“Parole Examiner Lee” Writer Shares Thoughts On The Theme, Cast, And Key Elements

Nov 12, 2024

The scriptwriter of tvN’s upcoming drama “Parole Examiner Lee” has dished about the story, cast, and more!

“Parole Examiner Lee” tells the story of lawyer Lee Han Shin (Go Soo), who becomes a parole officer responsible for making final decisions on inmate paroles. Lee Han Shin is determined to prevent inmates who show little remorse for their crimes from obtaining parole through money, connections, or deceitful tactics.

Scriptwriter Park Chi Hyung described the series as “a drama that talks about justice and humanity with parole as its main subject.” He explained, “After reading an article criticizing the parole release of felons likely to reoffend, I looked into the parole system. I thought it would be interesting to tell the story of a parole officer who can distinguish between inmates eligible for parole and those who shouldn’t be released early.”

To prepare for the drama, Park Chi Hyung conducted thorough research, meeting with people with firsthand experience in the system. “Before writing the script, I spoke with former parole officers, correctional officers, and lawyers who have handled parole cases to hear their stories and gather information,” he said, emphasizing the effort he put into preparing the project.

Thanks to these efforts, the script for “Parole Examiner Lee” won the grand prize at the first KT Studio Genie Contest and was adapted into a drama. Park Chi Hyung said, “I was happy that the judges recognized the potential in the story I found interesting.” He added, “The unique, fresh, and timely theme of a ‘parole officer’ seemed to attract interest.”

In addition to the compelling theme, the strong cast—featuring Go Soo, Yuri, Baek Ji Won, and Lee Hak Joo—has heightened viewers’ anticipation. Park Chi Hyung praised the casting, saying, “I believe the casting is 100 percent in sync with the script. I’m grateful they brought the characters I imagined to life. My satisfaction is at 100 percent.”

When asked about key points to watch for in the drama, the writer said, “The excellent performances of the actors, especially Go Soo, who is not only handsome but also a great actor, are a major highlight.” He added, “I also hope viewers pay attention to the chemistry between Lee Han Shin, Ahn Seo Yun (Yuri), and Choi Hwa Ran (Baek Ji Won) and how they work together to bring justice.”

He concluded, “Since parole is not a distant issue, I hope viewers will take an interest in the parole system after watching the drama. That alone would make the show meaningful.” Through this drama, he expressed his hope that more people would become engaged with the parole system.