Juvenile Justice – Episode 1

Mid-Episode Recap – Juvenile Justice – Episode 1: “Hatchet Job”

In the series premiere of Juvenile Justice, Judge Sim Eun-seok (Kim Hye-soo) is appointed to a juvenile court in the Yeonhwa District. Her first case involves Baek Seong-u (Kim Mu-yeol), a 13-year-old boy who confesses to brutally murdering an 8-year-old child with a hatchet. Despite his chilling admission and blood-soaked appearance, Eun-seok suspects that Seong-u is covering for someone else. The investigation reveals that Han Ye-eun (Lee Yeon), a 16-year-old girl, is the actual perpetrator, and Seong-u’s confession was a strategic move to protect her from the Juvenile Act, which offers leniency to minors under 14. Eun-seok’s pursuit of justice is further complicated by the influence of Chief Judge Kang Won-jung (Lee Sung-min), who is eager to close the case quickly to advance his political ambitions. This episode sets the tone for the series, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the juvenile justice system.