Unbowed

In 1995, Kim publicly reveals a flaw in the exam, igniting a national debate about the fairness of the test and the professors who drafted it. The controversy overshadows his research achievements and he is denied tenure and forced to resign. Facing limited prospects at home, he moves to the United States to seek opportunities abroad.

After amendments allow rejected professors to file wrongful dismissal lawsuits, Kim returns to South Korea to renew his challenge. The return marks a shift from exile to active legal pursuit, though the path remains fraught with institutional resistance. He reenters the Korean legal arena in hopes of vindication.

By 2007, exhausted of typical appeals, Kim confronts the appeals judge outside the judge’s residence, bringing along a sporting cross-bow that reflects a personal hobby. A physical struggle ensues and Kim is arrested. The judge reappears with a minor abdominal puncture, sparking intense media attention and a public debate about accountability.

Assault on a judge is treated as a grave crime, drawing widespread media and public attention. Kim becomes a focal point in a broader conversation about justice, merit, and institutional protection, polarizing opinion across society.

Park Won-sang, a debt-ridden lawyer, is approached by Kim’s wife to take the case. He hesitates due to his own struggles with alcohol, and the situation becomes more complex when Kim’s wife wavers on his involvement. The case then enters a new phase with Park as a potential ally.

Kim’s trial proceeds with a different legal advocate, but he ultimately pleads No Contest, citing prejudice and dishonesty from the trial judge. The decision reflects his distrust of the process rather than an admission of guilt. The plea sets the stage for a prolonged appellate battle.

While incarcerated, Kim files for an appeal and, at journalist Jang’s suggestion, hires Park to rebuild his challenge to the prosecution’s narrative. He continues to argue his case from confinement, repeatedly invoking constitutional rights and court rules to scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence.

As hearings progress, the appeals judge resigns rather than render a ruling favorable to Kim. A new appeals judge appears determined to shield the prosecutor, making it clear that Kim never fired the weapon, yet the pursuit of truth continues against institutional inertia.

The victim’s account clashes with the timeline, with reports suggesting the victim stabbed himself after Kim's arrest and blood-stained clothes allegedly obtained later. These discrepancies raise serious questions about the case’s investigations and the reliability of key testimony.

Public sentiment swings between protests for Kim’s innocence and demands for a verdict aligned with the prosecution. In a moment of protest, Park contemplates pouring water on the appeals judge, but journalist Jang intervenes to prevent disorder and preserve order.

Kim’s ordeal intensifies when he is raped in prison by another inmate, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities for prisoners who challenge powerful institutions. This traumatic event strengthens his resolve to seek transparency and accountability, even at personal cost.

The appeal is denied, and Kim receives a four-year sentence instead of ten. While in prison, he continues to argue his case and, upon release, dedicates himself to judicial transparency and accountability for future generations.