Directed by Hong Jong-Chan and written by Kim Min-Seok, the Kdrama legal thriller “Juvenile Justice” tackles a problematic issue in the South Korean legal system with daunting grace. The story follows the unlikely partnership between associate juvenile judge Sim Eun-Seok, who has a particular distaste for juvenile criminals, and her compassionate assistant Cha Tae-Ju. After rigorously handling juvenile criminal cases, Sim Eun-Seok is known as “Judge Max.”
She stops at nothing to uncover the truth and always issues the maximum possible sentence. In short, he’s not a judge you want to face, and famous Korean actress Kim Hye-Soo portrays the character with a mastery of nature. Most of the story takes place in and around the Yeonhwa Juvenile Court, and the dark atmosphere adds a sharp edge to the story. However, you might want to know where the series is filmed. Also, is there any grain of truth in the show’s depiction of the Korean legal system? Let’s probe further!
Juvenile Justice Filming Locations
“Juvenile Justice” is filmed in its entirety in South Korea, likely in and around North Gyeongsang Province. The story’s suburban vibe appeals to audiences, while the series doesn’t forget to showcase the country’s modern architectural marvels. South Korea’s film and television industry has steadily established itself as one of the best in the world, with world-class directors and Netflix favorites such as “Squid Game” and “Hotel del Luna.” Now let us take you to the specific locations where the series is filmed!
North Gyeongsang, South Korea
Almost the entire series was likely filmed in and around North Gyeongsang Province in the east of the country. The story of the series takes place in Yeonhwa, a suburban town located about 17 kilometers from Daegu. Presumably, the director and his crew kept some semblance of the original story and filmed most of the footage in and around town.
Once the country’s electronics hub, Daegu has diversified its economy in recent years. If you are in the city, you must visit the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Cultural Center, which showcases and markets traditional remedies. The Daegu National Museum also presents a concise overview of Korean culture and beliefs.
Is juvenile justice based on a true story?
No, ‘Juvenile Justice’ is not based on a true story. However, the show’s concern about escalating youth crime in South Korea may have some truth to it. Hong Jong-Chan directed the series from a story and script written by Kim Min-Seok. As the series shows, South Korean law is too lenient on juvenile criminals, even when the crime is as serious as homicide. The debate resurfaced in the national media at the end of 2019 when a fifth grade student stabbed another child to death.
According to this report, the incident happened in Guri, Gyeonggi, just outside Seoul, when the girl brought the victim to her grandmother’s apartment. In a separate incident in 2020, middle school students allegedly stole assets worth $50,000 from an apartment complex in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi. However, the law prohibits the system from taking strong action against these acts.
While the girl may have served two years in a juvenile correctional facility, the court did not even issue a warrant for the arrest of the college thieves. Under current law, minors between the ages of 10 and 13 are not punished for more than two years, while children under 10 are completely exempt from criminal prosecution. According to this Korea Times article, adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 are exempt from corporal punishment and their sentences do not exceed 20 years.
However, the government recently lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 13, which it hopes will effectively mitigate juvenile crimes. However, it’s not the first series to explore the broken juvenile justice system, as Netflix’s “Stranger” Kdrama also hides the theme. Considering all aspects, the story may not be accurate, but it addresses a genuine concern among Korean residents.
Read more: The best Korean dramas of all time
