Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Joseon Attorney: A Morality, which premiered on March 31, 2023, bringing a unique fusion of historical legal drama with romance and themes of justice during the Joseon Dynasty.
Joseon Attorney: A Morality aired from March 31 to May 20, 2023, featuring 16 episodes running approximately 70 minutes each on MBC. This fusion historical drama follows Kang Han Soo, who initially becomes a lawyer to seek revenge for his parents’ death but gradually transforms into a skilled attorney fighting for justice during the Joseon period. What makes this drama particularly compelling is its blend of legal procedural elements with historical romance, featuring Princess Lee Yeon Joo and Judge Yoo Ji Sun as key characters who challenge and inspire the protagonist’s journey from vengeance to genuine advocacy for the people.
The series achieved a 7.5 rating on IMDb and marked significant comeback roles for Woo Do Hwan after his military service and featured rising star Bona alongside VIXX’s N (Cha Hak Yeon) in a compelling historical setting. The production combined period authenticity with modern legal drama sensibilities to create something fresh in the crowded historical drama landscape.
The Revenge Plot That Becomes a Quest for Justice
The central storyline begins with Kang Han Soo’s singular focus on using his legal skills to take revenge against those responsible for his parents’ deaths. Initially portrayed as a money-obsessed lawyer who exploits clients for personal gain, Han Soo’s character represents the corruption that can exist within legal systems. However, as he gains experience and encounters various cases affecting ordinary citizens, his motivations gradually shift from personal vendetta to genuine concern for justice.
The series explores how the legal system operated during the Joseon Dynasty while drawing parallels to modern issues of corruption, class inequality, and the struggle for fair representation. Han Soo’s transformation from a self-serving attorney to someone who genuinely fights for the people creates the emotional arc that drives the entire series forward.
Kang Han Soo’s Evolution from Vengeance to Advocacy
Woo Do Hwan portrays Kang Han Soo as a complex character whose initial cynicism masks deeper pain and trauma from losing his parents. His performance captures the gradual transformation as Han Soo discovers that seeking justice for others provides more satisfaction than pursuing personal revenge. The character development showcases how professional growth and moral awakening can occur simultaneously when someone finds their true calling.
Han Soo’s interactions with various clients and legal cases force him to confront his own biases and motivations. The series skillfully shows how his legal expertise, initially used for selfish purposes, becomes a powerful tool for social change when applied with genuine compassion and moral conviction.
Princess Lee Yeon Joo’s Compassionate Leadership
Bona takes on the role of Princess Lee Yeon Joo, a royal who genuinely cares about her country and people rather than merely enjoying her privileged position. Her character represents idealistic leadership and serves as a moral compass for Han Soo’s journey. Unlike typical royal characters who remain distant from common people’s struggles, Yeon Joo actively seeks to understand and improve the lives of her subjects.
The romantic tension between Yeon Joo and Han Soo develops naturally as they discover shared values about justice and protecting the vulnerable. Her influence helps Han Soo realize that his legal skills can serve a higher purpose than personal revenge, while his street-smart approach to law helps her understand the practical challenges of implementing change.
Judge Yoo Ji Sun’s Pursuit of Fair Judgments
Cha Hak Yeon plays Judge Yoo Ji Sun, the principled son of the most prestigious family who holds a high-ranking government position. His character embodies the struggle to maintain integrity within a corrupt system while having the power to influence outcomes. Ji Sun’s commitment to delivering fair judgments creates both alliance and conflict with Han Soo’s more unconventional approach to seeking justice.
The dynamic between Ji Sun and Han Soo explores different philosophies about how change occurs within established institutions. While Ji Sun works within the system to reform it gradually, Han Soo often challenges the system directly, creating tension that drives much of the series’ legal and political intrigue.
The Ultimate Test of Justice and Morality
The climactic episodes force all three main characters to make crucial decisions about how far they’re willing to go to achieve justice. When Han Soo finally confronts those responsible for his parents’ deaths, he must choose between personal revenge and using the legal system to ensure they face proper consequences. This decision point represents the culmination of his character growth throughout the series.
The resolution challenges viewers to consider what true justice looks like and whether working within corrupt systems can ever achieve meaningful change. The series builds to powerful moments where characters must risk their positions, relationships, and safety to stand up for their principles.
Success on MBC and Streaming Platforms
Joseon Attorney: A Morality found its audience through MBC’s Friday and Saturday primetime slot, building steady viewership with its unique blend of historical setting and legal drama elements. The series benefited from Woo Do Hwan’s return to television after military service and the strong supporting cast including veteran actor Jo Hee Bong. While not achieving blockbuster ratings, the show developed a dedicated following among viewers who appreciated its thoughtful approach to themes of justice, corruption, and social reform. International availability on various streaming platforms helped introduce the series to global audiences interested in Korean historical dramas with contemporary relevance.
A Legal Drama That Questions True Justice
If you love historical dramas with legal procedural elements and themes of social justice, Joseon Attorney: A Morality is the perfect series to binge on MBC. The show successfully combines period authenticity with modern legal drama sensibilities while exploring timeless questions about morality, justice, and social change.
Where History Meets Modern Legal Consciousness
Joseon Attorney: A Morality proves that the best historical dramas use period settings to explore universal themes about justice, corruption, and the courage required to fight for what’s right, making it relevant for contemporary audiences.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16
Platform: MBC / Various streaming platforms
Release Year: March 31 – May 20, 2023
Current IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Historical Drama, Legal, Romance, Comedy
Status: Completed
Protagonists: Woo Do Hwan (Kang Han Soo), Bona (Princess Lee Yeon Joo)
Supporting Cast: Cha Hak Yeon/N (Judge Yoo Ji Sun), Jo Hee Bong (Park Je Soo), Lee Kyu Sung, Jung Ah Mi