As <em>Justice</em> Filming Nears Its End
November, the final month of Justice filming, was drawing to a close. From the crank-in on July 3 to the crank-up on November 28—a whopping 149 days. Excluding unavoidable personal schedules like the Busan International Film Festival, public holidays, or regular cast-wide rest days, it meant they'd spent well over 120 days on set. The long journey was finally coming into view.
As the end drew nearer, Woojin couldn't shake the bittersweet pang of regret. Why did it feel so poignant?
Ra Ho-chan's feature directorial debut and Woojin's first solo lead—Burnt and Hidden Marks, which proudly claimed a spot in the New Currents section at the 2012 Busan International Film Festival, had locked in its domestic release date. The joyful news perfectly offset that lingering regret.
December 5. The same day as Justice's premiere. What were the odds?
"Hahaha! I might've pulled a few strings."
Ra Ho-chan, who had shared the surprise news with Woojin, let out his signature hearty laugh. He added that he'd timed the release to wish success not just for Burnt and Hidden Marks, but for Justice as well.
The director's intentional "coincidence," disguised as fate. He'd already shown such generosity with coffee trucks on set multiple times. To think he'd gone out of his way even for these small details. It was genuine support from a director who truly cared for his actor—a heartfelt gesture that left Woojin pondering how best to repay him.
Too many good people around me.
That was why Woojin could keep smiling amid the whirlwind drama schedule.
Song Jun-an, who had heard the news alongside him, remarked, "Hmm... gonna be a mad dash through year-end!"
His words said one thing, but his excited vibe said another. Jun-an had gradually become "Woojin-ified" at some point—lately, he was all about "Busy is best!"
Woojin, in full agreement, smiled back. "The timing lines up perfectly."
"Huh? What does?"
"We go all-out crazy till the end of the year, and come New Year's..."
He let out a big, relieved sigh, his face lightening. "I'm gonna rest easy."
Jun-an's eyes went wide. Rest? From this guy's mouth? First time ever?!
"You're gonna rest?"
"Yeah, thinking of taking a solo trip."
"What's gotten into you?"
"What do you mean? I've done five projects back-to-back. Time to recharge."
W-well, true. Jun-an nodded. Come New Year's, Woojin would hit his third debut anniversary. Rest periods in those three years? Zero.
Anyone who knew his routine would nod along if he vanished for a break right now—no guilt. People even said his prep phases were more grueling than filming itself.
Yet hearing Woojin talk rest—not a day or two, but a proper long one—left Jun-an stunned.
"Did I not mention it before? After Justice, I'm taking a break."
"Maybe you did... Anyway, I thought you were joking."
Jun-an continued, "Happy to hear it, but why's it feel so weird? Haha!"
"Makes sense. We've been running nonstop."
"Exactly. Oh, Woojina! Wanna hear something fun?"
"Sure?"
"While you're filming and I'm waiting in the car, managers hang out, chat, peel some dried squid—you know."
"Yeah."
"One thing always shocks 'em. Guess what?"
"What?"
Woojin perked up curiously, so Jun-an grinned. "Our car's mileage? Double—sometimes five times—anyone else's. Even seniors who debuted way before you."
He patted the wheel proudly, shoulders puffed with inexplicable pride.
"Makes you feel like, 'Damn, we're hustling hard~' Right?"
"Exactly! Humans adapt, huh... But now you're talking rest, and I'm itching already."
Jun-an gripped the wheel. "Off to rack up more miles!"
As always, they headed to set.
Ahn Jong-hoon had been quiet since day one. Like a lamb, he followed the director and writer's every cue without a peep—no clashes with Woojin.
If he'd pulled another "fart and blame the room" stunt like Jun-an hyung warned, Woojin would've crushed him outright. But nah—saved him the childish hassle.
Kwaaaang!
The scene capping Justice's latter half: the "National Assembly terrorist attack."
By demolishing the parliament building—symbol of democracy in a free nation—Lee Jin-tae broadcast his warning to the world:
The state that discarded thirty young lives—who sacrificed for the motherland—like rags has no justice left!
Thus, I shall show you true justice myself. That of I, Justice—the sole survivor!
"Aaaagh!"
"H-help! Somebody!"
Screams echoed ceaselessly amid the rubble.
But—
Boom! Bwoom!
Explosions drowned even those pitiful cries, one after another. The building was already collapsing, but Lee Jin-tae showed no mercy. No "reclaim"—he uprooted it entirely, blast after unrelenting blast. Ruthless savagery.
The set teemed with extras: dazed citizens staring at the ruins, cops, NIS agents, firefighters rushing in. Chaos everywhere.
"Ahh..."
Lee Jung-hyuk arrived too late, realizing the plan, but it was futile.
Thud.
His knees buckled at the sight of the fully crumbled Assembly building.
Lee Jin-tae, just how far do you intend to go... This should be enough!
How many more must die or suffer?!
The frustrated screams swirled unspoken in his chest.
Rrrrr.
Then it came—his phone buzzing amid uncontrollable despair. Yoon Tae-o calling.
"H-hello?"
Lee Jung-hyuk answered hoarsely. Yoon Tae-o shouted urgently.
"The perp turned himself in!"
"What? That can't..."
"A guy just confessed to masterminding the Assembly attack. He's en route to our office. Come see for yourself!"
Murmurs buzzed through the line, mirroring the frenzy at the scene. Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office was in no less turmoil.
In this unprecedented crisis, who but Lee Jin-tae could stay composed?
Grip.
Lee Jung-hyuk clenched his teeth and rose. His steps turned toward Yoon Tae-o.
Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Special Division Interrogation Room.
"Han Min-jae, born 1983..."
Yoon Tae-o closed the file. "...selected in 2010 for a covert North infiltration op led by the government."
Gazing at the suspect through the window, Yoon Tae-o murmured to Lee Jung-hyuk. Han Min-jae sat handcuffed, eyes shut tight.
"North infiltration op?"
"Yes."
Yoon Tae-o handed over the file.
March 26, 2010, 9:22 PM. The ROK Navy's Asanham sank after a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine.
The Republic of Korea Government's position is as follows:
1. From this document onward, the incident shall be referred to as the "Asanham Strike."
2. The "Asanham Strike," perpetrated by North Korea, constitutes a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement and a grave terrorist act threatening the ROK's safety and security.
3. North Korea must acknowledge responsibility for the "Asanham Strike," implement countermeasures, and issue a sincere apology.
4. Should North Korea persist in denial, it will pay a commensurate price for the "Asanham Strike."
Lee Jung-hyuk scanned the key contents as Yoon Tae-o added, "That's the backdrop for the covert North infiltration op."
"...They never admitted it, per item 4."
"Right. North Korea denied it to the end, calling it a ROK self-staging."
Yoon Tae-o continued softly. "So they started recruiting infiltration agents, running the op in secret. Han Min-jae was one."
"No way..."
"As you suspect. Same as Justice's Lee Jin-tae: abandoned by the state."
The 2010 government-led recruitment was dubbed Project X. Exact numbers remain classified, but agents like Han Min-jae answered the call willingly. Yet...
"Ahead of the 2011 elections, South-North ties suddenly thawed."
"Hah!"
Lee Jung-hyuk let out an incredulous scoff. Shocking enough that the state ran infiltrations in 2010—but repeating the same playbook from 27 years prior? Unbelievable.
He could guess the rest. "Agents already dispatched to hell, then denied."
"Yep. He claims he's the sole survivor."
"......"
"That's all he said before you arrived. Silent since."
Lee Jung-hyuk nodded. Yoon Tae-o sighed briefly.
"He'll talk with you present."
"...Let's go in."
Stone-faced, Lee Jung-hyuk and Yoon Tae-o entered the room. And—
Click.
As the door opened, Han Min-jae opened his eyes and flashed a cryptic smile at the twin brothers now facing him.
Tension peaked, filling the camera frame.
End of Episode 19.