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Defendant (피고인; Pigoin) is a South Korean television series starring Ji Sung with Um Ki Joon, Kwon Yu Ri, Oh Chang Seok and Uhm Hyun Kyung. It aired on SBS from January 23 to March 21, 2017 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 KST for 18 episodes.
Synopsis[]
| “ | Charged with killing his wife and daughter, Prosecutor Park Jeong-u seeks to recoup his memory and build a case unlike any other to prove he's innocent. | ” |
—Official Description[1] | ||
How do you prove you didn't commit a crime when you can't remember anything?
Park Jung Woo (Ji Sung) is a renowned prosecutor at the Seoul Central Prosecution Office. His life is turned upside down when one day, he wakes up in a prison cell and is told that he has killed his wife Yoon Ji Soo (Son Ye Eun) and that his daughter is currently missing. Because Jung Woo is suffering from temporary amnesia, he can't remember what happened.
Will Jung Woo be able to find the real culprit with the help of public defender Seo Eun Hye (Kwon Yu Ri) and prove his innocence? And what role do the two heirs of the Chamyung Conglomerate, the identical twins Cha Sun Ho and Cha Min Ho (Uhm Ki Joon), and Sun Ho's wife Na Yeon Hee (Uhm Hyun Kyung) play in the case?[2]
Cast[]
- Ji Sung as Park Jung Woo
- The head of the violent crimes investigative division who never loses a case.
- Uhm Ki Joon as Cha Sun Ho / Cha Min Ho
- Twin brothers and successors of Chamyung Group with different personalities.
- Kwon Yu Ri as Seo Eun Hye
- Choi Yoo Ri as Young Seo Eun Hye
- A defense lawyer who strives to be eloquent and rational, but loses in court every single time.
- Oh Chang Seok as Kang Joon Hyuk
- Jung-woo's best friend and fellow prosecutor.
- Uhm Hyun Kyung as Na Yun Hee
- Sun-ho's wife and daughter of a bankrupt chaebol, who has a fiery ambition to succeed.
- Son Yeo Eun as Yoon Ji Soo, Jung Woo's wife
- Shin Rin Ah as Park Ha Yun, Jung Woo's daughter
- Oh Dae Hwan as Chun Pil Jae / Moong Chi, Jung Woo's cellmate
- Kim Min Seok as Lee Sung Gyu, Jung Woo's cellmate
- Jo Jae Yoon as Shin Chul Shik, Jung Woo's cellmate
- Woo Hyun as Han Sang / Mi Ryang, Jung Woo's cellmate
- Jo Jae Ryong as Woo Byung Joo / Rockfish, Jung Woo's cellmate
- Yoon Yong Hyun as Bang Jang, Jung Woo's cellmate
- Kang Tae Sung as Yoon Dae Soo
- Park Ho San as Prosecutor Choi Tae Hong
- Lee Shin Sung as Prosecutor Go Dong Yoon
- Han Ji Woo as Prosecutor Yeo Min Kyung
- Sung Byung Sook as Oh Jung Hee
- Jang Gwang as Cha Young Woon
- Kim Kyung Nam as Kim Jung Hoon, an executive secretary
- Ye Soo Jung as Myung Geum Ja
- Son Kwang Eop as Kim Gyu Chul, a prison governor
- Baek Ji Won as Seo Eun Hye's mother
- Kim Seung Hoon as Park Kwang Tae, a security manager
- Jung Hyun Seok as Prison Officer Kim
- Jeon Seok Chan as Prison Officer Park
- Oh Seung Hoon as Kim Seok
- Lee Ro Gun as Yeo Sung Soo
- Han Gyu Won as Lee Chan Young
- Park Young Soo as a lawyer
- Geum Kwang San as a prisoner
- Seo Jung Yeon as Kim Sun Hwa
- Jin Hyun Kwang as a prosecutor
Soundtrack[]
Episodes[]
In the table below, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
| Episode | Aired | Average audience share | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNmS | AGB Nielsen | ||||||||
| Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | Seoul | ||||||
| Episode 01 | January 23, 2017 | 11.9% (5th) | 13.9% (4th) | 14.5% (4th) | 16.3% (4th) | ||||
| Park Jeong Woo's picture-perfect life takes a devastating turn on his daughter's birthday— and an act of fury leads to deception. | |||||||||
| Episode 02 | January 24, 2017 | 12.9% (4th) | 15.1% (4th) | 14.9% (4th) | 16.1% (3rd) | ||||
| In a desperate search for answers, Park Jeong Woo gets creative with the Cha Min Ho investigation and faces a new reality, as well an ally from his past. | |||||||||
| Episode 03 | January 30, 2017 | 12.8% (4th) | 15.1% (3rd) | 17.3% (3rd) | 18.2% (2nd) | ||||
| Park Jeong Woo makes a break in the case and Cha Min Ho makes a bold sacrifice. Seo Eun Hye gets to work and Park Jeong Woo stages an act of rebellion. | |||||||||
| Episode 04 | January 31, 2017 | 14.8% (4th) | 17.8% (3rd) | 18.7% (3rd) | 20.8% (2nd) | ||||
| A prison reunion alters Park Jeong Woo's need for the truth. Seo Eun-hye investigates Kang Jun Hyeok's intentions. Cha Min Ho must contend with his fears. | |||||||||
| Episode 05 | February 6, 2017 | 14.2% (4th) | 16.3% (3rd) | 18.6% (3rd) | 19.6% (2nd) | ||||
| As a crucial piece of evidence threatens Kang Jun Hyeok's career, Park Jeong Woo fulfills a prison yard request. Cha Min Ho is pushed to his limits. | |||||||||
| Episode 06 | February 7, 2017 | 15.3% (4th) | 18.5% (2nd) | 18.6% (3rd) | 19.6% (2nd) | ||||
| Yun Tae Su's revelation redefines the case, Park Jeong Woo struggles to unpack traumatic memories, and Seo Eun Hye presents a stunning piece of evidence. | |||||||||
| Episode 07 | February 13, 2017 | 15.8% (4th) | 18.9% (3rd) | 20.9% (3rd) | 22.4% (1st) | ||||
| After Lee Seong Gyu's private admission, Park Jeong Woo resumes his hunt for clues. Feeling uncertain, Seo Eun Hye reassesses her commitment to the case. | |||||||||
| Episode 08 | February 14, 2017 | 16.6% (4th) | 20.2% (2nd) | 22.2% (2nd) | 23.8% (2nd) | ||||
| Lee Seong Gyu's dark past collides with Park Jeong Woo's sudden recollection. Cha Min Ho uncovers a shocking secret about Seon Ho with Na Yeon Hui's help. | |||||||||
| Episode 09 | February 20, 2017 | 15.9% (4th) | 20.0% (2nd) | 21.4% (3rd) | 23.1% (2nd) | ||||
| Park Jeong Woo and Cha Min Ho meet again, inciting a game of cat and mouse. Kang Jun Hyeok receives a vital phone call. Na Yeon Hui grapples with guilt. | |||||||||
| Episode 10 | February 21, 2017 | 16.8% (4th) | 20.4% (2nd) | 22.2% (2nd) | 23.4% (2nd) | ||||
| Cha Min Ho's chilling plans force Park Jeong Woo to take action. Seong Gyu makes an emotional choice and unexpectedly ends up dealing with an emergency. | |||||||||
| Episode 11 | February 27, 2017 | 19.8% (3rd) | 22.7% (2nd) | 23.3% (2nd) | 24.6% (1st) | ||||
| Park Jeong Woo attempts an emotional escape from Chamyeong Medical Center, Cha Min Ho reunites with Na Yeon Hui, and the inmates stage a daring plan. | |||||||||
| Episode 12 | February 28, 2017 | 19.0% (3rd) | 22.1% (1st) | 22.9% (2nd) | 23.9% (2nd) | ||||
| Park Jeong Woo prepares for a critical mission and recruits Seo Eun Hye for an essential step. Under new scrutiny, Cha Min Ho confronts Kang Jun Hyeok. | |||||||||
| Episode 13 | March 6, 2017 | 18.8% (3rd) | 22.2% (2nd) | 23.7% (2nd) | 25.4% (1st) | ||||
| For the prison inmates, the fight for survival takes a riveting turn. Cha Min Ho struggles with the complex demands of Chamyeong Group. | |||||||||
| Episode 14 | March 7, 2017 | 20.1% (3rd) | 24.3% (1st) | 24.9% (2nd) | 26.1% (1st) | ||||
| Tensions mount as Cha Min Ho and Park Jeong Woo face off over Park Ha Yeon's fate. Kang Jun Hyeok focuses his efforts on a pivotal piece of evidence | |||||||||
| Episode 15 | March 13, 2017 | 20.3% (3rd) | 23.5% (2nd) | 25.6% (2nd) | 27.1% (1st) | ||||
| Amid a gripping inquiry, Park Jeong Woo revisits Yoon Ji Soo's murder. Cha Min Ho threatens Kang Jun Hyeok. Lee Seong Gyu makes a surprising move. | |||||||||
| Episode 16 | March 14, 2017 | 21.3% (3rd) | 24.6% (1st) | 25.4% (2nd) | 27.1% (1st) | ||||
| Park Jeong Woo navigates another tragedy and an unlikely ally joins his fight for justice. Cha Min Ho has an explosive encounter with a family member. | |||||||||
| Episode 17 | March 20, 2017 | 24.8% (2nd) | 29.0% (1st) | 27.0% (2nd) | 28.8% (1st) | ||||
| As evidence surfaces in the Jennifer Lee case, Cha Min Ho gets more impudent. Seo Eun Hye prepares for a retrial and Park Jeong Woo talks to Na Yeon Hui. | |||||||||
| Episode 18 | March 21, 2017 | 26.6% (2nd) | 30.3% (1st) | 28.3% (1st) | 29.7% (1st) | ||||
| The battle comes to a head, as Kang Jun Hyeok comes clean to Park Jeong Woo and Cha Min Ho stages a final act of master manipulation. | |||||||||
| Average | 17.65% | 20.83% | 21.69% | 23.11% | |||||
International broadcast[]
- In Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Cambodia the drama aired on Sony ONE within 24 hours after its original South Korean broadcast with subtitles.
- In Singapore, the drama is available to stream on-demand on Viu with subtitles. During its original run, episodes of the drama were available to stream on Viu 8 hours after its original South Korean broadcast.
- In Malaysia, the drama began airing on NTV7 starting November 19 - December 26, 2018 on weekdays, 4:00pm – 5:00pm timeslot.
- In the Philippines, the drama was aired by GMA Network every Monday to Thursday nights through its telebabad block at 22:00. This show ran from June 12 to August 8, 2017.
- In Sri Lanka, the drama is available to stream on-demand via Iflix with Sinhalese and English subtitles.
- In Ghana, the series was shown on Joy Prime with subtitles
- In Azerbaijan, the drama started to air on Dalğa TV, as "Müttəhim", in October 29 five days a week at 21:00.
Production[]
Defendant was directed by Jo Young-kwang of 49 Days, and written by Choi Su-jin of City Hunter. First script reading took place on November 18, 2016 at SBS Studio in Ilsan, South Korea.
Actress Han Ye Seul was offered the lead female role but declined.
Reception[]
The series was a commercial success with over 25% ratings and topped popularity charts. It received praise for its plot-focused narrative, impressive acting performance of lead actors Ji Sung and Um Ki Joon and its ability to resonate with the public. Korea Times said the drama is like a "warning sign to the evil and powerful figures of the real world"; and Yonhap News Agency praise Ji's character as "putting a relatable human face on a tale that is often disturbingly grim and somber". However, it also had criticisms about its unrealistic plot and its tendency to repeat the same pattern of twists and turns to keep viewers hooked.
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 10th Korea Drama Awards | Best Original Soundtrack | Son Dong Woon (Dreaming Now) | Nominated |
| 1st The Seoul Awards | Best Drama | Innocent Defendant | ||
| Best Actor | Ji Sung | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Seo Jeong Yeon | Nominated | ||
| Best New Actor | Kim Min Seok | Won | ||
| SBS Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Ji Sung | ||
| Drama of the Year | Innocent Defendant | |||
| Character of the Year | Um Ki Joon | |||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday–Tuesday Drama | Ji Sung | Nominated | ||
| Um Ki Joon | ||||
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday–Tuesday Drama | Kim Min Seok | |||
| Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday–Tuesday Drama | Kwon Yu Ri | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Jo Jae Yoon | |||
| Oh Dae Hwan | ||||
| Youth Acting Award | Shin Rin-ah | |||
| 30th Grimae Awards | Best Actor | Ji Sung | Won | |
| Best Drama | Jung Min-gyun, Song Yo-hoon |
Trivia[]
- This drama took over the timeslot previously occupied by "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" and was replaced by "Whisper" on March 27, 2017.[3]
Gallery[]
Official Poster