What makes courtroom dramas so popular?
A scene from JTBC’s courtroom drama "Beyond the Bar" / Courtesy of JTBC
It is no exaggeration to say that television is flooded with courtroom dramas recently.
JTBC’s drama "Beyond the Bar" is currently airing to strong popularity, following the recently concluded tvN drama "Law and the City" and SBS drama "Good Partner." In addition, "Pro Bono (tentative title)," written by a former judge, is scheduled to premiere on tvN later this year.
But what makes them so popular?
One common factor is that they were written by real-life legal professionals. Experts point out that the involvement of lawyers and judges lends courtroom dramas a level of authenticity that raises both their quality and credibility.
"Beyond the Bar" is a work that embodies the authenticity of its writer, Park Mi-hyun, who herself is a former lawyer. The drama tells the story of junior attorney Kang Hyo-min (Jung Chae-yeon) and her growth into a full-fledged lawyer under the mentorship of partner lawyer Yoon Seok-hoon (Lee Jin-uk). Rather than focusing solely on victory or defeat, the characters look into the broken hearts of their clients, defend others from their wounds and ultimately confront their own scars.
Scenes from JTBC’s courtroom drama "Beyond the Bar" / Courtesy of JTBC
Built around the concept of “placing the most human emotion, love, in the most inhuman setting, the courtroom — dismantling it and piecing it back together,” the series explores a variety of cases that unfold under the name of love, sparking fresh discussion with each new episode.
The drama poses questions that don’t have easy answers in real life, such as, “What is the value of sperm that has been damaged in a man suffering from infertility?,” “Can excessive parental love be considered a crime?” and “Is violent retaliation against a child abuser ever justified?” Through these, the show reflects the struggles and insights of the legal professionals who play the role of arbiters.
The series began with viewer ratings in the 3 percent range, but thanks to word of mouth, it surpassed 8 percent by its fourth episode. Following its release on Netflix, it ranked No. 2 globally in the non-English TV series category and, as of Wednesday, had claimed the top spot in Korea’s Top 10 series.
A poster for tvN’s recently concluded legal drama "Law and the City" / Courtesy of CJ ENM
The recently concluded drama from tvN, "Law and the City," was also written by a practicing lawyer, Lee Seung-hyun. Set against the backdrop of a small law firm, it depicted the everyday lives, cases and the growth of young attorneys. In particular, the realistic portrayal of the Seocho-dong neighborhood in southern Seoul caught the attention of viewers with its familiar scenes of backstreets, cafes and restaurants set amid the heart of Korea’s legal world, with the Supreme Court, high and district courts and top prosecution offices.
Meanwhile, the SBS drama "Good Partner" was penned by a divorce attorney. It tells the story of a cold, hard-nosed veteran divorce lawyer and a passionate rookie, each resolving cases in their own way.
Park Gun-ryoung, an in-house attorney at a Korean public corporation, said, “Watching the drama 'Law and the City' felt almost like watching a vlog of lawyers’ daily lives — it had a kind of familiarity.”
A self-pronounced fan of judge-turned-writer Moon Yoo-suk, Park added, “Courtroom dramas used to center on large law firm cases or retribution for serious crimes, but recently they’ve expanded into everyday disputes — civil and criminal cases, workplace conflicts. That naturally draws greater interest from ordinary viewers. It creates more opportunities for empathy and immersion.”
A scene from SBS legal drama "Good Partner" / Courtesy of SBS
Experts agree that having legal professionals as a writer raises both the completeness and credibility of courtroom dramas.
Cultural critic Jung Duk-hyun noted the ability of the drama "Beyond the Bar" to weave philosophical dilemmas into a narrative stems from lived experience and confidence.
"Mishandling such weighty issues could easily tip into a one-sided defense of lawyers. But because writer Park Mi-hyun has directly faced these challenges, identified the problems and offered meaningful answers, she was able to craft a script of genuine substance. Its structure is clear and accessible, allowing viewers to follow effortlessly — an assurance that the show’s popularity is unlikely to wane," he said.
At the same time, public perception of lawyers has shifted from being part of a privileged elite to simply being working professionals.
“Lawyers view cases from the perspective of their clients, which makes it easier for viewers to connect emotionally to them," said another critic Kong Hee-jung.