In the bustling heart of Seoul lies Seocho-dong, a district synonymous with South Korea’s legal world — home to law firms, prosecutors’ offices, and endless ambition. It’s fitting, then, that Seocho-dong (2025)—also known internationally as Law and the City—sets its story right there, grounding its drama in the cutthroat, emotionally charged world of junior lawyers learning to survive.
Directed by Park Seung-woo (The Lies Within) and written by Lee Seung-hyun, an actual former attorney, the series offers a refreshingly grounded take on what it truly means to practice law in modern Korea — the exhaustion, the compromises, and the moments of quiet humanity amid all the chaos.
The drama stars:
- Lee Jong-suk as Ahn Joo-hyung, a composed yet haunted senior associate at a top law firm.
- Moon Ga-young as Kang Hee-ji, a passionate and idealistic junior lawyer whose moral compass often clashes with the firm’s corporate priorities.
- Kang Yoo-seok, Ryu Hye-young, and Lim Sung-jae round out the ensemble as fellow associates who each embody different responses to pressure — ambition, burnout, and quiet resilience.
Premiering on tvN on July 5, 2025, and concluding on August 10, the 12-episode series quickly became one of the most talked-about workplace dramas of the summer, balancing realism with emotional storytelling.
Plot Summary
At its core, Seocho-dong follows a group of young lawyers working at Haneul Law Group, a prestigious yet morally gray Seoul firm. The show doesn’t open with a flashy courtroom battle or a dramatic arrest — instead, it begins with a scene of weary lawyers waiting for a 2 a.m. taxi after another endless night of document review.
From there, the series explores the intersecting lives of five associates:
- Ahn Joo-hyung is the epitome of success: sharp, calm, and respected — but quietly disillusioned after years of playing by the rules.
- Kang Hee-ji, newly hired, believes the law should protect the powerless. Her idealism puts her in direct conflict with the firm’s cynical senior partners.
- Nam Tae-hoon (Kang Yoo-seok) is pragmatic, viewing law as a stepping stone to money and status.
- Han Soo-min (Ryu Hye-young) struggles with gender bias in the workplace.
- Park Do-yoon (Lim Sung-jae) hides his burnout behind humor and charm.
As they take on cases ranging from corporate fraud to family disputes and workplace harassment, they learn that justice isn’t always about right or wrong — it’s often about who can afford the best argument.
Strengths
⭐ 1. Realistic Depiction of Legal Life
Unlike the stylized courtroom spectacles of Suits or Vincenzo, Seocho-dong dives deep into the mundane reality of being a lawyer.
Episodes focus on the anxiety of preparing legal documents, the endless revisions from senior partners, and the quiet moral battles every associate faces. It’s slow-burn storytelling — but incredibly authentic.
Writer Lee Seung-hyun uses his own professional experience to portray details rarely seen on TV: unpaid overtime, silent hierarchies, and the subtle gender politics within Korean law firms. Viewers praised this grounded tone for its honesty and empathy.
💔 2. Lee Jong-suk’s Career-Defining Performance
Lee Jong-suk’s portrayal of Joo-hyung may be one of his best performances to date. He embodies a man who has succeeded outwardly yet lost touch with his younger ideals. Through quiet expressions, long silences, and restrained emotion, he captures the loneliness of modern professionals who’ve traded purpose for prestige.
His chemistry with Moon Ga-young feels organic and complicated — less romantic fantasy, more like two people trying to find meaning in the same sinking boat.
💫 3. Moon Ga-young’s Heart and Fire
Moon Ga-young’s Hee-ji is the emotional center of the series. Her character questions every cynical compromise made by the older generation, and through her, the show examines what it means to hold onto integrity in a world that rewards conformity.
Her performance is vibrant and full of conviction — especially in episodes 7–8, when her pro bono case for a single mother becomes a turning point in her career and her relationship with Joo-hyung.
🧩 4. Layered Ensemble Dynamics
The camaraderie among the five associates forms the emotional heartbeat of the show. They bicker, share midnight ramen, complain about clients, and silently comfort one another in their darkest moments.
Their friendship arc—culminating in a rooftop scene where they vow to “survive, not just succeed”—is one of the drama’s most memorable moments.
🎭 5. Writing That Values Subtlety
There’s no exaggerated villain or melodramatic twist here. Even the firm’s managing partners aren’t cartoonishly evil—they’re simply products of a flawed system.
This moral ambiguity makes Seocho-dong both mature and haunting. You feel for every character, even when they make choices you don’t agree with.
Weaknesses
⏳ 1. Uneven Pacing
Episodes 3 and 4 meander a bit, spending long stretches on office minutiae. While this serves realism, some viewers found the pacing too slow, especially after a strong premiere.
🔁 2. Familiar Romance Tropes
The rekindled connection between Joo-hyung and Hee-ji—hinting at a mysterious past in Hong Kong—adds emotional depth, but also feels familiar to seasoned K-drama fans. Fortunately, it’s written with restraint and never overshadows the professional plotlines.
⚖️ 3. Legal Complexity
Some of the case details are so intricate that they may lose casual viewers. Legal jargon, corporate law terminology, and procedural accuracy sometimes weigh down the momentum.
Themes and Messages
- The Cost of Success:
The show questions whether professional prestige is worth sacrificing personal happiness. Joo-hyung’s quiet despair mirrors many modern professionals trapped in cycles of overwork. - Morality in a Grey World:
Each case forces the characters to confront the blurred line between right and wrong — showing that justice often depends on who’s writing the billable hours. - Gender and Hierarchy:
Han Soo-min’s storyline shines a light on subtle sexism within Korean firms, where female lawyers are often sidelined or patronized. - Youth vs. Experience:
The generational conflict between the idealistic juniors and jaded seniors drives the heart of the story. - Hope in Small Victories:
By the final episodes, the drama suggests that change doesn’t come through grand gestures — but through persistence, empathy, and the courage to speak up.
Cinematography and Tone
Visually, Seocho-dong is slick yet subdued. The muted color palette — cool greys, blues, and glass reflections — mirrors the sterile corporate environment. Occasional handheld shots during late-night office scenes add realism and intimacy.
The soundtrack, composed by Yoon Ji-won, mixes lo-fi piano themes with ambient city sounds, giving the series a melancholic beauty.
Reception
- Domestic ratings started around 4.8% (Nationwide, Nielsen Korea) and climbed to 7.2% by the finale — strong numbers for a weekend drama.
- Critics praised its “humanistic portrayal of legal professionals” and “refreshing lack of melodrama.”
- On international platforms like Netflix and Viu, it became a trending title in Singapore, Taiwan, and the U.S. K-drama community on Reddit and Twitter lauded it as “the most realistic legal show since Misaeng.”
Final Verdict
Seocho-dong (2025) isn’t a drama that shouts — it whispers. It doesn’t rely on explosive courtroom scenes or overblown romance. Instead, it finds beauty in realism, empathy in exhaustion, and meaning in the smallest victories.
For anyone who’s ever questioned the purpose of their career or felt lost in the pursuit of success, Seocho-dong hits close to home.
