A MUST WATCH Civil court drama with Eccentric FL Judge and Awesome ML judges..
Wow! Just wow! I just finished watching this one, and I am utterly impressed by the story, the acting and the overall scenario where the story revolves around.I have become big fan of the Judge Han who is supportive, caring and very righteous person. He is a true judge. Sung Dong il ajusshi is awesome in this role.
There is most eccentric female lead ever - Park Cha oh reum. She becomes judge to change the world and she truly gives her best in every case she handles in. She breaks all stereotypical behavior which is supposedly followed by every judge e.g. meeting the parties involved in case trial, having strong opinions and expressing them out loud, favoring the weak party involved etc. The character was really impressive. Go ah ra performed well but the character gave the edge to the acting. she could have been better.
Then comes our beloved Judge Im Ba reun! This role must have been important for L as it was his first role as Male lead and he did outstanding. Cold and aloof judge transforms into more lovable and supportive judge because of his colleague. He was different from Oh reum yet similar where He never compromised and always spoke his honest opinions regardless of hurting the other party. L will always be remembered as Im Ba reun Judge now.
Ryu Deok Hwan was cute as Judge Jung Bo wang. and Lee Do yeon was the coolest person in the whole drama. It was great pair where two contrasted each other yet were perfect. Their story is also lovely.
I liked the chemistry of every pair in this drama, including main pair, second pair and even Judge Han and his wife.
The cases shown were really different or rather they showed neglected issues in an unique manner. This was Civil court drama which showed real issues in society and portrayed them perfect.
Really gr8 drama!! Must Watch!!
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The script is outstanding and dialogues are intelligent. Anyone who is looking for a wise story and a wise commentary on life will find it here.
Thanks to the fact that drama is based on the novel of Moon Yoo Seok, it has a depth of character and thoughtful problems. It asks the question of what a justice is, what is the power of public opinion and money? And a very important one: is always a poor the victim?
Young judges have a great chemistry, I can even say that drama is full of electrifying romance, although they barely talking to each other and keep the distance between themselves almost all the time.
Sung Dong Il is my favorite actor. His judge Han is so warm and family man, but on the other hand very emotional, who instantly fights for justice.
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Heartwarming & Thought-Provoking
Oh boy, where do I even start with "Miss Hammurabi"? This drama had me hooked, made me think, and even made me laugh out loud. If you're contemplating whether to dive into this legal world, let me be your guide—trust me, it's worth it!**Story and Pacing**
First off, the story! It kicks off with an exciting bang, introducing us to the contrasting worlds of our main characters, Im Ba Reun and Park Cha Oh Reum. The initial episodes are electric, setting up a fantastic dynamic between these two judges who are polar opposites. However, I have to admit, there were a few episodes in the middle that felt like they were dragging their feet a bit. I found myself drifting, but then—BAM! The drama picks up again and finishes with such strength that it left me cheering. Seriously, the last few episodes are pure gold.
** Characters and Chemistry**
Now, let’s talk about the characters. Kim Myung-soo (L) as Im Ba Reun was a revelation. I went into this drama during an L appreciation binge, and boy, did he deliver. His portrayal of a serious, somewhat cold-hearted judge was spot-on. And those moments when his cute side peeked through? My heart melted. Go Ara as Park Cha Oh Reum was equally compelling. Her character is the kind of passionate, justice-driven rookie that you can't help but root for. Her backstory, revealed over time, adds layers to her character and made me fall in love with the drama even more.
The chemistry between the leads was subtle but oh-so-effective. This is slow-burn romance at its finest. It’s so slow that I almost forgot there was any romance until it popped up again—talk about playing the long game! Their relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding, which felt refreshing and realistic. Im Ba Reun's confession didn't create unnecessary drama; instead, it added depth to their dynamic.
Sung Dong-il as Chief Judge Han Se-sang? Absolute perfection. He brought a mix of seriousness and humor that kept the tone balanced. The interactions among all the characters felt genuine and heartfelt, making it easy to get attached to each of them.
** Themes and Realism**
What really sets "Miss Hammurabi" apart is its focus on real-life issues. The drama doesn't shy away from tackling heavy topics like workplace harassment, gender inequality, and the rich vs. poor divide. It’s like a mirror reflecting societal problems, but with a touch of hope and a call for empathy. The fact that the writer is a real-life judge adds an extra layer of authenticity to the courtroom scenes. I mean, how do they even find the time to write such compelling scripts? Kudos to Moon Yoo-seok!
The title "Miss Hammurabi" intrigued me, especially since it’s based on the ancient Code of Hammurabi, emphasizing justice and fairness. It’s a fitting name, especially with Park Cha Oh Reum’s character being the moral compass who sometimes goes too far, needing Im Ba Reun to pull her back to balance.
** Music and Final Thoughts**
And can we talk about the OST? It's simply beautiful. The music perfectly complements the scenes, enhancing the emotional impact without overwhelming the story. I especially loved the song that plays at the end of each episode, reminding me that "It’s alright, it’ll all be fine, someday." It was like a warm hug after a rollercoaster of emotions.
To wrap it up, "Miss Hammurabi" is a gem. It’s not just about the law; it’s about people, their struggles, and their growth. If you’re into slice-of-life dramas with a slow-burn romance and a whole lot of heart, give this one a shot. It’s a thoughtful, well-crafted series that might just make you see the world a little differently.
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pros
1. L's inner monologues
2. Go Ara. a lot of viewers always complain about her acting but to me I find it very natural and charming. loved her since BLACK
3. the instant chemistry between the leads. Right from the start you can see sparks already without it being forced. it's been a while since I shipped the main leads. they look cute together
4. I also shipped the second lead's love line (which I rarely do). rom-coms are full of second lead romances but I think a lot of them are just unnecessary fillers to keep the drama long
5. clever dialogues between L and Ara. their not just blurting out nonsense just for the sake of but really actual arguments that makes you even think for a second
6. the OST. I've said this once about LIVE's OST as well that when kdramas use an English song, it creates magic
7. Sung dong il. everything that this man touches turns into gold. every drama that he's in is a sure hit
8. to me this drama humanizes court judges. it really digs deep from their work to their daily lives (gosh I only found out through this drama that judges pay are so low)
9. the supporting characters were not just displays. From their co-workers to the imu's in the market all packed with their own quirky personalities, they were all fun to watch
10. I just want to bring up the fact that how amazing they look as high schoolers! I mean dramas often cast younger actors to play in the flashbacks but here they played it themselves, how the hell can they both look convincingly good as teenagers? daebak
11. every episode is like a buffet. there's so much happening in every episode that a lot of times an hour felt like 90 mins or so but I personally don't mind if with each episode its filling me with all the feels I need
12. great writing. I love how each cases reflects the character's personal lives which makes them more dynamic and I also love how the writers add depth to simple cases
13. love that last few moment at the end, what a clever twist! it was like a nice wink to sum up the whole series
cons
1. Judge Park's over righteousness. she's not called miss Hammurabi for nothing but it can get annoying at times that sometimes you just want to shake her (I don't know if it's really a con because Go Ara really played the part well)
2. Min Yong Joon. I never really understood what his intentions are
3. the last three episodes felt too slow and a bit boring TBH. It was just missing the fun which made the whole series unique
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an unexpectedly charming series
this is my all-time favorite drama, but I do not think it is for everyone.Miss Hammurabi was a very unexpected delight for me. I firmly believe everyone has "their book" out there; a book that they feel truly seen by, and that can impact their life, a connection I would chalk up to being a literary soul-mate with the author. Miss Hammurabi is "my drama."
the drama is one that follows a format similar to While We Were Sleeping, where each episode addresses a big picture topic, with underlying themes throughout the entire series. the thing that made Miss Hammurabi stand out for me was how real the topics were they were covering. the stories were not unnecessarily dramatized, nor were they overly simplistic and easy to digest. I know that the novel this series was based on was written by a real judge, and it truly translates into the drama. each episode feels like you genuinely are looking into the life and consequences of the cases these judges were hearing.
in addition to how grounded and impactful the overall story was, the main cast was amazing. the best way to describe their characters was...subtle, almost soft. again, the way they were portrayed felt so real, without the dramatics that is usually in dramas (and which are usually such an enjoyable and immersive part of dramas, making the successful absence of it notable). I especially resonated with L's character (true INTJ representation, which I really appreciated).
all this to say, the drama just felt so authentic, it would be difficult not to feel a connection to it, but you have to give it a few episodes to loop you into the story. it is one of those dramas that will truly shift the way you look at the world, even if only a little bit, because it gives you some real insight into the humanity of each person around you, the sign of great storytelling.
however, I would be wrong not to acknowledge, I do not think this drama is for everyone. I think a lot of the characteristics that drew me into the drama, the subtle, slow nature of reality, etc. probably would deter a lot of people who like more traditional drama style of storytelling, especially if you aren't one to continue a show if you don't like the first few episodes.
Miss Hammurabi is not for the times when you want a fast paced, edge of your seat distraction. it is the perfect drama for when you want to feel a bit of hope in reality, when you want something to give you a kick of inspiration to go out and make a change for yourself.
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Korea's Modern Day Judges Adversities Well Depicted
I took a break from my favorite romance dramas and thought I would delve into a bit of adversities and real life drama on judges and their work in modern day Korea. The title Hammurabi was interesting enough and when I looked up it's meaning, the dictionary says - "Hammurabi was a king of ancient Mesopotamia, known for putting the laws of his country into a formal legal code". Therefore, Go Ara was selected to play the role of Judge Park who is the Hammurabi of sorts in modern times.Passionate and idealistic rookie judge who stays by her beliefs and stands for justice.
The drama shares stories about the lives of ordinary people, their real life struggles and social issues in modern day Korea. Also, behind the courtroom shares the story of the life of judges, gossips and drama that takes place with more stories of it's own with lots of disputes, arrogance, old school thinking and more.
To bring about change and broader judgement sensory, Judge Park has the support and admiration from Judge Im (Kim Myung Soo "L") who happens to be Judge Park's crush from high school. Together they face challenges and are ridiculed as they stand up for their rights. However, the character that stood out strongest for me is Judge Han (played by veteran actor Sung Dong-il) an experienced chief judge who understands the harsh realities of life and is a righteous leader and mentor to both Judge Park and Judge Im.
The romance and love story in this drama were from very light to almost none. The chemistry between the two main leads were 'friendly' and not more. Well, I did ask for a break from romance dramas, so this drama was it. Lots of good legal cases and up-lifting orchestra music when there is a win or victory over the bad. Hmmm.....back to romance drama for me...
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It was interesting and refreshing to see the Judge's perspective in a court drama instead of the usual lawyer versus prosecutor setup, but I had my worries about the Romance tag there, which proved to be correct, this is very innocent and lacking in terms of romance so do not expect any skinship or kisses at all, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
The ending was a little rushed and disappointing though, a lot of things left unanswered regarding Oh Reum's "Oppa" and how she came to know him.
Acting/Cast: 8.5/10
Go Ah Ra was alright, despite what people say and I agree with most of it, I think the issue lies within the script and not the actress herself. Kim Myung Soo acted his part as the cold judge that slowly started to be more considerate of the defendants, it was nice but felt like the progress was too fast at times, and stalled, or even stepped back at times. Of course, nothing much to say about Sung Dong Il, his experience in acting really shows as he portrayed his emotions perfectly. Loving smile when presented with his daughters and wife, strict but caring with his co-workers, and angry with the people that abuse their power or forget their roles in the court.
Music: 9.0/10
Soundtrack was great and full of emotions, whenever something was going wrong I felt the instruments play on my heart's strings. :')
Rewatch Value: 6.0/10
I think the reason for the low score is mainly because of the ending. The drama wasted so much time on pointless scenes instead of clarifying each character's background properly. Especially so with Oh Reum and her chaebol "Oppa". I also wish they spent more time on side characters like the single mother or the one that had miscarriage, but seeing how they lacked the time to give closure on the main characters, I can't help but feel I was overestimating the show.
Overall: 8.0/10
I think it's quite enjoyable if you come with little expectations like I did. Do not expect much of the romance tag, and do not expect closure for every case.
Because this is a show about the characters gaining experience and making progress to be better judges, rather than a show about punishing bad people and putting them in jail. Some will be put in jail but the show will end with some lawsuit(s) halfway done.
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STORY
As we know, Park Cha Oh Reum is an idealistic and naive rookie judge whose goal is to make the world a better place, fight for the weak and make the powerful pay for their deeds. That's her idea of justice.
The story is original and different to that of any other legal drama I've ever watched. Most of the cases were food for thought, since they were presented from different perspectives, allowing viewers to draw our own conclusions. However, Judge Park's idea of justice (mercy for the powerless, dura lex for the powerful) is often upheld, in an attempt by the writers to make the viewers draw some particular conclusions —their conclusions.
This drama offers a rare glimpse into the legal world from the point of view of judges themselves, instead of lawyers or prosecutors' as we are used to. Only for this, Miss Hammurabi deserves some credit.
If you are looking for romance, this drama is not for you. There is some romance, but the drama is not focused on it.
ACTING
Judge Park usually forgets that justice and a fair trial entail objectivity and that being poor doesn't make you right. Gorgeous Go Ara's great acting captures this cluster of naivety, immaturity and kindness perfectly. She does it so well that makes you want to hug Judge Park when she cries out of powerlessness. Some think Go Ara's acting was poor; I don't agree.
Judge Im and Presiding Judge Han are also great characters that contrast with Judge Park's personality and provide the viewer with alternative points of view. Also, second leads are specially worth mentioning, particularly Judge Jung and stenographer Lee Do Yeon, who bring a lot of funny moments amid Judge Park's seriousness and near depression. A drama with them as leads would be awesome!
MUSIC
The music was good and beautifully completed the scenes. But it didn't make me feel anything special, so it's a 6.5.
WATCH/RE-WATCH VALUE
Should you watch this drama? My answer is a resounding YES! It's a great drama to binge, and it gets better with every episode.
Would I watch it again? I don't think so. But I would definitely welcome a second season.
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A nice "light" drama
While the story seems to lack in the first half, there is enough by the finale to provide some really emotional scenes, but the greatest thing regarding Ms. Hammurabi is the acting. While, again, I feel like character development took longer than expected, you just cannot dislike the characters from the very beginning. The OST is perhaps one of the strongest I have ever listened to and it has made me add the entire Ms. Hammurabi OST into a playlist for me to listen to and to one day remember about the memories while watching this drama.If, like previously mentioned, the story started strong from the beginning, the rating could have easily been bumped up to a 9, 9.5 or even possibly a 10, considering how easy to binge-watch it was. It's not like the first half was actually bad, I just had no clue what the story was or where it was heading. Anyways, once the story has been finally set out, you will go from liking this to loving this. A must watch!
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The stories of every case that the legal team had to face and how they reflected their personal lives was smooth and helped in the character development of each one. The character development of each and every character was also clear and evident from the main ones to the supporting ones. The viewer will be able to witness the characters' views get shaken and shifted which make them grow as a person/character or even break them. Every decision each character made was reflected in how their story concluded in the series. Bad decisions that only protected one's self interest and desire for power eventually led to the downfall of these characters. I especially liked how the older generation also grew because of the younger generation - they realized that their ways were not working anymore and were enlightened by the new ones leaving them reassured of a better future.
Each episode had a distinct issue they wanted to emphasize. Not every issue was resolved they way we would want it to be but they were surely loyal to how the law would have it. Sure, sometimes they favored the less powerful or less privileged but they made sure that the other side was also explained so that both sides of the story can be seen. What is consistent with every case though is that it showed that every human being has a good side and that we are all just struggling in life. It also displayed how sympathy plays a big role in living life as human beings and being kinder to one another. Not to mention the idea that every person also breaks at some point. But most of all, it resonated with hope.
As an Infinite fan, I am definitely proud of L (Kim Myungsoo) in this drama because it shows his growth as an actor. Besides his cute soft moments, I especially liked his fierce angry scenes because it showed his duality and versatility as an actor. Some moments were still awkward and need improvement to be more natural but the thing with L is, is that he is continuously learning and improving so I have no doubt he will do better in his next project.
This drama is definitely one that made me more aware of myself as a human being. It isn't a light one but there are light moments despite the heavy ones which just goes to show how life really is and that every human being goes through something similar.
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Initially, I heard that this series is very intriguing, but not quite popular outside of Korea. I understand why: this drama depicts main social problems lingering around in Korea that we, as mostly westerners, might think of as a bit weird. Especially sexual assault and lack of leadership of being a woman. Miss Hammurabi - an eye-opening drama that lets you peek inside of the wonderful and tiring world of judges. The characters: unique, a small little family that you'd want to be a part of. Each character of the department has their own little story and problems. But I'm guessing my favorite characters were from Department 44, especially Oh Reum and Ba Reun - two completely different individuals who come to respect, love and rely on each other. There wasn't a lot of romance which is a bit of a bummer, but it didn't ruin the whole show watching experience. It had to be work and case-solving based and not romance. The highlights of this drama had to be and still are all of those little cases and the victims with their unique stories + the stunning cinematography and the ear-blessing OST.
Once again, this drama was really eye-opening and sweet. Maybe a bit too heavy to watch on a hot summer afternoon, I'd say watch it during fall when it's rainy outside to create the best vibe to watch Miss Hammurabi. It's something I'd re-watch myself too, maybe when the weather gets a bit chilly!
(Edit: the ending is very well though-out and quirky, love it so much)
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