1Pro Bono vs. Lazy Critics: Guess Who Wins?
Pro Bono isn’t controversial, your privilege is. Some bubble dwellers voluntarily watched a legal drama (just 4 eps) and thought the biggest crime was queer representation or women’s autonomy. Spoiler: the only crime here is your complete lack of critical thinking. (You can find my criticism concerning this show at the end. This review only discusses first four episodes and the bad faith comments about them.)“Too woke”
Okay, let’s unpack this embarrassing ‘hot take.’ You’re voluntarily watching a LAW drama, a genre literally about justice, society, and real life conflicts and your main critique is ‘too woke’? This show addresses teen pregnancy, anti abortion coercion, and queer rights (in first 4 eps). If that bothers you, maybe basic human rights just aren’t your thing….own it and move on.
“Pushing your agenda”
Calling women’s autonomy or queer existence an “agenda” is a rhetorical trick. It reframes freedom as threat so that control looks like morality. Abortion as a personal vs. imposed choice. You completely ignore the distinction between personal belief and enforcing that belief on others. A religion can inform personal choices, but trying to force a fully grown woman/teen to carry a pregnancy against her will is coercion, not morality. Claiming this as “moral correctness” while decrying propaganda is contradictory.
If a belief cannot survive without being forced on others, then the belief, not the people living freely…. is the agenda. That’s the distinction.
“Propaganda”
Propaganda isn’t diversity, autonomy, or people living their truth, it’s the weaponization of belief to control others. Showing queer people on screen (for five minutes) or supporting women’s right to choose isn’t “pushing an agenda”; it’s acknowledging reality. The real agenda is hiding behind morality to take away agency: forcing a teen or sexual assault survivor to carry a pregnancy, dictating who people can love, or enforcing religious rules on everyone else while pretending it’s “for their own good.” It’s not about care or ethics; it’s about control. And the kicker? These people rarely give a damn about the outcomes, if the child is disabled, neglected, abused or struggling, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that their moral scoreboard looks clean. Freedom, choice, and empathy threaten them, so they call it an “agenda” to scare others into compliance. If your beliefs need chains to survive, that’s not morality, it’s coercion masquerading as virtue.
“This is Western crap, why bring it to Kdrama?”
Again, watching a LAW drama and complaining it’s “Western propaganda” is peak absurdity. This isn’t a romcom with rainbow sunshine; it’s a show about real societal issues which exist everywhere, not just in the U.S. Expecting a legal drama to ignore these realities is like complaining about rain during a storm. If discomfort equals propaganda, then reality itself is offensive, but maybe the problem isn’t the show, it’s the viewer.
Why did i take this drama as pro bono and defend it with my last two brain cells after scrolling through all the ignorant takes?
Because unlike some viewers, I actually understand what a law drama is, what human rights mean, and that empathy isn’t a ‘Western agenda.’ Yes, I got offended reading these comments deny basic human rights to fellow humans because it doesn’t align with their own religious beliefs. Religious beliefs should dictate how you lead your own life, not how you can control other’s life. I respect your religion and your beliefs. If you don’t want to abort your own baby, that is your choice and I will respect that. If you are not attracted to same sex, that is your orientation, I will respect that. Forcing it on others? Now thats a propaganda, not an opinion.
Media does not exist in a vacuum, it shapes what society sees as normal, moral, and acceptable. When topics addressed in this drama are ignored or softened, existing power structures are quietly validated. By portraying legal support for queer individuals and the real consequences of denying women choice over their own bodies, the show acknowledges lived realities that affect vulnerable people every day. This is not about promoting an ideology, but about refusing to romanticize control, questioning “clean” moral endings that overlook trauma, and reminding viewers that autonomy, consent, and dignity are essential to justice.
Addendum: Why I rated it high, what my actual critique is, and why that still doesn’t validate the comment section meltdown.
My initial high rating was intentional. The review space had already been flooded with low effort, ideologically driven ratings after just two/four episodes, people declaring the show “too woke” while admitting they barely watched it. The high rating was bait: to get people to actually read why this discourse matters.
That said, defending this drama from bad faith attacks does not mean I think it’s flawless or even particularly brave. In fact, my criticism starts precisely where the show pulls its punches. Despite gesturing toward queer rights, it never commits to a full queer centred legal case (yet). Representation remains implied, diluted, and safely peripheral present enough to signal progress, absent enough to avoid backlash. It is still a positive representation nonetheless. In a different perspective, this might be a stepping stone for upcoming law dramas. Similarly, the storyline involving a coerced teen pregnancy initially frames reproductive control as a legal and ethical violation, only to abandon that stance by episode four. The narrative retreats into a “neutral” resolution, having the disabled child adopted by an anti abortion hospital CEO, which conveniently avoids confronting the core issue: forcing a teenager to give birth against her will. This is narrative risk aversion. In other words, the show wants credit for raising hard questions without fully sitting in their consequences. That’s a valid critique. It reflects an industry tendency to appear progressive while ultimately reassuring conservative comfort zones. I also do not align with or endorse any alleged MAP symbolism or geopolitical propaganda some viewers have pointed out (till 4 eps).
Now here’s where the distinction matters: criticism is not the same as reactionary hate. Criticism interrogates execution, consistency, and ethical follow through. What I’m pushing back against in the comments is not thoughtful disagreement, it’s people collapsing at the mere presence of queer people or women exercising bodily autonomy and calling that collapse an “opinion.” Saying “the show avoids depth” or “it plays it too safe” is criticism. Saying “stop shoving this agenda down our throats” because marginalized people exist on screen is ideological panic.
When shows avoid fully confronting coercion, trauma, or queer legal realities, they don’t become “neutral”, they quietly reinforce existing power structures. My review defends the right of these issues to be addressed in this genre while holding the show accountable for how cautiously it ultimately does so. This review is not a blind praise. It is a refusal to let bad faith outrage masquerade as media critique. You’re allowed to dislike this drama. You’re allowed to critique its writing. What you’re not doing, no matter how loudly you insist is engaging in honest criticism when your problem is that other people’s rights make you uncomfortable.
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A drama that reminds us that we shouldn't stop fighting for justice
Pro Bono is the first legal kdrama I have watched. I went into it pretty much blindly and I didn't have any particular expectations. And yet it turned out to be one of the most profound dramas I've watched.In a legal context, the term "pro bono" is used in order to describe legal work for a client with low income. Pro Bono teams do not charge their clients, in fact they represent them for free. Therefore, in a world where those with money have better chances in court as long as they can afford a competent attorney, a pro bono team is like an oasis for people who are less fortunate.
As someone who is not familiar with the law field, aside from some basic knowledge, Pro Bono helped me open my eyes even more regarding the justice system in South Korea. Once I learned that the writer of the drama used to be a judge, it made sense to me how the series was able to portray the court process and the laws so accurately. And most importantly: the writer's intention to raise more awareness about the flaws in the justice system became more clear.
Pro Bono was a breath of fresh air. In an era where we see more and more discrimination against minorities and where common citizens do not have the power nor the foundation to fight for their rights, Pro Bono offers a small fragment of hope. Naturally, society will not change overnight. It's not an easy task to reshape the public's opinion about certain topics and it's also very difficult to try and introduce new legal laws regarding these issues.
Even though Pro Bono is a fictional series, one that people could argue about its tendency to give a "fairy tale like" conclusion to each case, I firmly believe that the hopeful tone and the team's achievements played a fundamental role in the drama's reception. South Korean and international viewers (myself included) need more stories that are not afraid to address important issues while maintaining an optimistic view.
Deep down, all of us want to cling even to the smallest hint of hope about a better future. It would be ideal if our world could improve rapidly in order to turn into a place where people will be treated equally, no matter their background, sexuality, gender or social status. But we don't live in a utopia. Such world cannot fully exist, something that even the drama itself acknowledges. And yet, Pro Bono always showcased how important it is to stand up for your rights and raise your voice. Ignorant and power-hungry people exist but so do people who are willing to offer their unconditional support.
While Pro Bono presented some ideal scenarios for the clients and society in general, the drama does not turn a blind on what is going on in the real world. Almost every episode tackles different themes. Animal abuse, abortion rights, corruption, religion, sexism to name a few of them. The writer addresses these global matters through the lens of korean society and reality is a slap on the face. Pro Bono doesn't try to twist reality. It highlights social conflicts and through pro bono's team's navigation, it shows that we need to keep striving for a better world. Change will not always come quickly but the more persistent we are, the more successful we can become.
The writing of the drama was very interesting and each episode offered something new. Each different case contributed to the progress of the story and the characters' development and in the end, everything was wrapped in a very satisfying way. I really liked the dialogues too, they never came across as too preachy. There were various profound moments that made me pause for a moment and register what I had heard. I really wish I could go into detail about the quotes that left a big impact on me but if I were to do so, this review would turn into a whole thesis.
What I appreciated about this drama is that it brought light on various themes which are not that common in kdramas. Discussions about abortion, the treatment of people with disabilities or immigrants aren't spoken of a lot so watching a series that addressed these matters with respect was pleasantly surprising. Pro Bono didn't hesitate to call out South Korea's hypocrisy regarding the legal (and ethical) issues and it painted the plain truth without sugar coating it.
The characters were a very charming aspect of the story (for the most part at least). I instantly fell in love with Da Wit's character, he might have come across as ignorant but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Da Wit had experienced firsthand what it felt like to be wronged and thus, he decided to become a judge who would be there for those without enough power to defend themselves. He was competent and I always had a blast watching him put the perpetrators in their place. Throughout the whole series, we see his character unfold more and more and the more I learned about him, the more I appreciated and understood him.
The rest of the characters were equally engaging. The pro bono team was fun to watch and I liked how each one of them had different traits and motivations while some of them had their own demons to fight, too. Itwas nice to see them getting their time to shine in different cases. They were determined to help the victims no matter what and thanks to Da Wit, they became more confident in their abilities. I loved this found family so much, it was heartwarming to see how Da Wit helped them develop as attorneys and how the team, in return, made Da Wit not look down on them.
The acting was another strong factor. This was my first time watching anything with Jung Kyung Ho and it's safe to say that I'm already a fan. The way he carried himself around fully encapsulated Da Wit's confident and yet so caring personality. Even when he didn't have any lines to deliver, his eyes and expressions alone were enough to understand how he felt. He portrayed so many different emotions and aspects of Da Wit's character and I couldn't take my eyes off him everytime Da Wit was at the court. He radiated a commanding energy that made you unable to ignore him or the points he made, all thanks to Kyung Ho's performance.
So Ju Yeon as Gi Ppeum was another part of the cast I really liked. I liked how she used her face to express her emotions, especially when Gi Ppeum felt disheartened and sad for the victims. Gi Ppeum alone was a very interesting character, considering her history with Da Wit and Ju Yeon elevated her even more. Another actress I especially liked was Lee Yoo Young, who portrayed Oh Jung In. She had excellent chemistry with Kyung Ho and her acting was always on point. Jung In was a very intriguing character of her own and Yoo Young did a great job showcasing her different aspects. The rest of the actors did a great job too, no matter how big or small their role was.
Pro Bono certainly did a wonderful job portraying so many different themes and problems, however, I believe that the writing could have been tighter in some areas. Because of the big variety in cases and legal issues, some problems seemed to be brushed off compared to others. It's logical that the writer would have prioritized some aspects more compared to others but if some cases were less complex and focused on a specific problem at the time, I think that the writer would have the freedom to fully flesh them out.
For example, I would have liked it if the drama had addressed the abortion issue on episodes 3 and 4 a little bit better. It was very positive to see that the mother wasn't framed as a bad person and that the drama attempted to show that abortion should always be an option, but the conclusion of this case left a kinda bitter taste in my mouth.
The last episodes did a good job wrapping up the story but had the drama been longer, I believe that the ending would have been even more smooth. The writing of the pro Bono team felt bizarre, I totally understand that they were in a difficult position but considering their team work with Da Wit, their dislike towards him didn't make much sense. They were always so open to hear the victims but when it came to Da Wit, they turned their eyes away and only Na Hui considered his own perspective.
I understand that the last episodes served as the final arc for the team but the execution could have been better. I didn't hate the pro bono team but after having watched them work alongside Da Wit for 9 episodes, this sudden shift was too absurd. The built-up could have been better, like have the team question Da Wit's methods more in the earlier episodes or tone down their attitude towards him. Additionally, Jun U could have been handled better, compared to the rest of the members, he came across as too one-dimensional at times. I understand that he was afraid of losing his job but his character should have been explored more besides this superficial portrayal.
However, even though some decisions could have been different, the ending remained very good. Pro Bono remained consistent from the beginning to the very end and the payoff was more than satisfying. Everything came together and the writer left no room for further questions. I was watching the last episode in awe and once I was done, I was left with a bittersweet taste for I had to say goodbye to the pro bono team I came to love.
Pro Bono is definitely one of the most thought-provoking and vital kdramas out there. I strongly recommend it if you're searching for a story that addresses important matters. It's not the type of series you watch to distract yourself from reality because Pro Bono presents the world we live in but it's the type of drama you watch in order to remind to yourself that it's always worth fighting for the truth, no matter what. Justice is one of the most complex subjects in our society. We don't live in a perfect world which treats people equally but we can always find ways to educate ourselves and improve as a whole. I am very thankful for having watched Pro Bono and it's a drama that will occupy my thoughts for a very long time.
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1More Heart Than Humour
Just finished Pro Bono, and it really sticks with you; though not always in the ways you might expect. Let me start with this: the cases are the real stars of the show.This is where the drama finds its conscience. Through its legal cases, Pro Bono shines a light on the cracks in the system—migrant workers fighting to keep their dignity, people with disabilities navigating a world that rarely accommodates them, and celebrities stripped of their humanity the moment scandal hits. These stories don’t feel like filler; they form the moral core of the drama and are often emotionally honest and quietly impactful.
Kang Dawit’s journey anchors it all. Watching him shift from a careerist to someone shaped by the people he represents is the most compelling throughline. His growth feels gradual and earned, carried by a restrained performance that gives the drama emotional weight even when other elements wobble.
But here’s my real talk moment: the comedy just… didn’t land for me. Which is a shame, because it’s listed as a comedy-legal drama. Some of the side characters (looking at you, Nan Hui and Jun U) felt more grating than funny. Their loud, exaggerated moments often clashed with the quieter, more emotional tone of the cases. I found myself fast-forwarding through some of their scenes just to get back to the courtroom or the client’s story.
And while I really respected what the show was trying to do with characters like Gippeum, a passionate fighter for justice, sometimes her intensity crossed into overbearing. On the flip side, Jang Yeongsil’s quiet transformation was a real highlight. From timid to quietly courageous, his arc felt real and earned.
All in all, Pro Bono is a mixed bag; but one worth digging into if you care about law dramas with social conscience. Don’t go in expecting big laughs. Go in for the cases, for Kang Dawit’s meaningful journey, and for a drama that isn’t afraid to show how the law touches real, vulnerable lives.
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A blend of comedy and sincerity in tackling unusual cases and escaping an elaborately set trap
I’m going to start with one detail that should be understood but may not be by viewers going in. Ordinarily, pro bono representation simply exists to provide legal services for those who otherwise cannot afford it, plain and simple. There are public defenders for certain kinds of trials, mainly criminal, but if you are sued in a civil trial, most of the time whoever has money to hire legal professionals wins. I mention this because THIS SHOW’s ultra-elite law firm, rather than having younger lawyers across many teams handle a certain number of them every year like most firms, has a highly unusual ragtag set of four-then-five people with wildly different priorities do this as a marketing/public image stunt. Don’t get me wrong; MANY if not most law firms’ free cases are done to tick that social responsibility box in places that don’t require it outright. This one, though, doesn’t even pretend. The cases are not merely helping some people sued from becoming bankrupt. They are odd cases that may gain media traction. You do not often have a courtroom stacked with half a dozen plus lawyers (accounting for both sides) for, oh, a dog custody case even though that case was far more than the “breakup who takes the dog” sort of battle).Where this shines? Easy, Jung. Kyung. Ho. He is, as Da Wit, the heart and soul of this. As a judge unafraid to deliver justice to both ordinary and extraordinary criminals and regular citizens in turn, in punishing a select few morally bankrupt businessmen severely, he got on many bad sides including within the legal field which he is already an outcast in as he skipped law school and went straight for credentials (almost unheard of which the drama makes clear). Not just a regional “mediocre” law school grad but no law school at all? Color him dispensable to most if not for his brain having some street smarts.
The cases are very much cherry picked for drama viewing, no different from other legal shows, vigilante stories, medical dramas, and so on. Whereas Diary of a Prosecutor is very slice of life and mellow and shows ordinary days for a less common profession with its characters mostly getting along, this has plenty of antagonism from within the team and from the outside, even the owner of the law firm eager to disband them. The lead’s name very intentionally adapts to David in English, and we’re told a few times of him battling Goliaths as an ordinary guy who grew up very poor.
Overall, the cast is quirky and fun to watch most of the time. Some are a bit oversimplified much of the show, particularly our screamer and rather dimwitted opportunist in the team. That I mostly blame on the short length and priorities placed on balancing cases for the team with Da Wit’s bigger case. The main lead’s story is rather complicated, and his relationship with his team members. He only plans to stay with a short time at all and barely has time to teach them techniques and strategies through a few cases before his own case comes to light, the motive behind one of the non-legal professionals setting a trap with quite a bit of help, a trap to get him off the bench and ideally punished as he becomes the defendant against a plaintiff whose father died in prison after receiving a seven year sentence which was at the time the maximum allowed but which to viewers shows another case of law too often serving the rich, victims dying and becoming disabled a frequent occurrence in manufacturing in some nations, especially small businesses in places without robust government oversight which is a costly investment to choose for politicians who want “visible” results.
Perhaps my favorite part of this show is that the characters are all imperfect, their trust fragile… maybe it is a little overly obvious at times, but they show the ease with which relatively strong but newly obtained trust and admiration can come tumbling down with a speck of doubt planted. It shows how the team members—who all have very different goals—see this doubt and ultimately handle feeling various degrees of betrayal. We see their changes in behaviors, their growth (sometimes through stumbling around and tripping over their own pride if not their feet, too), and their insecurities on full display. The issues they have at home or had as kids? They are still with them day to day impacting how they evaluate cases and the people in them. They’ve acquired quite a formidable toolkit from their team leader, and with sharper knives and focus alike, they are tasked with representing someone suing him.
The moral ambiguity of so many characters, his ex-girlfriend turned boss very much among them, the total greed of plenty, and the strategies these people with their own motivations employ is interesting and well-contrasted by the pro bono team lead by someone who is at times half opportunist, half servant of the people but mostly good. It made it unclear who was or was not on his side until the end—to what extent they were, more specifically. If nothing else, this is a quick way to see how wildly different people might handle some of the same content and even maybe see yourself in a few.
Is this drama perfect? Not at all. It sometimes circles around its main lead’s overarching storyline like a vulture without chomping down as effectively as it could. It is very hard to integrate that story into the day to day casework, yes, and they mostly did pretty well with it even if 75% of the credit goes to JKH, something I doubt any viewer who doesn’t have ties to the staff for the show will disagree with. Where they sometimes had a bit of disconnect was covered well enough to not pay it much mind until settling down to write this.
The show was lively, the dialogue SMART for a change (in the native language, subtitles obviously always lacking some of the charm of the original, especially for this streaming service), and as usual, he mastered this role and stopped, during those hours, being the actor and just became Kang Da Wit whether using his immense range of vocal styles with that iconic voice of his I can hear just thinking about this or that character in a scene, body language including some physical comedy he is top notch at delivering, or simply (especially in court) communicating with his ultra flexible face and its thirty two million ways of bending, twitching, and otherwise expressing the full range of thoughts and emotions without a word.
Not everyone will like this, naturally. Some hate workplace-centered dramas, legal not often a preference; others will be annoyed with the eccentric blend of characters. Some won’t be able to get past some of the set up feeling too elaborate to buy into (current overlapping title The Judge Returns is thus far more “subdued” [well, after the initial event that sets it off] and less comedic than this with only a slight bit of physical comedy… it is also darker feeling, though).
If you want pretty high energy characters with quirks abounding and some touching backstories brought to light if not in extreme depth (just enough to understand them), this fits that bill. It shows places where the law is clearly just not enough and is pretty brutally honest in depicting how greed can also make skilled lawyers tools for making the world genuinely worse just as a less greedy set of skilled lawyers can make the world so much better though there are far too few of those around to handle all the world’s injustice, especially for people with few financial resources.
It was a really fun diversion for 5 weeks for me! It paired nicely during my weekends with Taxi Driver, too, both ending this weekend. It feels far too short, though, a good thing in one sense—I couldn’t believe it went by so quickly! THAT sure hasn’t been typical of most dramas lately! 🤔
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Good Drama
I don’t actually give my personal opinions here but I think the kind of nonsense people are uttering about a legal drama is absurd. The drama is good and they have touched alot of social issues which are prevelent right now in the world. If you people want to live in your la la land then you can watch some rom-com in your house, you don’t need to go and watch a legal show and crib about it not being comic enough. If a legal drama is not going to deal with the social issues then what do you want a romantic show to deal with these issues. I highly suspect you would ever want to watch that. The show deals with alot of flaws in the korean judiciary and comments on that.HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
I have a mixed feelings about this show. The individual cases are really good. It highlights common issues either in Korea or in the world such as animal abuse, child abuse (Elijah case), immigrants and workplace harrasment. The backstory of each cases are also written quite well. The tense of each case and the tense when they're handling each case is really enjoyable. Those things are enough to keep you invested. However, several things are still disturbing me.The trial processes are mostly unconvincing because each side sometimes pull something unusual, but it's still bearable. Also the case resolutions often involve something excessive, such as changing the law or sudden adoption, yet I still consider this tolerable. However, everything outside the cases is just really uncompelling. The one that annoys me a lot is the poor chemistry on the "original" Pro Bono Team. I'm talking about the original team, so let's exclude Kang Da Wit. This team is just a bunch of sycophants who blindly follow whatever Gi Ppeum says. Take example on Kaya's divorce case: It doesn't need a legal degree to understand that a divorce case normally isn't a public interest. Da Wit acknowledges this issue, while Gi Ppeum still wants to take this case. Most attorneys should be taking Da Wit's side, or at least consider this opinion. However all of the Pro Bono Team takes Gi Ppeum side without any doubt, 4 to 1. During Da Wit's abuse of power case, nobody takes his side after hearing the story from him. So all the chemistry buildings that took place previously are useless and in the end, they're all still Gi Ppeum's lapdogs. Also the writer forgot about the private investigator hired by Da Wit, and Yu I Na— the one Da Wit suspects at the beginning.
With this level of chemistry, the cast has became a waste. Don't get me wrong, Jung Kyung Ho and So Ju Yeon do well here. However putting Yoon Na Moo and Seo Hye Won as main leads? Their characters aren't really impactful, especially Nan Hui who mostly shouts and cries. Some of the witnesses and perperators are not convincing though.
Is it a good show? Yes probably, for a one time watch though. I don't think I want to rewatch it.
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This review may contain spoilers
I like the lead actor but not in this
I Barely got through episode 1- I like the actor but the plot & method of acting felt stale. Episode 2 was very very much for dog lovers and had ethics that were on the fence. Episode 3 had the lead being dragged off to an LGBTQ festival-dressing up like a rainbow sailor moon. So far I'm not only underwhelmed, but I'm also not connecting with the plot at all. The cases the team take are pointedly real issues of contention in South Korean society. By episode 8 it's obvious that this is a heavy topic landmine of a series. As a westerner, I feel a good bit of disconnect with the clients/issues. I also didn't find the case topics "entertaining" . A boy suing God for letting him be born, a "mail order" bride from another country, an idol who is suffering from oppressive & obsessive public scrutiny. Although there is lighthearted times sprinkled throughout the drama, thre is no disguising the passionate calling out of the imperfect law that feels like it's one big pitch & platform for reform-which for me, is not the entertainment escapism that I'm looking for. The heavy topics coupled with the male lead character's selfish grumpy childish demeanor is unappealing & falls flat comedically. The reason behind why the male lead is in the position that he is in, IS the only interesting thing about this drama so far (for me). I decided that instead of waiting for the rest of the episodes to be aired, I would just bail out at the end of episode 7.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?
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Keep it neutral. Edit 12-22 It's NOT neutral 1-11-'26 Or was it?
Why do they feel the need to to include ongoing political and social propaganda when the world is completely divided and fighting over said issues? Abortion, religion (specifically Islam), and the ever ongoing rainbow community is in the mix. Netflix was/is already under fire for the genie piece dropped earlier this year and here we go again.There are no middle grounds with "WOKE" issues like this for most ppl, not anymore. We watch dramas to escape the ugliness and intolerance in the world. Not to see see it front and center in the middle of our streams. Films, dramas, short stories, it doesn't matter. Doing this pretty much negates the ability to receive fair and unbiased reviews because rads on either side will flock to praise or destroy with their opinions. (Oh, why do reviews say they've completed the drama when there's still 2 weeks+ left?)
I stopped watching dam near anything from the US years ago because of this and SK works have given me that out for a solid 15+ years. To see it creeping into their stories on a regular basis lately is just flat out depressing.
For the record, I don't care about this stuff personally which is why I'll leave straight 5s across the board for neutrality. FOR NOW. But take into consideration what I've said when it comes to the extremity of some of the other reviews and try to view without bias~
EDIT 12/22/26
I watched EP 6. Whew. It deserves to be bashed now. I mentioned bias before. This is NOT my bias. It's the writers demonstrating theirs. The writer has gone full on crazy. They put in abortion views, they put in their views about the alphabet community, fine...........but adding one of the worst and top problems the entire world is fighting with each other about was and is just plain out stupid. Immigration and asylum laws. And yes, I said stupid because that's going to bring religion in to the mix and there is no middle ground with that. And oh ya, rape is also being mixed up into the mess. SK has to be one of the worst countries in the world for allowing alcohol to be a mitigating circumstance for the crimes of rape, murder, everything actually. The entire drama had been extremely controversial but it is a law drama. With the views being expressed here, I'd wager the writer is swinging for the left.
It can be difficult but it's not impossible to stand in the middle when creating these stories, it can be done in ways to avoid upsetting any sides. That's not going on here. It's straight up political and it makes me sad that SK writers have been choosing sides as of late. Ppl can disagree with me and that's perfectly fine but I believe topics such as the ones being discussed have to be broached carefully at all times. My curiosity now wanders to what they will bring up over the last half of the drama. I will not drop.
1/11/'26
NGL, eps 1-6 DID trigger in the end, the topics mentioned are strong, everyday, ugly things that are brought up daily in the US, the division of our ppl has never been stronger than it's current state. The cases in the first half were all of those things, seeing it was a reminder of it all because I go to Kdrama to escape it. The last half felt like an entirely different drama and it gave me the refuge I had been seeking for. I enjoyed the second half with no complaints.
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Beautiful stories
This was the perfect ending. I don't know what else to say. I had the time of my life watching this show. It was amazing to watch a show that made me laugh, cry and scream. I literally got to watch the characters go through so much growth, and what can I say, man, the main character was so well written. Honestly, all the characters were exceptionally well-written. I loved watching each story unfold, and it's just beautiful to watch people getting their well-deserved justice. There are new characters every episode, and yet the main characters will still always have your heart. Just perfect.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.
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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. We also didn’t get enough depth for most side characters, so it was harder to get emotionally attached to them as individuals, which also weakened the found family for me.
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.
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