New Trial (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A lawyer challenges a wrongful conviction, but new evidence and renewed hope are undercut by an unresolved arrest.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Conviction and Its Aftermath

Jo Hyun-woo is arrested during a nationwide crackdown, accused of stabbing a taxi driver, and sentenced to fifteen years despite maintaining his innocence. Years later, a legal defect allows a court to grant a new trial.

Key Events

• Taxi Driver Stabbing Case — A taxi driver is stabbed, leading to a criminal investigation. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo, Taxi Driver Location: Unspecified
• Hyun-woo Is Arrested — During a nationwide crackdown, Hyun-woo is arrested for the stabbing. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo Location: Unspecified
• Conviction and Sentence — Hyun-woo is convicted and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo Location: Court
• Motion for New Trial Granted — A court grants a new trial because of a legal defect in the original proceedings. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo Location: Court

A Defense Against Missing Evidence

Lee Joon-young takes Hyun-woo's case without payment, but the damaged or missing report and the prosecution's timeline argument make the defense difficult. Lee searches records and finds the taxi meter log that police had not used.

Key Events

• Lee Takes the Case — Lee agrees to help Hyun-woo without payment. Characters: Lee Joon-young, Jo Hyun-woo Location: Unspecified
• Damaged Case Records — The original report is missing or damaged, complicating the defense. Characters: Lee Joon-young, Jo Hyun-woo Location: Unspecified
• Prosecution Challenges the Timeline — The prosecution argues the stabbing could fit within the recorded time window. Characters: Lee Joon-young, Jo Hyun-woo Location: Court
• Taxi Meter Log Found — Lee obtains a recovered taxi meter log that police did not use. Characters: Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified
• Call Records Examined — Lee examines call records while investigating the original case. Characters: Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified

Pressure and a Fractured Alliance

Baek Chul-gi and the original prosecutor obstruct the defense as pressure builds to abandon the new trial. Hyun-woo attacks Lee after a failed hearing, exposing the distrust and damage surrounding the case.

Key Events

• Altered Report Investigated — Lee seeks to establish how the incident report was altered. Characters: Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified
• Pressure Against the Defense — Baek and the original prosecutor are obstacles as pressure mounts to abandon the trial. Characters: Lee Joon-young, Jo Hyun-woo, Baek Chul-gi Location: Unspecified
• Hyun-woo Attacks Lee — After a failed hearing, Hyun-woo attacks Lee amid his distrust and anger. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo, Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified

A Witness and an Unresolved Ending

A witness recalls a motorcycle or scooter near the taxi and says police ignored her attempt to report it, giving the defense grounds to challenge the investigation. Just as Hyun-woo hopes for freedom, authorities arrest him on unrelated charges; Lee is left considering his own career prospects while the case's consequences remain unresolved.

Key Events

• Witness Recalls a Scooter — A witness recalls seeing a motorcycle or scooter near the taxi on the night of the killing. Characters: Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified
• Witness Says Police Ignored Her — The witness says she tried to report what she saw but police refused to listen. Characters: Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified
• Hope for Freedom — The witness's account gives the defense a basis to challenge the investigation, and Hyun-woo believes he may be freed. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo, Lee Joon-young Location: Court
• Arrest on Unrelated Charges — Authorities arrest Hyun-woo on unrelated charges and take him away despite Lee's objections. Characters: Jo Hyun-woo, Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified
• Lee Considers Starting a Firm — Lee receives a lucrative real-estate commission and considers starting his own firm. Characters: Lee Joon-young Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• The Original Conviction — Hyun-woo is prosecuted for the taxi driver's stabbing and receives a long sentence despite maintaining his innocence.
  • Crackdown Arrest — Hyun-woo is arrested during a nationwide campaign against violent crime.
  • Fifteen-Year Sentence — He is convicted and sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
• Reopening the Case — A legal defect in the original proceedings creates an opportunity for a new trial.
  • Legal Defect — A court grants a motion for a new trial because of a defect in the original proceedings.
  • Distrustful Defendant — Hyun-woo remains bitter and distrustful after being pressured to confess to a crime he denies.
• Lee Takes the Case — Lee agrees to represent Hyun-woo without payment despite his own financial problems.
  • Unpaid Representation — Lee commits to helping Hyun-woo without charging him.
  • Damaged Case File — The original report is missing or damaged, leaving the defense with a weak starting point.
• Evidence Reexamined — Lee searches for inconsistencies in the prosecution's account and in the original investigation.
  • Taxi Meter Log — Lee obtains a recovered meter log that police had not used.
  • Records and Alterations — Lee examines call records and seeks to determine how the incident report was altered.
• Pressure on the Defense — Investigative and prosecutorial obstacles intensify the strain between Lee and Hyun-woo.
  • Baek as Obstacle — Detective Baek Chul-gi is among those obstructing the defense as pressure mounts.
  • Failed Hearing — After a hearing goes badly, Hyun-woo attacks Lee, reflecting his damaged trust.
• The Overlooked Witness — A witness's recollection gives the defense a new way to question the investigation.
  • Scooter Near Taxi — The witness recalls seeing a motorcycle or scooter near the taxi on the night of the killing.
  • Ignored Report — She says she tried to inform police, but they refused to listen.
• Hope Interrupted — The new testimony raises Hyun-woo's hopes, but an unrelated arrest leaves the case unresolved.
  • Hope of Freedom — Hyun-woo believes he may finally be freed after the witness's account supports the defense.
  • Taken Away — Authorities arrest him on unrelated charges despite Lee's objections.
• Lee's Uncertain Future — In the aftermath, Lee weighs a professional opportunity while the consequences of Hyun-woo's case remain unresolved.
  • Real-Estate Commission — Lee receives a lucrative real-estate commission.
  • Own Firm Considered — Lee considers using the opportunity to start his own firm.

Directed by

Kim Tae-yun

Key Cast

• Jung Woo — Lee Joon-young
• Kang Ha-neul — Jo Hyun-woo
• Kim Hae-sook — Soon-im
• Lee Dong-hwi — Mo Chang-hwan
• Lee Kyung-young — Attorney Goo Pil-ho