I’ve recently started watching 에스콰이어: 변호사를 꿈꾸는 변호사들, and I must say, I never thought I’d be so hooked. Six episodes in, and already it has the feel of one of those shows that actually gets it. From the very first case on, I sensed that soft but insistent tug, a sort of low-key intensity that makes you want to lean in further. That’s why I believe, thus, that it would be great to recommend Kdramas like Beyond the Bar, because if you are already hooked on the ride like I am, you will most likely crave more drama of the same quality of storytelling and emotional character growth.
What I’m most surprised at in this drama is the tone and rhythm. The background is a law firm, but it’s not bogged down in jargon or thick. Rather, every episode of the week is an episode that is overwhelmingly human. You greet strangers crossing the doors of the firm with their own loss, regrets, and aspirations, and slowly, their backstories intersect with the internal conflict of the lawyers. It’s a mix of episodic case-of-the-week and extended character study, so every episode of the week is self-contained yet part of the overall story.
And then finally, there’s the cast. Lee Jin-wook’s Yun Seok-hun is the type of character you don’t necessarily fall in love with at first, but by the finale of the show, you can’t help but love his stoic strength. Jung Chae-yeon’s Kang Hyo-min, meanwhile, is his perfect contrast of righteousness and social shyness, and the two of them clash in a manner that somehow fits perfectly. Seeing them solve cases together is nearly as fun as seeing the cases themselves. Seriously, it’s been such a breath of fresh air that I had to compile this list of dramas with the same type of feel to it, because of their emotional character development, slow-burning plot, or extremely emotional cases.
Best Legal Kdramas Like Beyond the Bar
Law and the City
If you enjoyed the balance of sharp logic and human emotion in Beyond the Bar kdrama, you’ll find something equally compelling in Law and the City. Lee Jong-suk stars as An Ju-hyeong, a veteran associate with a cold-blooded demeanour but an inexhaustible amount of talent, and Mun Ka-young as Kang Hui-ji, a young and charismatic lawyer. They are complemented by Kang You-seok, Ryu Hye-young, and Im Sung-jae to complete a tight-knit circle of lawyers whose cases challenge not only the law but also their own sense of morality to its edge. As with its predecessor, the law firm is the setting for an exploration of underlying issues of morality, justice, and self-discovery.
What I appreciated here is that it presents the relationship without redundancy. The conflict between An Ju-hyeong’s detached analysis and Kang Hui-ji’s people-oriented way of thinking presents a good contrast. Their debates are less about who is “correct” but about making people see the greyness of human existence. The bonding that takes place among attorneys, especially regarding worldly aspects such as food, helps to soften the otherwise tense environment. If you’re craving Kdramas such as Beyond the Bar, then this one is a must-watch.
Good Partner
Seasoned divorce lawyer Cha Eun-gyeong, played by Jang Na-ra, and wide-eyed newcomer Han Yu-ri, played by Nam Ji-hyun, Good Partner turns the mentor-mentee dynamic on its head. The show spends no time on the salacious aspects of family law as much as on the inner conflict Eun-gyeong has with her own marriage. Support from Kim Jun-han and P.O. joins the solid cast in delivering a vibrant blend of tension, camaraderie, and development. Like its legal drama counterpart, this one handles workplace tension and in-your-face personal drama nicely.
It’s highly recommended because it pulls no punches when it comes to difficult questions—questions of worth, integrity, and matrimony. It’s interesting without being draining, and the chemistry between the experienced lawyer and the hot-headed young upstart is compelling. If it was watching characters learn, struggle, and grow as a collective that had you hooked in the first place, Good Partner will come naturally. It’s a Korean drama like Beyond the Bar that successfully blends professional dilemmas with personal life.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Arguably the most successful Korean legal drama of the past years, Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the path of Woo Young-woo, a savant autist young attorney, played breathtakingly by Park Eun-bin. Her struggle up the legal ranks—overcoming professional barriers and personal misconceptions both—is inspiring and deeply moving. With Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young, and Ha Yoon-kyung rounding out the cast, the show is able to balance case-of-the-week content with long-term character arcs, just as the multi-level structure provides Esquire with its signature flavour.
Something I like about this drama is that it maintains a balance of seriousness of subject matter with cuteness and comedy. Each case never simply teaches you about law but about compassion, empathy, and tolerance. Like its counterpart, it makes the legal field appear more of a debating hall than it is—a forum to touch upon humanity itself. If you’re searching for Kdramas similar to Beyond the Bar, this one certainly achieves that heartwarming depth.
Miss Hammurabi
Miss Hammurabi is one of the few gems that reveal the justice system in its naked reality. With Go Ara playing the role of Judge Park Cha-oh-reum, Kim Myung-soo playing the role of Judge Im Ba-reun, and Sung Dong-il playing the role of the veteran Judge Han Se-sang, the drama focuses on cases of common people that unveil real issues. Rather than sensationalising celebrity cases, it puts centre stage the quiet yet overwhelming moments of justice, compassion, and the everyday struggle of those who appear before the court.
The best thing about this drama is just how realistic it is. The stories aren’t dramatised but are deeply real, tugging at the heartstrings in much the same subtle yet powerful way that Kdrama Beyond the Bar did. The characters are properly fleshed out by the script, and the relationship between the leading three propels the story ahead in warmth and integrity. If you enjoyed the slower, character-based storytelling that led up to this one, this one will reward you with emotional dividends.
Diary of a Prosecutor
This drama takes us behind the scenes of the provincial prosecutor’s office in a small town. Starring Late Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Ryeo-won, and Lee Sung-jae, it transports us to the less glamorous but very real aspect of the practice of law, rumpled workspaces, piles and piles of paper, and the quiet wins which do not always make the headlines. Its cases are more modest in scope but lush in social and emotional depth, and so it paints a tapestry of what life for the people who seek justice in the shadows is like.
I would definitely recommend it because it also has the same slice-of-life feel, reminding viewers that law dramas need not be all dramatic battles to be interesting. The show is appealing because it is real, it is funny, and rich in people interactions. It’s witnessing the small victories and little failures of individuals just trying to do the best they can to get their work done with a good conscience. If you want to watch a drama with as much quiet gentleness and layered storytelling, this one has to be on your list.
What I enjoy best about this type of courtroom K-drama, the capacity for being smart and human simultaneously. I’ll certainly be watching to find out and see what occurs, but in the meantime, these are worthwhile travel companions if you’re in the right mood for the same. So, what do you think—have you viewed any of these, or do you have some others that you’d suggest?
