An action drama but without that much action.
Apparently, two of my favorite actors did a drama together and I didn't know about it. Having just watched Vincenzo, I wanted something in a similar vein to watch next. That proved to be my biggest mistake. I was expecting a funny and dark law drama, with a bit more romance, but "Lawless Lawyer" isn't exactly that. Although sharing a similar theme, this drama focuses more on the corruption in the legal system, and how people can use it to harm others.My first impression of this drama was that it would be full of action, but it ended up being more about meetings and people talking, which isn't bad, but wasn't exactly what I expected from the first episode.
Our main character is Bong Sang-Pil, a badass lawyer raised by gangsters after his mother's death. To avenge her death, he moves back to his hometown to execute a plan he's been working on his entire life. Our female lead, and romantic interest, is Ha Jae-Yi, a strong lawyer who gets suspended for hitting a judge (well deserved, by the way), and ends up returning to her hometown to start over. What bothers me about Jae-Yi is that she starts as a strong female character and ends up being the damsel in distress, as in many other dramas. If you're going to write a strong character, make her strong and independent all the way to the end. Not to mention that everyone makes all the decisions for her. My digression aside, our two leads meet and together they try to take down powerful Cha Moon-Sook, everyone's favorite judge, and her minions.
There is a lot of discussion in this drama about corruption within the justice system, and how powerful media can be in changing people's perspectives. I think the concept of the story was good, but I was expecting something more unpredictable, because, although there's a lot of twists and turns, some of them felt forceful, and for the most part predictable, at least for me, as I guessed the biggest plot twist very easily. However, I think it's still a good story. Also the trailer is a bit deceiving in my opinion, as I was expecting way more action than what was presented (and I love action), instead we got a bunch of meetings that were boring at times. Also there's some illogical stuff that I had a hard time believing, principally with the type of characters we were presented with.
Now let's talk about romance. I like a good romance in any story, as long as it makes sense and is well constructed. I didn't dislike Sang-Pil and Jae-Yi's romance, but I also didn't like it. It had all the tropes of most drama love stories: unnecessary lying to protect female lead, miscommunication, overprotective male lead, they know each other from childhood, we need to break up for your protection and so on. I also didn't feel that much chemistry between the pair... yes, they look incredible together and had some sweet moments, but I always felt like something was missing, and I also felt that the romance could have been more explored and less rushed. And don't get me started on the borderline stalking backstory of the male lead, I understand the idea, but it's still a bit creepy, but I digress. Still, they were cute and fun to watch, even with all the clichés.
I also think they could have explored the Lawless Firm Gang more, as although there are more people, they only focus ( and not that much anyway) on only three people, but even with not much screen time they were a blessing to watch.
Now I need to talk about the villains. Honestly, to me they were the best part of the show. First of all, we have the typical bad guy, Ahn Oh-Joo, he looks and sounds like a bad guy, and although at the beginning he was extremely annoying, he grew on me, and by the end I liked him (as much as you can like a villain), I loved all his growth, and his dynamic with Bong Sang-Pil, that at times felt more like they were friendenemies than anything else. And of course brilliant and evil Chan Moon-Sook, this is what we call a strong female woman, that stood her ground till the very end, it's a shame she used all that brilliance for evil. Still for me she was the most memorable character, even though at times I just wanted to hit her in the face with a very large stick.
Acting/Cast: Lee Joon-Gi knows how to act, this man is brilliant in anything I've ever watch of him, and here isn't any different, his acting was engaging and strong, and honestly he portrayed Bong Sang-Pil in all his complexities very well. Seo Yea-Ji, is also an amazing actress, that I've watch already in a couple of other dramas, and I really like her versatility, she was also very convincing in her role, I'm just sad that the script didn't let her shine more. Choi Min-Soo, this man brought Ahn Oh-Joo to life, and I couldn't see anyone else playing his part, he was amazing and captivating. And of course, Lee Hye-Young was brilliant in this role, she portrayed the stone cold Cha Moon-Sook amazingly, and I think she deserves all the praise for this role. The supporting cast also did a great job.
Cinematography and Sound/Music: Starting with the easier one, I liked the OST, it wasn't anything special, but it got the job done, the sound mixing also was okay, and overall this drama sounded good. The cinematography was also average, and honestly I really disliked the shaky camera, and I get it, it was supposed to make the scene more tense, but it only made me feel dizzie, in addition, I think that the shots were bland and nothing special, but it's still watchable.
Will I watch this drama again? Probably not, I enjoyed the drama, and finished it pretty quickly, but since it's a very cliché drama, I don't feel it's stuck with me to the point of me wanting to rewatch it anytime soon. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you like law dramas, with very heavy political and justice themes, with memorable villains and a somewhat enjoyable romance.
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Don't come looking for romance
Very well-acted by the leads. Lee Joon Gi is always excellent. First, he's not a "pretty boy". Additionally, he seems to take on parts that allow him to be kind of morally gray. Seo Yi Ji was good, and for her part, she tends to pick strong female roles, which she does well. Storyline was very good. This isn't my go-to genre, but it was well done. This was NOT a romance (except ep 6) and I’m all about the romance. However, worse than that was the main bad guy - he was like a caricature of a bad guy (trying to be like Marlon Brando in The Godfather talking with a mouthful of marbles.,. His acting Really took me out of the story).Was this review helpful to you?
A complete blend of genre with crisp ending
Lawless lawyer is worth watching. This drama will exceed your expectation regarding law and crime genre. The plot does give justice to the viewers as it ends on a decent note with no rush at all. The 16 episodes will certainly satisfy you. The drama begins with a boom, you will see Bong Song Pil doing all the craziness to achieve what he wants. He will fight against he corrupt officials with the help of law and fist. Ha Jae Yi helps Song Pil as they share same past and lost loved ones due to one person only.The ending is satisfactory and the drama has some twists also. In the genre of crime and law, this drama is a sweet dish for you. As it is simple, continuous plot, no dragging of past, proper character development, no unnecessary cliché of corrupt prosecutors, and a clean cut acting by the leads.
I feel the best villain role has done by Choi Min Soo (damn his accent is mesmerizing).
Supporting characters are played well. The drama does carry some romance but it doesn't hinders with the revenge. You will complete this drama with no headache at all.
I guess you will feel recharged after watching this.
OST is also good, had only 4 songs. Opening song is worth listening. The bgm with the drum beats make this special gangster vibe.
Go ahead it's worth the time.
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This review may contain spoilers
The gray zone is almost black
Badass lawyer.I’ve seen it with Daredevil, and now also with our Lawless Lawyer.
As an aspiring lawyer I almost wish being one was like this (if there wasn’t the almost dying part all the time)
The fights were kinda hectic but engaging.
The story was driven by the main characters wish for revenge but his self-placed restraint, to stay as lawful as possible by wandering along the darkest depths of the gray zone, turned it into a pretty refreshing revenge story.
It is interesting to see how he pushes the pretty generic but still fun-to-watch villains into a corner and how they react to it.
The acting was great and a power couple was formed. The main character's crew was wholesome till the end.
I hope you consider giving this series a try.
Enjoy.
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Choi Min Soo is fantastic
I really wanted to love this series. Kind of reminded me of Vincenzo but more than that I was lookin for another lawyer show to watch. ML was also new to me and I'm quite fond of him now but the best part of the series ended up being the 2ml played by Choi Min Soo. To be honest I hated his character, Ahn Oh Ju and his mannerisms and voice affect were bothersome but over the course of the 16 episodes he grew on me plus his character had some of the best dialogue in the series and some legitimately funny scenes.I was really digging the show until around the 7/8the episode and at the point all credibiity plotwise went out the window. I was so effing annoyed by the plot changes that while I continued to watch inquiring minds wanted to know WTF were the writer's thinking when they came up with the drastic changes to series in episodes 7 and 8??
I also, need to find shows without a romantic element for some reason lately these romantic entaglements between the ML and FL almost always make a show go down hill.
Overall something to watch once but nothing to write home about!
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There was lots of action here and I really liked that. The fight scenes were also exciting and other scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a few plot twists throughout the story which I never expected and really enjoyed. Overall, it was very well written and portrayed by the actors. I would like it to have a lit bit more of romance it was like one scene more focused on the couple (I am not complaining on the scene because it was really good, they know how to kiss)and after that nothing more, but I get it this dramas was focused more on the action and the lawyers point of view.
Seo Ye Ji is amazing, she is the queen of the queens, her acting is different from other Korean actresses and that is why I love her. She emanates dominance, she is fire, she knows how to control, I love her.
I expected a more dramatic ending, but I loved it. I loved the chemistry between the two leads when they working together, the friendship between the squad, etc... It is a really good drama to watch.
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The best part of this drama was probably the character of Ahn Oh Joo and how well played he was by Choi Min Soo. All the stars to this actor!
All in all, it's good drama, one of the better works in Lee Joon Gi career and for the fans of his acting I would totaly recommend to watch it.
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A tale of two halves
For the first seven episodes this was really good show.The story was cut and paste, but the lead are effortlessy great, and have great chemistry. It was my first time watching ML, and I thought he really looked the part and was well cast. I know the FL from IOTNBO, and while this role is nowhere as good, she was still very charming and incredibly watchable.
I wasn't expecting much from the series. I just wanted a fun revenge story, and it was delivering that at the beginning.
Unfortunately in E8, one character made such an illogical decision that led to a very serious event. I would have let that pass if what followed had some logic.
Unfortunately, the plot started to become increasingly ridiculous. Characters behaving in such random way just to move the plot. Also, sometimes certain characters were introduced for one or two scenes to provide us with something the leads could use.
There were certain reveals, that made things worse, instead of giving us a shock.
Also, the court scenes were ridiculous. Granted, I am not a lawyer or Korean, but there are some basics.
You might ask why I didn't drop it?
The lead were really good and very watchable, and the show still had some good moments.
I always rate based on the entire series, so on the whole, it was a decent series, but ultimately disappointing.
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Great law series.
Definitely one of the greatest (if not the best) law kdrama, as of yet. Lee Joon Gi and main female lead, as well as the male villain, are incredible here. The story is very good, but the flow could be slightly faster at times, though it is still a great time and worth watching for anyone, unless you just like "dumb" rom coms only. To me, the ideal ballance of law, action, drama, romance and bit of comedy, as well. I really have no major complains, and I am satisfied with ending, as well, as it wasnt cheesy and it was original in a way and it brought closure. Recommend!Was this review helpful to you?
Really Cool Show But Could Have Been Better
Lawless Lawyer is an entertaining, fun show with some suspenseful aspects. I really enjoyed the beginning, but it began to fall flat for me toward the end, and the ending itself could have been better.What I Liked
Lee Joon Gi is a great actor and did well here. The agony Bong Song Pil experienced concerning his mother’s death was well portrayed, especially in the very beginning of the show.
Bong Song Pil (whose name I really like; just seems to roll off the tongue) and Ha Jae Yi made a great team, and I was rooting for them throughout the show. I really liked Jae Yi because she was strong and assertive and could really hold her own. She didn’t need anyone to tell her what to do or how to do it and didn’t need anyone to fight her battles for her.
The acting was done well. You just hated Cha Moon Sook and I felt Ahn Oh Joo was laughable in the way he carried himself, his slow, scratchy voice and shuffling gait. It was interesting to watch.
I liked the music for the most part, such as the theme song and I loved the intense piano riff, which was played at the right time. I especially loved the intense piano called "I'll Protect You," which I had to track down and repeatedly listen to. I wouldn’t say the music was spectacular but whenever I think of the songs it makes me want to watch the show, so I suppose it did its job well.
I liked the court scenes the most, especially in the beginning. I was at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I couldn’t always guess, and it kept me interested.
What I Didn’t Like
The show started to drag around episode 11, which seems to happen with a lot of kdramas for me. I enjoyed the court scenes but towards the end of the show they became lackluster and a bit predictable. Though the show started to pick back up around episode 14, it really dragged in episode 15 and 16. They constantly talked about what they were going to do to bring down Cha Moon Sook rather than actually doing it; there were too many 'lead up' scenes that seemed to just fill up space to reach 16 episodes.
I liked Bong Song Pil's team but sometimes their camaraderie and friendship seemed forced and, at times, a little annoying. They were pushing for the show to have some comedy but to me it just took away from the overall storyline.
The beginning felt more gripping, more emotional, but it seemed to fade by the end. Lee Joon Gi does an excellent job with very emotionally gripping scenes, and I felt the storyline called for that. I don’t see how Bong Song Pil could even be in the same room with the person who killed his mother and not be about to lose his mind. I understand he had to push his feelings aside to get justice, but I feel that he would still be struggling emotionally. More time could have been devoted to fleshing out the emotional side of the show rather than the comedic side, which often felt forced.
I didn’t really understand Cha Moon Sook and why she did all the things she did except that she’s just a sociopath. Most of the time, the viewer was left guessing what she felt about what she was doing to people. I wanted to see and understand her relationship with her father and the legacy she felt she was upholding. I felt we were closed off from understanding her completely.
The ending was alright, but I was disappointed in the last court scene. It was a bit predictable and didn't pack as much of a punch as the earlier court scenes. I felt the writing could have been stronger. I also felt that not all of the criminals got what they deserved in the end.
Would I Rewatch It?
Overall, I felt it could have been better but it was a really fun show to watch. I think with more emotion and a much stronger ending, it would've turned out to be a great show. I would rewatch certain scenes and episodes but probably not the show as a whole unless I haven’t seen it in years. I still would consider it one of my favorite kdramas.
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