Themis (2026)

Underrated, This Deserves Better Than 7.3/10 (IMO)

First off, I haven't watched this "Beyond the Bar" (kdrama that some compare this to) or really any legal / courtroom dramas in general.

The storyline really hooked me from the first episode into binging the whole show. I loved the use of the courtroom and "cherry picked" cases to show how human relationships / emotions mix with legal principles. They delve into the grey areas of the law, but lots of humour and romance narratives kept the story fresh. I really liked how the story shifts to give each character enough time to tell their story.

I don't usually write reviews, but seeing a 7.3/10 for this drama doesn't sit right with me. Although it might not be for everyone, I went into it with an open mind and I genuinely appreciated how they prioritized character development and moral dilemmas over social realism. The last 3-5 episodes did feel a bit dragged out but I think it was meant to reinforce the theme.

- 8.5/10 for story : (above)
- 8.5/10 for acting : I think all the actors/actresses fit they're role really well. Some scenes made me cringe a little, but I think that just made it more enjoyable.
- 7/10 for music : I always skip music
- 4/10 for rewatch : I just don't like rewatching shows in general

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Some great moments and aspects but not a typical legal drama...

PROS:
- Interesting and capturing dynamic between the FL and ML. While the story focus is mainly on the FL and her growing as a person and a lawyer, the story does include a romance line for the FL & ML (explored later in the series).
- Great acting from FL (Xin Zhi Lei) in portraying a character whose motives and actions we can understand
- Some cases that really capture your attention (in the first 16 episodes) with the music making it suspenseful.
- Some really "enjoyable to watch" scenes, including the support of FL from PeiLin and Kang Jun's ex-wife (briefly).

CONS:
- Termed as a legal drama but barely any scenes from court, and I believe at least 3 "cases" involved divorce.
- A lot of "cases" are to do with friends of the FL and Xiao Yun (2nd FL). Even the 3rd FL (PeiLin) and 2nd ML (Xiao Yue) have cases they are personally involved in. This aspect is too far-fetched, and the reason I say it's not a typical legal drama.
- Too much screen time given to flash-backs of the clients, when sometimes completely unnecessary. In the later half, you forget you are even watching a series that has anything to do with the leads or the law because of this.
- Sometimes it becomes a bit "preachy" as to what lesson to take from each case, rather than it being a "natural" talk between the characters.

I watched this drama for Xin Zhi Lei and Lin Yu Shen, so my rating is accordingly higher than the average. Would I recommend the drama? If you are a fan of melodramas, then absolutely, as there are a lot of situations that are "unrealistically dramatic". If you are a fan of the main actors, then I'd say sure give it a try. But whether it meets the standard for what a legal drama should entail, I'd say don't expect too much, as the series explores far more relationship dynamics than it does the law.

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