Juvenile Justice

Sim Eun-seok is a stern juvenile court judge who has little patience for young offenders, but she also holds a strict view of justice and punishment. The series follows her as she handles a string of morally messy cases that blur the line between victim and perpetrator. Cases range from petty theft to violent crimes, and each hearing forces the court to weigh legal procedure against social context, family dynamics, and the system's limits. Sim's blunt style creates friction with colleagues, defense lawyers and social workers, and the show keeps the focus on legal strategy, tense hearings, and the human cost without revealing how individual cases resolve.

Created by Hong Jong-chan and Kim Min-suk, the 2022 South Korean drama stars Kim Hye-soo, Kim Moo-yul, Lee Sung-min, Lee Jung-eun and Lee Sang-hee, with a tight production that emphasizes courtroom detail and character interaction.

Critics and viewers generally responded well, reflected in a 7.956/10 vote average from 218 votes, with many highlighting the strong performances and procedural intensity. Recurring themes include accountability, the limits of punishment, social inequality, and how the legal system treats youth. The writing favors moral complexity over easy answers, and episodes often leave ethical questions unresolved.

The show prompted conversations about juvenile justice in and outside of South Korea, pushing the topic into public discourse and media commentary. Scenes of courtroom confrontation and the image of a no-nonsense judge dealing with teenage defendants became touchpoints for discussions about sentencing, rehabilitation, and public safety.

While it didn't dominate major international award circuits, Juvenile Justice earned notable critical attention for its cast work and its willingness to raise difficult questions about law and youth. Kim Hye-soo's lead performance was repeatedly singled out by reviewers, and the series became one of the more talked-about Korean legal dramas of its release year.