-skinned kids.
Principal Oh.
Have you questioned the students?
All four kids said the same thing,
that nothing like that ever happened.
See? There's no truth
to it. It's not true.
Oh, Goddess of Mercy…
Where's Han-gyeol right now?
The offending students are waiting
in the debate room right now.
What kind of nonsense is that?
Excuse me?
What will the other students
think if our kids aren't in class?
You're branding them as criminals
before even having all the details.
Students legally have
a right to be in class.
You should act according to the law.
Why are you detaining
innocent children?
They're just staying in the
debate room, not being detained.
That's the same thing.
When your elders are speaking, you
don't need to give your two cents.
Ms. Song.
- Song!
- Song!
- Hey, snap some pictures.
- Goal!
Goal!
Yes. Don't worry, Mr. Chairman.
My apologies.
Oh, yes. Of course.
Of course, we can't allow the
school to become a topic for gossip.
Especially not for something like this.
Mr. Do.
Our school has a no-smoking policy.
That's why I'm ventilating the room.
Do Yoon-jae, Park Kyu-beom,
Jeong I-deun, Kang Han-gyeol.
GEON-WOO UNCONSCIOUS, SCHOOL
VIOLENCE, SUICIDE NOTE
They're not in alphabetical order.
You're right.
Maybe Han-gyeol's name is at the
end because they're roommates.
He shares a room with my son?
I'll bet he's too scared
to get any sleep.
Has anything like this
ever happened here before?
No way, never.
I didn't want to say
this, but to be honest,
Ms. Song is a temporary teacher.
She may not have a strong sense of
responsibility when it comes to the kids.
How could they make someone
like her a homeroom teacher?
The school is largely
responsible for this.
So why are they spewing nonsense
about the kid getting bullied?
What was his name? The kid who died.
Is he some kind of troublemaker?
It's Kim Geon-woo. And he's not dead.
They said he's just unconscious.
And could you stop talking?
You're making me uncomfortable.
How did I do that?
Just don't listen then.
To be honest… I don't know
if I should say this either,
but Geon-woo is a beneficiary of a
program for low-income students.
Parents of kids like that
often have unreasonable expectations.
I believe that excessive
pressure placed on him
played a big role in his
attempt to take his life.
See?
Kids with problems have
problematic parents.
Why don't we do this then?
Until Geon-woo wakes up, let's
keep the letter undisclosed
and leave it in the
care of the principal.
Ms. Song is so young and
lacks a sense of responsibility.
That's what I'm saying.
A suicide note can be used as evidence.
Not disclosing it would
be concealing evidence.
- Suicide note? That's not a suicide note.
- Then what would you call it?
It's just a letter.
A suicide note becomes valid
upon the death of the writer
and contains their last words.
Didn't you say he isn't dead yet?
If you do something wrong,
you should be punished for it.
If the contents of that letter come
out, regardless of what the truth is,
the names in that letter will
become the names of criminals.
It's a parent's duty to lead
their child down the right path.
You're not his parent, though.
Instead of being blamed your whole life
for ruining your grandson's future,
tell Kyu-beom's dad
to come here instead.
I assure you,
every father in the world
thinks and feels the same way.
It's different with grandfathers.
Ms. Song.
But Geon-woo gave this to me…
I'll hold on to it for safekeeping.
Read it.
Read it.
"A faculty member may not
accept any object from a student.
If they happen to come into
possession of an object…".
They must notify the principal
and follow his or her orders.
TO MS. SONG JEONG-UK
They want to make a group chat.
Could I have your phone number?
I don't know how to
do things like that.
Mr. Park, you're quite the frugal man.
I'm sure you've retired,
but you still wear your
police-issued shoes.
Where did you work?
I retired from the National Police
Agency and went into teaching.
You were one of the elite.
Since we've been brought
together like this,
we just wanted to communicate
with each other, that's all.
After all, we're all in the same boat.
I don't get on boats. I'm
prone to getting seasick.
Mr. Kang, take care.
- Geez, why did you do that?
- Do what?
Yoon-jae, this isn't going to work.
You need to go back to the States.
Man, I'm not going
back. I just got settled in.
You punk. You call harassing
kids getting settled in?
Then again, the kids
who take it are the idiots.
Do Yoon-jae. You need to
watch yourself for the time being.
This is your last warning. Got it?
- Are you okay?
- Yeah.
Will you look up from your
phone when your dad's talking?
So you and Geon-woo are roommates?
Yeah.
Did you hear about the accident?
Yeah.
Nothing happened, right?
Yeah.
Okay. Make sure you
keep your mouth shut.
I'm off.
KANG Han-gyeol
KIM Geon-woo
Jesus Christ.
What are you doing here?
Why are you so surprised?
I told you, didn't I? All dads
think and feel the same way.
Ms. Song.
It's tough, isn't it?
It's too bad the school doesn't
know how dedicated you are.
Want me to look into
a position for you?
Just a second.
Hello, this is Song Jeong-uk.
You got hold of Geon-woo's mom?
Okay, I'll head over to
the hospital right now.
- Sorry, I need to go.
- Sure.
I'm sorry.
Where are you, honey?
The department store
at a time like this?
Go to the hospital. Yes, right now.
Song!
- Hey!
- Song, what's up?
See you later!
So long!
Keep going, there you go. Nice job.
Nice. Later!
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTER
What… What's wrong, Geon-woo?
Wake up.
- Wake up. Geon-woo!
- Ma'am, please.
- Why are you trying to go first?
- You'll really kill him at this rate.
- Ma'am, please. Calm down.
- Geon-woo!
I'm Geon-woo's homeroom teacher.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Ma'am.
You punk.
I hit him, and he couldn't even flinch.
Sergeant Lee! Just a second.
When will you start investigating?
We don't investigate suicide attempts.
It might not have been
a suicide attempt.
Ma'am. He has cuts all over his wrist.
Looked like he tried
hanging himself too.
He's already made a few
attempts to kill himself.
Pay some more
attention to your students.
Honey. I-deun's teacher is
talking to the police right now.
The police? What did she say?
I don't know. I can't hear a thing.
For goodness' sake.
SAEMGOL SPICY FRESHWATER FISH STEW
I'm home.
Why are you so late?
Aren't you off today since
you worked last night?
Something came up at school.
They pay their staff peanuts and
milk them for all they're worth.
Are temps not even human beings?
Geon-woo.
Han-gyeol?
Why didn't Han-gyeol stop
him? He definitely saw him.
It was 5:15 a.m.
3 HOURS
Three hours?
What went on during those
three hours, Geon-woo?
Let's go.
I found it,
so you should be the one to open it.
Damn it. What building
doesn't have an elevator?
- Hello, this is Kang Ho-chang.
- This is Song Jeong-uk.
Did something else happen?
Sir… Did you take
something from the room?
I saw that you went to the dorm.
Oh, Han-gyeol asked me to take
home some stuff he doesn't use.
Han-gyeol's desk is on the right,
but you were on the left.
I assumed the messy desk was my son's.
Mr. Kang. Did you touch any
of Geon-woo's belongings?
Ms. Song. I'm a lawyer. Do you
think I would steal from a kid?
Sorry, but I'll have
to call you back later.
I'm in the middle of work.
MOBILE SOLUTIONS
Welcome.
I'm here to get this phone unlocked.
A service center can
do this for you for free.
- Really?
- But,
I'm sure there's a reason
you came to see me.
It'll cost 200,000 won
to recover the data.
All right, then.
ID, please.
We operate according to the law.
We need proof of identity.
So,
how much in total?
This is a no-parking zone. Plate
number 5232, please move your car.
- Please move your car.
- Just give me a ticket and go.
Do you have any cash on you?
Go grab a bowl of
jajangmyeon on the first floor.
I'll get it to you when I'm done.
I-DEUN'S FATHER: MS. SONG
WAS TALKING TO THE POLICE
How old are you?
I was born in the Year of the Rooster.
- The Year of the Rooster.
- Yes.
We're the same age,
and we seem to click.
My name's Do Ji-yeol.
Kang Ho-chang.
Delivery. 10,000 won.
You guys are pretty talented.
You even ride your
bike down the stairs.
Hurry. I'm busy.
Here. Good work.
Thanks.
Let me see that.
GROUP CHAT
I-deun, Kyu-beom.
I-deun, Kyu-beom.
I don't see Yoon-jae.
What about Han-gyeol?
I don't see him either.
What were they looking at?
LET'S GO AGAIN TOMORROW!
Man, the weight's coming right off.
What are you doing, Geon-woo?
Are you ignoring us?
Hurry up and take a piss, jerk off!
Did that jerk just dodge that? Did you?
I asked you if you dodged it!
- Answer me!
- Hey, Han-gyeol.
- Did you dodge it!
- Make sure you're getting everything.
Answer me.
Answer me! Did you dodge that?
Did you?
Go on and take a piss. Hurry up!
Hurry up and do it!
Why would they film
something like this?
So, who was the instigator?
That isn't important.
It looks like Yoon-jae gave the orders,
and Han-gyeol filmed the video.
Are you blind?
Watch it again from the beginning.
Your two kids laid hands on him.
My son was just singing.
No way. Just singing, my foot.
Ma'am, you should say something.
Our kids didn't instigate it.
Aren't their kids worse?
They were all complicit.
If he dies and they investigate,
or if he wakes up and talks,
it's all over.
Let's get this show on the road.
What if he wakes up?
That's why you should hurry up and go.
You're a lawyer.
You're good with words.
I'm scientifically minded.
You use your mouth
and I'll use my hands.
Let's make this fair and
make use of our talents.
Jeez.
Why are you overthinking it?
We're just helping someone in need.
If he wakes up in the next few days,
he could be discharged right away, so…
I'm in a bit of a pinch.
I understand. All right.
Are you Kim Geon-woo's mother?
Yes.
I'm here as a representative of Haneum
International Middle School's PTA.
Hello.
Do you think the principal
will give us the note?
He has to.
What do the other parents do?
One's an obnoxious hospital chairman.
One's a retired cop who's
raising his grandson.
And one's a lawyer.
His wife ran out on him.
Just do as I tell you.
Are you threatening me right now?
As the wife of a faculty member,
I completely understand.
But you spent the kids' lunch money
on building this vacation home.
Do you think other people
will understand that?
Our school
has become the best in the country
thanks to my sacrifices and services.
Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Jeong?
Of course. I completely agree.
But if you give us Geon-woo's letter,
I'll make there's not even a cent
out of place on the documents.
I am a math teacher, after all.
Maximum of three years,
minimum of two years.
A middle school student from Daegu…
Maximum of three years and six months…
Three years and six months…
NEW MESSAGE
WE GOT RID OF THE LETTER!
- I-DEUN'S DAD
NAM JI-HO
NAM JI-HO
MESSAGES
I HEARD YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT
I'M WORRIED BECAUSE OF WHAT
I SAW THAT DAY, CALL ME
Who are you?
PIN NUMBER
DON'T PRINT RECEIPT
Your request is being processed.
Please wait one moment.
Hello.
Which room is Kim Geon-woo
in? He came in yesterday.
He's been discharged.
He woke up?
No. His mother decided to
move him to a bigger hospital.
I see. Thank you.
The phone is turned off. You
will be transferred to voicemail.
You will be charged after the tone.
Son.
What are you dreaming about?
You haven't been getting any sleep
because you've been studying.
Things have been tough
for you, haven't they?
We're at a big hospital in Seoul.
Your friends' parents
helped us out so you could wake up.
I'm so thankful.
So Geon-woo,
sleep just a bit more
and wake up soon.
I'll be waiting for you.
Gosh, you little punk.
My eyes are about to fall
out from having to watch you.
Geon-woo.
Geon-woo.
Just keep breathing.
If you die, my son will be done for.
Let's live quietly as if you were dead.
There's someone we need to find.
Mrs. Kim?
Mrs. Kim.
Mrs. Kim!
Mrs. Kim!
Stop right there!
Hello, sir.
Oh, you're having lunch.
A kid by the name of Nam
Ji-ho lives here, right?
Are you here from the detention center?
Someone from the center
already came by this month.
Seeing the kids often
helps us bond with them.
Wait. Which unit did she live in?
Ji-ho.
Who are you?
KANG HO-CHANG
Where's your ID?
ID?
He works for me. He's
my office manager.
Like a lackey?
I hear you and Kim
Geon-woo are best friends.
No, we're not.
Yeah, right. I know you are.
Ji-ho. I'm a lawyer.
I can only help Geon-woo if I
know what happened to him.
You two have met before, right?
Did you see anything that day?
I saw him once after not
having seen him in forever.
On the 15th floor of the apartment.
I got a really bad feeling.
Why?
Geon-woo lives on the first floor.
He said he just came
up to get some fresh air.
I was skeptical, but I let it go.
So you… saved him.
I saw him again not too long ago.
On the first floor.
Eat it.
Eat it. Go on.
Eat it.
Did you see that?
What was that?
What is he doing?
He really ate it like a dog!
Hey, son. Did you eat
the gimbap I made?
Yeah…
What's with your voice?
I just woke up.
I see.
I finished my work early today.
I'll be home soon.
I should be there in an hour.
- See you later.
- Bye.
Why the hell is she coming early?
Hey. Why's she coming home early?
Why's she coming early again? Why?
Why? Die!
Why the hell is she coming early again?
I was going to watch the soccer game.
Damn it.
KOREA INFORMATION
OLYMPIAD AWARD CEREMONY
Geon-woo looks a lot like his dad.
His dad bit the dust after
he fell off a construction site.
Hey.
Your dad looks so lonely.
You're a good son, Geon-woo.
Time to do your duty as a son.
You should
die too.
Want us to help you? Do you?
Want me to help? Do you?
Do you?
Did you see their faces?
All four of them?
I never said there were four.
There were three kids.
One was tall with a dark complexion
and looked like he played sports.
One had curly hair and was heavyset.
And one was fair-skinned
and pretty like a girl.
He's the one who cut him with a knife.
Right here.
Did Geon-woo die?
What?
I went to his apartment
earlier because I was worried.
All the lights were off,
and I got a weird feeling.
Hey, kid. You've got
some impressive skills,
popping in and out of other
people's homes like that.
The door was open.
Listen to this cheeky
little brat lying to us.
I'm not lying!
Come on.
Who would believe a girl
who's been in and out of juvie?
I don't want any part of this.
You guys do whatever you want.
Ji-ho. You should collect
your pay for your services.
Nam Ji-ho saw nothing.
That's the truth.
Go.
Han-gyeol may not be in the video,
but his name's in the suicide note.
I told you. It's a letter,
not a suicide note.
Mr. Oh, please give it back.
I looked it up on the
education office's site.
Letters are fine because they don't
come with an expectation of reciprocity.
It also doesn't violate
the anti-graft law.
Mr. Oh, Geon-woo's letter…
I went through a lot
of trouble for this.
FULL-TIME TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
Sign it and bring it back.
Hello, Mr. Jeong.
Gosh, ma'am. Congratulations.
I think you owe me a meal.
- That's great news!
- Everyone, have your fill.
- Congratulations! You must be so happy.
- Congratulations.
Eat lots.
HANEUM INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
SONG JEONG-UK'S FORMAL TEACHER RECRUITMENT
- Jeong-uk's here!
- Congratulations, Jeong-uk!
- Want me to set you up with a guy?
- Of course, you should.
All right, ladies. Let's drink.
To Song Jeong-uk!
- To Song Jeong-uk!
- To Song Jeong-uk!
Congrats!
FULL-TIME TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
THE DUTIES OF THE FULL-TIME
TEACHER ARE AS FOLLOWS…
NAME: SONG JEONG-UK
- Way to go!
- Way to go!
- Good job, everyone.
- Good job.
- Nice work.
- Good job.
- Good job.
- Goodbye.
Ji-yeol!
Three, two, one, shock!
Three, two, one, shock!
- Did you try epinephrine?
- We did, but we couldn't...
- Sir...
- Shut up.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe!
Breathe.
Breathe, damn it!
Please!
Now it's no longer a
letter but a suicide note.
Ji-yeol.
I tried to save him.
I really did.
This may sound harsh,
but it would've been hard for
both Geon-woo and his mom.
Rather than living
in a vegetative state,
his passing like this might be better.
We just have to fulfill all our duties.
And the last piece of evidence is gone.
It's true that his death
makes things easier for us.
Take it away.
Doctor, my Geon-woo isn't dead.
He's still so warm.
Yes, Geon-woo. Mom's here. I'm here.
Geon-woo! Geon-woo, please!
Geon-woo!
Doctor, my Geon-woo isn't dead!
Geon-woo, Mom's here!
You said you could save him!
You told me he would wake up!
I'm sorry.
It was me who killed him.
Geon-woo told me
he didn't want to go to that school.
That it would be hard on me
to have to pay all that money.
He said he wouldn't go.
I made him go.
I killed him.
I killed my son.
No, Mrs. Kim. It wasn't your fault.
Geon-woo…
Geon-woo wanted to
tell you he was sorry.
That he was thankful to be your son.
He asked me to tell
you that he loved you.
Where did you…
Where did you hear that?
He sent me a letter.
Geon-woo sent you a letter?
In it,
he wrote the names of the
students who bullied him.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
Yoon-jae.
What's the occasion? I was
going to take the school bus.
What's that?
A birthday gift from Yoon-jae.
A middle school student
doesn't need toys.
Get in.
POLICE
WARM AND RELIABLE HYEONIN POLICE
- Mrs. Kim.
- My son…
He was bullied.
The names of his bullies
were written in a letter.
Please…
Please catch them.
Look up how to properly
pay respects to a man.
Why?
Just do as you're told.
Just go.
And don't forget to
sign the guest book.
Don't stay there to eat either.
Just come out right away, okay?
Honey. Why do I miss
our son all of a sudden?
Focus on taking care
of your living grandson.
FUNERAL HOME ENTRANCE
Yoon-jae.
Honey!
Dad.
Cry. This is the time for it.
I have greatly sinned in my
thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and
in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed…
WHERE ARE YOU?
I'M GETTING MY COUPON
TO HEAVEN. HALLELUJAH.
Our son is a good kid.
He's just surrounded by bad
kids who have done bad things.
It'll be a little awkward if this
ends up on his permanent record.
SHOOT, I'M AT A PSYCHIATRIC
CLINIC. I'M OFFICIALLY A NUTJOB.
The kid's mom reported the case
and threw a wrench in the works.
But I'll wait for the right time
and get it wrapped up.
I'm counting on you.
Don't worry about it, sir.
I'M HAVING DINNER WITH
A COP. SO ANNOYING.
I'M HAVING DINNER WITH
A COP. SO ANNOYING.
Don't touch my laptop.
Why did you do it?
Do what?
Why did you do that to him?
It wasn't me.
What was the reason?
Where did things start to go wrong?
Have I wronged you in some way?
And how did Geon-woo wrong you?
Why did you do it? Why!
It wasn't me!
It wasn't me, Dad.
I didn't do anything to Geon-woo.
It was all the other kids.
I swear I didn't do
anything. It wasn't me!
I was just there because
they told me to be.
And I just watched Geon-woo
because I was told to.
Dad, I really didn't do anything.
I swear I didn't.
Please believe me. It wasn't me.
Thank you
for saying it wasn't you.
Ms. Song, what is this insanity?
They say pregnant women
shouldn't go to funerals.
But how can I not be here
when it's for one of our kids?
Kang Geon-woo was such a nice kid.
His name is Kim Geon-woo.
Oh, right. Kim Geon-woo.
He's number one on our class list.
Number two. Number
one is Kang Han-gyeol.
Oh, that's right. I got
the two mixed up.
Ever since they were in seventh
grade, they were such good friends.
They were joined at the hip.
They were best friends?
Ms. Song, I'm disappointed.
A temporary teacher should
still know things like that.
I guess you wouldn't know this, either.
At the beginning of the semester,
they had a bit of a falling out.
Han-gyeol.
Kang Han-gyeol.
Han-gyeol.
Kang Han-gyeol!
Han-gyeol…
Geon-woo was a close friend of yours.
Did something happen between you two?
Why don't you come clean...
What are you doing?
Giving him a chance to apologize
before Geon-woo's laid to rest.
But he didn't do anything wrong.
Mr. Kang, you have
no idea what happened.
Even if you do, you want
to pretend like you don't.
Even if you loiter
outside someone's house,
you can be charged for trespassing.
If I ever see you
again, I'll report you.
Leave.
You all are worse than the kids.
You should be ashamed
in front of your kids.
FULL-TIME TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
NAME: SONG JEONG-UK
Give me back the letter.
Go work as an exchange teacher
at our sister school overseas.
I teach national history.
You can apply for teacher
training and study overseas.
My specialty is Korean history.
How about studying world history then?
Ms. Song, have you no conscience?
How can a teacher throw their students
under the bus for their own benefit?
For the police to properly investigate,
they need that evidence...
That letter never existed.
Mr. Oh.
Yes?
What? We can't have a funeral
bus coming to the school!
Block it!
Geon-woo was one of our students too.
How can you do this to
him until the very end?
Are you trying to turn
the deceased into a hero?
Do you want to throw a parade for him?
Hurry up and block it!
- Stop!
- Stop the bus!
- Stop!
- Get out of here!
- Get out of here!
- Open the door, sir.
Sir, this is private property.
Move the bus right now.
- Get out. Move the bus.
- What are they doing here?
- Are you out of your mind?
- Why would you come here?
- For goodness' sake.
- Move the bus.
Let's go, Mrs. Kim.
What are you doing? Stop them.
- What are you doing?
- Ms. Song, wait.
Ms. Song. The school is
strictly off-limits to outsiders.
Parents of our students
are not outsiders.
Let's go, Mrs. Kim.
- Ms. Song!
- Wait.
- Stop them!
- We can't let you inside.
- You can't do this!
- Ms. Song.
You can't do this.
- Don't let them in!
- You can't go inside.
- Ms. Song!
- You can't go inside.
- We can't let you go inside.
- Ms. Song!
Lock the front doors!
- Lock the doors!
- Please stand back.
- Hurry up and lock the doors!
- Hey! Don't push!
- Ms. Song!
- You shouldn't be doing this.
- No…
- No!
We've locked the doors.
Let's go!
You can do it!
You've got this, I-deun!
Hang in there!
Hey, Kang!
Why are you so late?
- You must've had a trial today.
- Yes.
Look, it's Han-gyeol. Look at this.
I got a great shot of Han-gyeol.
Honey, look! Here they come!
Hang in there, boys!
Hang in there!
Come on, Han-gyeol!
Haneum International is pulling away.
Twenty meters, ten
meters, five meters.
Goal!
They've won the race.
Our kids will be okay, right?
They've wrapped up the investigation.
- Yes!
- Haneum International!
HANEUM BULLYING AND SUICIDE INCIDENT
BRING BACK THE LATE KIM GEON-WOO!
This isn't right. How can
you just wrap it up like this?
Please relaunch a formal investigation.
Get out of the car.
Geez, the pair of you are
driving me nuts today.
Mrs. Kim.
Ms. Song.
What do you want us to do? We
looked thoroughly but found nothing.
There's no evidence that the
four of them did anything.
I'm the evidence. I told
you, he sent me a letter.
Hand it over then.
See? You don't have it.
She told you she had it before.
She told you she saw the
letter! The suicide note!
Ma'am.
Find the note and bring it.
Until you do, you can
forget the re-investigation.
Let's go.
- Let's go inside.
- Let's go.
Mrs. Kim.
HANEUM BULLYING AND SUICIDE INCIDENT
BRING BACK THE LATE KIM GEON-WOO!
Big smiles, everyone. One, two, three!
Okay, one more time. One, two!
Nice. Let's take one last
picture. One, two, three.
All right. That came out nicely.
- Everybody, clap!
- All right.
Smile bigger.
Hello, Mr. Chairman.
Hold on a second.
What's up?
What?
Say what?
I'm the Grade 8 Class 3 homeroom teacher
at Haneum International Middle School.
My name is Song Jeong-uk.
In order to reveal the truth behind
a case of bullying at this school
and demand a proper investigation,
I'm sitting in front of this camera.
The school authorities at Haneum
confiscated a letter
written by Geon-woo
and tried to conceal this incident.
The perpetrators named
by Geon-woo in the letter,
Do Yoon-jae, Park Kyu-beom,
Jeong I-deun, and Kang Han-gyeol.
Not one of them has apologized.
To everyone who watches this video,
I'd like to make an earnest request.
Damn it. What if we
end up in the slammer?
Come on, no way.
We'll go if we have to.
Just think of it as a mini vacation.
We wouldn't be there for long anyway.
What happened?
The case was picked
up by another precinct.
They're going to re-investigate.
From now on, we'll have
to get our oars in sync.
If even one of us slips
up, we'll all drown.
There's no way out of this.
Let's have them turn themselves in.
How can you make it sound so simple?
All kids roughhouse a little
when they're playing around.
If that's a crime,
every person who went to school
in this country is a criminal.
We'd have to turn ourselves in first.
What if we just partially
acknowledged it?
It might lessen the consequences
a bit, but a criminal is a criminal.
We can't admit to it.
If they turn themselves
in, they won't be innocent.
Reach a settlement
with his mother first.
We cannot settle.
If they aren't acquitted, it'll
go on their criminal record.
What are you suggesting we do?
Is there really no way?
The police won't find the evidence.
The letter, the cellphone.
Everything's gone.
We just have to get
our stories straight.
With the homeroom teacher
having blown the whistle,
who would even believe us?
She spread false information
and is blackmailing us.
Song Jeong-uk is the liar, not us.
She is blackmailing the
school and the parents
to get a full-time teaching position.
That's how we'll drive
her into a corner.
- Here she comes!
- There she is.
Is it true you tried to negotiate a
settlement on behalf of the victim?
Were you aware the school filed a suit
for the spread of false information?
Were there any issues?
Who knows? I'm sure Yoon-jae did well.
I wasn't in the interrogation room.
- This way, sir.
- Which law firm are you from?
Good day, sir.
His dad's a lawyer?
Apparently so.
They say he's a well-known
inmate consultation attorney.
Don't say a single word.
Okay.
Hi.
So you're Han-gyeol.
You're a good-looking kid.
Let's make this quick and easy.
I'd like to finish this quickly too.
Han-gyeol.
You saw Geon-woo leave on
the day he drowned, right?
That early in the morning? How?
A dashcam got a perfect
shot of your face.
It's possible since they were
roommates. He's also a light sleeper.
Why didn't you stop him from going?
For all he knew, he could've
been out to get some air.
Can't your son speak for himself?
Hey, kid. Let me hear your voice.
So what did Kang
Han-gyeol do after that?
He fell back asleep until
the morning bell went off.
Is that so?
Let's take a look.
TESTIMONY
In March,
you called Geon-woo to the pool
and subjected him to water torture.
Han-gyeol, why'd you
ask me to come here?
That never happened.
Kang Han-gyeol threatened and
assaulted Geon-woo with a weapon...
Wait, hold on. Who gave that statement?
You stole Yoon-jae's
drone too, didn't you?
- That was a birthday gift.
- A gift that costs four million won?
Those are all lies made
up by Do Yoon-jae.
Do you have any evidence?
Do Yoon-jae and Jeong I-deun's
statements say the exact same thing.
All the times, locations,
and details match up.
They colluded to come up with a story.
Their lawyer schemed all this up.
Han-gyeol. You threatened to
kill Geon-woo before, didn't you?
No, he didn't!
You invited your friends
on your birthday
and nearly killed Geon-woo
as they watched.
His wrists.
You cut his wrists
like this with a knife.
- Isn't that right?
- Detective!
Han-gyeol did what?
On his birthday… His birthday…
Did you say he assaulted
and nearly killed Geon-woo?
When Geon-woo is smiling like this?
Ma'am.
Senior Superintendent
General Park wants to see you.
Sir. How have you been?
Just living it easy.
Things must be tough right
now because of your grandson.
I'm too ashamed to face you.
Don't worry about me,
and act according to your convictions.
Ma'am.
- What is it?
- The informant is here.
Right.
Well, take care, sir.
Detective Choi. Bring her in.
Is that the guy?
Geon-woo's lawyer…
Lieutenant Shin. Request an arrest
warrant for Kang Han-gyeol.
- Make sure to add destruction of evidence.
- Dad!
- No. It's not true!
- Dad!
- Dad!
- It's not true!
I can explain!
- That's not what happened.
- Dad!
Dad!
I HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF BULLYING…
After we get rid of the note,
our work is done, right?
We had to have one more
go down to end this game.
I feel kind of bad for Han-gyeol's dad.
What's wrong? Do you want
to switch places with him?
No.
It sure feels reassuring with the
senior superintendent general here.
Sir, thank you.
Don't overthink it.
Just think of our kids who have
their whole lives ahead of them.
All right, let's have a drink.
Cheers!
Ji-ho!
Nam Ji-ho!
Nam Ji-ho!
Where's Ji-ho?
At home probably.
Why? Don't you know her address?
What's the reason?
Why me?
Why does it have to be my son?
I'm not sure.
I was curious about that too,
so I asked my son.
He just doesn't like him.
I feel that way too.
Let go! Let go of me!
He's going to end
up dying at this rate.
I'm here to see inmate number
829, Kang Han-gyeol.
Inmate 829 has rejected your visit.
- Why?
- I said Kang Ho-chang was here,
and he refused to come out.
Ma'am, please tell Han-gyeol
that I'm sorry.
- Okay.
- Goodbye.
Get back safely and don't get drenched!
Don't run! The road's
slippery! Goodness.
- The dorm's going to close soon.
- We're doomed.
- Let's hurry.
- Hey, be careful.
- Hello.
- Hi, welcome.
Ma'am, could I ask you a few questions?
Yes, that's him.
He used to come here often and
buy bread, milk, and even coffee.
- He came often?
- Yes.
But it's a 30-minute walk
from here to the school.
Gosh, you know there's
nothing in front of that school.
But he always came in
the middle of the night.
His face always looked just awful.
He had bruises
everywhere, a busted lip,
and his arms and legs
were in bad shape too.
Goodness. I felt so
bad for the poor kid
that I used to give him
an extra banana milk.
What was his name again?
- It's Geon-woo.
- No, not Geon-woo.
What's the name of that one newspaper?
The Hankyoreh.
That's what his name sounded like.
Not Geon-woo?
Han-gyeol came here?
Hankyoreh. He was the pitiful boy.
- Han-gyeol?
- Yes.
Hello.
- Han-gyeol came here?
- Yes.
He would always buy ointment
and pain relief patches.
Han-gyeol?
Are we a joke?
Tell us the truth.
Hey.
You bastard!
He's trying to hold out.
Hey.
You think we're a joke, don't you?
Damn it.
You ratted us out, you bastard!
It wasn't me!
Geon-woo… Geon-woo went to
Ms. Song and narked on you guys.
Do you want to die?
You want to live?
Want to trade places?
Hey, you'll catch a cold. Let's go.
Let's give Han-gyeol a hand.
Nice shot, Han-gyeol.
Nice!
SAEMGOL SPICY FRESHWATER FISH STEW
Ms. Song!
Ms. Song!
Han-gyeol wasn't the instigator.
He was a victim, just like Geon-woo.
Geon-woo wrote Han-gyeol's name
and held him accountable.
He put Han-gyeol's name at the end.
That means he had room
in his heart to forgive him.
If it's true that Geon-woo
would've been willing to forgive him,
you took away any chance
he had to be forgiven.
Ms. Song!
Don't testify tomorrow!
Han-gyeol is Geon-woo! Ms. Song!
I'll fight hard until the end
to bring the truth to light.
How does it feel to
accuse your students?
Why did you reveal the
names of the students?
- Could you tell us how you feel?
- He's here!
How does it feel to be
defending your own son?
- Coming through.
- Move to the side, please.
Lift up your head.
Let me see my son's face.
Case number 7416,
defendant Kang Han-gyeol.
Case number 7416.
Defendant, Kang Han-gyeol.
PROSECUTION
COUNSEL
Please be seated.
Prosecution, state your position.
"The defendant, Kang Han-gyeol,
called the victim, Kim
Geon-woo, on March 3, 2017
to the Haneum International Middle School
swimming pool, where he assaulted him,
and for three months, until
May 18, when the victim
threw himself into a lake,
he humiliated, coerced, threatened,
and inflicted injury on the victim."
Counselor. Does the
defendant admit the charges?
The defendant, Kang Han-gyeol,
has never participated
in any criminal acts
that led to the death of Kim Geon-woo.
He denies the charges.
I call Song Jeong-uk
to the witness stand.
"I swear to tell the whole truth without
hiding or embellishing any facts,
and if there is any untruth, I vow
to accept the penalty for perjury.
Witness, Song Jeong-uk."
WITNESS
Witness, what did you
write under occupation?
Counselor. We're starting
with the prosecution.
The witness, Song
Jeong-uk, is not a teacher.
For the testimony to have veracity,
every small detail must be truthful.
Witness. Are you currently a teacher?
I'm preparing for my appointment
exam, as my contract has ended.
I was a teacher during
the time of the incident.
Please revise the witness's
occupation to unemployed.
We'll be checking things thoroughly.
- You may question the witness.
- Witness.
Did the victim, Kim Geon-woo,
send you a suicide note?
Yes, he did.
He said he had been
bullied for a long time,
and because he was
scared they might retaliate,
he couldn't tell anyone about it.
Do Yoon-jae.
Park Kyu-beom.
Jeong I-deun.
Kang Han-gyeol.
The names of the perpetrators
were listed in the suicide note.
Evidence cannot be accepted
without an original copy.
The principal and the
parents of the perpetrators
saw the note.
They requested that we
do not disclose the note,
which contained the
names of their children.
Nothing of the sort ever existed.
Song Jeong-uk testified
that she gave you the suicide note.
She told me Geon-woo had sent her
a letter, so I asked her to bring it.
But instead of bringing the letter,
she only demanded to be
hired as a full-time teacher.
She said she would handle
the matter discreetly.
I refused her demand, as
it went against regulations.
Then, I guess it's possible that
Song Jeong-uk could've had
a grudge against you
because of that incident?
She came and threatened me
and filed a malicious complaint
with the education office.
She also brought shame
to a prestigious school
by spreading false information.
I have no further questions.
Are you sure this path
is the right one?
If you trust and follow
me, you'll survive.
I quit.
Because I was so heartbroken.
"I swear to tell the whole truth without
hiding or embellishing any facts,
and if there is any untruth, I vow
to accept the penalty for perjury.
Witness, Do Yoon-jae."
Dad.
Why is Yoon-jae in a school uniform?
He went back to school.
My friend, Kim Geon-woo, was
popular because he did well in school
and had a good personality.
It was Han-gyeol's birthday that day.
Geon-woo said he'd throw him
a party and asked us to come.
I really didn't want to go, but
I went because of Geon-woo.
Han-gyeol doesn't have any friends,
and he's really strange.
Geon-woo was passed
out on the floor of the pool.
We tried to call an ambulance,
but Han-gyeol refused to let us.
- That's not true…
- I don't know the reason why.
That's not true… It's not true.
I performed CPR on him.
My dad taught me how to before.
Geon-woo, who was
on the verge of death,
came back to life.
You made me do it.
- You made me do it!
- Han-gyeol!
You're the ones who bullied him!
- No! I'll do the talking.
- You're the ones who killed him!
I'll do the talking.
- Han-gyeol.
- You made me do it!
- Han-gyeol.
- I didn't do it!
Han-gyeol, let Dad do the talking.
- Counselor, don't do this. Move!
- But they keep lying!
- I didn't do it, Dad!
- Get out! Go on.
Dad!
Court is adjourned
until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
HOSPITAL ENTRANCE
What is your relationship with
the victim, Kim Geon-woo?
- We went to elementary school together.
- Again.
- Do it properly.
- Geez.
You can tell he was a former general.
He has the eyes of a pro.
- We lived in the same apartment...
- Again.
Ji-ho, you need to do a good job.
- We went to elementary school together.
- Again!
The old lady knows
how to handle people.
She's the pro.
- We went to elementary...
- Do it with sincerity!
I'm not doing it!
Let go of me!
You little punk!
This is tough.
That girl, I swear…
Excuse me.
Mrs. Park!
- Mrs. Park!
- Ji-ho!
Oh, no! Ji-ho!
Ji-ho.
I have a favor to ask.
Ji-ho!
Open the door! Open it!
Ji-ho!
Honey!
Ji-ho, I'm really sorry,
but could you be honest tomorrow
and tell everyone what you know?
You know Han-gyeol wasn't there.
If I tell the truth, what
will you do for me?
I'll give you everything. I can
give you everything I own.
Please.
I beg you.
But you just have one kid, Han-gyeol.
That side has three.
Do Yoon-jae.
- Park Kyu-beom. Jeong I-deun.
- Hey! Ji-ho!
Their dads already gave
me three times the money.
- Hey.
- Get out of there!
Hurry up and get out of there!
Nam Ji-ho! Get out of there right now!
I'm sorry,
but could you cut me some slack?
Ji-ho! Get out of the car!
- Come out!
- Open the door!
All right.
Get out of the car!
- Ji-ho!
- My gosh.
Stop the car!
My God! Ji-ho!
Are you okay? Come on.
Gosh, what a psycho.
All right, let's go, everyone.
"I swear to tell the whole truth without
hiding or embellishing any facts,
and if there is any untruth, I vow
to accept the penalty for perjury.
Witness, Nam Ji-ho."
Prosecution, you may
question the witness.
You witnessed Kim
Geon-woo being assaulted.
Is that correct?
- Yes.
- Where did it take place?
At Kim Geon-woo's apartment.
Could you be more specific?
They tied
a leash to Geon-woo's neck
and dragged him around.
They made him lick food off the floor
and said he should
die like his dad did.
They said they would help him do it.
What else?
Also,
they threatened him with a knife
and cut his wrists with it.
- You bastard!
- Bailiff! Take her outside!
- You bastard!
- Come here! Calm down!
I will kill you! You bastard!
- Bailiff, take her outside.
- I will kill you!
Get off me! I'm going
to kill that bastard!
Get off me. Judge! Give
him the death penalty!
Please give him the death
penalty. Geon-woo!
- Geon-woo! My baby…
- Calm down, ma'am.
- Calm down.
- Get off! Get off me!
Let go! Let go of me, you jerks!
- I'm going to kill him!
- Lift her up!
If you make a scene, you will be
removed from the courtroom.
Prosecution, please continue.
He unlawfully entered
the victim's residence
and threatened to
kill him with a weapon.
He then attempted murder
by inflicting bodily injury.
As a parent myself, I find
these actions deplorable.
Witness, did you clearly see
the perpetrator's face on that day?
Yes.
Was it the defendant, Kang Han-gyeol?
Yes, it was.
The defendant's father, who
is sitting at the counsel table,
came to see you once. Isn't that right?
He said
that he was Geon-woo's lawyer.
It's true. I went to see her.
When I visited you,
did I ever try to coax or
threaten you not to testify?
No.
You made the decision to not testify,
so why the sudden change of heart?
Because I thought I
should tell the truth.
I have a question for
the truthful witness.
How many perpetrators were there?
The counselor is asking a repeat question
on a fact that was already testified to.
Witness, answer the question.
Kang Han-gyeol was
the only perpetrator.
You're saying the defendant,
Kang Han-gyeol,
threatened and attempted
to kill the victim, by himself?
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
If I tell the truth, what
will you do for me?
You just have one kid, Han-gyeol.
That side has three.
Their dads already gave
me three times the money.
Do Yoon-jae.
Park Kyu-beom. Jeong I-deun.
The defendant, Kang
Han-gyeol, wasn't there.
There's a small store next to a lake
that's 4 km away from the school.
According to a statement
by the store's owner,
every night,
Kang Han-gyeol ran errands for Do
Yoon-jae, Park Kyu-beom, and Jeong I-deun.
His face and body were covered
with the evidence of an assault.
He also bought medicine
to tend to his own wounds.
Though he'd have to walk for
an hour to get there and back
with an injured body
and on little sleep,
he couldn't tell a soul, out of fear
that the other kids might retaliate.
To Kang Han-gyeol,
for whom violence had
become a part of his daily life,
every day was a nightmare.
As a victim of school bullying
himself, I'm sure Kim Geon-woo…
felt the same way.
Honorable Judge.
I am…
an inmate consultation attorney
with very little experience
in defending someone…
in a court trial, such as this one.
However, this trial is one in
which I must defend my client
as if my life depended on it.
It is the trial of Kang Han-gyeol,
my very own son.
My son, who was a victim of
heinous acts of school bullying,
was put into confinement due to the
false testimonies of the perpetrators.
For my failure to protect my son,
I feel an endless
sense of incompetence.
However, right here, right now,
I believe this is my last chance…
to protect my son.
Honorable Judge.
I sincerely hope…
you will make a wise judgment…
based on truth.
That can't be used as evidence.
Neither can false testimonies.
You scumbag.
Your son's the one who killed him!
He did it all by himself!
That's the truth, you bastard!
Any truths created by you
are all lies now.
Don't you feel guilty about
what happened to Geon-woo?
Are you certain the
defendant is innocent?
How did you feel when you learned
that the defendant was a victim?
How does it feel to
clear your son's name?
Do you have any words
for the victim's family?
Will you be taking legal action
against the other students?
In connection with the
case involving the suicide
of Haneum International
student Kim Geon-woo,
the Gyeonggi District Court has issued
arrest warrants for three students.
For three months, from March to May,
students D, P, and
J assaulted the victim
dozens of times around
the vicinity of the school,
which led to the suicide of…
Son.
How have you been?
Goodness, welcome!
Thank you so much.
There's nothing more I could want now.
You shouldn't have.
They're gift certificates.
Honey, I signed a paper
and got these certificates.
I pulled the kid out of the water, yet
you're the one getting a present?
Did you pull out the student
who fell into the lake?
He forgets things all the time.
He's going to a care home in two days.
I didn't do it with my net.
I went out to him in my boat.
Goodness, there was
this peculiar-looking bird…
No, wait, what was it?
It was whizzing and
flying all around the cliff.
But then…
It started to attack the
person sitting on the cliff.
Then he fell into the water.
But then…
Behind him, there was this other guy.
The guy and the plane just
flew off somewhere after that.
Did you see
who it was?
It was too foggy to see anything.
Gosh, but that plane…
That tiny little thing was… Gosh.
Are you nuts? Why are you doing this?
Why would you kill yourself? Why!
You can't even take that
much? Are you a wimp?
You're a bigger wimp.
This is all your fault.
It's because you ratted them
out to the homeroom teacher.
It's all your fault!
You're…
worse than they are.
What? What did you say?
Just die.
Just die! Die!
Die! Die already!
MY SON
MY SON
I WANT TO KNOW YOUR PARENTS