AnthideAgiusMuscat

The phycological insights buried in episodes of Beyond the Bar are many & some too complex to "quickly" outline. The scriptwriter presents us with an intricate tapestry of human interactions ... a few instinctive; others determined by circumstances or engaged in to follow social convention.
Is one really obliged to follow social norms that result in personal unhappiness rather than to take the "road least travelled"? Can blind loyalty be toxic rather than empowering?
From the comments posted in this forum, it becomes obvious that the understanding of many of what is love is very narrow .... limited to just sexual love which form of love is too often "inward looking" & an exercise in self indulgence rather than the ultimate form of connection with another human being.
Those still curious about the protagonists of Beyond the Bar should consider that with regards to Lawyer Yun, we have only been given "scrapes" and all the good stuff has not been "served".
Is Lawyer Yun inside his head only rational & controlled? If so, how can one explain his "violent" reaction to the clear evidence of child or animal abuse and his going the extra mile to vindicate the "victims".
The audience is not made privy to Lawyer Yun's life journey other than he is divorced and that his choice of a soulmate had proved over time to be seriously "flawed". A seemingly suave individual is cornered by a "past" intimate (a manipulative ex-wife) & under duress pushed to start seeking a life companion he does not believe he really requires. There is obviously so much more to Lawyer Yun than his prowess in the legal arena ... he is a "deep" character that the scriptwriter has deliberately not explored.
The signs that drama opus "Beyond the Bar" might not prove to be a one time wonder are very promising indeed.

We have been left with an open ended closing statement: Love is not a static emotion but one in constant evolution .... as will be one's understanding of it, whatever the outcome, good or bad ... This drama is a rarity .... it resonates with everyone but definitely not in the same manner or degree. All depends on one's own life experiences & how these have defined one's understanding of how love could or should be ..... fickle? enduring? supportive? demanding? selfish? selfless? .... the list is endless

Much has been written here about the dynamics of the interactions (romantic or otherwise) between the two "pairings" .... ML & FL and second ML & second FL. The careful observer however will have deduced by now that the intent of the scriptwriter is to express her conviction that a sincere, selfless "love" sentiment cares for no barrier, be it that of age, life experience or societal pressures & expectations.
Two souls who have "given up" on love come into the orbit of two "younger" individuals who initially had no interest in "identifying" much less engaging with a potential life companion (even casual sexual encounters are off their agenda). The younger counterparts however eventually see past the outer "cold" persona projected by the older protagonists in self defence against further "hurt" to that already endured, to the "inner deserving core" of their supposedly older & wiser "mentors". Both "youngsters" will decide to barge in where angels would have hesitated to thread. Why? Because true love & romance is not about "suitable" age gaps, a healthy earning potential or having a socially prestigious family lineage. It is about having the willingness to support & appreciate the other whilst being fully aware of both their "virtues" & "warts". The Italians have a saying: se sono rose, fiorerano! (if they are roses, they will bloom!).
The graphics of the opening sequence to each episode say it all: to have a whole "heart" one needs all the "pieces" & not just any pieces but ones that fit with each other in every aspect!

Too many posting here have mistaken a fictional drama for a montage of candid camera footage! As it is, the scriptwriter has cannibalized her own life/work experience for the benefit of the audience. This why so much of what is played out on screen feels so raw, real & relatable. One thing however should be clear by now: the scriptwriter wanted to drive home the idea that lawyers are not a super breed; they muddle their way through life (work & personal) like everyone else. Contrary to popular belief, they definitely do not exist or function in isolation 24/7 from the rest of humanity. So what could be more "real & natural" than occasionally offloading the workplace (or personal) dilemmas into the ear of a trusted confidant? Few, if honest, will not have done just that at some stage of their lives ....

As more comments roll in, I am noticing a bizarre trend. The same drama is being viewed as either not a reflection of reality or too candy candy! I am guessing that 99% of those writing here have never been inside a real Court room in any capacity. Court sessions are not drama sets: any theatrics will be deemed in contempt of the Court. Admissable evidence or information must satisfy pre-determined criteria established by the lawmakers ... this means that even hard copy independently certified documentation is at times dismissed as irrelevant to the case by the Court.
Too many forget or do not want to acknowledge that the natural sense of justice or what seems right and justice at Law do not always overlap 100%. This drama illustrates this point over & over again. The scriptwriter is a formal practicing lawyer. The material that has found its way onto our screens is based on her lived past professional journey & experiences .... this is why the outcomes are imperfect or partial as they so often are in real life.

To give credit where it is due:
the opening graphics of each episode include a "small" masterpiece .... jigsaw puzzle shaped fragments coming together to form a "whole" heart. Without a functioning, healthy heart there is no life or the semblance of a life worth living. The fragments, of course, are the various hues of love: platonic, unconditional, dutiful, idealistic, erotic, selfish, manipulative ...... the list is long!

From the comments posted, my wild guess is that few of those writing are in their 60s (like myself) .... natives of the Mediterranean ... or familiar with the output of European writers eg Andrea Camilleri (the creator of Comissario Montalbano) or lifelong admirers of Agatha Christie and her creations.
Anyone with chocolate box PDA on their mind should keep well away from dramas where the fulcrum is the twisted path persons are destined to follow in their lives or where life events push individuals to realise that there are few "absolutes" or immutable beliefs. In life practically nothing is sure except that everyone consciously or unconsciously is in a lifelong pursuit of love & connection.

This serial is astonishingly true to life, messy & unpredictable. Each legal conundrum comes with a handful of new physiological or moral truths thrown in as freebies. Anyone who expected the usual romcom with legal overtones must be very disappointed by now! The intention of the scriptwriter is much more ambitious: cramming in as many life truths as it is humanly (& coherently) possible to expound within the screen time made available to her. The lady is doing a commendable job. Kudos to her.
PS: such a pity there will only be 12 episodes 😞

Neurodivergent is probably more close to the truth! Simply does not think or act like the majority (the infamous neuro normal). Normal is just what the term implies, within the common norm. This young woman was born with special abilities & an unusual outlook on what should be your life's purpose ... to spend time doing "fun" things (her own words). The catch: her idea of "fun" is homing onto the truths hidden in a mass of tangled information.
Advocate Yun is an older, much more experienced member of this elite group (the neurodivergent). Has long since learnt how to mask his true inclinations but going on what happened in the case of the abused little girl, if his particular "bottom line" is crossed, his actions will not be what most would expect them to be. It is significant that the only person from Yullim who witnessed Advocate Yun's out of norm actions was the FL (& she kept what she had seen to herself).

Running as an invisible thread through all the episodes of this drama is the truth that no one is immune to the damaging effect on their "state of mind & being" of the absence of disinterested love from those they consider their intimates (eg parents and/or significant others). Friendships sustain but often cannot completely replace "unconditionally love". The latter is actually a rare commodity: most forms of love come with strings of all hues attached ... there is always a price to pay.

Actors are normal flesh & blood persons.; they are not a separate breed. Yet in SK & other Asian countries their "errors" are deemed more heinous than those of scores of others suspected of adultery or to be clients of sex workers or gamblers or drug users. Double standards should simply not exist: either everyone is equally "guilty" & atones to victims or collectivity as prescribed by Law or no one does.

This is what happens in real life. Most perverts intuitively approach the women who initially seem unlikely to actively & openly "reject" their invasive behaviour (even though the target objectively has every opportunity to do so). The targets give off subconscious vibes of being "off guard". Perverts are opportunitists who milk what could be considered borderline socially acceptable gestures to their own advantage. So what we were shown on screen is factual; it's more than plausible. Our scriptwriter's knowledge of human psychology runs deep.

No scene in this series is "superfluous" and not all are "linked". To my understanding the scene when Yun opens up the box of soap/cologne supplies received from his ex and the aborted disposal of it in the garbage pile, makes visible to us, the internal conflict still alive within the man: he has now understood that his ex had probably never loved him unconditionally, without a good dose of calculated self interest in the mix. Yun is however reluctant to simply dismiss as worthless his own memories of the 'happy" together times with his ex. His joy at the time had been genuine. His "ownership" of the memories is precious; all part of his life's journey. Yun is however now conscious that it is time to "archive" this particular set of memories & begin a new life chapter!
Waste however is abhorrent ; his young trainee seems "to enjoy" the scent of the soap/cologne so using up the supply instead of dumping it, all considered seems the better way forward 🙂

Although to observers FL's behaviour when dealing with the predatory CEO is less than wise, it is in line with her inclination to single mindedly try to "figure out or research" matters that have caught her attention. Same as she did in the case of the Gas company. This has been her modus operandi since her school days (as we have been repeatedly told). Only post these particular incidents (& their aftermath) did FL start to understood she is now in a different "world" where some social rules must be followed as non compliance has a far reaching effect both on herself & those connected to her. IMO the FL is neuro divergent. Hence her unusual thinking pattern & sponge like memory. The missteps regarding adherence to established codes of social or professional behaviour would really not be that much of a surprise, at least to those who know her well.

Netflix

I cannot read Japanese & rely on the English subtitles to make sense of what is going on screen. I have already followed a number Japanese serials but not think I have ever seen the disclaimer that flashes on screen before now. The English "translation" mentions "unlawful practices" which might be violations. What is meant by this?

Even the drama series title "Esquire" has "depth". The term is indeed an honorific applied in NA to exponents active in the legal profession but in origin it denoted a gentleman who is training to assist a "knight" (a knight being in essence a public official who acted in defence of his country, its citizens and/or ruler). The manners of the ML are really exquisitely in line with the appelitive of Esq!
Attorney Yun's "courtly" gestures which in themselves seem of little significance, "spare" the FL unnecessary embarrassment or future emotional regret. This is the true worth of the "old fashioned" handkerchief supplied at an awkward moment or the retrieval/return of a favourite trinket which would have otherwise been lost ....
What is notable is that the our seasoned "knight" has learnt the hard way to hide his deepest held desires or convictions; he is only now risking exposing a bit of his true nature as he has ascertained that our FL is a "pure" spirit lacking any guile.
Also, I might be wrong, but our Attorney Yun,in complete contrast to his professional achievements, is still a "youngster" in the "love" department ... despite being a divorcee ... his first choice of a life companion could not have been much worse than it turned out to be 😣

To me LJW was a most pleasant surprise. A SK actor who has charisma & presence in spades (with extremely expressive eyes) but not an impossibly perfect face! LJW even has a faint but most manly beard shadow (so familiar to us European ladies!) The cherry on the cake: LJW has a "mobile" face. The man gets eye creases when he smiles or laughs. Sometimes wrinkles his nose or sports a furrowed look when under stress or "displeased! All natural reactions or expressions but actually a rare sight in KDrama land.

Instead of reflecting on the many insights this drama has already offered, too many seem to be obsessed with the age gap between ML & the FL (at times flipping back & forth between their fictional & real life avatars). I am guessing most of comments are from SKoreans who it seems favour the superficial over the substantial. Hence the unhealthy insistence on the physically "beautiful" mate only with the likewise beautiful or that age gaps beyond a couple of years are intrinsically unsound. Outside Asia such notions are ludicrous.

I fully concur with your opinion. Abortion destroys life definitely (there is no hope of rescue or recovery). Where I live abortion as a birth control method is still regarded as immoral & illegal. Also agreements that somehow pave the way to dissolution of the marriage contract are not envisaged. Either one wants to marry & assume all the responsibilities & consequence thereby or one simply does not marry.