The premiere of "Parole Officer Lee" kicks off with the liberation of convict Ji Myeong-seob, who proudly flashes his parole letter at Officer Lee. Lee, however, finds it hard to believe, convinced that Myeong-seob's debts to society remain unpaid. Meanwhile, Chairman Ji Dong-man of Ojung Group, Myeong-seob's father, learns of his son's early release from Director Son. A回忆scene reveals Myeong-seob's dark past: he drugged and killed a girl in a club before causing a drunk-driving accident.
Later, Chairman Ji is convicted of embezzlement and breach of trust, sentenced to three years in prison. Outside the courthouse, two opposing factions clash—one protesting his innocence, the other furious over the embezzlement. As Chairman Ji speaks to reporters, an enraged mob begins pelting him with eggs. Fortunately, Attorney Lee, formerly Officer Lee, arrives just in time to shield Chairman Ji with his umbrella.
One year passes, and despite his incarceration, Chairman Ji enjoys VIP treatment from the prison wardens, including spa appointments. He maintains a makeshift office where he consults with his attorneys and Ojung Group directors, including Attorney Lee. Yet, Chairman Ji is dissatisfied with the company's state and the sluggish progress in his case. He expresses a desire for Leo, a pet dog, to visit him, and Attorney Lee, eager to please, promises to arrange the visit.
Unbeknownst to Attorney Lee, Leo resides with Chairman Ji's ex-wife, Choi Won-mi. Lee approaches Won-mi, humbly requesting her permission to bring Leo to Chairman Ji. However, she firmly declines his request.
Attorney Lee embarks on a legal battle to secure custody of Leo, setting his sights on suing Won-mi. Faced with the looming realization that the custody dispute might not tilt in her favor, given the financial contributions of Chairman Ji towards Leo's care, including food and veterinary treatments, Won-mi capitulates. She concedes to lending Leo to Attorney Lee for a brief six-hour interval.
In a twist of fate, Attorney Lee discovers that Chairman Ji's hopes for parole have been dashed due to the Classification Chief's reluctance to include him on the parole roster. Despite Chairman Ji's attempts to sway the prison wardens through bribery, he finds himself at the mercy of the Classification Officer's approval. His legal team has struck out, failing to sway the Chief through either persuasion or coercion. Sensing an opportunity, Attorney Lee proposes to Chairman Ji that he allow him to broker a conversation with the elusive Chief. In exchange for his success, Attorney Lee requests a position as a parole officer.
While Attorney Seo harbors confidence in his abilities, outshining Attorney Lee appears a formidable challenge. However, Director Son interjects, reminding all that Attorney Lee's past as a correction officer, where he worked alongside the Classification Chief, grants him a unique edge. There's a slim chance he could persuade the Chief, despite their strained relationship. The initial meeting between Attorney Lee and Chief Park proves fruitless, as the Chief remains steadfastly unyielding.
Director Son, sensing a deadlock, resorts to subterfuge. He orders his operative to shadow Attorney Lee and snap photographs, monitoring his progress. When it becomes evident that Chief Park remains unmoved, Director Son resorts to drastic measures. He dispatches his man to intimidate Chief Park's wife and son, exploiting the Chief's vulnerability. Chief Park's son, who battles a critical illness, stands perilously close to a nervous breakdown, the sudden shock pushing him to the brink.
However, Ji-soon, Attorney Lee's diligent paralegal, accidentally eavesdrops on Attorney Seo's angrily complaints, exposing Director Son's gangster-like tactics and their sinister plot to harm an innocent child. Sensing the urgency, Ji-soon hastily dials Attorney Lee and dashes to the scene, arriving just in the nick of time to assist Chief Park's wife in navigating the precarious situation.
Meanwhile, Chief Warden Hae-sung valiantly attempts to persuade Chief Park to include Chairman Ji on the parole list, insisting that the Chairman is not a murderous criminal deserving of eternal confinement. Amidst this persuasion, Chief Park receives a urgent call and bolts towards the hospital. Despite the urgent circumstances, Chief Park steadfastly refuses to sanction Chairman Ji's parole. Attorney Lee steps in, revealing that the whole incident was orchestrated by Chairman Ji's cronies, who hoped to exploit the plight of Chief Park's son to their benefit and coerce Chief Park into granting parole.
Initially, Chief Park's fury intensifies, his resolve to deny Chairman Ji's parole solidifying as he realizes the Chairman's callousness and willingness to harm innocent children for his own selfish gain. However, Attorney Lee earnestly appeals to Chief Park, pleading for a moment of trust and urging him to consent to his son's surgery. Eventually, Attorney Lee's earnestness resonates with Chief Park.
Subsequently, Attorney Lee makes his way to the prison, bearing the news that Chairman Ji will be greenlit for parole in the forthcoming list. Intrigued, Chairman Ji inquires about Attorney Lee's motive behind seeking a career as a parole officer. Lee reveals that he aspires to thwart the parole of a particular inmate.
To clarify his rationale, a nostalgic flashback transports us to 2014, when Attorney Lee served as a correction officer alongside Chief Park and Chief Cheon. It was during this era that Chairman Ji's son, Myeong-seob, was incarcerated for murder. Chief Cheon, steadfast in his duty, declined to authorize Myeong-seob's parole. Retaliating, Chairman Ji harnessed his connections to frame Chief Cheon with false accusations, leading to his arrest. As he departed, Chief Cheon reassuringly vowed to return, yet he never did. As the episode concludes, Attorney Lee confesses that the inmate he relentlessly pursues is Chairman Ji himself.
