Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
Reporter Jung Se-yoon from TenAsia brings intriguing broadcasting issues to life with a unique perspective.
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
Actress Lee Na-young has made a remarkable comeback after three years, proving her presence from the very first episode. The ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Honor: Her Courtroom' (hereafter 'Honor'), starring Lee Na-young, has set a new personal best record, kicking off to a promising start.

The first episode of 'Honor', which aired on the 2nd, recorded a viewership rating of 3.1%. This is the highest figure for a first episode among ENA Monday-Tuesday dramas. The second episode, aired the following day, saw a slight increase to 3.2%, maintaining its early momentum. From the first week, the show has been forming a stable viewership base, gaining traction.

'Honor' is a mystery thriller where three female lawyers confront a massive scandal from the past that resurfaces in the present. It is based on a Swedish drama of the same name, with Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Chung-ah playing the lead roles as lawyers at L&J (Listen and Join), a law firm specializing in female crime victims.
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
This project holds significant meaning for Lee Na-young. It marks her return to television after three years and her first role as a lawyer since her debut. Lee Na-young shared at the production presentation that the preparation process was not easy. "I read the script with my husband (Won Bin), and he found it very interesting. As someone in the same profession, he understood the challenges on set and gave me a lot of encouragement, saying 'Hang in there, it must be tough,'" she revealed.

The transformation was evident in the actual broadcast. Lee Na-young, who focused on vocal training to match the professional tone, portrayed the charismatic celebrity lawyer with precise articulation and a strong tone from the first episode. Her commanding presence, clear diction, and confident demeanor maximized the character's appeal.
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
Actress Lee Na-young Makes a Triumphant Return with 'Honor: Her Courtroom'
The chemistry with co-stars Jung Eun-chae and Lee Chung-ah is also stable. The balanced performances and synergy of the three actresses have been praised for naturally enhancing the 'acting trio's' dynamic. The drama itself increased immersion from the first episode with a seamless narrative and received positive reviews for its 'refreshing tempo' that drives the plot without frustration.

Naturally, comparisons with 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' (hereafter 'Woo'), which holds the highest viewership record for ENA, have emerged. 'Woo' started with 0.9% and 1.8% for its first and second episodes, respectively, and reached double digits from the seventh episode, ultimately achieving a record high of 17.5% in the final episode. In contrast, 'Honor' impressively secured early buzz by hitting the 3% range from its first episode.

Attention is focused on whether 'Honor', with Lee Na-young's comeback effect and solid storyline, can become another flagship work for ENA and potentially surpass 'Woo's' record.

Reporter Jung Se-yoon from TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr
Show original