Recently, I’ve been reviewing my watch list on Netflix and I’ve come across a series that has been on my list for quite sometime entitled, Juvenile Justice starring Kim Hye-soo (Under the Queen’s Umbrella and Hyena). From the title itself, you’ll have a background of what it is about and basically the plot is about young people committing crimes. If you are a person like me who has a healthy relationship with spoilers, by all means proceed!
I really hate Juvenile Delinquents.
The show starts off with the line “I really hate Juvenile Delinquents” said by Judge Shim Eun-seok, a character played by Kim Hye-soo. She is the protagonist in the story and as the show progresses, it will be revealed why she said what she said.
From the first episode, we are introduced to her character. Judge Shim Eun-seok is a newly-appointed judge in the juvenile court who has a nickname “Judge Max” because of her reputation of making court decisions providing for the maximum penalty for juvenile delinquents in her previous court. She is a feisty, strict, sort of stubborn, and unapproachable person.
Her colleagues walk on eggshells around her and she often butts heads with her superiors, Judge Kang Won-jung and eventually Judge Na Geun-hee. This is a striking difference with the other judge in the show, Judge Cha, who is friendly, kind to the delinquents, and has the passion to really effect change in their lives. Later in the show, it is revealed that he was once a juvenile delinquent hence the need to advocate for the juvenile delinquents.
Though I hate and despise young offenders, I’ll do my best when I deal with them. Though I hate and despise young offenders, I’ll stay cool when I impose sentences. Though I hate and despise young offenders, I won’t look down on them with prejudice.
The usual demeanor of judges is that they are almost always in the courtroom, but this is not the case for the Juvenile Justice, because Judge Shim goes out of her way to investigate the cases she’s handling to the point of having an actual brawl with one of the perpetrators. This unique approach not only highlights her dedication to understanding the nuances of each case but also blurs the lines between her professional responsibilities and personal convictions.
Judge Shim’s willingness to confront the realities of juvenile delinquency head-on emphasizes her commitment to seeking justice, even at the risk of putting herself in danger. And she’s doing all of it because of one thing—revenge.
It’s true that juveniles are influenced by their family and environment. But in the end, it’s themselves who chose to commit a crime out of variety of options. Not everyone resorts to crime because of their predicament.
The series delves into dark themes, examining children entangled in heinous crimes such as murder and domestic violence. It maintains a grounded perspective by addressing pressing societal issues, including the pressures of academic performance among high school students and the harsh realities faced by children left unsupervised by their parents.
The show is controversial because it seeks to answer the question whether a person under the age of 18 can be tried in court as an adult. Traditionally, when dealing with juvenile delinquency, we assume the offender lacks full awareness of their actions, warranting more lenient treatment than adult criminals. However, this show challenges that notion, taking a different and thought-provoking approach.
Parents are responsible for their children, but children are responsible for their own actions, especially if they are fully aware of what they have done and the consequences that go with it. The show emphasizes the role of parents in raising their children.
In the show, two kids murdered a much younger child. We then find out that the children became the way they are due to lack of attention from their parents. One parent is busy making a living for her son, the other parent is abroad and doesn’t go home much, leaving their child under the care of someone else.
As a Filipino, I’ve seen how our culture makes use of palo or spanking or hitting in disciplining children. I myself have experienced this but I’m not sure if I can do it with my own child. I would rather go for gentle parenting which would allow me to explain right and wrong to my child and carefully inculcate in her good values. The time that parents give their children is important because it is an opportunity for us as parents to hone whatever attitudes or characteristics they acquire over time and to correct whatever wrong attitudes they do.
All in all, Juvenile Justice is a must-watch for fans of legal dramas and anyone interested in the deeper ethical issues surrounding crime and punishment. It’s a bold and intelligent series that doesn’t shy away from the tough questions, making it both compelling and eye-opening.
I was so invested in this 10-episode series and was sad to know there won’t be a second season despite being such a great drama and having solid cast and top notch acting. If I’m not mistaken it was one of the top 10 shows when it aired in the Philippines so the series’s cancellation might not be because of the viewership but we’ll never know. Netflix has a bit of a reputation for canceling great shows.
I’ve also written my take on another law-related Korean series, Extraordinary Woo. You can read my thoughts on how Extraordinary Woo became an extraordinary hit! Do check it out and let me know your thoughts as well. Comment below!
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