- 1 year ago
Low of the city part 2
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Seo Cho Dong, Seoul. A landmark location packed with courts,
00:05prosecutor's offices, and law firms. Attorney Ahn Joo Hyung is an unusual presence here.
00:11He is employed by a law firm. He has been a salaried lawyer for a full nine years.
00:16In the legal world driven by fame and profit, capable individuals often change jobs frequently.
00:22Most last no more than five years before starting their own practice or becoming a partner.
00:27Ahn Joo Hyung has never entertained such thoughts. With nine years of honed experience,
00:33Ahn Joo Hyung possesses top-tier legal competence. Yet he still quietly receives his fixed monthly
00:38salary plus bonuses. He has never harbored any grand ambitions, nor does he wish to climb higher.
00:45Even occasional losses in court leave him completely unruffled. Many other lawyers work
00:50on different floors of the same law firm building. Ahn Joo Hyung is friends with four of them.
00:55These friends, like him, are salaried employee lawyers. After work or during breaks each day,
01:02the five gather for group meals at nearby restaurants or cafes. They form a dining group.
01:08They vent to each other about various trivial frustrations encountered at work.
01:12On this day, Ahn Joo Hyung randomly pulled one file from the mountain of documents piled up in the law
01:18firm. In this case, the defendant, Mr. Park, is visually impaired and also a tax accountant.
01:26Mr. Park was sued by a certain client. According to the client, he regularly did business with Mr.
01:32Park. That day, he requested a discount on the service fee. Unexpectedly, he claims he was
01:38inexplicably beaten by Mr. Park. In the first trial, Mr. Park admitted to the assault and was
01:44subsequently convicted of assault charges. But this time, Mr. Park tells Ahn Joo Hyung he did not beat
01:50the client. He says he chose to admit guilt initially only because he didn't want the matter
01:54escalated. He didn't want it to affect his job. However, he later changed his mind, determined to
02:00reveal the truth. He refuses to bear an innocent person's blame. Faced with Mr. Park's account,
02:06Ahn Joo Hyung appears extremely calm. He neither blindly believes it, nor tries to pick holes in the story
02:12to refute it. He simply remains impassive. He states he will review the relevant evidence
02:17and then contact him. This is Ahn Joo Hyung. After nine years as a lawyer, having encountered
02:24countless lying clients, his passion has long since faded. He treats lawyering merely as an
02:29ordinary office worker's job. He knows the real world is not a television drama. He never speaks of
02:35ideals or passion. While reviewing the materials, Ahn Joo Hyung discovered a piece of message evidence
02:40submitted by the plaintiff. The recording clearly captured Mr. Park committing violence against the
02:45client. Photographs of the plaintiff's injured body parts in the documents also appeared to
02:50corroborate this claim. To verify Mr. Park's completely opposite statement, Ahn Joo Hyung reluctantly
02:56rose from his office chair. It seemed he would have to visit the scene. Leaving the law firm, Ahn Joo Hyung
03:03arrived at Mr. Park's apartment yawning. With a scrutinizing gaze, Ahn Joo Hyung noticed Mr. Park's
03:09apartment had been completely renovated. The interior layout was entirely different from
03:14before the incident. Additionally, the blind Mr. Park very expertly served water to Ahn Joo Hyung.
03:20Each of these small details was noted by Ahn Joo Hyung. Regarding the recording and photographs,
03:26Mr. Park explained, claiming the client broke items himself. He said the client spoke strange words and
03:32even hit himself. He orchestrated this framing plot against Mr. Park. Even the alleged discussion about a
03:38service fee discount, Mr. Park insisted never happened. Ahn Joo Hyung acutely sensed something
03:44was wrong. If no argument occurred between the two men, why would the client come to Mr. Park's
03:50apartment for no reason? To stage a deceptive act? Ahn Joo Hyung concluded internally that Mr. Park was
03:57hiding something. Back at the law firm, Ahn Joo Hyung meticulously checked every document. Ultimately,
04:03through rigorous logical analysis, he uncovered the truth. During their next meeting, Ahn Joo Hyung
04:09informed Mr. Park of his deduction. He discovered the client's registered address was identical to
04:15Mr. Park's address in the household registry. In other words, they were not simply a tax accountant
04:21and client. They were same-sex partners living together. Exposed, Mr. Park admitted Ahn Joo Hyung's
04:28deduction was correct. He and the client were former partners who had broken up. To avoid
04:33misunderstanding, the man disclosed everything he had hidden. According to his account, after they
04:38broke up, he demanded repayment of money lent during the relationship. The other man refused, leading to
04:44their conflict. He lied in the first trial because he didn't want their secret of coming out to be
04:50exposed. He wanted to protect his ex, partner's privacy. Ahn Joo Hyung saw the flaw immediately. If that was
04:57the case, why then would Mr. Park change his mind and choose to appeal? Mr. Park remained silent.
05:04Ahn Joo Hyung spoke the remaining truth for him. Because Mr. Park wanted to protect his tax accountant
05:09license. After the first trial, his license faced revocation. Mr. Park weighed the situation and deemed
05:16ruining his future to protect his ex-partner unwise. During the court appearance, as Mr. Park's defense
05:22attorney, Ahn Joo Hyung completely denied the plaintiff's accusations. Yet he did not disclose
05:28their former partner relationship. He only stated they were close friends with a debt issue. He submitted
05:34evidence based on his observations at Mr. Park's home that day. This proved the plaintiff deliberately
05:39injured himself to frame Mr. Park. Through Ahn Joo Hyung's persuasive arguments, Mr. Park was acquitted in
05:46the second trial. Afterwards, Mr. Park thanked Ahn Joo Hyung. Ahn Joo Hyung remained cold as ice.
05:53Despite winning, he didn't fully believe Mr. Park's account. Defending clients, for him, was simply a job
06:00requiring rational judgment. It involved no emotional involvement. Outside work, Ahn Joo Hyung
06:07participated in blind dates. Each time he appeared gentlemanly toward the women, yet remained distant.
06:13He verbally agreed to meet again, but immediately deleted their contact details afterward.
06:20That evening, the dining group gathered at a new location. They were seeing off a friend who was
06:25resigning. Following this resignation, attorney Kang Heeji came to the law firm building to interview for
06:32the vacancy. Kang Heeji had less than a year of work experience, making her a newcomer to the legal field.
06:38She was idealistic about the real world. On her first day at work, Kang Heeji found a handover report
06:45on her desk. It specifically noted the dining group members' names at the bottom. One name was Ahn Joo Hyung.
06:52Kang Heeji seemed to recognize Ahn Joo Hyung. Kang Heeji found the dining group's contact information on her
06:58computer. She located their group chat. She scrolled through each member's profile one by one.
07:03Seeing Ahn Joo Hyung's background photo, Kang Heeji smiled faintly. That night, the dining group
07:12gathered again minus one member. Everyone anticipated the newcomer who would replace their
07:17resigned friend. They wondered who it might be. At that moment, Kang Heeji approached and saw this
07:23familiar yet unfamiliar face. Ahn Joo Hyung's eyes were filled with instant panic and shock. Ahn Joo Hyung
07:31never imagined. The new member would be his old acquaintance Kang Heeji. After a brief moment of
07:37shock, Ahn Joo Hyung pretended Kang Heeji looked only vaguely familiar. Unexpectedly, Kang Heeji blurted
07:45out, claiming they had once been together. Ahn Joo Hyung panicked and hastily denied they had ever dated.
07:53He didn't expect Kang Heeji to trap him. Kang Heeji explained that by been together, she meant they had met in
08:00Hong Kong. At that time, Ahn Joo Hyung was still a law student. Moreover, they had agreed to meet again
08:07after returning to Korea. They considered each other decade-long confidants. Ahn Joo Hyung desperately hid
08:13his guiltiness. He asserted the reunion promise never existed. The next day, inside the law firm
08:20building's elevator, Ahn Joo Hyung proactively suggested Kang Hee. Ji's memory was faulty. They never agreed to meet
08:28again. Kang Heeji quickly messaged him, insisting she remembered correctly. Ahn Joo Hyung's reply was
08:35just two perfunctory dots. Thinking of this, Kang Heeji wrote the word, crazy, next to Ahn Joo Hyung's name
08:43on the handover report. Today, the firm's representative assigned Kang Heeji a consultation case.
08:49A man, Mr. Jang, lives with his family in government-provided cheap public housing.
08:55Before moving in, Mr. Jang took a bank loan to pay the house's lease deposit. But recently,
09:02unable to repay this loan, bank personnel confronted Mr. Jang. According to the original agreement,
09:09Mr. Jang must forfeit the house used as collateral to the bank. Once forfeited, Mr. Jang's family will
09:15be homeless. Facing this crisis, Mr. Jang hoped the firm would provide free defense. Kang Heeji asked the
09:23representative if this was possible. She received a negative answer. The firm no longer does any pro
09:29bono work. From Mr. Jang, Kang Heeji learned, the bank's lawyer worked on the floor below. Kang Heeji
09:36checked the documents. Indeed, the lawyer helping the bank sue Mr. Jang was Ahn Joo Hyung. Kang Heeji recalled
09:43that at yesterday's dinner gathering, Ahn Joo Hyung mentioned handling a real estate transfer lawsuit.
09:49Kang Heeji snorted softly. Basically, he was just helping banks evict tenants while acting cool.
09:56Mr. Jang begged Kang Heeji to assist him, hoping she could persuade the lawyer downstairs to withdraw
10:01the lawsuit. Kang Heeji felt conflicted. She knew Ahn Joo Hyung was merely doing his job for the bank.
10:08She had no right to interfere. At the next dinner gathering, Kang Heeji brought up this matter.
10:13Her words indirectly expressed dissatisfaction with Ahn Joo Hyung assisting the bank. Ahn Joo Hyung was
10:20direct. The other party failed to repay. He was simply taking measures for his client. His approach
10:27was perfectly justified. Learning Kang Heeji hadn't agreed to Mr. Jang's request to withdraw the lawsuit,
10:33Ahn Joo Hyung nodded with a subtle expression. Fortunately, Kang Heeji didn't meddle unnecessarily.
10:39Kang Heeji felt Ahn Joo Hyung was targeting her everywhere. She brought up their past reunion
10:45promise again. She believed if anyone should hold a grudge, it should be her against him.
10:50Ahn Joo Hyung remained expressionless. He once again emphasized he didn't know Kang Heeji before.
10:57At the next day's trial, Ahn Joo Hyung represented the bank in suing Mr. Jang. He demanded Mr. Jang either
11:04repay in full or surrender the house. Mr. Jang became emotional in court. He angrily accused Ahn Joo Hyung
11:11of siding entirely with the bank. He argued the government should protect vulnerable groups like
11:16him. Moreover, he wasn't deliberately avoiding debt but facing temporary financial strain.
11:23After the trial, Mr. Jang humbly asked Ahn Joo Hyung for a solution. Ahn Joo Hyung's face showed no emotion.
11:30He uttered coldly, Mr. Jang must repay the money. As a lawyer, he must faithfully fulfill the client's demands.
11:39However, the situation took a sudden turn. The next day, Ahn Joo Hyung saw a newly issued Supreme Court
11:46precedent document. The precedent's circumstances were almost identical to Mr. Jang's dispute with the bank.
11:53According to the precedent, the bank could no longer forcibly evict the apartment tenant.
11:58In other words, if the bank continued the appeal, it might lose the lawsuit. Normally, Ahn Joo Hyung should
12:05advise the bank to withdraw the lawsuit. But he didn't intend to do so. The precedent came out last
12:11night. Mr. Jang certainly didn't know about it. Even the judge might not be aware yet. Therefore, Ahn
12:18Joo Hyung intended to conceal the precedent matter and continue helping the bank appeal. At the dinner
12:24gathering, Kang Hee Ji mentioned this precedent. She had also seen the precedent document last night.
12:30Learning Ahn Joo Hyung didn't plan to withdraw the lawsuit, Kang Hee Ji felt deeply puzzled. According
12:36to this precedent, the bank would definitely lose if the appeal continued. But Ahn Joo Hyung appeared
12:42unfazed. He hinted there was opportunity if the opposing lawyer didn't know about the precedent. Kang Hee Ji
12:48disliked Ahn Joo Hyung's trickery. She muttered again. He wasn't just bad. He was a complete
12:55scoundrel. At the next trial, Ahn Joo Hyung came fully prepared. Unexpectedly, Mr. Jang submitted
13:02documents to the judge in court. The content was the recently issued precedent. It turned out that
13:08yesterday, to help the soon-to-be homeless Mr. Jang, Kang Hee Ji visited his home. She gave him the
13:15precedent materials. Seeing the unique first-line indentation on the documents, Ahn Joo Hyung
13:21immediately guessed Kang Hee Ji had outmaneuvered him. That specific indentation style was only used
13:28by Kang Hee Ji's law firm. Now the judge also knew about the new precedent. Ahn Joo Hyung couldn't
13:34continue the appeal. He had to state he would discuss withdrawal with his client. At the subsequent
13:40dinner gathering, facing Kang Hee Ji, Ahn Joo Hyung seemed annoyed. He blamed her for meddling
13:46unnecessarily. Kang Hee Ji defended herself. The Supreme Court had issued the latest precedent.
13:53She merely acted according to the precedent. She didn't fabricate facts. Additionally, in Kang Hee Ji's
13:59view, public housing exists to protect low-income groups like Mr. Jang. Only by following precedents.
14:06Could such vulnerable groups keep their hard-earned homes in the future? Kang Hee Ji believed Ahn Joo Hyung
14:12was too cruel. He only focused on helping clients. He completely lacked moral sympathy for vulnerable
14:18groups. Ahn Joo Hyung countered Kang Hee Ji's so-called morality word by word. He asked Kang Hee Ji if the
14:27bank was forced to withdraw the lawsuit. The bank suffered a silent loss and would stop lending to
14:32low-income people who won public housing lots. Then, even if these people obtained public housing,
14:38they couldn't move in due to lacking deposit funds from banks. Eventually, only ordinary citizens who
14:45obtained loans and repaid punctually would suffer losses. The world isn't distinctly divided and
14:51non-interfering. If one incident changes, corresponding factors will trigger butterfly effect-like consequences.
14:59Kang Hee Ji still couldn't accept Ahn Joo Hyung's words. Instead, she emphasized individual dignity and
15:07value. She argued Ahn Joo Hyung focused on the big picture while neglecting individuals. Both
15:14reluctantly gave each other cold shoulders. Yet privately, both Ahn Joo Hyung and Kang Hee Ji were pondering the
15:21other's words. They reflected on their own convictions. Kang Hee Ji felt gloomy. She noticed the
15:27healing location written in a senior's handover report. A university track to watch people run.
15:33At night, Kang Hee Ji went to the track. She sat on a bench and sighed softly. Ahn Joo Hyung was also there,
15:41running. During a break, he noticed Kang Hee Ji nearby. Memories of the past flooded his mind.
15:49Actually, ten years ago, Ahn Joo Hyung and Kang Hee Ji were lovers. Back then,
15:54they had passionately kissed under the nightlights.
15:58They fell in love during a trip to Hong Kong. Ahn Joo Hyung actually remembers everything from the past.
16:05They indeed agreed to meet again after returning to Seoul. But at that time, Kang Hee Ji had concerns.
16:12She worried their feelings were just a fleeting passion from the trip. Ahn Joo Hyung misunderstood.
16:17He took Kang Hee Ji's words as cancelling the agreement. Moreover, after returning to Seoul,
16:24Kang Hee Ji truly did not contact him. Kang Hee Ji explained. It was because she accidentally
16:30lost the phone containing Ahn Joo Hyung's number. Kang Hee Ji blamed Ahn Joo Hyung. Anyway,
16:36it was Ahn Joo Hyung who suggested meeting first. But he never showed up. Impulsively, Ahn Joo Hyung said,
16:43because I liked you. After a brief pause, Ahn Joo Hyung explained again that meant back then,
16:49not now. Ahn Joo Hyung felt a bit awkward and quickly stood up to leave. On the way back,
16:55Kang Hee Ji apologized to Ahn Joo Hyung for her lack of consideration regarding the bank case. Ahn Joo Hyung
17:02generously stated he would try his best to help Kang Hee Ji in the future. But he couldn't guarantee it would
17:07meet Kang Hee Ji's expectations. Later, Kang Hee Ji took on a lawsuit. A young boy died on the day of
17:15his surgery. The boy's family filed a lawsuit. They believed the doctor's medical error caused the
17:21child's death. The surgeon and the head of the hospital affairs department came to the law firm.
17:26But their attitudes about being sued were completely opposite. The doctor wanted to apologize to the
17:31family and hoped to settle. The head flatly refused, believing it involved the hospital's reputation.
17:38Because of differing opinions. The two even argued in front of Kang Hee Ji. When leaving,
17:44the doctor spoke privately to Kang Hee Ji. He said he planned to attend the trial.
17:49He asked Kang Hee Ji to keep it secret from the head. Kang Hee Ji began reviewing the doctor's surgery
17:54video. She also sought expert opinion from a partner doctor. The doctor explained,
18:00the surgery in the video was perfectly normal. The boy's death after surgery actually involved many
18:06factors we couldn't control. Kang Hee Ji discussed the case with her five buddies. As a first-year rookie
18:12lawyer, Kang Hee Ji seemed somewhat emotional. She believed they shouldn't take the hospital side to
18:18stop the doctor from apologizing. Ahn Joo Hyung reminded her not to involve personal feelings in work.
18:24Otherwise, she would lose her objectivity. But Kang Hee Ji disagreed with Ahn Joo Hyung.
18:30She argued with him again. She thought Ahn Joo Hyung was too cold and lacked empathy.
18:35The next day while the five buddies were eating together, Kang Hee Ji brought up the case again.
18:40Although there was no evidence, her intuition told her something seemed suspicious about this surgery.
18:46In Kang Hee Ji's view, intuition was also a form of science. It was big data accumulated through her
18:52life experiences. Ahn Joo Hyung argued with Kang Hee Ji once more. He opposed classifying intuition as science.
19:01On the day of the medical trial, the plaintiff's lawyer presented photographic evidence in court.
19:06It proved the defendant doctor was actually left-handed. But in the surgery video, the doctor used his right
19:12hand. Therefore, the plaintiff suspected proxy surgery. However, on Kang Hee Ji's side,
19:19the doctor who promised to attend was unexpectedly absent. Shortly after, several police officers came
19:27to court and took the plaintiff's family away. The reason was, the man had assaulted and stabbed that
19:32doctor. Fortunately, the doctor wasn't seriously hurt. Today's trial confirmed Kang Hee Ji's intuition.
19:41Kang Hee Ji blamed herself. If she'd discovered earlier the doctor was left-handed,
19:46today's situation wouldn't have happened. Kang Hee Ji wanted to message Ahn Joo Hyung. But after thinking
19:52it over, she gave up. Unexpectedly, Ahn Joo Hyung was also in the elevator when she entered. Kang Hee Ji
19:59pretended everything was fine. Ahn Joo Hyung noticed her sighing. He asked if she needed help. After getting
20:06confirmation, Ahn Joo Hyung went to Kang Hee Ji's office. He watched the surgery video with her.
20:11They sat too close. Their eyes unintentionally met for an instant. The atmosphere became flirtatiously
20:19ambiguous. Kang Hee Ji looked away and explained the case to Ahn Joo Hyung. Seeing Kang Hee Ji's troubled
20:25expression, Ahn Joo Hyung took her out to eat. While waiting for the elevator, both recalled their past
20:32memories. Ten years ago, Kang Hee Ji and Ahn Joo Hyung separately traveled to Hong Kong. By fate. In this
20:40unfamiliar city called Hong Kong, they kept encountering each other unintentionally. They
20:45took the same flight. The same shuttle bus. Rode the same sightseeing vehicle. Even stayed at the same
20:52guesthouse. In the small guesthouse. Facing this unfamiliar woman he kept running into. Ahn Joo Hyung
20:58finally invited her to eat together. Now. Ten years later. The two ate instant noodles together at a
21:05convenience store. To help Kang Hee Ji, Ahn Joo Hyung brought Bae Moon, Jung's husband. The man worked
21:13as a nurse practitioner in the hospital's operating room. After watching the surgery video, Bae Moon,
21:19Jung's husband explained to them. During surgery, to avoid hand collision with the opposite person,
21:25left-handed doctors often use their right hand. In other words, the surgeon in the video was definitely
21:31that doctor himself. It wasn't proxy surgery. The next day, Kang Hee Ji visited the now conscious
21:39doctor in the hospital. The doctor shared his feelings. Although there was no surgical error,
21:45whenever a patient died post-surgery, he still felt guilt mixed with complex emotions of avoidance.
21:51On the way to court that day, he saw the boy's father. But he lacked the courage to face him.
21:57Now, to atone for his guilt, the doctor planned to settle with the family. He hoped to help the father
22:03get a lighter punishment. Meanwhile, the firm assigned Ahn Joo Hyung a case. It was a divorce
22:10case he disliked most. Ahn Joo Hyung tried to swap cases with Bae Moon Jung. But the firm told him the
22:17client insisted on a male lawyer. Reluctantly, Ahn Joo Hyung took the case and met the client. The man
22:23demanded he wouldn't pay alimony and property to his soon-to-be ex-wife. Soon, Ahn Joo Hyung appeared
22:29at family court representing his client. He discovered the defendant was his long-lost ex-girlfriend Park
22:35Soo Jung. In the family court, Ahn Joo Hyung clearly recognized Park Soo Jung. Yet he remained extremely
22:42composed. Overwhelmed by mixed emotions, Park Soo Jung shed tears during the hearing. Kang Hee Ji also came to
22:50family court. She tried greeting Ahn Joo Hyung who walked toward her. But Ahn Joo Hyung ignored her
22:56completely. Kang Hee Ji soon noticed Park Soo Jung's presence. She observed Park Soo Jung casting brief,
23:02subtle glances at Ahn Joo Hyung. Kang Hee Ji realized they likely knew each other. During a meal with the
23:08five buddies, Kang Hee Ji mentioned seeing Ahn Joo Hyung at court. Ahn Joo Hyung still denied it outright.
23:14He claimed he hadn't seen Kang Hee Ji. After eating, the group planned to visit a cafe.
23:21Only Ahn Joo Hyung hurried back alone to the law firm. Watching Ahn Joo Hyung leave,
23:26Kang Hee Ji grew more convinced. This case was unusual for him. Back at the law firm, Ahn Joo Hyung
23:33sighed over the case files. Park Soo Jung wiping tears in court replayed in his mind. As the second hearing
23:40approached, while reviewing new documents, Ahn Joo Hyung unconsciously frowned. He kept loosening his tie,
23:47visibly troubled. Park Soo Jung's husband, Ahn Joo Hyung's client, came to the law firm again. Ahn Joo Hyung
23:55showed him Park Soo Jung's prepared documents. They detailed the husband's repeated ill treatment
24:00during their marriage. Ahn Joo Hyung fixed the man with a stern gaze. The husband insisted,
24:06no, but added, by his standards. Ahn, Joo Hyung understood the implied truth but did not press
24:13further. The man sensed Ahn Joo Hyung didn't believe him. Ahn Joo Hyung remained cold-eyed,
24:19seemingly emotionless. He stated that believing his client wouldn't affect his defense.
24:24As the second hearing arrived, Ahn Joo Hyung still had to face Park Soo Jung. This time, Park Soo Jung's
24:31gaze still lingered unintentionally on Ahn Joo Hyung. Only Ahn Joo Hyung continued pretending not to see
24:37her. Kang Hee Ji saw Ahn Joo Hyung and Park Soo Jung at family court again. She deliberately checked
24:43the woman's name. Noticing Park Soo Jung, Kang Hee Ji realized she was Ahn Joo, Hyung's ex-girlfriend.
24:50In court, the judge asked Park Soo Jung to submit evidence of her husband's ill treatment. Park Soo Jung
24:57glanced slowly at Ahn Joo Hyung. Then she softly answered,
25:00number. Ahn Joo Hyung felt complicated but proceeded professionally. He urged the judge for a swift
25:07ruling. Kang Hee Ji told BAE Moon Jung about seeing Ahn Joo Hyung at family court. BAE Moon Jung revealed,
25:15Ahn Joo Hyung only avoids handling cases involving people he knows. Back at the law firm, Kang Hee Ji checked case
25:22records. She was surprised to find Ahn Joo Hyung wasn't Park Soo Jung's defense attorney. He represented
25:27the plaintiff instead. It made sense he wouldn't defend his ex. But now he stood against her.
25:34This deeply puzzled Kang Hee Ji. The next day, Kang Hee Ji asked Ahn Joo Hyung if he was okay with this case.
25:42Ahn Joo Hyung was surprised she knew about Park Soo Jung. Kang Hee Ji avoided eye contact and asked why he
25:48took the case. Ahn Joo Hyung answered coldly again. To him, it was just work. Before Kang Hee Ji, Ahn Joo Hyung
25:56acted indifferent toward his ex. But privately, while preparing documents, he rewrote and deleted
26:02repeatedly. Memory involuntarily drifted back to the past. To when he dated Park Soo Jung. They once
26:09happily ate grilled meat together. Park Soo Jung used to lean against him. She also accompanied him to court.
26:15She would wait patiently for him in the hallway. But now all that was in the past. On the day of
26:21their private mediation. Seeing Park Soo Jung, Ahn Joo Hyung instinctively moved to leave.
26:27Park Soo Jung spoke first, asking if he'd been well. Ahn Joo Hyung hid his inner turmoil. He replied he
26:34wouldn't discuss personal matters. Park Soo Jung shifted to the case. Emotionally, she asked why he had
26:40to take it. Ahn Joo Hyung. Ahn Joo Hyung's tone remained icy. In this case, he wasn't Ahn Joo Hyung. Not
26:47anyone's ex. He was the plaintiff's representative. Seeing Ahn Joo Hyung distance himself. Park Soo Jung's
26:54eyes welled up again. She couldn't bear her ex, knowing her failed marriage. As she spoke,
27:01she uncontrollably cried before him. All Ahn Joo Hyung could do was urge her to gather evidence.
27:06Park Soo Jung looked down. She had none. Ahn Joo Hyung sighed and advised her to drop the case.
27:13Following his advice, Park Soo Jung finally met her husband's demands. She divorced him,
27:18forfeiting all assets. Park Soo Jung's ex-husband beamed. He gave Ahn Joo Hyung gift certificates as
27:25thanks. Ahn Joo Hyung responded flatly. But the man mocked him. He revealed he specifically requested the
27:31firm to sign Ahn Joo Hyung the case. He knew about their past relationship. He believed facing her ex in
27:38court would unsettle her into giving up. Ahn Joo Hyung was stunned he'd been used. The man shoved the
27:44certificates at him with a smug grin. Ahn Joo Hyung tore them to pieces on the spot. He glared coldly,
27:50telling the man to leave. After the man stormed off, Ahn Joo Hyung turned and saw Kang Heeji outside.
27:56She witnessed him shredding the certificates. For the first time, she saw his pride and vulnerability
28:02up close. Park Soo Jung lingered downstairs. As if feeling indignant for him, Kang Heeji approached her,
28:09lying that Ahn Joo Hyung had left. On the subway home, Kang Heeji regretted overstepping.
28:16That night, Ahn Joo Hyung received Kang Hee. Ji's text asking if he was okay. Park Soo Jung also messaged
28:23him. Now that the case was over, she wondered if he was her lawyer or just Ahn Joo Hyung. After reading,
28:30his gaze drifted out the window, his thoughts tangled in complexity.
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