Law School (2021)

March 19, 2023

Our Take: A legal thriller that delivers justice with a side of romance and friendship.

The Premise

Set in Hankuk University Law School, the drama starts with a shocking murder case of a professor on campus. A tough law professor and his ambitious students get roped in as they scramble to get to the bottom of the gruesome incident. In the process, they dig into each others' histories and uncover intertwined cases that put law and justice to the test. 

A former elite prosecutor and current criminal law professor at the prestigious university, Yang Joon Hoon (Kim Myung Min) is a straightforward but strict professor. As a result of the high bar he sets for his students, they tend to steer clear of him. Nonetheless, he stands his ground because he strives to mentor his future juniors to become righteous lawyers. 

Han Joon Hwi (Kim Bum) and Kang Sol A (Ryu Hye Young) are first-year law students at the university. Joon Hwi is a top student and natural leader with good looks and a charming personality. But, he harbors a dark secret. Meanwhile, Kang Sol A comes from poverty and barely got into the university through special admission. She feels insecure and struggles to acclimate to life at school because she is surrounded by wealthier and more talented students. However, with the support of her professors and peers, she slowly gains confidence and learns about what it takes to be a good lawyer. 

Kim Eun Sook (Lee Jung Eun) is a judge-turned-civil law professor who leads the university's free legal clinic. She is well-liked by her students for being her charismatic and laid-back approach to teaching and a master in court. Eun Sook is also the only colleague Jong Hoon confides in. 

Whodunit

Law School successfully captures the fun of murder mystery plots where the storyline is a series of related events and intertwined histories that gradually get revealed step by step. As the plot unravels, we see one mystery unlocked after another, keeping us on our toes the entire time. 

At the same time, we learn more about the main characters and their journeys to becoming legal professionals, adding a layer of depth to the story. Rather than focusing solely on finding out who the killer is, the writers emphasized the individual characters and how these law students and professors use their legal knowledge to help innocent people get justice throughout the trial process. 

A Relatable Cast

Despite the large ensemble, every character is fleshed-out and highly relatable, each with a well-thought-out backstory, flaws, weaknesses, and strengths. Together, they form strong, natural friendships rooted in supporting and helping each other learn and grow as law professionals and people. As each character faces different hardships, such as the death of a loved one and an abusive relationship, the rest of the study group comes together to help them overcome these obstacles. 

Initially, Professor Yang Jong Yoon comes off as overly rigid and cold-hearted. But, as the story progresses, it's clear that he cares deeply about his students and is fully dedicated to helping them hone their craft. Even as he gets accused of being a murderer, Jong Yoon turns the situation into a lesson for his students and encourages them to strive harder to reach their goals. He treats everyone sincerely and gives them the confidence they need to thrive. 

Han Joon Hwi comes off as a golden boy who has it all, but underneath this façade, he is dealing with the emotional scars of betrayal by an uncle he deeply admires and loves. At the same time, he has a tight-knit relationship with the professor and a down-to-earth personality with just the right amount of arrogance stemming from his academic achievements. 

Contrasting Joon Hwi is Kang Sol A, who initially gets portrayed as immature and academically lagging behind her peers. She is a breath of fresh air to her peers, who are highly intelligent, but come from well-off families and have clearly never struggled before. Despite her background, she never gives up, works extremely hard, and always voices her opinions. 

Although the drama is not romance-centric, there are subtle hints at the budding romance between Han Joon Hwi and Kang Sol A. While there are no obvious displays of public affection, they care for and deeply understand each other. Joon Hwi is always there for Kang Sol A and helps her build confidence in her abilities. As their friendship develops, she gradually becomes more vulnerable around him and puts her trust in him. 

Another notable character is Jeon Ye Seul (Go Youn Jung), Kang Sol's best friend and fellow law student. She is attractive, intelligent, and loyal. But unfortunately, she gets entangled in an abusive relationship with the son of a famous politician who uses classic manipulation tactics to control her while telling her he loves her. Initially, Ye Seul is confused by the stark contrast between his supposed love for her and the abuse. But, with the help of her friends, she learns to stand up for herself and defend herself against him through the law. Her story will hopefully give other women who face domestic abuse the strength to fight back against their abusers. 

Unjust Law is the Most Cruel Violence

The series draws inspiration from real-life cases and current issues in South Korea today, including domestic violence, spy-cam-related crimes, sexual violence, unpaid child support, and more. In particular, the case of Lee Man Ho is very similar to the real-life case of Jo Doo Soon, a rapist who kidnapped and sexually assaulted an 8-year-old girl in 2008, leaving her with permanent damage to her body. Despite the severity of the case, he only gets sentenced to 12 years in jail due to the argument that he was drunk, and thus too impaired to be responsible for his actions. 

These cases give us insights into the judicial system's flaws and humanize the victims of various crimes. In particular, we can acutely feel the helplessness and desperation when someone with more power, money, and connections gets away with their crimes.  

The Tough Reality of School

Kang Sol A's struggles at school allow us to empathize with her and the feelings of inadequacy we experience in hyper-competitive, high-pressure environments. Having dealt firsthand with the suffocating feelings of imposter syndrome at school and work, Law School successfully captures the realities of being in intensive environments and the toll it takes on us.  

Final Thoughts

Law School reminds us that the judicial system is imperfect, but that doesn't mean we should give up or accept defeat. While there will always be corruption and unfairness in the world, there are countless people dedicating their lives to fighting injustice and uncovering the truth. If you are a fan of mystery or thriller-themed shows, I highly recommend giving Law School a watch.