If you’re gearing up for Law and The City—whether it’s a new legal drama or your own deep dive into courtroom battles—you’ll need some top-tier legal Kdramas to set the mood. The legal drama starring Mun Ka Young and Lee Jong Suk is coming out on July 5, which is roughly a month from now. It will explore the day-to-day lives of lawyers in Seocho’s judicial hub.
This means you have ample time to explore and binge-watch old legal Kdramas while waiting for Law and The City.
South Korea has mastered the art of blending intense courtroom drama with gripping storytelling, memorable characters, and just the right amount of romance, suspense, and moral dilemmas.
From brilliant autistic lawyers to ruthless judges in dystopian worlds, these five legal K-dramas will not only entertain you but also give you a crash course in legal theatrics, South Korean-style. Let’s dive in!
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) – The Heartfelt Legal Genius
If you haven’t met Woo Young Woo yet, you’re missing out on one of the most endearing legal dramas ever made. Park Eun Bin delivers a phenomenal performance as a whale-loving autistic attorney with a photographic memory.
She remembers everything she sees but struggles with social skills and empathy. Her unique way of thinking and ability to spot unconventional solutions others miss is the heart of Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
Through complicated cases, viewers get a glimpse of Young Woo’s personal journey, how she grows, struggles, and wins in a world that isn’t always easy for her.
It’s a masterclass in how legal dramas can be both uplifting and deeply insightful. Plus, Young Woo’s whale analogies are pure gold.
Vincenzo – Satisfying Legal Battles
While Vincenzo can not be categorized solely as a legal drama, this show mixes dark comedy, action, and crime. But a lot of it is about legal fights, even if they have a mafia twist.
Song Joong Ki stars as Vincenzo Cassano, a ruthless yet charismatic Italian mafia consigliere who returns to South Korea. He uses his smart legal mind and unusual methods to fight against bad companies and people. With the strong and clever lawyer Hong Cha Young, played by Jeon Yeo Been, Vincenzo gets justice in ways that are both tough and very satisfying.
Vincenzo shows how the law can be twisted and how sometimes, you need more than just law books to fight unfairness. Its fast-paced story, cool characters, and exciting courtroom battles will keep you hooked. It’s perfect if you like legal dramas with lots of action and drama.
The Devil Judge (2021) – A Ruthless Courtroom Dystopia
Imagine a world where court trials are televised like reality shows, and the judge holds absolute power over life and death. That’s The Devil Judge for you—a dark, gripping thriller where Ji Sung plays Kang Yo Han, a morally ambiguous judge who dishes out brutal justice in a corrupt society.
This isn’t your typical legal drama. It’s a political chess game where justice is performative, alliances shift constantly, and no one is truly innocent.
If you love dystopian settings, power struggles, and courtroom drama with a Game of Thrones twist, this is your show.
Law School (2021) – Murder Mystery Meets Legal Academia
Think How to Get Away with Murder, but set in a Korean law school. When a professor is found dead during a mock trial, students and faculty become suspects, and a former prosecutor-turned-professor (Kim Myung Min) is the prime accused.
The series smartly weaves legal ideas, courtroom rules, and the hard work of learning law in great detail. It shows the different reasons why people want to become lawyers and the challenges they face, from very smart but shy students to old professors with secrets. The dynamic between the students, especially the rivalry-turned-alliance between Han Joon Hwi (Kim Bum) and Kang Sol (Ryu Hye Young), adds depth to the suspense.
It’s a legal thriller, a whodunit, and a law school drama rolled into one—perfect for those who love intellectual puzzles.
Suspicious Partner (2017) – Romance, Revenge, and a Psychopath on the Loose
Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun star in this legal rom-com-thriller hybrid. It follows a prosecutor and his trainee who get entangled in a strange murder case.
Noh Ji Wook (Chang Wook) is a no-nonsense prosecutor, while Eun Bong Hee (Ji Hyun) is a determined rookie with a knack for landing in trouble. What starts as a work relationship slowly turns into a complicated romance as they work together to find the truth and clear Bong Hee’s name.
Suspicious Partner does a great job of mixing an interesting crime investigation with nice character stories and funny conversations. The legal parts are interesting, but it’s the connection between the main characters and their journey of learning to trust each other that really makes this show special.
It’s got everything—chemistry, mystery, and legal showdowns—making it a must for fans of legal dramas with a side of romance.
Juvenile Justice (2022) – The Harsh Reality of Youth Crime
Kim Hye Soo stars as Judge Shim Eun Seok, a cold, no-nonsense judge who despises juvenile offenders—until she’s assigned to a juvenile court. The series dives into the dark, often heartbreaking world of youth crime, questioning whether punishment or rehabilitation is the right path.
Each episode tackles a different case, from school violence to shocking crimes committed by minors. The show doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity, forcing viewers to question their own biases about justice.
This gritty, insightful drama questions the idea of “innocence” and the legal system’s flaws.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Watch First?
If you want:
- Heartwarming brilliance? Extraordinary Attorney Woo
- Dark political intrigue? The Devil Judge
- A legal whodunit? Law School
- Romance + thriller? Suspicious Partner
- Gritty social commentary? Juvenile Justice
- Action + drama? Vincenzo
Each of these K-dramas offers a unique take on the legal genre, ensuring you’ll be fully prepped—and thoroughly entertained—before diving into Law and The City.
Which legal Kdrama will you start with? Let us know in the comments!
