On the Case: The Legal K-Dramas You Should Have on Your Watchlist
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K-dramas are currently the hobby of many viewers from all over the world, with their popularity being due to their ability to blend compelling storytelling with relatable characters and the capacity to evoke strong emotions. Ask any K-drama fan, and they will tell you the reason they like them so much is that the shows pretty much have a heart and soul of their own. The fact that many of the themes they focus on are the universals of family, friendship, love, and the challenges people face in their daily lives makes K-dramas resonate with people from all over the world as well.
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A wide range of themes and environThe public's fascination with depictions of the legal world in media is akin to the love people have for films and series focused on medical environments like hospitals and clinics: they're exciting, know how to keep audiences invested by presenting a new mystery to solve in every episode, and using these professions as a means to delve into the human element of these fields. The media that follows judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals typically ends up discussing aspects of human nature and societal ideas and beliefs as well.
ments are featured in K-dramas, so the law is naturally no exception. If you've been thinking about adding a few titles to your watchlist, here are a few of the dramas you should consider.
"Extraordinary Attorney Woo"
This 2022 show aired between June 29th and August 18th on ENA, a South Korean nationwide pay television network. It set the record for the highest ratings in the broadcaster's history, becoming one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history. The plot follows Woo Young-woo, a female rookie attorney diagnosed with autism who is hired by a big law firm from Seoul. She is different from her neurotypical peers and often comes across as blunt or awkward, but she proves to be one of the most competent attorneys working for the company as a result of her intelligence and photographic memory.
Each of the sixteen episodes focuses on a different legal case. For instance, the second episode deals with the aggrieved party wanting to file for compensation in the aftermath of an incident that takes place during a lavish wedding. The law firm Young-woo works for enters a race with a competitor, attempting to outdo each other into who can pursue the higher amount in compensation. The fourth episode deals with a challenging situation occurring between three brothers following the inheritance of some land, while the fifth follows ATM manufacturing companies.
While the "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" is about people working as lawyers and dealing with complex cases, the overarching themes are those of kindness and acceptance, particularly the importance of accepting those who are different from you.
"Vincenzo"
"Vincenzo" is another record-breaking drama that gained incredible popularity among international audiences as well. The main character, Park Joo-hyeong, was adopted by an Italian family that tragically passed away in an accident. He ends up joining the mafia, becoming a lawyer and consigliere and receiving a new name, Vincenzo Cassano. The head of the Cassano family, Don Fabio, who loved and treated him like a son, passes away, and Vincenzo is almost killed by his biological son, Paolo, who is jealous of the bond between him and his father.
Vincenzo ends up fleeing to Seoul, where he becomes involved in a legal tangle at the centre of which are a pharmaceutical corporation and a plaza. Understanding that conventional methods won't be enough to fight a large company, he starts using the skills he acquired during his time with the mafia, and things only get more complicated from there.
"Law School"
"Law School" is one of the most praised legal dramas of all time, so it is highly unlikely that it could leave you disappointed. This K-drama is set in the Hankuk University Law School and follows the lives of both students and professors as they have to deal with an unusual case. A law professor ends up dying during a supervised mock trial class, and another is arrested as the main suspect while the students race to prove that he is innocent and reveal the truth about the murder. If you're a fan of whodunit stories, you will definitely enjoy this one, as the mystery is gripping, and the twists and turns create a tense yet exciting atmosphere since you don't know what to expect.
The main cast is composed of Yang Jong-hoon, a former prosecutor who became a professor and teaches criminal law; Han Joon-hwi, a brilliant first-year student who is also the nephew of the murdered professor; Kang Sol [A], another first-year student who entered law school with the help of a special admission; and Kim Eun-Sook, a judge-turned-professor who teaches civil law and is very well-liked among the students.
Unlike the other dramas on this list, "Secret Forest" has two seasons with "Secret Forest 2", making it ideal for fans who prefer longer stories. The first season focuses on Hwang Si-mok, a successful prosecutor who suffers from hyperacusis, an increased sensitivity to sound. In the aftermath of surgery, he loses his social skills and ability to empathise. He joins forces with police lieutenant Han Yeo-jin during a murder investigation, but their efforts are repeatedly thwarted by a powerful chaebol and a corruption conspiracy.
The second season is set two years later, when a dispute arises between the National Police Agency and the Prosecutors' Office. The tone of this K-drama is significantly darker than that of the other ones, so if you're a hardcore fan of the thriller and crime genres, you will definitely enjoy it. A spin-off known as "Dongjae, The Good Or The Bastard" was released in 2024 and centres on the main character, who has an unsavoury reputation due to his past as a sponsored prosecutor.
There are so many K-dramas out there that it is pretty much impossible to come up with a comprehensive list of the best ones. After all, a lot of it depends on personal taste and the things you view in a story. However, there's no denying the fact that the shows above are an excellent addition to anyone's watchlist.