Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
INTERVIEW Lee Jin-uk says 'Beyond the Bar' redefines law as story of people, not just cases
Lee Jin-uk / Courtesy of BH Entertainment
By Park Jin-hai
Courtroom drama deals with real-life morality
In JTBC’s legal drama “Beyond the Bar,” Lee Jin-uk plays a perfectionist lawyer leading a litigation team, leaving behind his usual romantic image to show a cold, skilled professional who sometimes reveals a surprising warmth, proving his range as an actor.
He said he was initially worried the show might feel a bit dull because it lacks the dramatic flair typical of foreign courtroom dramas with juries. But after watching early episodes, he felt that the drama’s quiet confidence could still engage viewers deeply.
“There are no excessive dramatics here. These days, so many shows rely on dazzling stimuli; by comparison, our screens felt simple, almost subdued,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times at BH Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul on Sept. 1. “But I found myself so focused watching it that I lost track of time,” he said, noting the gripping quality of the narrative.
Penned by an actual lawyer, the series resists courtroom cliches and instead foregrounds the everyday dilemmas and moral ambiguities faced by ordinary people. While legal jargon and statutes shape the courtroom scenes, “Beyond the Bar” remains rooted in stories deeply connected to the lives of everyday citizens — a narrative choice that has struck a powerful chord with viewers.
Lee Jin-uk is seen in a scene from JTBC's drama "Beyond the Bar." Courtesy of JTBC
Different kind of courtroom drama
He said the drama’s fresh approach was thought-provoking.
“I don’t see lawyers as just seekers of justice. Our stories blur the lines of good and evil. Except for obvious bad guys, many cases have victims and perpetrators with different perspectives,” the 43-year-old actor explained.
“This makes viewers reflect, which I think benefits society. Everyone might face legal issues someday, and this show helps people consider how they might approach them.”
He said the episode that he remembers the most is one featuring a couple battling infertility and the tragic results of a traffic accident and cancer. The case follows as the couple seek restitution for the loss of the husband’s last preserved sperm, representing the destruction of their entire hope of conceiving a child.
This reflects how “Beyond the Bar” portrays the law not just as rules but also the feelings of the people involved.
“The drama shows it as clear hospital negligence, but such accidents can realistically happen during operations. How the hospital responds is important, and the situation is complex and somewhat ambiguous. Defending the nurse or the victim would lead to very different arguments, making it a morally gray area they discussed a lot,” he said.
A scene from JTBC's drama "Beyond the Bar" / Courtesy of JTBC
Reflection on identity, acting challenges
Lee said he’s “120 percent satisfied” with his current role as a lawyer. But after more than 20 years and 40 projects as an actor, he sometimes gets confused about who the real Lee Jin-uk is.
“I’m the type who never really rests, so I feel like I live as Lee Jin-uk, not as an actor, only about two years out of every 10. Some actors get so deeply into their characters that they can’t escape them. That’s amazing, though it’s not something you can just choose to do. There’s definitely a part of me that becomes the character,” he said. “These days, my friends often tell me that I speak very logically and clearly,” he added with a laugh.
Lee said that while being an actor is a great job, there are many demands that come with it, and they don’t really suit him personally. “Like many actors, I often wonder if acting fits me and if I’m doing well,” he said.
He also shared that he has recently become a bit more nervous about his projects, but in a positive way. “When I take on a role, I worry about not doing well and having to quit. I feel like I can’t afford mistakes anymore. When I was younger, it was okay to make mistakes because that’s how you learn and grow. But now, it feels different. Still, this fear has become my motivation,” he explained.
Lee said he doesn’t want the public to think anything special about him.
“I believe showing too much of actor Lee Jin-uk is actually a disadvantage. Some actors benefit from being in the spotlight personally, but that’s not me. I’d rather people have no particular thoughts about me. When they hear I’m in a project, I want them to think, ‘Maybe I’ll check it out.’ And when they watch, I want them to see only the character, not me,” he said with a smile.