Will Beyond the Bar have a Season 2? Here's what Director Kim Jae Hong has to say about that

Beyond the Bar ended its first season with unresolved romances, courtroom catharsis, and a finale that pushed viewers to crave continuation. The legal battles kept audiences hooked, but what stayed with them were the fragile emotional arcs, especially the understated connection between Seok-hoon and Hyo-min. When the final moments closed in silence instead of confession, the drama sparked a surge of voices calling for more.

JTBC and Netflix haven’t announced what comes next, but anticipation is already building. Director Kim Jae-hong expressed enthusiasm for extending the story, and lead actor Lee Jin-wook revealed that the cast imagines a richer emotional journey ahead. Together, their comments invite fans to picture a future where courtroom strategy meets deeper confessions, and where the drama’s delicate balance of justice and desire unfolds with even greater force.

What director Kim Jae-hong has said about a possible Season 2 of Beyond the Bar

Director Kim Jae-hong hasn’t hidden his hopes for a continuation. At a press conference on July 31, 2025, he admitted feeling the weight of expectations after JTBC’s Good Boy dominated the ratings, but stressed that Beyond the Bar carved its own path with confident storytelling and strong performances.

He was also clear about what could tip the balance toward renewal.

“If the viewership exceeds 10%, I want to do Season 2,” Kim said, turning audience numbers into a kind of pact with viewers.

The drama’s ratings did cross that line, hitting double digits in Seoul and climbing past 8% nationwide in its final week, which makes his words even more resonant now that the show has proven its staying power.

What the cast is saying about the future

The optimism isn’t limited to the production team. After the finale aired, lead actor Lee Jin-wook acknowledged the uproar among fans and hinted that the story may not be finished. He said that if a second season moves forward, viewers could expect “a slightly deeper love line,” a promise that directly addresses the romance thread that left audiences restless.

His words hit the exact point fans have been debating online. The chemistry between Seok-hoon and Hyo-min never reached open confession, and the deliberate restraint turned into one of the season’s most divisive choices.

By suggesting that Season 2 could give space for a fuller emotional payoff, Lee bridged the gap between audience frustration and creative intent. It’s a rare moment when an actor acknowledges the cliffhanger so openly, and it amplifies the sense that Beyond the Bar is far from finished.

Reception of the first season of Beyond the Bar

Beyond the Bar started modestly but grew into one of JTBC’s strongest weekend performers. After opening with ratings around 3.7%, the drama surged past 8% nationwide by its finale, even breaking into double digits in Seoul during key episodes. That upward trajectory confirmed that word-of-mouth and storyline depth were drawing new viewers week by week.

On streaming platforms, the success was just as striking. The series consistently ranked #1 on Netflix Korea’s daily Top 10 and secured the #2 spot globally in the non-English TV category during August, reaching audiences in more than 50 countries. With millions of hours viewed, it proved capable of carrying both cable and international streaming charts at the same time.

Critical response leaned positive, highlighting the balance between courtroom drama and character emotion. U.S. outlets called it a “straightforward legal procedural” elevated by its cast, while Korean critics emphasized the catharsis of its trial sequences and the subtle power of its performances.

Fans echoed that sentiment online, though the restrained romance became the lightning rod for heated discussion. That very debate, however, has only strengthened the appetite for more, turning anticipation for a second season into a collective demand.

What Season 2 could bring to Beyond the Bar

If Beyond the Bar returns, it promises more than a new lineup of cases. The foundation is ready for something bolder: a story where justice and intimacy converge, where every verdict resonates as deeply as every confession.

A second season could take the silence of that last scene and transform it into a raw, urgent dialogue between Seok-hoon and Hyo-min, carrying their connection into uncharted territory.

The courtroom is fertile ground for this expansion. Season 1 of Beyond the Bar proved that each case could mirror hidden wounds, forcing characters to confront betrayal, loyalty, and desire. A continuation would allow the trials to grow in scope, blending professional battles with personal revelations until the two become inseparable. The rhythm of arguments and verdicts would only heighten the stakes of every glance, every word left unsaid.

Above all, Season 2 would answer the hunger that Season 1 so carefully stirred. The director has voiced his ambition, the lead actor has envisioned a deeper love line, and the viewers have transformed anticipation into demand. What lies ahead is the chance to elevate Beyond the Bar into a drama where law, love, and longing rise together with even greater power.