Justice is served: Korean legal dramas that are just too good to miss

There's something about courtroom K-dramas that gets viewers hooked right away. While we all love heartwarming love stories like "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha", legal K-dramas are intense and mysterious, tackling corruption and social issues while also portraying characters that we love- and hate -with all our hearts. They offer a fascinating mix of complex cases, sharp-witted lawyers, and moral dilemmas, while also giving us moments of romance, healing, and laughter.

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These K-dramas are not afraid to break the mould, as they often portray ghost clients and demon judges, which is not so typical, especially for global audiences. It's no wonder that Brits can't get enough of the cases mirroring real-life injustices and spend their time binge-watching, debating, and even comparing the plots to those of local dramas. Korean cinema transforms the dry world of legal jargon into something that keeps viewers glued to the screen for hours. However, with the vast number of K-dramas available, it can be challenging to decide which ones are worth your time. That's why we're here for - below are our top 5 favourites that prove justice has never looked so good, so check them out!

"Vincenzo"

"Vincenzo" was ranked on Forbes' list of most-viewed K-dramas on Netflix in 2021, and for good reason, as it is on the more thrilling side of this genre in Korean cinema. It follows a young lawyer who was adopted by the head of an Italian mob when he was little.

He returns to South Korea to look for buried gold, where he unexpectedly partners with Hong Cha-yeong, an attorney who deeply cares about justice, and the quirky tenants of Geumga Plaza, to take down a diabolical CEO and corrupt lawyers. The plot is compelling and full of twists and turns, and "Vincenzo" is undoubtedly a character that you will root for throughout the entire series.

"The Devil Judge"

In real life, you'll never hear of a legal case that happens in a dystopian society and features a judge who uses questionable methods to punish corrupt people. The process is obviously less dramatic that it is portrayed on television, and involves lengthy, bureaucratic procedures, and meticulous strategy to ensure that the cases are resolved effectively.

But that's not what you'll see in a legal K-drama like "The Devil Judge", which does an excellent job at raising the stakes of this genre to a whole new level. There's so much more to it than the law, as it is set in a dystopian South Korea where Kang  Yo-han, the main character, runs a TV court show that works like a reality program, punishing corrupt people mercilessly. The public considers him a hero, but there's more to this character than meets the eye, as behind his seemingly benevolent actions lies a dangerous agenda. When a rookie judge is assigned to monitor Yo-han, a complicated bond is formed between the two as they navigate the corrupt system and unveil Yo-han's true secrets. If you're looking for a highly unique series of the legal genre, you shouldn't miss "The Devil Judge". Compared to UK legal dramas, which are character-driven and focus on ethical nuance and realism, this K-drama is not like anything you've watched before, we promise you.

"Oh My Ghost Clients"

This K-drama follows No Moo-jin, a labour attorney whose motivation to pursue this career path has nothing to do with having a strong sense of justice. He is only looking for a stable job and a way to make a stable and substantial income. However, the Universe (or death) has other plans for him, as he goes through a near-death experience and starts to see ghosts of people who have died because of corruption, unfair labour practices, and unscrupulous bosses. Such workplace injustices are not only depicted in K-dramas - they are, unfortunately, common in real life as well. According to Public Interest Lawyers, employers have a duty of care to their employees, but many of them breach this duty, leading to workplace injuries.

In "Oh My Ghost Clients", workplace accidents are a central theme, with the storyline revolving around uncovering the difficult truths behind what happened and showcasing the companies' attempts to evade responsibility for their wrongdoing. While dead people who cannot pay Moo-jin for his services are definitely not his ideal clients, he has no choice but to help them, as a deity instructs him to do in order to stay alive. However, after taking on their cases, the character evolves into a compassionate lawyer who is driven by a sense of purpose he previously lacked.

"Extraordinary Attorney Woo"

This heartwarming K-drama gained tremendous popularity on Netflix shortly after its release. It tells the story of Woo Young-woo, an autistic woman who becomes a lawyer at a large company in South Korea, navigating complex courtroom cases, a hostile work environment, and a budding office romance. While some aspects of her disorder work towards her advantage in the courtroom, others cause problems, such as her awkward communication methods.

The actress who plays Woo Young-woo does a brilliant job, offering audiences a heroine that they can't help but fall in love with. This series is not just about the law - it's also a story about acceptance and kindness, making it one of the best legal K-dramas to add to your list.

"Suspicious Partner"

This is a legal K-drama with numerous complex ties, following a prosecutor and his trainee as they take on a murderer's mysterious case. Their first few encounters are rather awkward, but they still fall in love eventually, although it takes a while for them to work their way from enemies to lovers. While they navigate difficult work lives, things become even more challenging for the two characters when personal issues arise, and one of them is accused of committing a crime.

In a fascinating way that will keep you hooked, "Suspicious Partner" balances law with the dramatic issues of the characters' personal lives. It's just impossible to get bored as soon as you start watching this drama and you'll definitely love it.

The bottom line

Korean legal dramas transcend courtroom battles, tackling justice, corruption, and morality while also weaving in heartfelt moments of romance and even the supernatural. These series are both entertaining and healing, sparking important conversations about ethics and human nature, and will leave you feeling inspired and even heartbroken. So, which one of them will you binge next?