From ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ to ‘The Devil Judge’: Top five courtroom K-dramas to watch if you love 'Beyond the Bar'

Currently, the Korean drama ‘Beyond the Bar’ has been raising the bar for legal and courtroom dramas. If you love the Lee Jin Wook and Jung Chae Yeon starrers, then here are five other K-dramas to add to your watchlist for your next binge-watching marathon.

One of the most unique and popular legal courtroom dramas in recent years, ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ tells the story of a lawyer who ends up getting a job at a top law firm soon after she finishes her education. The catch? She’s on the autistic spectrum and peculiar in a sense that her co-workers are unable to comprehend. The show follows along as she uses her skills to serve justice in the courtroom, all the while falling in love for the first time as well. The show boasts a powerful cast that includes Park Eun Bin, Kang Tae Oh, Kang Ki Young, Joo Hyun Young, Ha Yoon Kyung, Joo Jong Hyuck, and many others.

Set in the famous Hankuk University Law School, the drama tells the story of the students and professors of the establishment as they are shaken to the core by an unusual case. As a mock trial ensues in the college, a professor is found dead, with another professor arrested by the authorities as the main suspect. Students of the institution then band together in order to find the real culprit and bring the truth out before it’s too late. The 2021 drama has names like Kim Myung Min, Kim Bum, Ryu Hye Young, and Lee Jung Eun in the main cast.

‘Law and the City’ is a recently released legal drama that follows the story of five different lawyers from different backgrounds who end up becoming the unlikeliest of friends. The story centers on the lives of An Ju Hyeong and Kang Hui Ji. While Ju Hyeong is a veteran attorney, he still has not grasped the concept of what it means to be a lawyer. On the other hand, there is Kang Hui Ji, who is still a junior associate at a law firm, though she is known for her social skills and being liked by everyone around her. Lee Jong Suk and Mun Ka Young take on the lead roles, while they are joined by Kang You Seok, Ryu Hye Young, Im Sung Jae, and Yeom Hye Ran.

This drama offers a more eccentric twist on the typical and legal courtroom dramas. Set in a more dystopic universe where South Korea’s system has fallen apart at its very core. The story leads on with the character Head Trial Judge Kang, who is also deemed the ‘Devil Judge.’ He runs a ruthless reality TV show in a courtroom and serves justice in the most terrifying forms. The drama centers on the fight for truth and justice; revolving in the mix are Jung Sun Ah, a corporate foundation director; rookie Judge Kim Ga On; and Police Officer Yoon Soo Hyun. The cast members include names like Ji Sung, Kim Min Jung, Park Jin Young, Park Gyu Young, Jeon Chae Eun, and Kim Jae Kyung.

This drama is another unique take on legal dramas. The story of the drama revolves around two military prosecutors who entered the field for completely parallel reasons. While Do Bae Man starts the job to gain money, profit, and connections, Cha Woo In, on the other hand, turns to the niche field in order to get her revenge. The two unlikely souls end up in the same place with different motives, yet they start influencing each other and form a bond. Woo In even ends up changing Bae Man’s perspective on the job, prompting him to investigate his parents’ death on the down low. This drama has Ahn Bo Hyun and Jo Bo Ah in the lead, while other cast members include Oh Yeon Soo, Kim Young Min, Kim Woo Suk, and Kang Mal Geum.