Kdrama and Ramen

For the love of all things Kdrama

News and Reviews

One Dollar Lawyer – Full Review

This is a full review and contains

 Spoilers!

One Dollar Lawyer - Unspoiled Review

One Dollar Lawyer  – Full Review

 

Welcome to  One Dollar Lawyer – Full Review.  A lawyer helps those in need by making his legal fee $1, no matter the case or crime.   If you haven’t watched this drama yet, I recommend checking out my unspoiled review here.

One Dollar Lawyer

Aired: September 23 – November 11, 2022

# of Episodes:  12

Where to Watch: Hulu

Genre: Legal Drama

Starring:  Namkoong Min and Kim Ji Eun

One Dollar Lawyer - Unspoiled Review

The Story

 

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

A former prosecutor gives up corruption and politics to become a private lawyer, working to defend those in need by charging only $1 per case.  And when a successful, new lawyer shows up at his office, asking him to take her in as an intern, he really isn’t interested.  Slowly, her determination wins him over, but their methods of handling cases are not at all similar.  It’s going to take some serious compromise and cooperation to create a smooth working environment.  And beneath her new boss’ chaotic, quirky demeanor, lies a man who has been hurt by the tragic death of 2 important people in his life, and the need to get revenge on those responsible.  

One Dollar Lawyer - Unspoiled Review

The Leads

 

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review
One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Namkoong Min as Chun Ji Hoon

Chun Ji Hoon was a talented prosecutor before the fiance he loved and the father he admired both ended up mysteriously dead.  Ji Hoon is sure that they were murdered by someone closely related to the Attorney General’s Office, where his father worked.  So he leaves the Prosecutors Office to set up his own practice in the space his fiance, Lee Joo Young, had been about to open.  As his own boss, he has the private time to continue digging into their deaths.  Besides the office space, Ji Hoon also inherits the sign Joo Young made promising each case will be tried for $1.  As a small, private office charging almost nothing, the business has struggled, so when Baek Ma Ri shows up to work as his intern, he isn’t very receptive to the idea.  And her by-the-book go-getter attitude immediately clashes with his laid back approach to law.  But as she tries to win his approval, he finds they make a pretty good team after all.  

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Chun Ji Hoon is tongue-in-cheek and usually slightly evasive about his true theories and motives.  His keen sense of observation helps him to read situations quickly and makes him a pretty solid judge of character.  His guarded nature is partly due to the crushing loss he suffered when Joo Young and his father both died so suddenly and so close together.  Namkoong Min is a brilliant actor with tons of charm and a totally uniuqe sense of comedic timing.  He fit this role perfectly and I can’t really imagine anyone else playing it in quite the same way.  

Kim Ji Eun as Baek Ma Ri

Baek Ma Ri finishes her training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute expecting to start work at her grandfather’s firm.  But he has other plans.  As a way to continue her training, her grandfather, Beak Hyun Moo, sends Ma Ri to work under Ji Hoon as an intern.  Ma Ri is obviously disappointed with the apparent demotion and being stuck in a small, tacky law office with very few clients.  But the more she works on cases with him, the more she learns to appreciate his skill and care about him.  And when her curiousity about his private life begins to gnaw at her, she goes to her mentor, Ji Hoon’s former co-worker, to find out what happened to him in his past to make him the person he is today.  

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Ma Ri has an overbearing mother who believes the world owes them everything, and a grandfather who wants to see her become an honest and hard working lawyer.  Luckily for her, her grandfather is the one holding the purse strings.  His idea to send Ma Ri to Ji Hoon’s practice is a turning point in her career that is definitely for the better.  Kim Ji Eun played this role well, but I’m not sure she ever felt much like a star of the drama.  She played a great support character for Ji Hoon, but I wish she could have had a storyline of her own.  

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Supporting Characters

 

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review
One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Park Jin Woo as Sa Mu Jang

Sa Mu Jang was Joo Young’s only client before her death.  When he came back to see her for a follow-up, he met Ji Hoon.  After Ji Hoon helped him with his issue, Mu Jang stayed on as his assistant.  Mu Jang and his wife own a local dry cleaner, and Ji Hoon uses their company van for all their business needs.  Mu Jang is constantly trying to get Ji Hoon to make more money so that they can pay their bills and rent.  

Lee Deok Hwa as Baek Hyun Moo

Baek Hyun Moo is Ma Ri’s grandfather.  He is the CEO of a big, successful law firm.  He admires Ji Hoon for his skills and character, so he sends Ma Ri to him to be his intern.  While Hyun Moo represents some very influential people in his firm, he is honest and hardworking, and manages to steer clear of the wide-spread corruption.  

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review
One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Choi Dae Hoon as Seo Min Hyuk

Seo Min Hyuk has been studying law in the US.  His father is a partner in Baek Huyun Moo’s firm.  Min Hyuk and his father plan to have Min Hyuk marry Ma Ri so that they can gain a larger stake in the company.  Min Hyuk has even bought the ring.  But it is obvious that Ma Ri thinks of him only as a longtime friend.  

Things I Liked

 

 ♥ Cases

This drama has some interesting legal cases with fun twists.  I enjoyed watching the way Ji Hoon solved each cases.  He has a unique perspective that made his methods interesting and I always looked forward to how he would solve each case. Watching he and Mu Jang fumble their way through each investigation was entertaining and their chemistry was a highlight of the drama.

 ♥ Baek Hyun Moo

Baek Hyun Moo is a great character.  He is a loving but fair grandfather who isn’t afraid to stretch his granddaughter and help her grow into the best lawyer possible.  I liked the way his character is called into question temporarily, before Ji Hoon discovers he is completely innocent of all wrongdoing.  It was such a relief to find out he was the great guy we wanted him to be all along.  

♥ Flashbacks

This drama handled flashbacks better than almost any drama I have watched.  Using 2 episodes to really take their time telling the story, worked so much better than random clips repeated over and over, to the point of boredom.  The abrupt shift to a darker tone is a bit jarring, but the story quickly draws you in.  The love story between Ji Hoon and Joo Young was beautifully told.  It gave us a chance to fall in love with her and their romance, even though she is already dead.   

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Things I Didn’t Like

 

Weak Female Lead

Compared to the dynamic personality of Ji Hoon, Ma Ri never really gets a chance to shine in her own right.  She is forever designated as the sidekick.  I wish we could have seen more character development for her.  She did well with what she was given, but there was so much more potential for her role.  Maybe her relationships with her grandfather, her mother, and Min Hyuk were all left on the cutting room floor.  It’s hard to say, but they certainly felt incomplete.  

Villain

The second half of this drama revolved around Joo Young’s murder and the corrupt actions of Ki Seok.  Yet, even in the credits, Ki Seok is listed as a guest character.  We never really get much of a feel for who he is or what has motivated him.  Of course, I am glad that Ji Hoon found justice in the end, but seeing the villain punished seems almost insignificant, since we never see enough of him to really appreciate seeing him brought down.

Production Turmoil

The terrible friction going on behind the scenes in this drama has been well documented.  There were arguements about product placement, and scenes were sent back for endless revisons.  And all of the static is reflected in the chaotic tone of the second half of this drama.  It’s really too bad, because the cast gave their everything all the way through.  But the plot struggled to stay consistent and parts of the story felt flat, rushed, or incomplete.  

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

The Ending

 

“One Dollar Lawyer” has a rushed and predictable ending, but it does manage to tie up the main loose ends and give us a happy glimpse into the future for our fearless law team.  After taking some time away to prepare for his final battle, Ji Hoon comes back ready to take down Choi Ki Seok once for all.  In the end, Ji Hoon relies on his excellent acting skills to coax a confession out of Ki Seok.  The team gives the Prosecutor’s Office the evidence they have gathered, with the help of Ma Ri’s grandfather, and the confession.  Ki Seok is arrested and Ji Hoon serves as a special prosecutor to try the case, where, of course, he is found guilty.  3 months later, Ma Ri and Mu Jang try to raise their legal fee, but Ji Hoon won’t hear of it.  He vows to always remain the “1000 Won Lawyer”.  The final scene reverts back to the series’ earlier comedic style, with Ji Hoon showing up on a deserted island to help a potential client in need.  Obvioiusly, the law will go on, with our fearless trio working together for justice.

One Dollar Lawyer - Full Review

Should I Watch

 

One Dollar Lawyer - Unspoiled Review

“One Dollar Lawyer” is a legal mystery drama with plenty of humor thrown in.  The beginning of this drama is charming and funny.  It’s delightful to watch, and there are plenty of hints at a more serious backstory to prepare you for the 2 episode flashback into the past starting at episode 6.   This is one of those legal dramas that manages to seldom end up in a court room.  Instead, we see our legal team act more as detectives, working to solve the crimes and settle their cases.  Unfortunately, a fight among the production team around the middle of the drama resulted in the episodes suddenly being cut short, leaving the ending rushed and messy. For me, the weak ending is balanced out with the very strong beginning.  But you might want to go in with lower expectations of the final episodes.      I give “One Dollar Lawyer” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜

See other full reviews here:

A Comprehensive Look at Family By Choice 2024

Explore every aspect of 'Family By Choice' in this comprehensive review. Dive into character insights, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven't seen the drama yet and are looking for a spoiler-free review, check out the link below.Warning: This review contains major...

A Comprehensive Look at The Judge from Hell 2024

Join us as we dive deep into the thrilling and chilling world of Sweet Home. This review covers Seasons 1-3, providing comprehensive insights and detailed analysis.In "A Comprehensive Look at The Judge from Hell 2024", join us as we dive deep into the dramatic world...

A Comprehensive Look at Love Next Door 2024

Delve into the emotional love story of 'Love Next Door' with this in-depth review. Explore the characters, their stories, and the highlights of this fun historical rom-com.   If you haven't watched this drama yet and would prefer a spoiler-free review, please click on...

A Comprehensive Look at Gyeongseong Creature 1 and 2

Explore every aspect of 'Gyeongseong Creature' in this comprehensive review. Dive into character insights, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven't seen the drama yet and are looking for a spoiler-free review, check out the link below.Air Date:  December 22, 2023 -...

A Comprehensive Look at No Gain No Love 2024

Explore every aspect of 'No Gain No Love' in this comprehensive review. Dive into character insights, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven't seen the drama yet and are looking for a spoiler-free review, check out the link below.Warning: This review contains major...

A Comprehensive Look at Good Partner 2024

Join us as we dive deep into the thrilling and chilling world of Sweet Home. This review covers Seasons 1-3, providing comprehensive insights and detailed analysis.In "A Comprehensive Look at Good Partner 2024", join us as we dive deep into the dramatic world of 'Good...

A Comprehensive Look at Knight Flower 2024

Delve into the emotional love story of 'Knight Flower' with this in-depth review. Explore the characters, their stories, and the highlights of this fun historical rom-com.   If you haven't watched this drama yet and would prefer a spoiler-free review, please click on...

A Comprehensive Look at Black Out 2024

Explore every aspect of 'Black Out' in this comprehensive review. Dive into character insights, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven't seen the drama yet and are looking for a spoiler-free review, check out the link below.Air Date: August 16, - October 4, 2024...

A Comprehensive Look at My Demon 2023

Join us as we dive deep into the thrilling and chilling world of Sweet Home. This review covers Seasons 1-3, providing comprehensive insights and detailed analysis.In "A Comprehensive Look at My Demon 2023", join us as we dive deep into the dramatic world of 'My...

A Complete Look at Romance in the House 2024

Join us as we dive deep into the dramatic world of 'Romance in the House', exploring its plot, character arcs, and unforgettable moments.  If you haven't seen 'Romance in the House' yet and would prefer a spoiler-free summary of the story, please click on the link...

Join My

Newsletter!