The Red Herring

The Red Herring is a 2018 South Korean television series directed by Kim Jeong-hyun and written by Im Sang-choon. The series revolves around the life of Kim Moo-young, a prosecutor, and his colleagues as they become embroiled in a complex web of corruption and deceit within the Korean legal system. Throughout the series, we are constantly reminded that Korea is on the cusp of a shift in its societal values. However, it seems that the justice system remains unchanged, favoring the powerful over the weak. This is a notion that Kim Moo-young, a passionate and principled prosecutor, takes to heart. The series begins with the introduction of our protagonist, Kim Moo-young, a rookie prosecutor fresh out of law school. From a humble background, Moo-young is determined to bring about change, fighting against corruption and inequality. His ideals are soon put to the test as he becomes embroiled in a case that shakes the very foundations of the system. One night, a video surfaces on the internet, showing a seemingly innocuous scene involving a group of public figures, including high-ranking government officials. The video sparks a national outrage, and the public, sensing a scandal, demands justice. Amidst the public frenzy, Moo-young stumbles upon a shocking revelation: the video has been tampered with. The investigation that follows reveals a complex web of deceit and corruption. Several figures, seemingly unrelated at first glance, begin to weave a sinister narrative. As the case unfolds, Moo-young's quest for truth becomes increasingly complicated, putting him in direct conflict with his superiors, including the Chief of the Supreme Court Prosecutors' Office. As tensions rise, and with the nation watching, Moo-young finds himself facing a daunting task: to unravel the truth behind the tampered video and expose the perpetrators. However, he begins to lose confidence, questioning whether he, too, may be the unwitting pawn in a larger game. The red herring thrown by the prosecution creates an eerie atmosphere of suspense as our protagonist struggles to separate the genuine leads from the intentionally created confusion. One of the compelling aspects of The Red Herring is its portrayal of corruption at various levels. From local officials to high-ranking figures, the entire system appears to be tainted, raising questions about the very essence of justice. The series delves into a world where everyone is a suspect, and even those tasked with upholding the law, such as prosecutors, may be compromised. The Red Herring also explores the psychological toll on Moo-young and his colleagues as they grapple with the complexities of the case. They become entrenched in a labyrinthine system that seems designed to silence the truth. With each new discovery, they find themselves entangled in a never-ending pursuit, leaving them to wonder if the sword wielded by the prosecution is pointing at them. The character development throughout The Red Herring is remarkable. Moo-young's character arc is particularly noteworthy as he grapples with his own vulnerabilities and confronts the harsh reality of a world where even the justice system can be corrupt and merciless. His character serves as a representation of the ordinary Korean citizen, caught between the expectations of society and the cruel realities of the system. As the series unfolds, the stakes become increasingly higher, plunging our protagonist further into the heart of darkness. The tension builds up as the mystery deepens, casting a foreboding shadow over the nation and plunging the viewer into an existential crisis: can one truly be confident when the pursuit is directed at them? The series' climax finds Moo-young at the forefront of a maelstrom of suspicion and doubt. With the national public watching and demanding accountability, Moo-young must draw a line between the real truth and the fabricated narrative. Will he be able to see through the deception, or will he become another victim of the system? As he stands at the center of the chaos, he asks the crucial question, will he be able to avoid being a red herring?