In the gripping third episode of tvN's legal drama "Parole Examiner Lee," the narrative delves deeper into the complex web of corruption and power struggles within the justice system. Directed by Yoon Sang-ho and written by Park Chi-hyung, the episode continues to follow the story of Lee Han-shin, a parole judge played by Go Soo, as he navigates ethical dilemmas and systemic issues.
The episode opens with the news of Chairman Ji's parole rejection, prompting Chief Park to check on Lee's safety. Meanwhile, Won-mi, portrayed by an actress not named in the recap, faces a swarm of reporters eager for her statement on suing the Chairman. Tired of hiding, she claims her actions were for justice, earning her the title of "Justice Girl Won-mi." Her newfound fame propels her drama to the top of the rankings, and she begins receiving advertisement offers.
Lee, who is treating Seo-yun, played by Girls' Generation's Yuri, to alcohol for her help, receives a call from Chairman Ji. Ji, who is back in his lavish prison cell, yells at his secretary Eun-jung and legal aid Dong-hun, demanding they fix the situation and get Won-mi to withdraw her charges. He questions Lee about his change of sides, to which Lee responds that Ji has not been repentant, enjoying unfair privileges in jail, and hangs up.
Lee's investigation into Jubong Holdings Investment fraud leads him to Choi Hwa-ran, the CEO of Smile Cash, played by Baek Ji-won. In a flashback, Lee, then an attorney, had submitted evidence against Hwa-ran and was warned. Now, to prevent Bong-su's parole, he needs her help. Bong-su, an accomplice of Park Hee-jun in the fraud and played by an actor not named, is attacked in prison by a client he had scammed. In a desperate move, Bong-su stabs himself and blames the client.
Lee visits Hwa-ran while she is trying to extract money and offers to help her retrieve the funds scammed by Hee-jun and Bong-su. Before she could confront them, both were arrested, leaving her without her money. Seo-yun, keeping an eye on Choi Jeong-hak to prevent further harm to women, receives a call from Lee. He invites her to a restaurant under the pretense of a violation of origin labeling and shares his belief that the stolen money from Junbong Holding Investments is hidden there.
Lee speaks with Bong-su before his parole review, telling him that his chances of being granted parole are slim unless he makes reparations for the damages he has caused. Chairman Ji attempts to threaten Won-mi into dropping the charges, but she stands her ground. A physical altercation ensues, but Dong-hun intervenes, allowing Won-mi to leave. Outside the prison, she meets Lee, trembling but feeling victorious.
Hwa-ran, after conducting a background check on Lee, decides to accept his offer. She visits him to discuss his plan. Lee believes that Hee-jun and Bong-su have hidden the money somewhere and intends to create a rift between them to reveal its location. He has Ji-soon follow Lee Dong-myeong, Hee-jun's fund manager, to a restaurant he frequents, strengthening their suspicions.
Lee visits Hee-jun as an attorney and informs him that Bong-su is on the parole review list and planning to pay damages to the victims. Hee-jun instructs Dong-myeong to sell his car to settle the amount. Lee and Ji-soon's hunch is confirmed when Hee-jun returns to the restaurant.
In the case of Jeong-hak, Seo-yun receives a call from Lee, who invites her to the restaurant to investigate a potential violation of origin labeling. They discover a surprise inside, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats as the episode concludes.