Korean dramas have been taking over the world slowly but steadily. With the increase in the fame of K-Pop and Bong Joon-ho's Parasite's Oscar win, people are now starting to recognize the brilliant storylines and the amazing performances of South Koreans. What makes K-Drama unique is the way in which the series try to take different approaches while tackling different issues. Thus, there is a wide array of genres.
Out of all these genres, legal dramas seem to be one of the most popular among those who are searching for something deeper and darker. Some of these legal dramas tend to reflect on society and its corruption, while others use the opportunity to show how the field is open to anyone and everyone. It is definitely satisfying to watch legal K-dramas, especially since they use tend to use the law to fight injustice. So, here is a list of some of the best legal K-Dramas that are sure to make you binge-watch.
21 Your Honor
If you thought legal dramas will save you from tears, you are definitely wrong and Your Honor will prove this. The TV series focuses on two twins, one is a respectable judge, while the other is a criminal and a repeat offender. Interestingly, the latter takes over the former's role when the former disappears. It is remarkable to watch Yoon Shi-Yoon play dual roles as the Han twins. The show goes on to prove how one's "bad" track record doesn't prove their persona or their intelligence.
20 Ms. Hammurabi
This courtroom drama focuses on two judges, the newly-appointed Park Cha Oh-reum (Go Ara) and Lim Ba-reun (Kim Myung-soo). The key difference between these two characters is that the former is idealistic and lets her emotions take charge, while the latter is a stringent rule-follower who prioritizes logic. By having a female judge and allowing her to tap into her feminine side, Ms. Hammurabi uses the platform to vividly focus on gender inequality in the workplace. Even if the show has more dramatic elements which tend to overshadow the legal genre, it is an interesting watch that gives a glimpse of a judge's life.
19 Innocent Defendant
Every time Um Ki-Joon, who is known for his role in Little Women and Penthouse, takes over a villain role, the series takes a dark turn and that is exactly what happens in Innocent Defendant. The series takes a different turn by placing the protagonist, Park Jung-woo (Ji Sung), who is a prosecutor, on death row and forcing him to clear his name. The challenging part is that this particular prosecutor has no memory as to how he landed on death row. With limited time and much corruption, the series keeps the viewers on their toes till the very end. The best part is that Innocent Defendant has a satisfying finale.
18 While You Were Sleeping
This K-drama is a combination of legal, romance, and fantasy, and sometimes romance tends to overpower the other two genres. The show focuses on three main characters; a reporter, a new prosecutor, and a police officer. Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy) has the ability to see disastrous events that happen in the future and thus, we see the team trying to prevent them before It's too late. The chemistry between the two characters of Nam Hong-joo and Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk) makes it quite heart-warming. However, the mystery and the team's efforts in trying to solve them is what allow the series to be unpredictable, in turn, encapsulating the viewers.
17 Whisper
With a heavy focus on corruption within the legal field, Whisper combines a strong-willed detective and a sympathetic judge in unveiling the reality behind Taebaek, the nation's biggest law firm. However, the story does not merely focus on big firms and the people fighting against injustices, it also delves deep into the humane side of these characters. By showing how Shin Young-joo (Lee Bo-young) and her family are suffering from financial difficulties, the show uses the chance to tap into the viewers' emotions. It also makes the series relatable as it picks up on the debate of how everyone in these fields might not come from privileged backgrounds.
16 Why Her?
Why Her? has a strong female lead who starts off as a famous and successful lawyer, well known for being the youngest attorney at a big law firm. However, she gets demoted to the position of law school professor. Due to the interaction between law school and law firms, the series might be quite enticing for law students. Of course, there is an exaggerated version of courtroom drama, but it only heightens the curiosity of the viewers. Additionally, the inclusion of Hwang In-youp as Gong Chan, the protagonist, Oh Soo-jae's (Seo Hyun-jin) love interest makes the series more thrilling.
15 I Can Hear Your Voice
Yet another legal series that combines the fantasy genre, I Can Hear Your Voice follows three main characters, each differing from one another. What makes this series interesting is not Soo-ha's (Lee Jong-suk) mind-reading ability, but rather the inclusion of two completely different lawyers. Lawyer Jang Hye-sung (Lee Bo-young) has a brilliant rags-to-riches story as her path to becoming a lawyer consists of many childhood struggles, while lawyer Cha Kwan Woo (Yoon Sang-hyun) is a simple man with much empathy. The way in which these three team up to solve unsolvable cases while uncovering their past connections makes it worth a watch.
14 Suits
As suggested by the title, this South Korean TV series is based on the American TV series of the same name. However, unlike the original version, which has 134 episodes, Kim Jin-woo's Suits includes only 16 episodes, making it an easier watch. This K-drama follows a very similar storyline as Aaron Korsh's version with characters resembling the same American personas, but it is "tailor-made" for South Korean society. It has a more clear-cut storyline and the tensions are much higher since there is more blackmailing and corruption. If you are a fan of Korsh's Suits, you will definitely love this version. Even Korsh, and other cast members of the original Suits, took to Twitter to express their delight in this series.
13 Hyena
If you want to get a glimpse of how extremely competitive lawyers can be, then this is the TV show to watch. Even if there is an exaggerated version of battles between lawyers but from the very episode itself, the tension is high and there is so much energy going around. With Kim Hye-soo taking over the lead role of Jung Geum-ja, you get one boss lady who is not afraid to run after her goals. On the other hand, Yoon Hee-jae (Ju Ji-hoon) is the perfect example of what happens when your ego gets warped around you. There is much to learn from this show, and it is definitely an intense and fast-paced watch.
12 Witch at Court
It might be illegal for lawyers to fabricate evidence or even make their cases personal, but that is exactly what Ma Yi-deum (Jung Ryeo-won). Like many other legal dramas on this list, Yi-deum does not come from a privileged background. However, what makes her a "witch" is the illegal methods she is willing to use to win cases. The series heavily focuses on Yi-deum's involvement with sex crime cases. Even if the series can seem to be dragging, it is fascinating to watch Yi-deum at work. It is also a must-watch if you are someone who enjoys battles in the courtroom.
11 Doctor Lawyer
It is rare to see legal dramas that focus on medical negligence, but Doctor Lawyer brings a new perspective to this field of law. By having a protagonist, Han Yi-han (So Ji-sub), who is a surgeon that has converted to a lawyer, allows him to add his expertise in both fields to easily win the hearts of viewers. Moreover, given that the series begins by focuses on Yi-han's downfall that puts him in prison, ultimately, setting the background for his legal career, it allows the show to open with a mystery. Doctor Lawyer also uses the opportunity to reflect on the capitalistic nature of the healthcare system.
10 Lawless Lawyer
As the title suggests, this drama focuses on a lawyer who is not exactly confident in the legal system to bring justice. Bong Sang-pil (Lee Joon-gi) is a lawyer with a goal, and the goal is filled with revenge. What makes Lawless Lawyer perfect for those who like the blend of the thriller and legal genres is that the protagonist also has a background in mobs, making him a former gangster. The inclusion of his background story, which includes the death of his mother, makes him your not-so-typical hero. It might be hard to see a lawyer with a gangster attitude, but the reasoning behind Sang-pil's violent nature is rooted in the social commentary on the corrupt legal system.
9 Suspicious Partner
Even if there is a romantic element to this show, it might end up winning over the non-romantic fans as well. The series follows one big case that focuses on a psychopathic murderer, since one of the main characters, Eun Bong-hee (Nam Ji-hyun), becomes a suspect. However, the inclusion of other trials makes it more fascinating. Given that the series includes past connections between the protagonists, it comes off as an untangled web that is connected to one big mystery. Also, the complex nature of the characters which makes them suspect one another illustrates the very human behavior of lawyers. The viewers end up getting intertwined with the characters' curiosity. Thus, what follows is a game of mystery-solving. The inclusion of humor is an added bonus.
8 Bad Prosecutor
Yet another series on a lawyer who is not afraid to step over the boundary between legal and illegal to bring justice. Even if the series' focus on comedy might seem a bit too much, it can be a great chill watch for anyone looking for something not very serious. Nonetheless, Bad Prosecutor does attempt to reflect heavily on corruption. Doh Kyung-soo does a brilliant job as Jin Jeong, who can come off as annoying at times. Yet again, as suggested by the name, the character of Jin Jeong is made to be the unconventional prosecutor who might take different routes to serve the cause.
7 The Devil Judge
Pierce Conran calls the show "devilishly entertaining" which "derived thrilling catharsis from its live courtroom scenes" and that is exactly what The Devil Judge is about. The series takes place in a dystopian South Korean society where the court is converted into something like a reality show. The fact that the protagonist, Kang Yo-han (Ji Sung), who is the chief judge, comes off as a savior from a privileged background while the villain, Jung Sun-ah (Kim Min-jung), comes from a poor background might seem problematic but at the end of the day, the show is quite dark and its version of morals might be different. In a way, The Devil Judge is a hint at the possible route the legal system can take. Since, at one point, court cases were heard over zoom, it won't be shocking if it becomes a reality show.
6 Diary of a Prosecutor
More often than not, prosecutors are preferred over defense attorneys simply because the former represents the complainant. Even if prosecutors come off as "heroes", the reality is that it can be quite harsh and brutal. That is exactly what Diary of a Prosecutor attempts to showcase. What makes it different from other K-dramas is that its imperfection makes it very practical. Generally, K-Dramas are popular for their streamlined stories with seemingly perfect characters, but here we have a list of very humane prosecutors going through many struggles. The lack of a key protagonist allows the series to focus on a set of main characters, giving each much depth and background. For someone looking for a realistic portrayal of the life of a prosecutor, this is the perfect show.
5 Juvenile Justice
What happens when a Judge who hates juveniles gets appointed to a juvenile court? Can she be unbiased, as per her role? Juvenile Justice attempts to answer this question as it follows Shim Eun-seok (Kim Hye-soo) who has a personal vendetta against juveniles due to her bitter past. The show poses the question "Can the law truly be objective" while making it difficult for the viewers to pick a side. In a way, the viewers become a part of the complex justice system and make them rethink their own perspectives on the law. The way in which the series focuses on the reasoning or the backgrounds of the juveniles allows it to unpack harsh themes. Unfortunately, the second season of the show was canceled. Nonetheless, the show ends with some sort of finality, in turn, making it a brilliant watch for anyone who is not afraid to unpack the dark side of the criminal system.
4 Divorce Attorney Shin
Divorce Attorney Shin focuses on the field of family law and thus, we find the protagonist Shin Sung-han (Cho Seung-woo) specializing in divorce law. However, the series goes a step further in bringing out the emotional aspects of the divorce process. Thus, themes of healing, rebuilding relationships, and becoming aware of each other's flaws take prominence. Given that the show follows different divorce cases, the viewers might end up learning a lot about society as well as the legal side of divorce. It also delves deep into the backgrounds of Shin's clients, in turn, making the stories more about the humane aspect of relationships as opposed to the legal aspects.
3 Vincenzo
With a rating of 8.4/10 on IMDb Vincenzo has Song Joong-ki taking over the role of the protagonist, Vincenzo Cassano, also known as, Park Joo-hyung. For fans of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather, this is the perfect K-drama and that is also why the series ranks number three on this list. The show revolves around the mafia world, as the protagonist belongs to an Italian family. In a way, Vincenzo's character might resemble the character of Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) in The Godfather, as both are lawyers and consiglieres for the mafia family. However, given that Vincenzo takes the lead and seems to be handling things on his own following his adoptive father, Don Fabio's death. Vincenzo takes the law to a dark society where the law is nothing but a mere weapon.
2 Extraordinary Attorney Woo
A heartwarming law drama with an attorney that is sure to win over the viewers from the very first episode, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is the perfect watch for anyone looking for a simple K-Drama with a complex storyline. Following its release, Extraordinary Attorney Woo was praised for its focus on a protagonist with autism. That being said, the series also received some backlash for its portrayal of autism, as certain viewers state that the show "reinforces stereotypes that those with autism are “geniuses” with amazing memory". However, the way in which the series focuses on Woo Young-woo's (Park Eun-bin) dismantling of prejudices and winning over people who develop negative first impressions due to her autistic nature makes it a worthwhile watch. Moreover, given that each episode focuses on a new case, there are refreshing takes with each step. The character development of the protagonist is also quite brilliant. The show is going to be renewed for a second season.