Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Hyena, which premiered on SBS in February 2020 and later became available on Netflix. This gripping Korean series dives deep into the cutthroat world of elite lawyers who will stop at nothing to serve the wealthiest 1% of society.
Hyena consists of 16 episodes with an average runtime of 60 minutes each. The series aired on SBS TV from February 21 to April 11, 2020, starring powerhouse actors Kim Hye-soo and Ju Ji-hoon. Created by screenwriter Kim Roo-ri and directed by Jang Tae-yoo, this legal thriller explores the moral compromises people make when money and power are at stake.
The series depicts the blood-soaked survival stories of lawyers representing the top 1% of the high-class elite. Unlike typical legal dramas that focus on justice and righteousness, Hyena presents a world where ethics are flexible and winning is everything. The show masterfully blends legal procedural elements with intense character drama, creating a viewing experience that’s both intellectually engaging and emotionally gripping.
Jung Geum-ja: The Ultimate Legal Predator
Jung Geum-ja is a swashbuckling lawyer who crosses the boundaries of law and lawlessness, justice and injustice, ethics and corruption. Kim Hye-soo delivers an absolutely magnetic performance as this morally ambiguous character who operates purely on survival instincts. Geum-ja’s backstory reveals how her humble beginnings shaped her ruthless determination to climb the social ladder at any cost.
She is a true hyena that chases after success and money no matter what it takes. Armed with the strongest survival instincts, she endures through it all. Her character arc throughout the series challenges viewers’ perceptions of right and wrong, making her both despicable and oddly admirable.
Yoon Hee-jae: Elite Lawyer Meets His Match
Yoon Hee Jae is a successful, elite lawyer. Confident in his abilities, he possesses a brilliant mind that is wrapped around his ego. Ju Ji-hoon brings sophistication and complexity to this character who initially seems like the perfect foil to Geum-ja’s rough edges. However, as the series progresses, we discover that Hee-jae has his own moral blind spots and hidden vulnerabilities.
The chemistry between Kim Hye-soo and Ju Ji-hoon creates an electric dynamic that drives much of the series’ tension. Their relationship evolves from mutual antagonism to grudging respect, with romantic undertones that add another layer of complexity to their professional rivalry.
The Ultimate Showdown at Song & Kim Law Firm
The series builds to explosive confrontations as both lawyers navigate increasingly dangerous cases involving Korea’s most powerful families. Without spoiling the intricate plot twists, the final episodes showcase how far each character is willing to go when their survival is threatened. The law firm becomes a battlefield where personal vendettas and professional ambitions collide in spectacular fashion.
The writing expertly weaves together multiple storylines involving corruption, murder, and corporate espionage, culminating in revelations that recontextualize everything viewers thought they knew about the main characters.
Supporting Characters Who Steal Scenes
The ensemble cast delivers outstanding performances across the board. Lee Kyoung-young as Kevin Jung provides both comic relief and dramatic weight as the law firm’s managing partner. The various clients, from chaebol heirs to corrupt politicians, are portrayed with enough depth to make their stories compelling rather than just plot devices.
Each supporting character serves a specific purpose in highlighting different aspects of Korea’s class system and the lengths people will go to maintain or achieve power.
Success on Netflix
Hyena gained international recognition when it became available on Netflix, introducing global audiences to its unique take on the legal drama genre. The series maintains a strong rating among viewers who appreciate complex characters and morally gray storytelling. The 16-episode format allows for deep character development while maintaining the tight pacing that keeps viewers engaged throughout each hour-long episode.
Perfect for Legal Thriller Enthusiasts
If you love morally complex characters, high-stakes legal battles, and stories that challenge your sense of justice, Hyena is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. It’s a masterclass in how to create compelling antiheroes who operate in shades of gray rather than black and white.
Why This Legal Predator Drama Demands Your Attention
Hyena succeeds because it refuses to provide easy answers or clear-cut heroes. Instead, it presents a world where survival requires compromise, and where the line between justice and revenge becomes increasingly blurred. It’s essential viewing for anyone interested in character-driven dramas that aren’t afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16 (completed)
Platform: Netflix (originally aired on SBS)
Release Year: 2020
Current IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Legal Drama, Romance, Thriller
Status: Completed series
Main Cast: Kim Hye-soo (Jung Geum-ja), Ju Ji-hoon (Yoon Hee-jae), Lee Kyoung-young (Kevin Jung)
Main Antagonist: The corrupt system of wealth and power (thematic rather than individual character)