Is Lee Jong Suk's magic still alive? 5 reasons K-drama Law and City could be worth the wait as actor makes comeback after three years

Indian Express

7 hours ago

Actor Lee Jong Suk is returning to the OTT screen after a long three-year wait. The K-drama Law and the City marks Lee's next shot at Disney+ content after Big Mouth in 2022, which was loved by fans but had critics split. Now with this upcoming tvN title, the actor is slipping back into one of his most cherished avatars, the lawyer. Starring alongside Mun Ka Young, Kang You Seok, Ryu Hye Young, and Im Seong Jae, the show follows five young lawyers in Seocho juggling work stress and personal life.
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Law and City is one of the most hyped K-dramas of the year, partly because it marks Lee's return to his 'soft boy era', something fans have been waiting for him to revisit after his recent gigs into darker, more mature roles. His earlier hits like Pinocchio, While You Were Sleeping, and W: Two Worlds are what made him a global favourite long before the Hallyu wave went mainstream. But with his limited project choices and rare appearances, some fans were left disappointed with his long absence from the scene.
A legal drama with slice-of-life comfort, a genre still largely untouched in the industry. Unlike high-profile legal shows packed with dramatic courtroom battles, action scenes, blood, and grit, this one keeps it real and relatable. It focuses on the everyday grind, the burnout, ethical dilemmas, and struggles associate lawyers face while simply trying to make a living. It's one of the most grounded takes we've seen in a while, and that's what makes it hit close to home, making the binge all the more worth it. Speaking of his character, Lee in an interview said, 'Although I played a lawyer in my last drama, that story didn't really focus on the character's job as a lawyer. In this drama, I fully act out the job of a lawyer, but there aren't many scenes with heated courtroom arguments or rebuttals.'
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Nothing's more satisfying than when the lead pairing just clicks and matches exactly what fans were hoping for. In Law and City, Lee Jong Suk could be seen romancing Moon Ga Young, and their contrasting energies are already turning heads. The True Beauty star brings her playful energy, while Lee keeps it calm and composed, just like his character, a logical and emotionally detached lawyer. Young plays the passionate, idealistic rookie. Lee even praised her in an interview, teasing that she's 'the most senior among us' thanks to her 20 years in the industry (she started as a child actor). He joked, 'I often asked her, 'Was my acting okay?''
The best part about Law and City is that the screenwriter, Lee Seung Hyun, is a practising lawyer himself. He helped the cast understand the ground reality, offering raw and real insights into how cases are actually handled, far from the romanticised courtroom drama we usually see on screen. From courtroom etiquette to the nitty-gritty of legal work and office politics, everything is well-researched and grounded. In an interview, Moon Ga Young specifically pointed out how having a professional on set helped her. She said she got to ask 'a lot of detailed questions like the appropriate tone for courtroom arguments or the atmosphere depending on the case.'
In today's hustle culture, healing K-dramas like Our Unwritten Seoul, Welcome to Samdalri, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and others have found a solid fanbase. Law and City is clearly aiming for that same space, exploring themes of friendship, growth, and connection. Beyond the legal jargon and courtroom drama, what really stands out are the fun banters over soju tables, shared hotpot dinners, and the personal journeys of five associate lawyers trying to figure life out. It's about emotional space, shared meals, and small moments of self-discovery in the middle of professional chaos.
Law and City will premiere on July 5 on Disney+ Hotstar, and JioHotstar.