Top 10 legal K-dramas every courtroom drama fan should watch

While You Were Sleeping | Image Via: SBS TV
While You Were Sleeping | Image Via: SBS TV

Legal K-dramas are in a league of their own. While many people associate K-dramas primarily with romance, the genre offers a wide range of stories, including some gripping legal dramas.

For the fans of the intense nature of legal battles and the courtroom drama that comes with it, these legal K-dramas are the perfect choice for you. These K-dramas offer a deep dive into the intricacies of the justice system.

There is an exploration of the themes of corruption, moral dilemmas, and the fight for truth. So, let’s dive right in.


Top 10 legal K-dramas every courtroom drama fan should watch

1) Hyena

Hyena| Image Via: KeyEast
Hyena| Image Via: KeyEast

Among the numerous legal K-dramas that have been released throughout the years, Hyena does stand out from the rest. It has the combination of high tension suspense along with the depth and nuance of the world of legal battles.

This K-drama has a story to get you hooked from the very start. The courtroom battles in this drama are intense and realistic. The life of two highly ambitious yet polar opposite rival lawyers makes the story of this K-drama extremely intriguing.

The word hyena truly describes the necessary means these lawyers undertake to win cases and climb the ladder in the world of justice and law. Jung Geum-ja and Yoon Hee-jae are nothing alike. While one is unapologetically wild and can do anything and everything for a win, the other is polished and has an arrogance that comes from winning all the cases.

This K-drama balances the intense nature of legal battles in a courtroom with the subtle addition of humor and lightheartedness, which stays with the viewers.


2) Lawless Lawyer

Lawless Lawyer| Image Via: tvN
Lawless Lawyer| Image Via: tvN

Lawless Lawyer brings forth a fresh take on the world of legal battles and courtroom drama. In this K-drama, we get to see a different side of the world of law and justice.

It's not uncommon to see the justice system fail and harm innocent people. This legal K-drama depicts this aspect of the world in a nuanced and resonating manner.

Bong Sang-pil and Ha Jae-yi have their ways to fight injustice. One resorts to the loopholes that are often unnoticed by others in the world of law, and the other follows a strict path of legality.

Paths cross and worlds collide; these two characters bring forth an intriguing and intense legal battle, which is hard not to binge-watch.


3) Innocent Defendant

Innocent Defendant | Image Via: SBS TV
Innocent Defendant | Image Via: SBS TV

What happens when a prosecutor wakes up and finds that he has become a death row convict? Well, this legal K-drama tells the story of just that. The way this K-drama has depicted the courtroom and legal aspects of the world of justice is truly remarkable.

Park Jung-woo’s life takes a devastating turn as he wakes up on death row with no memory of how he got there. He finds it hard to understand the situation he is in and understands that unless he recovers from his temporary amnesia, he will not be able to get out of the tough situation he is in.

Innocent Defendant leaves a lasting impact on the viewers who love to watch complex legal dramas that do not shy away from depicting the intense nature of the world of law.


4) Good Partner

Good Partner| Image Via: SBS TV
Good Partner| Image Via: SBS TV

The depiction of the difficulties that professionals working with the law suffer from is truly remarkable in this K-drama. This K-drama has a fresh perspective which both intriguing and thought-provoking.

It shows us that we should focus on our personal lives in the same manner in which we should focus on our professional lives. The balance is necessary, otherwise worlds crumble down, ruining lives with no return.

The mentor-mentee relationship between Cha Eun-kyung and Han Yu-ri in this K-drama is truly remarkable. Unlike the intense nature of Eun-kyung, Yu-ri is quite different. Even though Yu-ri is a newly hired lawyer, her worldview offers a fresh perspective to Eun-kyung.


5) Bad Prosecutor

Bad Prosecutor | Image Via: KBS2
Bad Prosecutor | Image Via: KBS2

Yet another intriguing legal K-drama that gives us a realistic depiction of the world of law and justice. This legal K-drama deals with intense legal issues, but also shines with the lead character breaking the rules and regulations to overcome the restrictions.

Jin Jung’s dynamic with the other characters is truly an intriguing aspect of this legal K-drama. He clashes with his superiors and colleagues. The abuse of power, corruption, and the social injustices that are often seen in the day-to-day lives have been depicted in this legal K-drama.

It is truly a breath of fresh air, delivering compelling cases with the perfect balance of suspense, drama, and legality.


6) Law School

Law School | Image Via: JTBC
Law School | Image Via: JTBC

The complications that are delved into in this legal K-drama create a stark distinction from the others. It is unique and realistic, and a perfect depiction of the legal cases that take place.

Professor Yang gets entangled in a legal case. After his arrest, his students try their best to find evidence to prove Professor Yang’s innocence. The thoughtful exploration of the legal ethics and the justice system in this K-drama keeps the viewers hooked right from the very start.

This legal K-drama has perfectly showcased the realities of legal education and the intense nature of it. The critical thinking, arguments, and relentless pressure this field has are properly depicted in this legal K-drama.


7) While You Were Sleeping

While You Were Sleeping | Image Via: SBS TV
While You Were Sleeping | Image Via: SBS TV

While You Were Sleeping is truly a unique K-rama, not just because of the unique manner in which the legal world is handled, but because of the nuanced addition of the fantasy aspect to it.

This legal K-drama is a perfect blend of all the right ingredients to get you hooked. It has romance, it has fantasy, but the most important aspect of this K-drama is the legal side to it.

The way the three lives of a reporter, a prosecutor, and a police officer get entangled as they navigate through the information they get while they dream is truly remarkable.

The compelling courtroom battles do stand out in this legal K-drama. The important messages of responsibility and fate versus free will have been appreciated by the viewers of this K-drama.

This legal K-drama keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. The strong bonds that form over time in this Legal K-drama resonate with us.


8) Juvenile Justice

Juvenile Justice | Image Via: Netflix
Juvenile Justice | Image Via: Netflix

Among the numerous legal K-dramas that we have seen in recent times, Juvenile Justice truly stands out among them. It is the story of Shim Eun-seok as she navigates through the world of juvenile court and the struggle that comes with punishing young offenders.

She has a deep disdain and skepticism towards juvenile offenders. She has a cold exterior and unwavering dedication to justice. It often comes at the expense of her empathy. Each of the episodes brings forth the intense nature of courtroom battles and the tense nature of it.

The societal aspect that this K-drama touches is also truly remarkable. The depiction of the failures of the parents and the influence of peer pressure sets this K-drama apart.

This legal K-drama is thought-provoking and a must-watch for those with an interest in social commentary in legal K-dramas.


9) Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Extraordinary Attorney Woo| Image Via: ENA
Extraordinary Attorney Woo| Image Via: ENA

This K-drama is a heartwarming story about Woo Young-woo. She is autistic and has incredible intelligence. She can recall law facts with ease and sees the world in her unique way.

Unlike the other K-dramas, this one does not rely fully on the intense nature of the legal battles and the courtroom drama. This legal K-drama gives us the inspiration to challenge the world and focus on the good.

Young-woo navigates through the world as she challenges the numerous prejudices she faces. Through her dedication and hard work, she changes the perspectives of the people and earns their respect.

The nuanced portrayal of autism in this K-drama is truly remarkable. It highlights the strengths and challenges that come with it. This legal K-drama is a beautiful reminder that everyone has something to contribute to the world to make it a better place.


10) Suspicious Partner

Suspicious Partner| Image Via: SBS
Suspicious Partner| Image Via: SBS

Suspicious Partner grabs the attention of the viewers right from the very first episode. Bong-hee and Ji-wook’s story is filled with not just the complications of the legal world but also entertainment and heartwarming moments.

This legal K-drama does deal with complicated cases, but does not get lost in them. The emotions of the victims and the struggles of the accused are given more focus in this K-drama.

This adds to the overall intrigue. This legal K-drama is engaging and a well-rounded package with Ji Chang-wook as the lead.


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Edited by Tanisha Aggarwal