ilovedramas293

Where can I read the novel?

Where do you read it?

Honestly don't mind this kind of plot if it's executed differently, and for JS's brilliant acting and facial expressions, I'll sit through literally anything. The pilot episode is usually the same, but I honestly really liked the pilot here. It felt like it went a lot deeper into the MC's life before he dies, and it still leaves some unanswered questions like why did he have to join Haenal, how the wife and him met, etc., which will likely be revealed over the course of his 2nd life.

Well it is a reborn and second chance plot, so yeah it will be. Also apparently it's going to get a lot more interesting with Episode 2 when all the real action starts.

I'm sure he does feel empathy, but he definitely has a guilty conscience knowing he did wrong. That's why he goes running to distract himself, and why he's ashamed to look at himself after seeing the news of the girl dying. If he didn't feel anything about what he did, he would be able to lie to his mother when she asked him if he ruled fairly. He's probably been doing this too long that he's just had to steel his emotions to be able to survive in that kind of environment. Also, we don't have full knowledge of why he is even in the Haenal Law Firm, so maybe he has a bigger reason he's stuck doing this than even his parents.

Well, it's because the first episode is literally the synopsis. I actually thought the pilot went a lot more deeper into the MC's personal life before he's reborn, compared to other reborn dramas similar to this.

What was confusing?

Yes, he's not really meant to be likeable, but it's easy to understand why he made himself a lapdog when you think about how he had to support his family. At least, he still has enough awareness to have a guilty conscience and tried to do the right thing at the end of the episode. Definitely a great pilot episode that makes you hate the MC, but also shows the ways in which he was pitiable.

Well, it is based off a webtoon. Unfortunately, not an original script like the rest of his dramas which is a little dissapointing.

So I am concerned about typecasting, but to me, it seems like you are generalizing his dramas too much? Almost everything you mentioned in his "same series pattern" does not fit with any of those dramas you named. Just look at Doctor John, which is a romance medical drama, that deals with extremely serious, but interesting real-life cases including his own. There is nothing about "poor background, rotten personality, change of heart, framed wrongly, or fight with chaebol for justice." I only saw some callbacks to Defendant in some scenes, like the guilty court ruling at the end, as the rest of the dramas you mentioned are executed in very different ways.

Yes, I agree with you! But unfortunately, I haven't seen Hospital Playlist. I'm not that big of a fan of medical dramas.

I love JS and I found the first episode fantastic, but I hope this isn't a case of typecasting. JS has repeatedly shown that he can pull off multiple genres and he is known for choosing well written scripts with good characters, so I'd really love to see his next drama be more refreshing and different from anything else he's done. But, I can understand if he doesn't go back to romances, since he's married now. At least his other 2026 work "Apartment" seems like it'll be really different and good too.

Seems the screenwriter is the same judge that wrote The Devil Judge, which is another really fantastic legal drama, albeit more like wish fulfillment on his part. It makes sense how good these cases are (also read that they're based on true stories), especially the one from Episode 5-7. That one is my favourite so far, but all the others hit just as good and hammer in on the big issues overlooked by the imperfect legal constitution. I really love how well the cast works together, and JKH is always amazing at playing arrogant narcissists with a lot of heart and well intentions. He was amazing in Devil with No Name, Life on Mars, CCIR, and now this. I also think the director really did a fantastic job with this drama. Not a lot of dramas are able to keep the character development and plot going so well at the same time, since they tend to focus on one over the other, and usually mess the balance up. I love seeing the cases stay interesting, while sparing enough time to flesh the Pro Bono team out and show them growing visibly closer. No waste of character potential yet. Definitely underrated must-watch for legal drama lovers that appreciate comedy and realism mixed in.

I think it's a lot better explained in Episode 6 why it is an issue, as Episode 6 gets a lot deeper into both sides of the issue.

Actually, you are absolutely right. I shouldn't have jumped to saying those things. I just knew these things off the surface from what others have said elsewhere on forums, but I decided to do some personal research after your comment, and there's no clear evidence of him being gay. The internet and media just jumped to extreme accusations after the photo of him being seen in a gay club, while doing nothing wrong. I guess that's the part that may have contributed to some of the stress he became dependent on drugs for.

He's been seen at gay bars, has voiced support for LGBTQ+, and when previously questioned about his sexuality by reporters, YAI famously responded that to "deny" being gay would be an insult to the social struggle of his gay friends.

Plus he only started the drugs cause his mental health went downhill after all the criticism he'd get for being a shy speaker, being openly gay, etc. In Korea, they look down on those things so much more than other more serious crimes, which is why all the hate got to him and he became dependent on the drugs to get through his days. He also had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg, at one point. I guess that's probably when he got addicted to pain relievers.

Plus he only started the drugs cause his mental health went downhill after all the criticism he'd get for being a shy speaker, being openly gay, etc. In Korea, they look down on those things so much more than other more serious crimes, which is why all the hate got to him and he became dependent on the drugs to get through his days. He also had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg, at one point. I guess that's probably when he got addicted to pain relievers.

Thanks for saving my time. Definitely not into that kind of FL and surface-level plots, so I'll skip out on this. I did watch the trailer, so I was already skeptical. But hell, it's a 9.0 where I thought the FL would definitely get development. Guess I'm proven wrong.

Why? I haven't watched it yet. Was it not good?