Actor Jung Kyung Ho has returned with the new legal drama "Pro Bono", and the show is already turning heads with its impressive early ratings.
The series, which premiered on the 6th, follows a self-centered judge obsessed with success who unexpectedly becomes a public interest lawyer.
The drama portrays the chaotic yet heartfelt journey of a former judge navigating a corner office in a huge law firm and a public interest team with zero revenue. It started strong with a 4.5% rating.
tvN’s weekend drama Pro Bono, which highlights the work of public interest lawyers, has captured viewers’ hearts with meaningful cases that reflect the realities of socially vulnerable groups.
Episode 4 recorded an average rating of 8.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area, peaking at 9.4%, while nationwide it averaged 8% with a peak of 9.2%, setting a new personal high.
These numbers rank it as the third highest for tvN dramas this year, following Tyrant’s Chef and Typhoon Company (Nielsen Korea).
Episode 4 showed Kang Da Wit (Jung Kyung Ho), who lost at the first trial, expanding the stage for his fight during the appeals process. He held a press conference to sue South Korea on behalf of Kim Kang Hoon (Lee Cheon Moo), a boy denied an equal life, referencing the constitutional principle that “all lives are equal and deserve respect.”
Through on-site inspections, Kang Da Wit clearly highlighted the client’s reality and the urgency of the case.
Kim Kang Hoon even asked Choi Woong San (Yoo Jae Myung) directly about his struggles, asking, “What must I do to live like other kids?” After a brief pause, Choi Woong San requested a court delay. Later, he said, “I cannot accept the conclusion that the birth of such a smart boy is a damage,” suggesting Kang Da Wit withdraw the lawsuit and promising to build a special school for his grandson, creating a heartwarming turning point.
The episode ended with the Pro Bono team celebrating their case’s completion, but a mysterious text alerting Park Ki Ppeum (So Ju Yeon) about Kang Da Wit’s alleged bribery left viewers curious about who sent it.
The actors’ performances have brought the story to life. Jung Kyung Ho, as Kang Da Wit, shows impressive legal skills even in his first public interest case, turning challenging situations into victories with smart courtroom strategies.
So Ju Yeon, playing the law-obsessed public interest lawyer Park Ki Ppeum, adds stability and warmth to the drama. Despite being part of a top M&A team at O & Partners, her character chose to work in the unpaid public interest team out of a genuine desire to help others, showing compassion and dedication.
Pro Bono is showing a ratings trend similar to tvN’s hit Tyrant’s Chef, which started at 4.9% and jumped to 11.1% by episode 4, eventually reaching a peak of 17.1%. While Pro Bono has not yet reached double-digit ratings, its engaging story and growing audience interest suggest it may do so soon.
Fans are eagerly watching to see if Pro Bono can follow in Tyrant’s Chef’s footsteps and maintain its rising success.
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