Beyond The Bar, the new Korean legal drama, starts today on August 2, 2025, bringing a fresh story about lawyers and justice. The show airs on JTBC in South Korea and streams worldwide on Netflix. It follows a rookie lawyer and her strict mentor as they handle tough legal cases.
What Is Beyond The Bar About?
The drama centers on Kang Hyo-min (played by Jung Chae-yeon), a new lawyer at Yeollim Law Firm. She is smart and honest but struggles with office politics. Her mentor, Yoon Seok-hoon (Lee Jin-wook), is a top lawyer known for his sharp mind but cold personality. Together, they take on difficult cases while clashing over their different views on justice.
Each episode features a new legal battle, showing how the lawyers fight for their clients. The series mixes courtroom drama with personal growth as Hyo-min learns to balance her ideals with the harsh realities of the legal world.
Who Is in the Cast?
The show has a strong lineup of actors:
- Lee Jin-wook as Yoon Seok-hoon โ A brilliant but distant lawyer who becomes Hyo-minโs mentor. Fans know him from Squid Game Season 2 and Sweet Home.
- Jung Chae-yeon as Kang Hyo-min โ A determined rookie lawyer who stands up for whatโs right. She starred in The Kingโs Affection and My First First Love.
- Lee Hak-joo as Lee Jin-u โ A fellow lawyer at the firm. He appeared in The Potato Lab and My Name.
- Jeon Hye-bin as Heo Min-jeong โ A senior lawyer with her own secrets. This is her first Netflix series.
Other supporting actors include Kim Kang-min, Kim Yeo-jin, and Hong Seo-jun, who play lawyers and colleagues at the firm.
When and Where Can You Watch It?
The drama airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 PM KST on JTBC. For international viewers, Netflix releases new episodes weekly.
Release Schedule:
- JTBC (South Korea): Starts August 2, 2025, with two episodes every weekend.
- Netflix (Worldwide): Episodes drop at the same time as the Korean broadcast.
The show has 12 episodes, with the finale set for September 7, 2025.
How Is It Different From Other Legal Dramas?
While many legal K-dramas focus on courtroom battles, Beyond The Bar dives deeper into the personal struggles of lawyers. The director, Kim Jae-hong, said:
“This drama shows real legal cases and how lawyers deal with them. Itโs not just about winning in court but also about the people behind the cases.”
Unlike Law and the City, which is set in a courthouse, this series takes place inside a top law firm, giving a different view of the legal world.
Early Reactions and Expectations
Fans are excited to see Lee Jin-wook in a new role after Squid Game. Social media buzz suggests many are curious about the chemistry between him and Jung Chae-yeon.
“Lee Jin-wook always delivers intense performances. Canโt wait to see him as a cold-hearted lawyer!” โ A fan on Twitter.
The showโs writer, Park Mi-hyun, is a real-life lawyer, which adds authenticity to the legal cases.
Where to Watch More Korean Legal Dramas
If you like Beyond The Bar, Netflix has other legal K-dramas:
- Extraordinary Attorney Woo โ A unique lawyer with autism solves tough cases.
- Juvenile Justice โ A judge deals with young criminals and tough moral choices.
Also read: Lee Jin Wook And Jung Chaeyeon Face Challenges In Building Trust In New Drama โBeyond The Barโ
Credits: Information gathered from JTBC, Netflix, and official drama announcements.
