In the final episode of JTBC's weekend drama 'Beyond The Bar', aired on the 7th, actors Lee Jin-uk, Jung Chae-yeon, Lee Hak-joo, and Jeon Hye-bin each defined love in their unique ways.
The finale, which captivated viewers with its diverse courtroom episodes intertwined with love, left a lasting impression. The episode achieved a viewership rating of 9.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 8.4% nationwide, with peak ratings reaching 10.1% in the metropolitan area.
The episode featured a case involving a couple who entered into a marriage based on a co-parenting contract, believing that a marriage without love would be more stable. After intense debate, the litigation team acknowledged the diversity of love, agreeing that just as love can take many forms, so can marriage. This reflection on the meaning of love left a poignant impact.
Additionally, team leader Yoon Seok-hoon (played by Lee Jin-uk) let go of his lingering feelings for his ex-wife, transforming from a cold superior to a compassionate lawyer, hinting at a promising future. Kang Hyo-min (played by Jung Chae-yeon) reconciled with her long-strained relationship with her mother, realizing the various faces of love and learning how to heal the wounds born from it, all while smiling happily.
Lee Jin-woo's (played by Lee Hak-joo) unrequited love culminated in a proposal acceptance from Heo Min-jung (played by Jeon Hye-bin). Lee Jin-woo expressed that love is not about having the right answer but about finding one's own through pain and failure, and he confessed his desire to walk that path with Heo Min-jung. Touched by his heartfelt words, Heo Min-jung was moved, and their love blossomed like fireworks.
'Beyond The Bar' not only showcased the various facets of love through lawsuits but also delved deeply into the wounds within, establishing itself as a new kind of legal drama. Each episode delivered profound resonance by examining the love and scars left behind in relationships between lovers, spouses, parents, and children through the eyes of the litigation team.
Most importantly, the four lawyers of the 'Beyond The Bar' litigation team made the show's message more relatable. Team leader Yoon Seok-hoon anchored the drama with his contrasting charm of a cold exterior and a passionate interior. Kang Hyo-min infused energy into the story with her rookie enthusiasm and growth narrative. Lee Jin-woo, with his seasoned judgment, earned the trust of his juniors and seniors, while Heo Min-jung balanced the team with her warmth, completing the 'litigation Avengers' teamwork.