Writer: Biti Sophia Soren (Delhi, India)

Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India)

Law School (로스쿨) is a South Korean legal drama, starring Kim Myung-min, Kim Bum, Ryu Hye-young, and Lee Jung-eun, aired from  April 14, 2021, to June 9, 2021, on JTBC and Netflix every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 pm (KST). It consists of a total of 16 episodes.

THE PLOTLINE

The drama takes place at South Korea’s prestigious law school called “Hankuk University”, when an unexpected murder of a famous professor takes place during a mock trial. The students and professors at the school find themselves tangled in the mysterious murder case, as they work together to find the culprit behind the murder. The story not only involves the lives of law professors, prosecutors, judges, and attorneys and how their work promotes justice, but also features how one mystery unlocks layers of puzzles in each episode as the drama progresses. Each episode in the drama highlights the flaws in South Korea’s legal system and how many times people unwittingly get convicted for crimes they didn’t commit, whilst also covering how each character overcomes their own hardship.

SNEAK-PEEK OF THE CHARACTERS

Kim Myung-min portrays the role of Yang Jong-hoon, a criminal law professor and a former elite prosecutor. He is known for his harsh words, straightforwardness, unsmiling demeanor, very clever practice, and his strict teaching methods. The experience he brings to the classroom is priceless. Myung-min sometimes tends to unleash biting remarks, making students dislike him. Unbothered by this fact, he just focuses on cultivating personnel for the law field and members who will contribute meaningfully. Professor Kim Eun-sook is his only colleague with whom he can talk with ease.

Kim Bum as Han Joon-hwi is a first-year law student who is at the top of his class. He’s a natural leader and one of the smartest people on campus. His good looks and brilliant brain make him a very likable character. He takes “truth and justice” very seriously and dreams of becoming a prosecutor who adheres to the rules. He harbours some hidden secrets about his family.

Ryu Hye-young is cast as Kang Sol A, another first-year law student, who believes that becoming a lawyer is the only way the poor can have justice. She wasn’t accepted into the university through academic achievements, but through special admission instead. Although Sol A is not very scholastically good in her class but is very active in social justice cases. Sol A comes from a poor family, raised by a single working mother with a twin sister who is missing and a younger step-sister. 

Lee Jung-eun, as Kim Eun-sook, is a civil law professor who used to be the head of the law school’s legal clinic for free legal services. She is a fun and empathetic teacher who wants to make learning fun for her students. Her freewheeling personality makes her famous for being a relatable professor at the law school.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Law School turned into an incredibly detailed, complex, and emotional series that will certainly stay long in the memory. However, be prepared to get bombarded with legal jargon. The series may have some complicated episodes as the characters in the drama tend to speak fast when it comes to regurgitating their knowledge, and some need to pay attention to the dates; if you do not pay attention to the dates, you may end up confused because the drama jumps from one month to another. Keeping notes of the dates will help you understand the sequence of events that takes place in the drama. Law school amazingly explores the concept of right and wrong and has an interesting plot that goes beyond Professor Seo Byung-ju’s murder.

Kang Sol B (Lee Soo-kyung), the daughter, who is pressured by her mother to always be the topper, is involved in a plagiarism case. Seo Ji-ho (Lee David) bears a grudge against a prosecutor because of his father’s suicide. Yoo Seung-jae (Hyun Woo), a medical doctor turned law student, is involved in a hacking case. Jeon Ye-seul (Go Yoon-jung) is in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. Besides these interesting characters and their roles, there is a lesson to be learned. 

This drama succeeds in creating an entertaining and gripping crime thriller while keeping one invested in every character’s personal storyline without having to rely on a romantic plot. However, it would have still been nice to see Joon-hwi and Sol A together after everything they have been through. Each episode is captivating and packed with mysteries, making it one of the most irresistible dramas. If you’re into law and solving unsolved puzzles, then this drama is meant for you.

Comment down below your favorite characters from this show, and what other law dramas would you like to reccommend?