A Familiar Foe

Industrial accidents that directly injure a part of the body due to machine defects or safety devices must be recognized as such.
This is because a clear causal relationship can be ‘observed’.
However, in the case of ‘Wooyang Rayon’, the exact moment the victims were injured could not be confirmed.
The factory had secretly discharged wastewater into the river, and the villagers, unaware of this fact, had continued to use the water in their daily lives.
As a result, the villagers suffered from sudden speech impediments, paralysis, hallucinations, and mental disorders, but the cause could not be found for a long time.

“Hundreds of people in that village complained of the same symptoms.”

Won Youngoh continued my words.

“It was a case from decades ago, and even the doctors couldn’t identify a clear cause. The reason was that the symptoms were so diverse.”

The factory had long claimed that it was just a personal illness.
I swept back my disheveled hair and continued.

“We were able to confirm the circumstances of the wastewater flowing into the river through an internal whistleblower from the factory. However, it was not accepted as the direct cause of the victims’ illnesses.”

As a result, the villagers were unable to receive any compensation and were left with hospital bills.

“The owner of Wooyang Rayon later sold the factory. Now he has started a financial company with that money. He is living well, as if nothing had happened.”

At my words, Lee Ilwoo, who had barely managed to hold back a curse, took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“What kind of dog… hoo. How can there be such a case? It’s not that long ago. It’s only been thirty years.”
“In the past, trials were not as detailed and long-lasting as they are now. They were rough, and in the end, they always sided with the companies. Because it was a time when they were desperate for economic development.”

Won Youngoh added, looking at the now-empty mug with a disappointed expression.
I was the same.
I suddenly felt my throat burn.

“But the problem is that those precedents still remain.”

Won Youngoh nodded and asked back.

“What are you going to do, Lawyer Cha? To be honest, I recommended the broadcast, but I find it difficult to be optimistic about the current situation.”

Jeong Donghyeok handed each of us a bottle of water, who had been checking our empty cups several times.
I nodded to Jeong Donghyeok in greeting.

“Ah, thank you. I also find it difficult to understand why PD Yoo Jihyeong chose this case. Especially considering his previous works.”

The PD Yoo Jihyeong and writer Lee Euno duo always tried to convey a meaningful message to the viewers, even in a single program.

‘That’s why I accepted this broadcast as well.’

Because I thought they were people with the right beliefs.

“Thank you for accepting my request for advice, Lawyer Yoon Eunho.”
“Not at all. It’s an honor. I’m really enjoying the broadcast.”
“Ah, thank you. Actually… since the ratings are not very good, I think we’ll probably wrap it up after this season.”
“Ah… that’s a real shame. I’m sure you’re more disappointed than I am, PD-nim.”
“It’s my lack of ability. Still, I contacted you because I wanted to create a program that would be really helpful and meaningful to people until then, and I’m really grateful that you accepted.”

I recalled my conversation with Yoo Jihyeong.
And the face that was memorizing all of my stories with a passionate expression, asking how people could use the law in their daily lives.

‘If this is the first broadcast, there must be an intention…’

I quickly picked up the file again.

“Just a moment. I’ll take a closer look. Everyone, please continue with your work. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”
“Yes, lawyer.”
“Let’s do that. I’ll think about it more too.”
“I’ll go buy something to eat. I’m getting hungry.”

At Lee Ilwoo’s words, Won Youngoh, who was about to go into his room, checked the time and then took out a card from his wallet.

“Ah, it’s already that time. Here’s my card. If possible, please get some coffee on your way in. Though I think Ms. Seonghui is probably still crying.”
“I’ll let her know on my way down.”
“Thank you. Please.”
“If it’s possible to order, please get me the largest size, Ilwoo.”
“Yes, Lawyer Cha.”

After bowing, I also took my files and entered my room.
I put on my earphones and read them silently dozens of times.

“Ah.”

When I had read it again about twenty times, I realized what I had missed.

‘Why did I miss this part?’

This was a ‘broadcast’.
It was just a case that had been reconstructed for the broadcast.
In other words, it meant that I didn’t need to be bound by existing precedents and case proceedings.
I had been so engrossed in the actual case that I had missed that part.

‘If I create a new standard with this broadcast and even weave in a clue that can be applied to actual cases in the future…’

The more it becomes a hot topic, the more it will become a clue that actually helps some people.

‘At least, it will prevent similar cases in the future, or the victims will be able to respond more actively.’

If I use this broadcast in a bigger way, not just to raise Dike’s recognition, or as a means of resolving the conflict between Jeong Donghyeok and Jeong Myeonggyu…
After finishing my thoughts, I hurriedly took out my phone from my inner pocket.

[Yes, this is Yoo Jihyeong.]
“Yes, PD-nim. This is Cha Yohan. Is now a good time to talk? I’ve checked the files that writer Lee Euno sent me, and I have a few questions.”
[Ah, yes. Lawyer. Please speak.]
“I’m curious if there’s a reason why you gave me the role of the plaintiff’s lawyer.”
[Uh… there’s no particular reason. I’m curious why you’re curious about that.]
“Ah, I’m just worried that I might ruin the broadcast.”
[What?]

I stared at the memo I had written on the document with a blue ballpoint pen and moved my lips again.

“I think I’ll be moving differently from your planned intention. I called to ask if that would be okay.”
[Hmm.]

Yoo Jihyeong showed a sign of hesitation at my words for a moment.
But soon, a clear answer came back.

[It’s fine. Even if a scene that is different from my intention comes out, that is also a natural flow of the broadcast. Hearing your words, I’ve become even more curious.]
“Then I will do my best. I’ll see you on the day of filming.”
[Yes, lawyer. I look forward to working with you.]

I soon opened the door and went out to talk with people.

“So this part is…”

“The set is quite large.”
“I know, right. It seems like a lot of effort has been put into it for a pilot program.”

The day of filming had finally arrived.
I was at the filming location with Jeong Donghyeok.
As soon as we arrived, Jeong Donghyeok and I admired the set, which was a perfect replica of a real courtroom.

“It’s not a major genre, but they seem to have received quite a bit of investment.”
“Still, the name value of that duo is quite high. And their experience. There are more celebrities than I thought.”

The problem was that neither I nor Jeong Donghyeok knew who was who properly.
They were faces we had seen somewhere before, but there was no more information than that.

‘But if I know their faces, they must be quite famous celebrities.’

Instead of their recognition, the reason I wasn’t very interested in that field played a big part.

“…That side is very busy.”

I narrowed my eyes and looked at one side of the panel seats.

“Ah. Nice to meet you. I’m Jeong Myeonggyu of the law firm Justice. Ah, I enjoyed your last work. Your acting was amazing. I’m a fan.”
“You’re too kind. I thought you were a rookie actor, not a lawyer.”
“I get that misunderstanding sometimes. Hahaha!”

What a commotion.
Jeong Myeonggyu looked like he had been to a salon, just like a celebrity.
I tore my gaze away from that side and immediately fixed my eyes on my phone.

[What are you doing?]

‘Short-term memorization.’

I searched for all the names on the panel seats and memorized their representative works, hit songs, and even their faces.

“Excuse me… are you Lawyer Cha Yohan?”

Just as I had grasped some information, someone approached us.
It was a man who was expressing his profession with his whole body, with his bleached silver hair and a rather flashy outfit.

“Ah, yes. I’m Cha Yohan. Hello, Mr. Wooseok.”
“Oh, you know my name?”

Cheon Wooseok, the leader of the idol group ‘Yours’, asked back with a shy expression.
I nodded and answered nonchalantly.

“Yes, I enjoy your music. This album was also good. Especially ‘Call me up’.”

Though I had only learned five minutes ago that Cheon Wooseok was the singer of the song that Ha Seonghui played at the cafe every day.

“Wow, I’m really touched. Actually, even if you didn’t know me, I wanted to say thank you.”
“What? Thank you?”

Cheon Wooseok, who was clasping his hands with a genuinely moved expression, bowed his head once more.

“Yes. Uh, because of what happened recently, my agency has changed a lot. The treatment has also gotten better.”

Cheon Wooseok said that the attitude of entertainment companies had changed after the C9 incident.
He shyly added that there were also cases where unfair contracts were being corrected.

“This is all thanks to you, lawyer.”
“Haha, not at all. I just did my job. But thank you for thinking so well of me.”

I exchanged a conversation with Cheon Wooseok, offering a moderate amount of modesty and a moderate amount of recognition.

“Mr. Wooseok, what are you doing there, huh? Uh, isn’t that the lawyer? The hit-and-run case!”
“Ah, yes. I’m Cha Yohan.”

After starting a conversation with Cheon Wooseok, my attention was suddenly drawn to him.
When I looked around, Jeong Donghyeok was already far away, waving his hand lightly at me.

‘When did he get there so quickly…’

Surrounded by people in an instant, I exchanged greetings about ten more times.
As if I had known them from the beginning.

“The hook of this song is very addictive.”
“How do you host like that? I’m always mesmerized.”
“Ah, I secretly shed a tear at that scene.”
“That advertisement really suited you. Thanks to that, I got to know a good product.”

From MCs, announcers, actors, to singers.
The conversation never stopped for more than ten minutes.

“Now, we’ll start filming! Everyone, please take your seats!”

At the staff’s guidance, some people moved their steps with a look of disappointment.

“Ah, your way with words is so good, lawyer, that it’s a shame to start filming.”
“Ah, this is when I should be giving out my business card, right?”

I smiled and handed my business card to the MC of this program, who was standing next to me until the end.

“Wow, you’re really good at taking advantage of opportunities.”
“Haha, when else would I get to give my business card to such a famous person?”
“Thanks to you, Lawyer Cha, I’m looking forward to today’s broadcast.”
“I will do my best not to cause any trouble.”

I also followed the guidance and sat down at the plaintiff’s lawyer’s seat.

[…It’s really amazing every time I see it.]

‘When I think about memorizing the law books, this is, well. Easy.’

But the gaze I felt from the seat next to me was surprisingly hot.

‘It’ll be a big problem if he makes a face like that when the camera is rolling.’

The camera first captured the audience seats where the panelists were sitting in the set that replicated a courtroom.
The MC skillfully led the conversation with the panelists.

“The difference between a civil trial and a criminal trial can be simply seen as the presence or absence of a ‘crime’.”

The panelists talked seriously about the light legal knowledge and then laughed.

“Then, let’s see what kind of process there was until the trial that will unfold before our eyes today.”

At the MC’s line, PD Yoo Jihyeong gave a sign.

“VCR cue.”

Words appeared on the wall of the courtroom, which I had thought was just a wall.