Solomon's Perjury

Solomon's Perjury is a South Korean television series that aired from December 2016 to January 2017. Based on the Japanese novel by Miyuki Miyabe, this gripping drama brings to life a complex story that melds elements of mystery, legal drama, and school life. The show offers an incisive exploration of morality, justice, and the determination of a group of students to seek the truth against a backdrop of corruption and deception.

At the center of Solomon's Perjury is a tragic incident that occurs at an all boys high school just before Christmas. One of the students, Lee So-woo, is discovered dead in the snowy grounds of the school, in what initially appears to be a suicide. However, rumors soon spread among the students that he was in fact murdered. The circumstances of his sudden death quickly draw the entire school, as well as the broader community, into a whirlpool of doubt and suspicion.

The main protagonist, Ko Seo-yeon, who was also the last person to see Lee So-woo alive, decides to dig deeper into the mystery. Believing that there's more to this apparent suicide than meets the eye, she embarks on a journey to uncover the hidden truth. Her determination to reveal the truth amid the rumors and fear leads to the highly unconventional decision to hold a school trial to investigate the incident.

In addition to Ko, a wide cast of characters come into play, each with their own motivations, secrets, and perspectives. Han Ji Hoon, a classmate who comes from a troubled background, becomes the defendant in the ensuing trial. Meanwhile, faculty members and other students grapple with their own fears and guilty consciences, complicating the situation further.

The title of the series, 'Solomon's Perjury', draws on the biblical story of King Solomon’s wisdom in determining the truth. This aptly reflects the show's main theme— the struggle and desire to find the truth and achieve justice in a world often masked by lies and deceit. The growing tension and intricate web of relationships in this small community serve to highlight the complexities of truth and the fallibility of human judgement.

The series tackles a myriad of sociocultural and psychological themes. It seeks to critique elements of the education system, bullying, social hierarchy, and attempts to uncover the raw and brutal nature of the adult world as seen through the eyes of teenagers. It portrays how the students bravely stand against the wall of adult power, and fight for the truth in the face of authority and systemic corruption.

A lingering focus of the plot is the trial that the students construct and execute themselves, which becomes a reflection of their quest for justice and truth. The courtroom serves as a battleground where different versions of the truth clash and the school's hidden secrets slowly come to light.

The performances throughout Solomon's Perjury are profoundly layered and nuanced, which adds depth to the mystery unfolding on screen. The leads, played by rising stars Kim Hyun-soo and Jang Dong-yoon, deliver impressive performances, convincingly depicting their characters' relentless pursuit of justice and truth in an environment rife with suspicion and secrets.

With skilled direction by Kang Il-soo and a compelling script by Kim Ho-soo, Solomon's Perjury successfully adheres to its source material while offering a refreshingly unique twist to the typical high school drama. The series is tonally grim and intensely atmospheric, filled with suspense that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The camera work and aesthetics beautifully capture the bleak, snowy setting, which reflects the chilling narrative and the characters' inner turmoil.

In conclusion, Solomon's Perjury is a thought-provoking, engaging, and well-executed series. With its compelling narrative, complex characters, and dose of social commentary, it provides an exciting blend of mystery and drama while questioning our perceptions of truth and justice. The series ultimately sends a striking message about the power of young people standing up against a corrupt system and their tenacity in the face of adversity.