Was this review helpful to you?
The Lawyer Everyone Wishes Existed
Pro Bono is another legal K-drama that reminded me why I never get bored watching what happens inside a courtroom. Almost every two episodes introduce a new case—animal abuse, abortion rights, corruption, religion, sexism, and more. These cases are not just fillers; each one pushes the story forward while shaping the characters in meaningful ways. That balance is exactly what I love about legal dramas.Kang Da Wit stands out the most. His idealism, empathy, and sharp logic make him refreshing to watch, and it’s no surprise he became a meme in my country. Many people jokingly—and sincerely—wish there were a lawyer like him handling real, high-profile cases here. He represents the kind of justice people hope for.
What makes Pro Bono satisfying is how everything connects. The cases, emotions, and character growth come together neatly by the end. If you enjoy thoughtful legal dramas with social relevance and heart, this one is highly recommended.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Surprisingly great drama.
Saw the ratings and having seen Oh My Ghost Clients (although a good show as well) didn't have insane expectations other than a feel good show similar to Oh My Ghost Clients, however I was pleasantly surprised at how the legal battles and power struggles were represented in this show.Cool concept of a judge being turned into a pro-bono lawyer, done really well with the corruption scandal, leaves you wondering who was behind it and WHY they were behind it. The show sets up the MC as a scummy person vying for power and fame, prioritizing them over achieving justice - however with his backstory it adds an extra layer to his actions and provides further depth on to why he acts this way.
Thought it would just be a case to case show where they look into certain injustices going on, and solve them however he faces numerous obstacles on his path to success. It presents his high level of legal intelligence through the lens of the judge, whilst presenting challenges due to his inexperience as a pro-bono lawyer. It presents him as competent, but still needing room for growth and development, and someone who realizes the worth of his team and role. His character is very funny, someone who is very "arrogant" but fails a lot, however doesn't let it waver them and continues to keep trying to win. His competitiveness truly shines against his opposing defendant lawyer, who truly has no morals and will do anything for money, testing the MC's ability to overcome even the most outrageous of circumstances within a courtroom.
Each case is explored well and presents a new angle and challenge for the MC, and the pro bono team around him challenges him and assists him well to provide a new angle to each and one of them, making them individually stand out. They all have their own motivations, issues and personality, and they mesh well to form a singular team. Nothing is easy for them, and they bond through facing adversity throughout, without mindlessly believing in the MC. They don't rush to conclusions either, and are willing to hear other sides and commit their own research to find the truth, which is very refreshing to see.
The law firm CEO is just kinda an asshole, for no reason too, even to his own daughter. Like I don't really even get his character he's just evil and powerful, but I guess the main focus was how his evilness impacted his daughter growing up. The evil in this show are kind of just evil for the sake of it, for power or money, no real depth towards them. Although the daughter being greedy for power made sense since early on, her character is still kind of dull, alongside the defendant lawyer who simply hates the MC because he stole his love for a bit, which was just kind of a weak explanation for everything. At the very least, the MC didn't submit and left of his own terms, but their arc is kind of disappointing.
The MC achieves revenge and justice whilst developing as a character and enveloping layers with each new case, and the actor is truly one of the better for law related dramas. From Oh My Ghost Clients, Pro Bono and Prison Playbook he has shown his ability and versatility to stand out. The romance between him and the main female of the Pro Bono team is pointless, because it never even is close to developing. Were they trying to tease it, or was it just a simple soulmates situation? It's kinda unclear the intention between the two, why they're the closest of all, and her character is definitely the more disappointing of the Pro Bono team, since it is barely developed or focused on.
Overall a surprisingly great show, typically shows can't balance these aspects very well, however Pro Bono does it well bar a few hiccups near the end surrounding the villains (and how easy it was to take them down).
Was this review helpful to you?
A Refreshing Blend of Heart Justice n Humor
Pro Bono is easily one of the most engaging legal dramas to watch. It balances serious societal issues with clever humor, making every episode enjoyable from start to finish.The story follows a ragtag team of lawyers taking on unusual and challenging pro bono cases for ordinary people who cannot afford expensive legal representation. Rather than focusing solely on dry legal jargon, the series focuses heavily on human emotions, moral dilemmas, and the fight for justice against unfair systems.
Jung Kyung-ho gives a phenomenal performance as the lead. His expressions, comedic timing, and emotional range bring the character to life and carry the show effortlessly. The dynamic among the pro bono team members grows on you, and watching them learn to trust and rely on each other makes the journey very satisfying.
The individual cases handle meaningful topics—such as animal rights, workplace fairness, and social equality—with a lot of heart. While some case resolutions feel a bit dramatized, the uplifting tone and strong character growth make up for it.
If you are looking for a legal series that is thought-provoking, hilarious, and deeply moving, Pro Bono is definitely worth your time. Highly recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
The law drama that I didn t know I needed
Pro Bono turned out to be a really engaging drama. I didn’t expect to get so invested in it, but it completely drew me in from the beginning.I was really expecting every single episode!What I appreciated the most was how the drama balanced legal cases with deeper social issues. Each case wasn’t just about the law—it highlighted real struggles and gave a voice to people who are often overlooked. That made the story feel both important and emotionally impactful.
The character development was also very well done. Watching the main lead grow and gradually change his perspectives!That added a lot of depth to the story. Their journey felt realistic and satisfying.
I also liked that the drama didn’t rely heavily on romance, but instead focused more on justice, morality, and personal growth. It’s definitely one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with meaningful messages.
I could say this is my favorite drama of Jung Kyung-ho.
P.S. The performances were excellent, and the cast really brought their characters to life.
Was this review helpful to you?
A legal show that deserves all the attention
This show was so fun and engaging, i found myself at the end wishing it was longer than just 12 episodes.However, the writing could have benefited from a few changes. I could tell some of the legal aspects of the trials were not as credible, and i’m not a legal professional.
likes:
- the main characters and their storylines
- the comedic timing of this show was A+
- i appreciated the lack of romance
- i loved seeing queer and disabled representation, especially in a kdrama
dislikes:
- the last trial felt rushed
- the initial cases felt too over the top melodramatic and felt unrealistic in a way that you could tell they were written for a show
- i didnt like what they did to Jung-in’s storyline in the end
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Biased Review and Vent
Out of the many series involving legal cases, there isn't anything particularly that makes this one unique with regards to the execution and resolutions of each case. However, it does touch on very real issues we have currently ongoing in our world without the over-dramatization of the actual issues.There is one major overall aspect that I really love about the entire series because it hit a very personal sore spot. Since childhood, my blunt personality and nonchalance of what others thought about me has always been an easy target for others to put blame on for anything or everything. And our male lead in the series experiences this over and over again. Despite having earned his place through hard work and endurance, despite the fact that he knew there can be no resolution in the real world unless you play the game, and despite having proven over and over again his true intent... everyone around him continued to doubt him.
His pro bono team were pretty much useless on actually winning cases which would truly help victims but they judged and continued to judge him harshly on his methods. They celebrated every time there was a win and happily took credit but whenever there was ever the slightest potential shakeup, they would look at him critically again. They lectured him with their own personal idealistic views but can't exact real results without relying on him. They claimed he was arrogant but failed to realize their own deeply embedded egos and inabilities. People who like to think and feel passionately but can't execute any real results, so all they can do is stand on their imaginary pedestal and look down on others.
Even the one female I was rooting for to be his match, ended up betraying him. Despite the "happy" ending, I felt instead heavy sadness for the ML; he has been alone for so long and continues to be utterly alone in the end. He proved time and time again to have done everything with good intentions and overcame his own selfish desires to still choose to be good. But with just a whisper or a slight shift in climate, and the true hypocrites around him immediately casts doubt again. I really wasn't happy about him taking those ignorant dependents under his wing despite this because they are undeserving. Repetitive apologies doesn't take away the wounds from constantly being accused or doubted by the world who can't see outside themselves, much less be someone who can be there for others. At the same time however, I was paradoxically content with the ending because it's a very real depiction on how foolish the world can be. And now I shall go watch something that will throw me into a world further from reality to balance out.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
From the stars to the stables
I love Jung Kyung Ho's character, cunning and intelligent, yet playful.It's a shame that because of a video showing him being corrupt, he's demoted from a prodigy judge to the newest addition to a small, dank "PRO BONO" law firm.
Far below his expectations, he makes a deal to work there for only one year, after which he'll be nominated for chief judge. Since the agreement stipulates a 70% success rate, he'll give it his all.
The cases he'll take on are truly unique, but with his acumen and the cooperation of his team, they'll achieve good results.
Unfortunately, the video circulating about him reaches his colleagues, who begin to doubt his actions.
At that point, the man who wanted to frame him turns to his own team to defend him.
So he finds himself in court having to defend himself against his own subordinates.
From episode 9 onwards, the situation becomes even more interesting. The ending is consistent with his personality, and I could see a future "Pro Bono 2" coming up.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The Most Important Law K-Drama of 2025 (and to date?)
much like user @/eighthsense, i feel that many of the ratings have been lazy, hateful slop. i want to promote more critical analyses and media literacy that don't come from a point of hate and close-mindedness.if you are turning on a show called PRO BONO and hoping for anything less than a raw fight for marginalized communities, i really don't know what to say other than to please learn about the world around you..
what should the law and those expected to uphold it stand for if not human rights? that is the very essence of what a pro bono lawyer fights for. i do not want to engage with anyone who does not have basic empathy and tries to cut down this show using terms like "too woke", genuinely refers to the lgbtq+ community as the "alphabet community", etc. and there's been way too much of that in this review section. and no, i will not have a discussion with someone that believes using very clearly harmful language is a human right lmao.
•
Pro Bono is a show that does well in many aspects at confronting social issues and injustices affecting South Korea. I do not believe that it is a perfect show, and I actually do have quite a few issues with it—but many of the things it stands up for, and how strongly it does so, in comparison to many of the other law dramas I've seen—is something that i can get behind despite its imperfections.
i have never seen a more outspoken law drama than this one and that goes to how it has brought attention to not only marginalized communities, but the social issues/injustices plaguing them.
the sheer amount of representation (while it is not perfect) of communities like: the physically disabled, Deaf and HoH community, immigrants and foreign workers, abortion and reproductive rights, teenage mothers, impoverished individuals and families, family abuse & violence, sexual abuse against children and adults, predatory contracts and business practices, child workers and unfair wages, the list goes on and on! ^i personally believe that it is commendable to see such a wide variety of people represented, but that is Not to say that we should settle for what we got. Pro Bono was successful in many ways, but also fell short in others. I personally agree with @/eighthsense in that they presented progressive ideals and abandoned them in a way that may have upheld neutrality as the aim. as someone who is well-educated on the topic of abortion, i was not personally swayed by such "neutral" resolutions, and i agree that it is important to see such ideas through-- that a teenage girl forced to give birth is not a throwaway plot point, but also something that deserves a real fight. much like the lgbtq+ representation, which was something i was excited about- only for it to barely be featured despite repeated visual references. i would have greatly enjoyed and appreciated a case on lgbtq+ rights, but i can acknowledge the minimal representation it did receive.
representation matters. and stopping here would be foolish. Pro Bono is a great stepping stone for the fight for marginalized communities in South Korea. in recent years, we have seen a bold increase in media representation and depiction of marginalized communities, yet still so many Koreans (and people internationally) shiver at the mere mention of "lgbtq+" of "women's rights". not to mention that same-sex marriage is not even legal in South Korea, further outlining the need for the acknowledgment and protection of queer people under the law-> something this drama highlights on a mainstream stage such as Netflix with famous actors.
continuing the fight, appreciating the effort that was made to uplift such communities, and to be able to engage in productive conversations as to how it can be improved, is how we can take strides forward. forward to a day where it is not seen as a "too woke agenda" for literally just people being shown on screen. (and people who use woke as insult are just 🤦 .... another conversation)
Pro Bono is a great drama that skillfully spotlights those in the dark. In a way that calls us out of passiveness and into action, especially in Kanghoon and Kaya's respective cases. They are my personal favorite cases simply because of how real they are for many people. They are very dynamic cases and I could tell that Pro Bono did not run from illustrating the huge mental toll that these issues cause and perpetuate.. I could rave about them so much for great storytelling and a raw confrontation of how things really are, But also! they sre Not devoid of their flaws (such as: the aforementioned instance of abortion rights for a teenage girl playing only a minor part in the case).
I was truly feeling alongside the characters. Such real and unfortunate events are not things that exist only in media. There are countless people who face these hardships every single day and are forced to accept them, because they are not receiving the attention, respect and justice they deserve. Shows like this that work to destigmatize such communities and their lived realities, is how we can begin to draw that attention. Aaand continuously fighting for them, making media that properly highlights them—without pulling any punches—is how we can maintain and expand that attention.
I highly highly recommend this show in sincere hopes that those who watch are able to interact and engage in such media without sacrificing empathy nor critical thinking. many of us are so extremely privileged who see the problems depicted as nothing more than a show, it is something we can turn off, and for some, it is even something that can be reduced to some kind of "shady agenda."
Pro Bono is an amazing drama and I have so much love for those represented, so many feelings and a deep and renewed sense of inspiration to fight for others, but it is also a drama with its shortcomings--none of which are for being "too woke" but for actually not being woke enough.
very brief definition of "woke" to clarify what I mean when I use it: (woke originates in AAVE meaning to be aware and alert of racial injustices against the African American community, and has expanded/ been co-opted(?) to include a broader scope of social injustices--which is the context in which I use it in this sentence above.)
other things that rubbed me the wrong way that i have not seen mentioned by others, random unnecessary parts of the script such as: ["Dawit? Are you from Israel or something"] --rough quote-- and the random inclusion and presentation of AI-generated/altered videos as a good tool? among other glaring issues mentioned by users like @/eighthsense
needless to say, Pro Bono is not the show to turn to for a "fun", "lighthearted" legal drama. And for those who only look for that, I ask you to re-evaluate yourself and your priorities.
it is impressive that people will turn on a law drama and not only expect, but demand only palatable, "non-heavy" topics that reinforce their privileged ability to ignore real world issues and stay in their bubble of "tis folly to be wise".
they hide behind statements like "intense division is not what i want to watch in a kdrama, i'd rather see neutrality" when in reality they're uncomfortable with the mere idea of representation for marginalized communites, much less a deep dive into the REALITIES of how they are treated in the same korea they routinely consume and expect 'mild', 'lighthearted' media from.
it is one thing to want an escape from reality, a silly show you can turn on to laugh at and mindlessly enjoy. but it is another to bash on one that sheds light on the same ideas you refuse to acknowledge as MILLIONS of people's realities.
i ask those of you living in your koreaboo fantasy, expecting korean media to cater to you and your ignorant worldview, to wake up. South Korea is not all rainbows and sunshines, and yes! there are Queer Koreans, there are disabled Koreans, there are muslim Koreans, there are Koreans who are the bad guys you so badly want to ignore, and there are Koreans who dedicate their whole lives to fighting for the world you wish to ignore and boil down to "K-Dramas".
I have many many many thoughts on this drama and as an inexperienced reviewer, I apologize if my thoughts were a bit all over the place, but I hope it was clear that: I stand by the overall positive message of always fighting for human rights, but not the specific ways in which it was poorly executed and the backpedaling that was employed to pacify certain audiences.
Pro Bono was a big step forward in many ways, but there are still countless steps to take!! Do not turn a blind eye to injustices and always carry empathy and kindness in your heart. before accepting a review's words, please first reflect on whether or not it is centered on humanity and compassion.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love it or hate it
I started watching this with goodwill, but it got more ridiculous for me. It pulls out all stops with sentimentality and the practice of law became more and more unbelievable. This would suit audiences who are able to suspend their beliefs and buy into the miraculous defense lawyers who are able to turn all cases their way, if not immediately then through appeals. Also, it cheapens the complexities of issues by making the opposition an incompetent lawyer cardboard bad guy who apparently is high up on the professional tree. It works for some people especially those who are passionate about the raised issues. The drama works less well for those interested in exploring complex issues through thoughtful engagement. There are other K dramas that do that better.Was this review helpful to you?
Serious Topics Meet Safe Storytelling
Before starting, this looked like a drama I would love: found family, case-to-case structure, emotional stories, and an actor I enjoy watching. And while I do think it’s a decent watch and I don’t regret starting it, it didn’t fully hit the way I expected.One thing I noticed is that the show often starts cases very strong, targeting serious social topics that really should be talked about, and the first half of each case usually gets me emotionally invested. But then, instead of following through with that same seriousness, the second half often pulls back into unrealistic, overly dramatic or convenient resolutions that avoid dealing with the real systemic problems. It feels like the drama wants the emotional impact of heavy topics, but not the responsibility of fully committing to them.
The show tries to sell found family, but I personally never fully felt it. There was always someone hiding something, people being annoyed with the MC, and even major conflicts later on that made the group feel more like coworkers than a real family.
I’m all for comedic relief in heavy shows, but the comedy here is often too over-the-top and cartoonish for my taste. It sometimes broke immersion and reminded me that I’m watching a drama instead of pulling me into the story. The same goes for the constant “villain of the week” antagonists who act unrealistically in court, it simplifies complex social issues into just fighting bad people instead of bad systems.
One thing that personally disappointed me was how carefully the show handled LGBT topics. There were supportive visuals and moments, which I appreciated, but the show never actually centered an LGBT person’s real legal struggle as a case. It felt more like symbolic support than real storytelling, which as an LGBT viewer felt a bit safe and surface-level.
Overall, I think Pro Bono has a strong premise and good intentions, and some moments really work emotionally. But for me, the combination of exaggerated comedy, unrealistic resolutions, and shallow character exploration keeps it from becoming as impactful as it could’ve been. Still a decent watch, just not the emotional hit I was hoping for.
Was this review helpful to you?
close to Suits it’s that good
Pro Bono (2025) is easily one of the most gripping Korean dramas I’ve seen in a long time ⚖️🔥 From the very first episode, the story pulls you in with sharp writing and emotionally real characters. The legal cases aren’t just dramatic — they’re layered with tough moral choices that make you think 🤔Each episode raises the stakes 📈 Courtroom scenes are intense, clever, and genuinely suspenseful, while the personal lives of the lawyers add heart and depth ❤️ The performances are outstanding, making every win, loss, and sacrifice feel meaningful.
Visually, the series looks polished and cinematic 🎬 The pacing is spot on, balancing high-tension legal battles with quieter character moments that let the story breathe.
If you enjoy smart legal dramas, complex characters, and stories about justice and humanity, Pro Bono is absolutely worth watching ⭐ It’s powerful, emotional, and hard to stop once you start.
Was this review helpful to you?
