JTBC's new weekend drama 'Esquire: Lawyers Dreaming of Lawyers' (hereafter 'Esquire') has seen a rapid rise in viewership, surpassing the highest ratings of its predecessor 'Good Boy' in just four episodes. The series is receiving praise for its diverse episodes and the refreshing arguments presented by Lee Jin-wook's character.
Premiering on the 2nd, 'Esquire' is an office growth drama that follows the journey of Kang Hyo-min (played by Jung Chae-yeon), a rookie lawyer at the law firm Yulim, who is righteous and bold but inexperienced in social life. She grows into a complete lawyer through her interactions with partner lawyer Yoon Seok-hoon (played by Lee Jin-wook), who is cold to the world but unmatched in skill.
Unlike tvN's recently concluded 'Seocho-dong', which focused on the struggles of lawyers in a legal town, 'Esquire' centers on the litigation team of a large law firm, presenting a different lawsuit episode each week.
The driving force behind 'Esquire' is Lee Jin-wook and Jung Chae-yeon. Lee Jin-wook delivers satisfying conclusions in every case with his exceptional skills. Jung Chae-yeon, despite causing trouble and being rebellious, uses her sharp mind and courage to create unexpected twists each episode. The fast-paced and exhilarating plot is reflected in the ratings, which started at 3.7% for the first episode and climbed to 4.7%, 6.7%, and 8.3% in subsequent episodes, surpassing the highest rating of 'Good Boy', which was 8.1%.
However, opinions on Jung Chae-yeon's performance are divided. While some praise her stable portrayal, others criticize her high-pitched voice for disrupting the immersion of the drama. Given the legal genre's need for gravity, her portrayal as a novice in the field is seen as overly light. Some also find her expressions monotonous compared to her character's narrative.
In contrast, Lee Jin-wook is praised for his stable acting, seamlessly transitioning between warmth and coldness. His portrayal of a multi-dimensional character, from personal pain due to divorce to genuine care for clients and charisma against opposing lawyers, is well-received. Notably, his explosive anger towards a child abuse perpetrator in episode 4 heightened the drama's tension.
'Esquire' is showing the steepest rise in ratings among JTBC dramas aired this year. 'The Art of Negotiation', which recorded a peak rating of 10.3%, only surpassed the 8% mark by its sixth episode. 'More Beautiful Than Heaven' maintained ratings in the 6% range, reaching a peak of 8.3% in its final episode. If this trend continues, 'Esquire' is expected to surpass 'The Art of Negotiation' and achieve the highest ratings among JTBC dramas this year.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr