The South Korean series Juvenile Justice has become one of Netflix’s most popular non-English-language titles. It is an insightful legal drama that raises important ethical questions about the justice administered to minors who have offended or perpetrated serious crimes. Juvenile Justice comprises 10 pulse-pounding and incisive episodes that offer realistic observations on youth violence, criminal responsibility, and the intricacies of the juvenile justice system. This raw tale is directed by Hong Jong-chan and stars Kim Hye-soo, Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min, and Lee Jung-eun.
The production reflects a controversial view of the juvenile justice system in Korea, which tries about “30,000 minors each year”. At first glance, it can be appreciated that the main intention of the court is to re-educate and re-socialize young offenders. The judges in charge – as far as possible – try to handle illicit acts through the civil, administrative and family spheres. However, the problem arises when minors take refuge in the law to commit all kinds of atrocities. Juvenile Justice bets on showing the most perverse and violent face that some young offenders can have.
Juvenile Justice focuses on a complex legal framework that has become insufficient to deal with juvenile crime. In this regard, screenwriter Kim Min-seok explores the consequences of a juvenile law that is permissive and serves as a cover for the misdeeds, violence and cruelty of offenders. In the show, Korean legislation considers that children and adolescents under the age of 14 are not mature enough to appreciate or measure the consequences of their own actions. This means that minors under the age of 14 who commit even violent crimes – such as aggravated assault or homicide – cannot be charged in criminal proceedings.
In this way, the series is a social denunciation about the limitations faced by the juvenile courts when it comes to properly sentencing the offenders, who, almost regardless of the seriousness of their crimes, receive lenient sentences. As is to be expected, the issue of the minimum age at which a minor is criminally responsible is always the subject of controversy and debate.
Netflix’s fiction mainly follows Judge Sim Eun-Seok (Kim Hye-soo), a disciplined and forceful woman, who joins the Yeonhwa Court. In her first appearances, the official admits that she vehemently despises young offenders and strives vigorously to see that they receive a sentence commensurate with their crime. “We need to show them how harsh the law can be! We have to teach them, when you hurt someone you have to pay the consequences”, she exclaims in a revealing moment. Judge Cha Tae-ju (Kim Mu-yeol), a charismatic and idealistic man, joins the story, accompanying and challenging his indomitable colleague on a regular basis.
When a minor commits a crime, the judge Sim Eun-seok conducts a thorough and extremely personal investigation that breaks somewhat with the customs of the system. She is dedicated to learning about the offender’s life circumstances, age, social origin, educational model, discernment capacity, emotional and intellectual maturity. In a sense, Sim Eun-seok becomes an active part of the investigation and is engaged in unraveling the nature of the accused and the reason for the antisocial behavior. As one might expect, determining whether or not a child is capable of criminal intent is a critical decision.
Hong Jong-chan’s production features all kinds of juvenile delinquency cases, highlighting stories of vandalism, intimidation, school harassment, theft, child abuse, coercion, rape and even murder. One of the most shocking cases involves two teenagers who kill an eight-year-old boy. This crime is particularly heinous and inhumane as the erratic youths strangle and mutilate the little boy. During the hearing, the defendants allege that they are not criminally liable due to serious mental health problems. “I heard… that kids under the age of 14 don’t go to prison even for something like murder. Is that true?” asks one of the accused with a wry smile on his face.
Thanks to the court’s tenacious investigation, the counselors are able to prove that the teenagers were of sound mind when they assaulted the victim. The young people not only understood what they were doing, but also acted of their own free will; so far it has been said that some of the cases in the series are inspired by juvenile crimes that have taken place in South Korea.
It should be added that Juvenile Justice is structured in independent and conclusive episodes. Nevertheless, the series develops a narrative thread that allows for a deeper understanding of its main characters and conveys a sense of unity and plot continuity.
This judicial drama not only questions the law on the protection of minors when it comes to judging crimes, but also shows how many times these juvenile delinquents are also victims of the social, economic and cultural system. Juvenile Justice stresses that children and adolescents who commit crimes are not the only ones responsible for this unfortunate reality. After all, the problem of juvenile violence involves parents, schools, public institutions, and the state.
While the relatives of the accused ask for clemency, the relatives of the victims demand justice
Throughout the show, it is disheartening to see that, while the relatives of the accused ask for clemency, the relatives of the victims demand justice. Both extremes are in the deepest pain.
Unquestionably, Juvenile Justice raises important moral reflections. On the one hand, it argues that juvenile offenders are better served by a judicial system focused on rehabilitation and social reintegration. In fact, there is now a strong belief in most states that young offenders can lead healthy and constructive lives if given a tangible opportunity.
On the other hand, the show also proposes the idea of reforming the juvenile legislation, reducing the age of criminal responsibility, and increasing the severity of penalties. All this in order to dissuade offenders from breaking the law again and to set an example to their peers. Soon, the audience realizes that this issue is not as easy to judge as it may seem.
Overall, the series has all the characteristic elements of a legal thriller. Juvenile Justice succeeds in engaging viewers thanks to its incisive script and outstanding cast. One of the highlights of the show is that it features a formidable crew led by Kim Hye-soo. It is fair to say that all the actors are up to the task, reflecting intricate, poignant, and contradictory situations.
Juvenile Justice urges us to question prejudices and beliefs about crime and punishment. In the end, bitter questions linger in the air: why does a child lose innocence and become an aggressor? Are offenders recoverable or not? Do juvenile criminals really deserve a chance after devastating other people’s lives? The series gives much food for thought.