Judge vs. Judge (2017)

10 years has past since Choi Jung-joo was caught stealing her brother’s case files and she has become a Judge under the name of Lee Jung-joo. When her current trial case files are snatched by a thief, her job is placed in a precarious position. Matters get worse when she can’t control her fiery temper against convict Kim Joo-hyeong who attempts to lay the blame on the victims. Judge Sa Ui-Hyun’s theft case goes awry when the defendant injures herself.

Judge Lee Jung-joo retrieves her lost case file from Judge Sa Ui-hyun and their personalities initially clash with each other. Things go drastically wrong during the Kim Joo-yeong retrial case when the court record is taken hostage. Her refusal to acquit his case causes Joo-yeong to “educate” Jung-joo.

Caught in an unprecented hostage drama, Judge Lee Jung-joo is trapped with no way out until Judge Sa Ui-hyun attempts to assist her. While deliberating on whether to take the Jung Soon-bok case or transfer it to another judicial panel, Professor Yoo Myung-hee, her idol, provides Jung-joo with the insight to make her decision.

Judge Lee takes the Jung Soon-bok case. Choi Kyung-ho assaults Kim Joo-hyeong in prison for what he did to Jung-joo. When brought before the court, he reveals that he lied about raping and murdering Kim Ga-young. Assemblyman Do Jin-myung reveals to Sa Jung-do that Seo Ge-ho, the husband of Soon-bok, found out Kyung-ho did not murder Kim Ga-young.

The court is in turmoil due to the unexpected bombshell declaration by Choi Kung-ho. Lee Jung-joo’s feelings are complicated because she always believed that he had committed the crime. Sa Ui-hyeon is made aware of the fact that the tennis shoe Kim Ga-young wore when she was murdered had belonged to Do Hoon-joon. Assemblyman Do Jin-myung knows more than what he is telling.

Lee Jung-joo is frustrated by Chief Oh’s rejection of her judicial opinion and placing a giant question mark on it. Jung-joo finds out that Kim Ga-young’s father, Kim Hee-chul, and Jang Soon-bok’s husband, Seo Gi-ho had worked for the Assemblyman. One of Kim Ga-young’s tennis shoes is in Seo Yong-soo’s possession.

Choi Kyung-ho plots against Do Han-joon. Lee Jung-joo agonizes over her brother’s possible innocence. Sa Ui-hyeon acquires Kim Ga-young’s tennis shoe. Chief Oh Ji-rak ask Ui-hyeon to deliver Choi Kung-ho’s Murder Case files to his father Jung-do. Do Han-joon finds the owner of a limited edition knife similar to the one used in the Jang Soon-bok murder case.

Everyone is in stitches due to Lee Jung Joo’s typo. Evidence may have been tampered with in the Jang Soon-bok case. Jung-joo is confronted about why she will no be a stand-in justice on the Choi Kyung-ho retrial case.

New evidence is incriminating towards Do Han-hoon in regards to the Kim Ga-young Murder Case. News of the relationship between Lee Jung-joo and Choi Kyung-ho is spread on the court chat room. Jung-joo is staggered by even more unfortunate developments.

Lee Jung-joo apologizes to her brother and wants him to petition for a retrial. Kim Joo-hyeong is solicited to set-up her brother.

Lee Jung-joo and Sa Ui-hyun are doubting Do Han-joon. Jung-joo must deal with the aftermath of her brother’s death. Do Jin-myung wants Sa Jung-do to represent Kim Joo-hyeong in the resulting case. Han-joon is assigned as the prosecutor. Jung-joo faces the Disciplinary Court for having not excused herself from her brother’s assault case.

Kim Joo-hyeong claims Self-Defense in the Manslaughter case. Do Han-joon confronts his father about the tennis shoe and is late threatened. Choi Go-soo is reassigned to the Individual Criminal Court where his first case’s defendant is an old flame. Han-joon confides to Sa Ui-hung

Amidst the resolution of misunderstandings and the revelation of a new villain, the father of Kim Ga-young returns to Korea. All attention turns to Kim Ik-chul as he holds the keys to the case. Do Han-joon fears for Lee Jung-joo’s safety. Professor Yoo makes a confession to Jung-joo.

Chief Choi, Chief Oh and the Head Justice are caught by Chief Choi’s wife discussing whether he should excuse himself because of his relationship with the defendant who was his first love. Jang Soon-bok recovers consciousness. Kim Ik-chul is kidnapped. Both Do Han-joon and Sa Ui-hyun receive death threats against Lee Jung-joo.

Sa Ui-hyun transfers to Chief Oh's panel. Kim Ik-chul attempts to help Soon-bok but doesn’t want to testify. Jang Soon-bok needs more evidence to get a retrial. The diary of an incriminated detective comes to light.

The diary of Kang Gi-woong proves sufficient to grant a retrial for Jung Soon-bok. Lee Jung-joo grants an arrest warrant for Na Dong-soo. Kim Ik-chul testifies at the retrial. Soon-bok is found “Not Guilty!” Do Han-joon doesn’t get what he wants.

Choi Kyung-ho’s retrial is denied. Professor Yoo pledges her support to Lee Jung-joo. Assemblyman Do manipulates the press in his favor. Jung-joo and Ui-hyun wonder what happened to Kim Ga-young’s phone.

Professor Yoo, Lee Jung-joo and Sa Ui-hyun start digging into Choi Kyung-ho's case in earnest and visit with Seo Yong-soo to check about the cell phone. Jung-joo and Ui-hyun find out it was Professor Yoo who ask Ui-hyun’s father to represent Kyung-ho during the murder trial. All evidence points towards Assemblyman Do whom Jung-joo confronts. Professor Yoo acquires the missing cell phone.

Prefessor Yoo, Lee Jung-joo and Sa Ui-hyun listen to the cell phone recordings. Assemblyman Do tries to pressure the head judge to resolve the Na Dong-soo case but he is resistant. Jin Se-ra runs into Myung Soo-jin whom ruined her reputation.

Jin Se-ra gets her pay back for Myung Soo-jin ruining her reputation. Lee Jung-joo files a petition for a retrial based on the new evidence. Assemblyman Do is called in as a witness.

Assemblyman Do diverts attention from him to the legality of the Kim Ik-chul recording. Sa Ui-hyun suggests a different method of attack. Ik-chul is assaulted while in the hospital. Do Han-joon finds out his mother had the phone while Assemblyman Do finds out she is the one who made the recording.

Kim Ik-chul recounts his testimony. Sa Ui-hyun asks his father to step down from Assemblyman Do’s side. Lee Jung-joo is running out of options to get the retrial approved.

Sa Ui-yung testifies in the appeal for a retrial. Do Han-joon feels betrayed. Professor Yoo’s abuse is published in the media.

The retrial is approved. Lee Jung-joo and Sa Ui-hung are bickering like a couple. Kim Joo-hyung returns to court for his verdict. Han-joon feels uneasy when he is together with both Jung-joo and Ui-hyung. Professor Yoo becomes a witness at the retrial for Choi Kyung-ho.

Professor Yoo Myung-Hee takes the witness stand and produces the real incriminating evidence from the past 10 years. The revealing of the relationship between Do Jin-myung, Sa Jung-do, and Myung-hee leaves everyone is in a state of confusion.

Yoo Myung-hee’s corrects her bad verdict. Kim Joo-young sends letters to the judges to get a plea bargain. Myung-hee confides to Lee Jung-jo and her husband.

The shocking revelation of the real murderer of Kim Ga-young devastates Lee Jung-joo. Sa Ui-hyun finds out who instigated Kim Joo-hyeong to kill Choi Kyung-ho. Do Han-joon is shocked when he overheads his parents discussing the events concerning Ga-young’s death.

Lee Jung-joo struggles to accept the recent events. Do Han-joon breaks off his relationship with Jung-joo. The panal of Chief Oh, Judge Sa and Judge Lee are assigned the Professor Yoo case. Assemblyman Do tries to assume the blame.

The rapist and murderer of Kim Ga-young are finally brought to justice. Sa Jung-do closes his law firm. Lee Jung-joo visits Professor Yoo. Do Han-joon decides to leave Seoul.

Sa Ui-hyun’s absence causes Lee Jung-joo to wonder about her feelings for him. However, Ui-hyun openly admits he likes her. Head Justice Seo Dae-su intends to resign as his daughter was involved in the school bullying. Chief Oh is transferred to his hometown and Ui-hyun is promoted.

Two years later, Lee Jung-joo is transferred to the Jangheung District Court where Chief Oh and Judge Sa are presiding. Their first case together deals with divorce and they have opposing views. However, she is quite happy joining hands with him.

Two years later, Lee Jung-joo is transferred to the Jangheung District Court where Chief Oh and Judge Sa are presiding. There first case together deals with divorce and they have opposing views. However, she is quite happy joining hands with him.