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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, you could always feel the tension in the room when they were together. 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.
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, you could always feel the tension in the room when they were together. 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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