Sayart.net - JTBC′s ′Beyond the Bar′ Aims to Revitalize Saturated Legal Drama Market with Healing Stories

In an entertainment landscape flooded with legal dramas, JTBC's upcoming series "Beyond the Bar" is positioning itself as a refreshing take on the genre by focusing on healing stories that explore the emotional wounds hidden behind legal cases. The new office drama centers around two main characters: Hyo-min, played by Jung Chae-yeon, who portrays a rookie lawyer just starting her career, and Seok-hoon, played by Lee Jin-wook, an elite attorney working at the same law firm. Despite boasting impressive star power with Jung Chae-yeon, who gained recognition for her role in "Family By Choice" and her previous career as a member of the popular K-pop group I.O.I, and Lee Jin-wook, a veteran actor known for his compelling performances in hit K-dramas including "Sweet Home" and "Squid Game," the series faces the challenge of standing out in a market experiencing potential audience fatigue with lawyer-centered storylines. The show is set to premiere in the aftermath of tvN's "Law and the City," which aired from July 5 through August 10, and follows last year's highly successful courtroom drama "Good Partner." During a press conference held in Seoul's Guro-gu district, director Kim Jae-hong directly addressed concerns about how "Beyond the Bar" would differentiate itself from the typical legal drama offerings currently dominating the television landscape. "I haven't been directing for that long, but I've worked on two legal dramas. Still, when I first read the script for 'Beyond the Bar,' I thought, 'This is the real deal.' That's how detailed and realistic the litigation cases were," Kim explained to the assembled media. The director went on to elaborate that each of the series' 12 episodes will feature a distinct storyline that revolves around the central theme of love in its various forms. "There are so many different forms of love in the world – and there are also those who have been hurt by it. I think what truly sets our series apart is the lawyers who, through these stories and lawsuits, try to heal people's wounds," Kim said, emphasizing the show's unique approach to the legal genre. When discussing the casting of Lee Jin-wook in the role of Seok-hoon, Director Kim provided insight into what made the actor perfect for the character. "He's cool-headed when working, but when it comes to dealing with clients or his own people, a deep warmth comes through. I thought Lee Jin-wook embodied both the external and internal qualities that Seok-hoon needed," Kim explained. Lee Jin-wook himself offered his perspective on the character during the press conference, describing Seok-hoon as "a rational person who always has clear answers and makes quick decisions." The actor revealed that portraying this character required him to significantly adjust his natural personality for the role. "I had to suppress my real-life personality – I like to make people laugh – to portray Seok-hoon. A lawyer isn't supposed to be funny. He's someone who handles cases logically and reasonably," Lee explained. Despite the challenges of playing such a serious character, Lee expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to take on more realistic roles. "Of course, I enjoy working on fantasy genres too and sometimes miss them, but I also believe it's important to bring realistic aspects like this into everyday life. This character is truly precious to me," he added. "Beyond the Bar" is scheduled to premiere on Saturday on JTBC, with streaming availability on Netflix beginning the following Sunday, making it accessible to both domestic and international audiences eager to see this fresh take on the legal drama genre.