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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

 ♥ 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.

♥ 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.   

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.  

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” 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.