Jung Kyung Ho and So Ju Yeon talk about their upcoming law drama 'Pro Bono'

Jung Kyung Ho and So Ju Yeon on Pro Bono.

Pro Bono is a law drama that follows Kang David (Jung Kyung Ho), a materialistic judge obsessed with career advancement, who unintentionally becomes a public interest lawyer and ends up trapped in a corner office at a massive law firm.

Jung Kyung Ho

Following the film Boss, the drama Oh My Ghost Clients, and now tvN's Pro Bono set to air on December 6 — you've been working really hard this year, haven't you?

Wow! I really didn't expect things to turn out like this (laughs). It's been such a passionate year. 

You're still in the middle of filming right now, correct? Expectations are high because it's a collaboration between director Kim Seong Yoon (Who Are You: School 2015, Dream High, The Sound of Magic) and actor Jung Kyung Ho.

We're working hard. This project is literally blood, sweat, and tears. I play Kang David, who goes from being a materialistic judge to a pro bono lawyer. I'm pouring in everything I have, clinging to our director.

As a veteran who has played a doctor, a star instructor, and a labor attorney, was there anything about this role that felt particularly challenging?

Unintentionally, I've ended up playing a doctor, instructor, detective, and labor attorney, and now, even a judge and a lawyer. In terms of the amount and difficulty of dialogue, playing a lawyer is the toughest. Legal terminology is difficult, so I needed time just to grasp it, and memorizing it took a long time as well. Courtroom scenes, in particular, involve nearly 20 hours of filming per episode, so I can't afford to lose focus.

There are many terms you'd never come across unless you have been involved in a lawsuit, right?

Exactly. It's full of terminology you'd never know unless you were involved in one. Da Wit, especially, is a character for whom how well he talks is crucial. He spouts sophistry, but to make the audience think, "Huh? I guess that could make sense," I first had to become familiar with it. I wanted to portray well how thin the line is between good and evil. So for this project, I spent more time than ever studying the script closely.

As a viewer, I feel like we'll get to hear a lot of those signature Jung Kyung Ho lines. Something to look forward to, right?

Thank you for thinking so. When I did the play "Angels in America", Act 1 alone had about five hours' worth of lines, but Pro Bono goes beyond even that. I just keep rambling on and on. Since our writer is a former judge, we did script readings together whenever there was time. The more I read, the more I was impressed by the writer's skill.

Is there a line that stuck with you the more you read it?
There's an episode that conveys the message, "Law shouldn't be a fossil trapped in the past but a living, breathing organism that breathes in tune with the times." That line really stayed with me.

Besides the dialogue, is there any other highlight viewers can look forward to?

All episodes have a different story, and the cameos are one of the highlights. I hope viewers keep an eye out for them. There will be a lot of people who will really surprise you. The teamwork of the Pro Bono team — Park Gi Ppeum (So Ju Yeon), Jang Yeong Sil (Yoon Na Moo), and the others — is also something to look forward to.

You met So Ju Yeon, your [character's] dependable partner in this project, for the first time through this work, right?

Yes. I remembered her because the commercial she shot when she debuted left such a strong impression. I thought, "Can one really be such a crystallization of innocence?" And after working with her, I found that she really is such an upright person. When you look at the character Park Gi Ppeum, you might think, "Where can someone this pure even exist in the world?" But when Ju Yeon portrays her, it feels completely believable. That's how pure and strong-willed she is. I'm learning a lot from her.

What kind of energy do you get from her?
In my early 30s, I had the mindset that "actors need to experience many things." I believed that such experiences allow for more free expression. But as I've gotten older, I've realized that might not always be the case. You need to evaluate yourself accurately and act in a way that aligns with that [understanding]. I've only now come to understand that natural acting doesn't come from simply being a free spirit. Watching Ju Yeon, whose approach to life is so sound and grounded, gave me certainty about that.

Do you have a crew that you can rely on, who have the perfect teamwork?

Yes. Our agency family, including CEO Choi Jeong Nam and director Choi Tae Seon. I've been with CEO Choi for 23 years, ever since my debut. They are my most dependable team.

What has allowed you to stay together for such a long time?

"Being a good actor." Just that one thing. Ever since I was young, I genuinely wanted to become a good actor, and hyung had the dream of nurturing a good actor. We came this far focusing on nothing but that dream. I still don’t fully know what “good” really means, but these days, I feel that searching for it is the journey for the rest of my life.

There's a message of "professions of justice" in the progression from labor attorney to public-interest lawyer. Have your criteria for selecting projects changed recently?

There are many factors, but the biggest one is still people. "Who you work with" matters the most. This project was greatly influenced by my acquaintance with director Kim Seong Yoon. After working in this field for more than twenty years, I've realized that what ultimately matters is people. 

Script, setting, budget, and ratings fluctuate. But relationships keep coming as long as I work in this field. When relationships intertwine and you work with the right people, that naturally leads to a good project. I feel that this is the way of creating a story that viewers can connect with. I've had a long friendship with the director. He really listens. He listens well, laughs easily, is cheerful, and is a dependable captain on set.

When did you start believing in the power of relationships?
I think it accumulated as I continued my acting [career]. I really love spending time alone, but other than that, I spent my time on set. Thankfully, I never had a long break, so most of the time I have been alone or on set. I think that's where my energy is replenished.

Is the secret to working for twenty years, doing at least one project each year, also relationships?

I think the timing has always worked out whenever I wanted to work with certain people. I'm grateful that things aligned so well.

Do you relieve stress through work?

Honestly, I don't even have room for stress or anger to build up. I can shout, swear, cry, and express every emotion on the job. Ethan Hawke wrote in "A Bright Ray of Darkness" — "have a boring life and make your art thrilling." That line perfectly describes my life. I love being able to unleash all that on set and then go home and enjoy my time alone.

That simple yet clear rhythm of life sounds enviable.
It's not really something to envy. It's not even that well-organized (laughs).

Within that rhythm, is there something you want to fill more of?

In 2026, I want to focus on enriching myself as a person. Until now, I've fulfilled myself a lot through my work. I'm grateful for that, but next year I want to fill myself through travel and books. I also want to get my body in better shape. I want to enrich myself and then experience anew the process of expressing that through a project.

So Ju Yeon

Today, everyone on set unanimously said that So Ju Yeon and the Pro Bono character Gi Ppeum have a 100% synchronicity. Do you agree?

That's such an exaggerated compliment (laughs). I once asked the director why they cast me, and he said it was because of my "authenticity". So I put extra effort into conveying real emotions, and I'm happy to see that that intention came across.

Is there a particular aspect of Gi Ppeum that personally fascinates you?

Her resilience is like a roly-poly toy. She's what you call "someone who never gets shaken." Even when she's exhausted or disappointed, she quickly shakes it off and takes responsibility for the situation. Her way of handling things is really admirable. Her passion, sense of justice, sense of mission, and empathy all hit a perfect 100, and the more I was her, the more immersed I become. 

It is said you cried a lot while filming?

The days I didn't cry are few enough to count on my fingers. I cried so much that these days, whenever people see me, they ask, "What's making you sad today?" Each episode's events and Gi Ppeum's emotions hit me hard. I feel like I gradually came to be [her] while facing the incidents in the story. During a meeting with the director, the first question was about what I've been interested in lately. 

As a pet owner, my current interests are on animal rights, and since the show also touches on animal rights, I was able to fully immerse myself from the start. Overall, it was a set that left me with a strong sense of fulfillment at every stage.

What other aspects felt rewarding?
The weight of the "okay" sign was huge. The director is a huge perfectionist. Some days, the "okay" comes easily, while on other days, we receive very detailed direction. It's such a joy to finally hear that one word.

When you think about your time working on Pro Bono, what word comes to mind?
"Dynamic". It encompasses both inner and outer aspects of the project. It's a work filled with serious yet fun elements, such as public interest cases addressing contemporary issues, as well as the growth stories of the Pro Bono team. On set, with the team led by Jung Kyung Ho, it was both intense and enjoyable because everyone was outstanding.

There are many good stories about actor Jung Kyung Ho. Would you like to add another one?

When I first got to know that I would be working with Jung Kyung Ho, everyone around me said, "You're lucky!" The praise for him was incredible. While acting, I sometimes thought, "Wouldn't this be a bit strange?" But after shooting, when I review the monitor, the scenes come alive thanks to his performance. He memorizes the names of all the staff and takes such good care of them. I respect him not just as an actor but as a human being. I finally understood why everyone who's worked with him speaks so highly of him.

Listening to the vibe on set and the message of the work, I feel that this is a kind of story especially needed in such a cold season.

The more I filmed, the more I realized that the most valuable thing a person can do is to understand another person's heart. Even if everyone else says no, if just one person understands and believes in them, it can become the catalyst for change in someone's world. This is the kind of kindness our times really need.

Earlier this year, for the first time since your debut, you also participated in the play "Our Little Sister Diary". How did this new experience of theater contribute to your growth in this project?

What I learned from theater was a huge help for this project. The first thing that comes to mind is the courtroom scene. In that scene, I had to act alone in front of many people, and it reminded me a lot of performing on a theater stage. I even approached it as if it were a one-man show. The director filmed it in one take to preserve the emotional connection, carefully planning the camera angles and movements. The rehearsal was long, but it was similar to theater. I was really scared before stepping onto the stage for the first time, but in the end, I'm glad I did it.

In several interviews, you've said that you want to grow steadily and slowly. Was theater part of that journey?

Yes. I want to grow slowly and steadily, but I think that means having the courage to pursue what I want, even if it's scary. I believe that's how I can grow while keeping a good work-life balance. Theater and the SBS short drama Our Chocolate Moment were exactly those kinds of choices. When I hesitate or waver, if my heart is drawn to something, I just have to do it. It's the only way to feel satisfied (laughs).

So you're the type of person to try everything?

Absolutely action-oriented. I'm the embodiment of "Just Do It." I think you have to do what you like and are drawn to so you don't have regrets.

2025 seems to have been a particularly eventful year. What stands out as the most memorable?

The drama Pro Bono. We prepared for it all year, and it was intense. If I had to pick a phrase for the year, it would be one of Gi Ppeum's lines: "Pro Bono Victory!"

In 2026, in what area would you hope to see "victory"?

This is really personal, but I hope humans and animals can coexist more kindly. I hope awareness and institutional changes for animals improve. I'm currently supporting a few activists, but I want to contribute more actively.

Pro Bono premieres on December 6. News about the global OTT is yet to come.  

Source: Allure Korea