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"I guess the soundproofing in this apartment isn't great," I said, taking a seat at the living room table as directed.
The housewife nodded. "It's old. Sometimes rust comes out of the taps. We're just hanging on, hoping for reconstruction. The inside's been fully remodeled anyway."
"So the poor soundproofing made the noise from next door even clearer?"
"Exactly. Even talking in front of the door carries to the upstairs and downstairs neighbors."
"I see. Oh, this is juice—thought you'd like something cool."
"Oh my, you didn't have to."
She took the juice set to the kitchen and soon returned with it poured into glasses. She seemed like a fundamentally kind person. That must be why she'd filed the report.
"Tell me about the day you reported the neighbors."
"About three months ago? That's when the chaos really started, I think."
"Chaos?"
"Yeah. It wasn't just once a week or anything—it was constant. It tapered off eventually, but at least once or twice a month. I'd hear Ye Heesook crying, a young man yelling, and Kim Cheolhwan groaning like he was dying while trying to intervene."
"Did you catch what they were saying?"
"Not clearly enough to make out words—just enough to think, oh, they're fighting in there or something like that."
I jotted a quick note in my pad and pressed on. "So you ignored it for those three months?"
"Pretty much. It's their house, after all. And everyone knows a celebrity lives there—you don't butt in lightly."
"Fair enough. What made you report it that day?"
"Aigoo, it sounded like someone was about to die. Total pandemonium. Breaking glass, the couple sobbing—it was different from usual. I figured I had to call before it got worse."
I nodded. Above her head floated the hologram [Truth]. It lined up with Kim Yeonjun's statement, another piece of the puzzle.
Kim Hyeongjun had beaten his parents every time Kim Yeonjun visited, which eventually kept Yeonjun away from home.
"What about before those three months?"
"No dying groans back then. Just the young man yelling. Looking back, that must've been the warning sign."
The housewife let out a heavy sigh.
"When did the young man's yelling start?"
"Can't pinpoint it exactly, but it used to be every other day or every three days back in the day. Even woke us up at dawn once—my husband grumbled about it."
Let me sort this out. It started with Kim Hyeongjun berating them over Yeonjun's "wasted money." Not wanting to see it, Yeonjun moved to a goshiwon. After that, every visit home meant witnessing Hyeongjun assaulting their parents. The abuse escalated daily.
Domestic violence often starts with verbal abuse before turning physical, but something felt off here. Why only when Yeonjun showed up?
Was it because seeing the adopted son already irked him, and Yeonjun's presence pushed him over the edge? Or, as I'd first thought, to show off to Yeonjun?
Those were the obvious motives... but.
"Ehew, what a weird situation. They were on Happy Our Home laughing like the perfect family just days ago."
"Happy Our Home?"
"You don't know it? That show where they film celebrities' homes and how families spend the day together? It aired a few days ago."
Ah, right—that program had amplified the shock. The "happiest family" beaming on TV, then broadcast again days later for parricide.
"Oh, yeah."
"Such a shame. They seemed like good people. And even if he wasn't blood, how could he do that after they raised him? He looked decent on TV, too. Ehew."
"Thanks for your time. Mind if I stop by again if I have more questions?"
"Hoho, of course. But, Lawyer Cha..."
"Yes?"
"Are you... not married yet?"
I nearly sighed in annoyance.
"I have a daughter. Thought she might suit you—maybe I could introduce her?"
"I'm seeing someone. Sorry."
"Aw, a goalkeeper doesn't mean no goals. Want to see her photo? She's gorgeous."
I'd pegged her as kind, but it was more like she fancied me. While she fetched the photo, I slipped out like a thief.
Hoping I never need to come back for this case.
The obvious motive for Kim Hyeongjun's crimes so far: resentment toward Kim Yeonjun. Jealousy, maybe?
I lit a cigarette before heading to the parking lot, organizing my thoughts. To prove Yeonjun's innocence at trial, I needed the real culprit. Prove Yeonjun innocent and expose Hyeongjun's guilt simultaneously.
Per Hyeongjun and relatives' statements, the public thought Yeonjun killed his parents out of resentment over favoritism toward the biological son.
In other words, Hyeongjun had framed Yeonjun with that narrative. Which implied he felt the parents favored Yeonjun.
📺 Happy Our Home
In the home of Kim Cheolhwan and Ye Heesook, the whole family prepares dinner together. They try to eat together three weekdays a week—Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Otherwise, they don't see each other often. The menu rotates among all family members. Even Yeonjun, living in a goshiwon for studies, and busy businessman Hyeongjun are no exceptions.
Back at the office, I watched Happy Our Home - Kim Cheolhwan and Ye Heesook Couple Episode. Aired three days before the incident. Given the transitional season vibes, probably filmed late February or early March.
If Hyeongjun had been abusing them steadily, the frequently filmed couple would've needed heavy makeup to hide bruises...
📺 Happy Our Home
Ye Heesook's signature scarf. She's wearing it today as always.
—You're wearing a scarf around your neck?
—Oh, this? Yeonjun bought it with his first paycheck from his very first part-time job. Pretty design, reminds me of him, so I wear it often. A stylish scarf that highlights Yeonjun's taste.
A quick search: Ye Heesook started wearing scarves on air three months ago. Polo shirts or scarves to cover. Before that, V-necks, shirts, blouses—open necklines.
Likely hiding neck scars. Yeonjun's gift becomes her trademark, perfectly concealing Hyeongjun's handiwork.
No wonder Hyeongjun envied him. First, check the filming circumstances.
"Hello? Yes, KBC? Please connect me to the Happy Our Home department."
* * *
Two days later, afternoon—I headed to KBC studios.
Wish Oh Yanghun were here for this. Even a decent office manager would help. Profit margins too tight to hire yet. Too early to complain. Case first.
"Hey, you fucking bastard! I told you not to edit like shit, didn't I?!"
"...Sorry."
"This cunt trying to tank the show? How much more slop do you need to eat before you get it right? Aish, retarded fuck."
Approaching the editing room, curses leaked through the open door. I paused on the handle, peeked through the window.
A middle-aged man shoved the shoulders of a bowed younger man, spewing abuse.
"Stop it. I'll fix it."
The victim turned; the bully twisted his wrist.
"Say it straight, asshole."
"..."
"I said cut this part, didn't I?!"
Poking his head with each word—not a pretty sight. About to slap him? I flung the door open.
"Hello."
"Ahem! Uh! Who're you?"
The middle-aged man switched to an awkward smile. Voice matched the director I'd spoken to.
"Cha Juhan, the lawyer who called yesterday."
"Ah, right. You had questions for us."
"Yes. Details on filming the Kim Cheolhwan couple episode."
"Sure, whatever. He knows more anyway." He tossed me to the assistant director like a hot potato and left. "Our AD. Ask him."
The AD slumped into a chair with a flushed sigh. I handed him my card.
"You look busy—I'll keep it short."
"Okay."
"Notice anything off during prep?"
Hyeongjun wouldn't assault them in front of staff, so broad strokes first.
"Off? Not really off, just minor stuff."
"Doesn't matter."
"Ye Heesook comes off confident on air, right?"
"Yeah."
"But during filming, she was timid. Not bold at all. Kept suggesting breaks. Like she was scared of something."
"Scared?"
"Yeah. Not sure of what, but yeah. And she'd insist on reviewing footage after every take. She does a lot of TV, has a manager, but even busy, she'd beg to check—super burdensome."
Fear of Hyeongjun's abuse showing raw on camera?
"Called makeup constantly, fixing it every break. Common enough... but always away from others. Usually, they do it right there when busy."
Hiding assault marks. Long sleeves meant only face, neck, wrists exposed.
"Thinking back, maybe Kim Yeonjun had been beating her, worried scars would show."
"Got it. Anything else?"
"This is personal... Kim Cheolhwan seemed to be selling the house."
"The house?"
"Overheard him on the phone with a realtor—'sell fast, even at a loss.' Then he went into a room with Kim Hyeongjun for a long talk."
"Where's the house?"
"The one they live in, I think? Dogok-dong."
Cheolhwan focused on acting; Heesook was a university hospital professor—no other businesses. No gambling addictions, solid incomes. The apartment? Pre-reconstruction prices skyrocketing. At least 2 billion won minimum.
No urgent need for cash otherwise.
Phone call, then private chat with Hyeongjun. He claimed to run a business. Needed money? All their funds funneled to his venture?
Business troubles, eyed their money—killed for it?
Motive.