This review may contain spoilers
The story being told in an unagitated & well-rounded way unfolds its unique (I´d say: high) quality
"Divorce Attorney Shin" is actually based on the webtoon of the same name by Kang Tae-kyung. The KDrama comes with the handwriting of the same screenwriter as i.e. "Thirty Nine", "Always" and "Encounter" – Yoo Young-ah. In the case of "Divorce Attorney Shin" once again shows off her strengths: drawing true-to-life, sensitive portraits of friendship and relationship dynamics with plenty of ordinary life of ordinary people. In "Divorce Attorney Shin" you get (also thanks to marvelous actors/actresses!!) authentic, lifelike characters and circumstances. In this case with sometimes maybe a bit weird, but loving details. With characterful esprit. Unagitated. At times a joy to the heart. Almost soul food."Divorce Attorney Shin" tells stories from the red-hot everyday life of many people in South Korea, which is increasingly about divorce. The number of divorces in the country is currently going through the roof. The topic becomes almost normal madness. KDrama understands this just as such. Divorce is normal. Not nice. Not desirable. Not originally intended. But often unavoidable as the next step. And sometimes maybe...
(A bit tongue-in-cheek: the title. Attorney Shin's name "Shin Seong-han" literally means "sacred" in Korean. Thus, his name tag "Shin Seong-han, Divorce" becomes a provocative play on words. Attorney Shin is also the man for the cases when the ´holy state of marriage´ has faltered...)
There are many reasons and circumstances behind such a momentous decision as divorce ( ... and it may always accompanied by a bit of shame and feeling of failure, which needs to be digested emotionally). Some of them come along enrobed in different cases. They are weaving their way around the frame of the story, the main focus of which are three old friends – above all, however, divorce lawyer Shin Sung-han. One of the recurring scenes is the small but finely drawn retro lawyer's office with a wooden sliding door that sometimes gets stuck, which you quickly grow fond of. Also, Shin's apartment with retro-style hi-fi, where he spends his evenings listening to loud Trot music, preferably singing and drinking soju from a wine glass. And then the cozy Ramyeon restaurant around the corner from the office. Added to this is the special relationship between Shin and a client who ultimately joins the team and another young lawyer, who somehow stumbles over Shins piano skills into the office. And then there's his own past as a gifted pianist and the reason why he's no longer one.
Kudos to the layered nuances that paint the complex environment in which divorce tends to be embedded. No divorce is like the other. But most of the time, divorce hurts or hurt started before and therefore led to it. "Divorce Attorney Shin" touches on a multifaceted assortment of backgrounds and triggers over the course of 12 episodes short-term critical circumstances and long-term effects, emotional suffering and opportunities, economic chains and hopes, social stigmas and societal prejudices, and then, too, self-doubt, as well as collateral damage and sacrifice. It's not always just 'the others' who are affected, but the controversial issue of divorce is getting very close to almost all of the protagonists. JTBC attacks a hot social topic with the KDrama.
"Divorce Attorney Shin" offers all this embedded in a variation of slice-of-life. Leisurely, cozy and enjoyable – and therefore digestible. But it's not at all harmless. There is plenty of law-and-order with a comprehensive arc of suspense. On the one hand, this is the professional talent of our protagonist – although not his only one. On the other hand, there is his own family history, marked by the pain of separation and divorce, which is unexpectedly stimulated anew. The dramaturgical dynamic of the story is increasingly gaining momentum and ultimately steers inevitably towards Shin's very personal showdown, where justice is fought – not with firearms or fists, but according to the law, with evidence and with a sense of proportion, heart and mind.
In my opinion, the story finds an extremely fine nuance on all levels, which shows an ever deeper effect over time. Subtle but lasting. I would associate (not timbal, but) Koshi chimes – depending on topic and episode, sometimes more in the timbre of Aqua, sometimes more in the timbre of Aria, sometimes more in the timbre of Ignis, and sometimes more in the timbre of Terra... The story being told in a coherent and well-rounded way unfolds its very unique (I´d say: high) quality.
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SIDE NOTE: --- Trot ---
KPop is a 2000ff phenomenon in Korean music history and by now even most non-KDrama fans are familiar with it. ´Trot´ however probably is less known. But beware: maybe in the not too distant future there will also be a KTrot, who knows...
'Trot' dominated the Korean music scene – as the earliest form of popular music in the peninsula. Trot is less well known to the rest of the world, but has experienced an enormous revival in its own country in recent years, which is now taking the genre even beyond national borders, too. "Divorce Attorney Shin" presents one of the hits, which was released brand new in 2020 on the CD "9 Stories" by Trot old master Na Hoon-a. The 72-year-old landed a megahit, with its YouTube video being viewed 25 million times and thus temporarily relegating the superstars BTS and Blackprint to their places. Korean cultural export strategists are smart and quick. The song promptly finds its well-staged place in the appropriate KDrama with "Divorce Attorney Shin", which also takes the direct route to the international audience via the Netflix streaming platform…
'Trot' grew on Korean soil and is quite retro in its foxtrot and slowtrot beat derived from standard dance. 'Trot' goes back to the time during the Japanese colonial period and the import of the 'enka', mixed at that time with the folksy, epic pansori lamentations (at least for me often reminiscent of flamenco), as well as the traditional aesthetically harmonious, lyric poem form Siga. However, due to its entangled roots with the Japanese 'enka', 'Trot' fell under censorship from the 1960s onward and only resurfaced in the 1980s. However there was also J-pop , hip hop and rap allowed to reach the masses and with that influence the then upcoming new and hip KPop pushed 'Trot' into the background.
Only now, when KPop is firmly established, does interest and space for something 'new', identity-establishing traditional obviously open up again. There may be something old-fashioned about ´Trot´, since young people are more familiar with it via their grandparents generation. However, the music triggers a nationally rooted, melodramatic emotionality... It's quite possible that a contemporary, new variation of internationally hip KTrot will develop over the course of the next few years. At least the trot is rediscovered – not first – but also by "Divorce Attorney Shin"...
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1So, what’s this drama about again?
When you look at the drama pedigree of a writer you get an insight into what to expect. Yoo Young Ah likes to lay on the pressure from the outside and watch her characters squirm. She went from one sparse, filmic idea in “Encounter” to an overabundance of heavy melo themes in “Thirty Nine”, so where is this one going to land?Well, “Attorney Shin” falls somewhere between “Encounter” and “Thirty Nine” which is sort of unfortunate because it fails to find a distinct voice for itself. The heavy melo is pulled right back as it progresses but returns to wallow a little at the end. It all feels too weighty for the context that carries it. Is that just me and my Western preferences? The real problem however, is that there is no obvious driving force for the plot, no real central core idea or theme. The result is that it ambles along with the pacing of at least a 16 part drama if not a 50 part one and I suspect that this is what Yoo Young Ah finds difficult to master in her transition from film to drama.
You have to wait until the end of Episode 6 for any substantial theme to really get going. But what is it? Is it revenge? Is it guilt? Well sort of maybe… Then towards the end it finally emerges from the peep show that it’s been playing with you, but far too late in the piece to compensate you for the wait. If Yoo Young Ah is aiming for the type of territory that Park Hae Young likes to inhabit (My Mister, My Liberation Notes) which is incisive, insightful, slice of life with limited plot, then it’s not quite got the daring that her sunbae so ably plays with. The characters are too close to conformity to really strike the depth and thoughtfulness required and the melo is forced.
In a drama that homes in on believability the antagonist was the least convincing character and needed way more airtime early on to make her motivations and underlying emotions more credible. Because she was the weakest character the quasi revenge plot had no real anchor-point and instead became an untethered buoy tossed about by the waves.
Sorry guys, but I do just have to get something off my chest at this point about the melo. The first episode plunges you right into it and winds on up getting more hysterically tear-fuelled in Episode 2. Then we sail merrily on to the obligatory wringing of hands and instant about-face of a truly obnoxious, self-serving asshole who suddenly sees The-Light-on-the-Road-to-Damascus and falls to their knees as a penitent sinner aspiring to sainthood. Hallelujah! It’s a miracle!! Praise the Lord!!! Such false and hypocritical sentimentality is unfortunately the bain of these dramas and it really hacks me off. Listen up guys, obnoxious, self-serving assholes don’t change overnight if they ever change at all. And yes, I too wish that they did, but really, truly, they don’t.
Okay rant over, let’s find out what I liked.
There’s a beautifully realised vein of humour running throughout that centres around the camaraderie of three middle-aged men. Both the script and the actors bring it to life delightfully and it is the beating heart of the story.
Cho Seung Woo makes a wonderful job of the sincere but bordering-on-dorky lawyer with an execrable taste in trot music that his 100% slather-over-desirable stereo system is (surely) mortified and embarrassed to play. (I think my musical taste would honour you far more sincerely and I am quite happy to pay for shipping costs if you should ever have the desire to re-home yourself.)
Second up is the character actor, Jung Moon Sung, whom I have a soft spot for. He can play anything well, from a gangster to this current incarnation as a clueless but fiercely loyal real-estate agent with a reprehensible taste in shirts.
Finally there is Kim Sun Kyun who warms your cockles by playing the bumbling, oblivious heartthrob in desperate need of a razor.
Unfortunately, Han Hye Jin fails to convince as the embarrassed radio host. She plays the part as though she’s trying to imitate how she imagines someone might act, rather than grabbing the internal reality of it. As a result she looks awkward in all the wrong ways.
It was a pretty nondescript OST. And to whoever did that bloody awful rendition of the Moonlight Sonata (obviously not Lim Yun Chan…) the accent in the first movement, if anywhere, should be on the first note of the triplet not banging away on the last one causing all sorts of rhythmic chaos.
Overall there was enough in this drama to make it watchable and immersive for the viewer. But it was like having a few tasty components in a meal that doesn’t leave you feeling satisfied afterwards.
(For those in the know) Beware! Classic Trebuchet Incident Alert…
What my rating means: 7+ A watchable drama, but nothing exceptional. Good enough to qualify for the race, but finished with the pack. The sort of thing that promises more than it delivers.
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A Refreshing Side of Cho Seung Woo - Divorce - Class Difference and Social Issues
I love Cho Seung Woo as the corky Hwang Shi Mok in the Stranger series. It is the best he has ever done as an actor. Still, I would be remiss not to enunciate how much I enjoy him as Shin Sung Han, a great pianist turned divorce lawyer. I've never seen Cho Seung Woo like this, which could be why I greatly appreciate the character. His approach to the role of an uncle, friend, lawyer, and brother is brilliant. It suits him so much that it's hard to separate the actor from the character. I love how each episode addresses or tries to shed light on different divorce scenarios, and even though it's viewed as evil, sometimes it's a necessary evil. More importantly, I love SSH's approach to it.I commend the writer for Shin Sung Han, but all the credit goes to Cho Seung Woo for embodying such an intelligently funny, creative, caring, simple yet complicated man driven by love, grief, and the need for justice. It's not just Cho Seung Woo that shines in this drama. I love his tight-knit friendship with Jeong Moon Seong and Kim Seong Kyoon, how they feed off each other while at the same time always being acutely aware of each other's weaknesses, strengths, and pains, no words needed, knowing when to give each other the space they need and when to be each other's comfort. Truly each other's extensions. They are an accurate depiction of what and how friendship should be. I love it.
Many people try to hold on to a union for the wrong reasons. Some people do it solely for their children. Some do it because they think divorce will make them a failure and their family and society will ostracize them. Some even do it because they don't believe they can survive financially. The easiest thing to do to solve a problem is absolutely nothing. But, when one does nothing to appease family or society, that doesn't make the problem disappear. No one goes into a marriage thinking they will divorce. However, certain things in a marriage, be it gaslighting, cheating, or abuse (physical, mental, emotional), are unforgivable and require a divorce for the mental health of all involved. Getting a divorce, especially in a society such as South Korea and others like it, where it is considered taboo, has to be one of the most complex, if not the most frightening, decisions; I admire Divorce Attorney Shin for trying to convey in their special way that these are all pitfalls and misconceptions that stand in the form of progress.
I loved this drama's journey, but most importantly, I loved the ending. Yes, it was very K-drama-like, but I still liked it a lot. As much as Divorce Attorney Shin is about the social issues and suffering that arise from a hierarchical institution that, without thought or consequences, openly accepts social discrimination regarding different class marriages, divorce, custody issues, broken family relationships, parenting rights, and gender stereotypes, it is also an inspirational, dramatic story about adults and children struggling to live their mundane lives with these inherited issues. But rather than give in, they fight to be the change they want to see happen, to find their own way to a happy and fair life with the support of friendships and family ties that transcend blood relations.
The drama touches on many social issues, but none more important than the inequality perpetuated by the influence of historically structured social class differences that drive inequality and remain a hindrance to change. But the core of the story for me is the friendship between three friends who have a stronger bond than blood, which is the charm of this drama. I like that Shin Sung Han's final battle was not just about winning but about righting the wrongs adults made, yet a child was paying the price, one that was very personal to him. I will admit I thought the drama should have taken a much stronger stance towards the Vietnamese wife and the stepmom rather than backtrack on its strong message with the different cases it portrayed early on. I hope the message this drama tries to convey gets across, regardless. Yes, it's a work of fiction, but as far as I am concerned, there is always some truth in every fictional story.
Kudos to all the actors -- the adults but especially the child actors, the little men of this drama Kang Hyeon-U and Seo Gi-Yeong, who are mature far beyond their little ages, suffering in silence to protect those they love. They put the adults to share. Lastly, I would be remiss not to praise Noh Susanna, who was brilliant as Jin Yeong-Ju, the materialistically socially obsessed evil stepmom and wife who couldn't escape the influence and, worse, the trap of class hierarchy. I will miss Cho Seung Woo, but I hope to see him in Stranger 3, where he shines the most if the K-drama gods allow it.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the decent law drama with refreshing plot
I never thought I would enjoy a law drama with a slower pace compared to the thrilling ones out there, but Divorce Attorney Shin proved me wrong in the best way possible. It was a little melodramatic at times, very melancholic yet also very fun and addictive to watch unfold.What makes this drama shines the most was mostly because of the golden trio with all their weird antics and behavior, never thought I love me some adults men that build their friendship from an emotional bonding and being just a perfect platonic soulmates for each other. Their scenes really got me feels all happy and warm and not to mention they were also funny as heck!
The cases in this drama was fairly simple, but that was what made it even better as it feels closer to the watcher than ever, and I just adore how calm Shin Seung Han's character is when handling his cases and even in the last trial, he handled his emotion really professionally
The relationship between the characters in the drama was really amazing, they were all really considerate and kind towards each other; not betrayal, no backstabbing and no extra drama; just pure old friendship and new friendship bonding over the time. Also, Gi Yeong and Hyeon U is the bestest boy ever!
However, I feel like they did not explain the chronology of the divorce case of Ju Hwa's and their custody case really well, because I get confuse with the timeline and what exactly happened between Ju Hwa and that Young Joo woman, why is she claiming that she is the rightful wife of Jeung Geuk? I don't know, it feels a little confusing and feels like there's something not explained well even till the end
Overall, it was a decent watch for a law drama, a little confusing at times but the main characters and their relationship with each other really made this drama feels so good and fun to watch
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True Bromance
Divorce Attorney Shin (2023)Likes
1. The best thing about the show is the bromance between the 3 guys. They are so close, they know when one is crying or hurting. They do things without asking if it's going to help the other. They laugh at each other and eat and drink together.
2. I also like Seojin although the affair was wrong, i hope that she recovers from her trauma and start her healing. I thought there was going to be a romance between Shin and SJ but it's better to remain friends for now.
3. I also liked the side love story of Hyeong Gun and Soyeon. And the ex wife.
Dislikes
I felt like although the 12 eps were tight and fast paced, it also felt like we missed a little background. Like why the big change from pianist to divorce lawyer? It felt like the motivation to protect his nephew wasnt enough twist or plot. What went wrong with the sister's marriage and why is the second wife so evil? It just wasnt explained that well to understand the real issues. So an extra 1-2 eps would have helped.
Otherwise i loved the drama. The only thing missing was camping with the 3 guys, 2 ladies and the 2 boys.
Rating: 8.25/10
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One of the best Kdrama i have watched in 2023!
Divorce Attorney Shin (2023) is such an under-rated drama. Everyone is tuning in to idol-lead or young actors-lead Kdramas and have left out this gem. It's a pity really.There was no rom-com shit and nonsense. which often make a drama annoying.
There were no handsome/pretty idols who can't act, being chucked in to boost ratings.
This drama was fully of emotions and amazing actings.
The lead actor Cho Seung-woo conveyed his emotions so well that at times he seamlessly blend into his charismatic role as an attorney. I forgotten i was watching a drama. The supporting actors and actresses are amazing.
I love love Cha Hwa-Yeon who acted as Giyeong's grandmother. She is so sophisticated and i was surprised at the turn of her character. I thought she was an evil person. Turned out she was such a loving and protective grandmother who also loved her late-daughter-in-law Shin Ju Hwa.
I felt that the scriptwriter should have done Han Hye Jin more justice. She is such a great actress.
The friendship between Cho Seung-woo , Jung Moon-sung and Kim Sung-kyun was so adorable and supportive.
Not forgetting the fantastic child actors.
Kim Joon-eui who acted as Seo Gi-yeong
Jang Sun Yool who acted as Kang Hyeon Woo
They will grow up to be one of the leading actors in Kdrama soon!
It's so sad that this drama has to end. T_T
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This review may contain spoilers
This was a very watered down drama with heavily loose trials thrown in. This drama shouldn't have been called Divorce Attorney Shin...It should've been called the American version of Friends because that's basically how the show went. Three best friends hanging out on a daily basis with a few watered down cases involved.I watched this drama because I love the three male leads. I've enjoyed seeing each in their own respective dramas. I didn't know the MML knew how to play the piano!! Of all the dramas I've seen him in, his piano skills was never introduced or I missed something. It's good to see hidden talents of actors though.
That trot music and them singing...waste of drama minutes for me!
I did like the second FL who worked in her grandmother's restaurant. I didn't care for the first FL. She was too fluffy for me. Her doom and gloom facial expressions was what irked me the most. She did outshine in the last episode where she went off on one of her viewers. If they would've made her a bit more feisty throughout the series then maybe I would've liked her. The mother and son duo with her didn't mix either. It was awkward to say the least. The kid had better sense than the mom.
Other characters that was apart of the law firm was useless. The new male lawyer was annoying to say the least.
The mediocre cases that was presented made me wonder what was the point?
I did, though, like how they portrayed how children react to adult problems. Kids are more in tune with their surroundings more than you think. Those two little boys out did the adult actors!!
I also had a problem with how slow each episode was. Either I'm losing interest in things a lot faster with these dramas or they're that slow. By golly I found myself pausing each and every episode more than 5 times. Don't even get me started on the last episode...OMG!!! It was only 1:20 but it felt way longer than it should've been.
In my reviews I always capitalize on the last episode because that's suppose to bring in the closure of all the previous episodes but a lot of the times the last episode is redundant. This sort of was. By the end only a few just desserts was served. In my opinion I really wanted the new wife to get obliterated but nothing came to be and that made my blood boil.
I've been hitting a lot of Korean drama slumps lately! I don't care for a lot of rom-coms but that seems to be all that's left. I'm hoping Korea will bring some better dramas that aren't slow paced and don't have any romance in it...Otherwise I'll be going back to my old routine before I knew Korean dramas existed.
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It's full of human emotion 10+10+10+10+10
This is one of the best shows on Netflix. It would be a huge pity to stop at only 12. I hope that anyone out there with influence, will please push for more. The acting was so real I wanted to meet all of the performers. The characters were so real I wanted to meet many of them as well. I have been binge-watching Korean shows for less than a year and I am irredeemably addicted. I wish I had discovered this well-spring of extraordinary entertainment a long time ago and been able to share it with others. I have learned so much about the rich Korean culture I long to go there myself. I want to explore modern cities and small towns along the seashores. I want to see some of the historic sites used in historical films and temples that are revered by the Korean people.My sincerest applause.
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A Brilliant Drama
This Drama was Unexpected. Fresh, Intelligent, Hilarious in parts, Gentle, Loving, Compassionate, Brilliantly Acted, Fabulous, Perplexing, a lot of 'Gay' overtones, Realism. Fun. Edginess, Heartbreaking, Insightful, An incredible Kaleidoscope of Humanity. Perceptive, Creative, In short it was a Gem. Thoughtful, Transcendent, a bit of a fanciful at times,Loved the restaurant and the Camping Scenes. and the leads amazing dancing and singing. The three bosom buddies ate and threw back enormus amounts of alcohol together through a large part of the Drama. Koreans seem to love their food and alcohol. Sadness. Joy, Cruelty, Every possible Emotion,
I really treasured this Drama with a difference. The Male lead gave a stunning performance and was supported by an incredible, awesome cast .
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This review may contain spoilers
I watched because of actor Cho Seung Woo
I resisted “Divorce Attorney Shin” because the titke didn’t exactly excite me. I figured it was one of those awful revenge type dramas.However, I was pleasantly surprised with the humorous scenes between characters. I especially loved the friendship between Shin Sung Han, Jang Hyung Geun and Jo Jung Shik. They either had me laughing so hard that I was crying or I was crying because of the way they looked out for each other.
This is the 4th drama of Cho Seung Woo’s that I’ve watched. He just never disappoints me. Yet my favorite until this one was Stranger 1 and 2.
I always perk up when I see that Jung Moon Sung is starring in a drama. This is also the 4th drama of his that I’ve watched.
When I see that Park Yoo Seok is in a drama I always wonder what kind of awful person he’s going to portray. He never disappoints me as villain.
Also, the piano is my favorite instrument so I loved piano scenes.
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This review may contain spoilers
Solid
Divorce Attorney Shin is a solid drama that has some great performances from all cast members, great characters, some surprising minor twists to the main story, and addictive OST. I can always tell when a drama is enjoyable when the episodes of 1 hour feel more like 15-20 minutes. The story got me hooked in, and I also liked the majority of the 'side stories'. I also really liked the bromance here especially, and the rivalry between the ML and the villainess.There are a few things I weren't too keen on. The main thing was a personal pet peeve that most probably didn't catch. But I didn't like the way the children spoke, i.e. they spoke like the adults. I know kids can be smart etc. but the words that came out of their mouth were sometimes so over-philosophical or logical that it took the immersion out temporarily and made me think 'What did he just say? How does he know such a word?'. The other thing I wasn't to keen on was one of the story arcs for one of the female characters, although this didn't hamper my enjoyment too much in the end.
I also wanted to note I was a big fan of the direction. The director knows their craft well. It's a very rare occasion for me to praise directing so well but honestly I think I could probably put this drama as the best directed.
All in all, I do recommend this. My review does look like it should be higher than an 8.5/10. However, despite it's greatness, personally, I didn't get as emotionally attached as I do, otherwise I guess this would have been a 10/10 for me. However, this can easily be a 10/10 for you! So what are you waiting for? Go and watch this!
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As expected from a drama starring Cho Seung Woo
As expected from a drama starring Cho Seung Woo, this drama will never disappoint you. And the main fact that blew my mind away was the cameos in it. idk if all the veteran actors just decided that this was the drama of the year, but almost all the cameos are by veteran actors and there's hardly any new face in this drama.The story itself is wholesome and melts your heart in so many ways. The target age group is mostly middle age but I think it's a nice to watch drama for young adults as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, to the point where 12 episodes seems very little to me and I was at a loss after every episode, cuz I was so deeply into it.
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