Pro Bono escalates its most personal case yet, as Kang David’s team fights for a K-pop idol only to discover the true enemy was within her family. Episodes 7 and 8 shift the drama from external threats to intimate betrayals, testing the team’s unity and pushing their mission toward systemic change.
The storyline, centered on solo artist Elijah, begins as a standard image-repair case but spirals into a shocking exploration of control, financial abuse, and a mother’s manipulation. These episodes, each running for about 62 minutes, mark a pivotal point where the Pro Bono team’s survival is directly tied to their client’s liberation.
What Happens in Episode 7: A Fight for Survival
Episode 7 opens with a breakthrough for Kang David’s personal crisis. Lawyer Gi-ppeum realizes David may have been framed in the bribery scandal that ended his judging career. She connects his behavior in a leaked video to his known reaction under anesthesia—alert but later amnesic—concluding he was likely set up. This discovery begins to restore her trust in him.
Simultaneously, the entire Pro Bono team faces termination. Jung-in’s father, the firm’s head, views the team as a financial burden and a reputational risk, ordering it shut down. In a high-stakes move, David bargains for the team’s future. He proposes they take on one case to prove their worth; if they win, they stay, and if they lose, they leave quietly. The firm’s head, seeing a gamble, agrees.
Their test case is defending Elijah, a famous K-pop star who has recently gone solo. She is being sued after a video surfaces showing her reacting violently to intrusive fans. Her mother is desperate to contain the scandal to protect Elijah’s brand deals. During a team dinner, David shares the truth about being framed with his colleagues. Their supportive reaction—choosing to believe him—strengthens the team’s bond at a critical moment.
The legal battle reveals complications: the damaging video has already leaked online, and Elijah admits she was leaving her boyfriend’s apartment when the incident occurred. In court, the team exposes the real antagonist: a jealous YouTuber who manufactured false narratives and even commented on her own videos to stir up hate against Elijah. While Elijah speaks honestly in court, the case does not reach a neat conclusion, setting the stage for a deeper conflict.
What Happens in Episode 8: The Truth and a New Goal
Episode 8 delivers a devastating twist. As David’s team investigates further, they learn the true architect of Elijah’s downfall is not the media or fans, but her own mother.
The mother had hired a lawyer to manipulate Elijah’s career and personal life from the start, using dirty tactics to block relationships and ensure her daughter remained financially dependent. When confronted, the mother claims she acted out of love and protection, but Elijah feels profoundly betrayed by the life-altering choices made without her consent.
David does not soften the truth when he tells Elijah everything, and Elijah listens and makes a clear decision. She walks into the Pro Bono office and asks the team to sue her own mother.
The case transforms from reputation management to a fight for personal autonomy. The team uncovers evidence of money laundering within Elijah’s entertainment company, raising the stakes further. Just as they gain momentum, managing partner Gyu-jang suddenly orders the Pro Bono team to shut down again, creating internal tension and distrust.
With the team on the brink, David refuses to settle for just winning a single case. He sets a more ambitious goal: to use their position to change an actual law at the National Assembly. This move signifies David’s evolution from a judge who worked within the system to an advocate fighting to change it. The episode ends with this larger mission in place, leaving Elijah’s personal battle unresolved but connected to a greater purpose.
Cast and Character Details
The emotional core of these episodes is carried by the main cast, led by Jung Kyung-ho as Kang David. His performance showcases David’s transition from a reactive figure to a decisive leader willing to risk everything for his team and principles.
- So Ju-yeon plays Gi-ppeum, the lawyer whose deductive skill clears David’s name and whose quiet offer of a place to stay provides crucial emotional support for Elijah.
- Lee You-young plays Jung-in, caught between her loyalty to the team and pressure from her calculating father.
- Key supporting cast includes Yoon Na-moo, Seo Hye-won, Kang Hyung-suk, Choi Dae-hoon, and Kim Gap-soo.
The drama is directed by Kim Seong-yoon and Baek Sang-hoon, with screenwriting by Moon Yoo-seok.
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Where to Watch
Pro Bono is a Korean drama that premiered in 2025 on the network tvN. It is available for international audiences on Netflix, where new episodes are released according to the show’s Korean broadcast schedule. The series is presented in its original Korean language with subtitle options.
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