ENA's 'Honor: Her Court' Delivers Powerful Legal Drama with Unyielding Female Lawyers

ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Honor: Her Court' features three fearless lawyers, played by Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Chung-ah, who refuse to back down. From the very first week, the show has captivated viewers by addressing their desire for justice.

'Honor: Her Court' (hereafter 'Honor') follows the story of three lawyers from the female sexual crime victim-specialized law firm L&J (Listen & Join): Yoon Ra-young (Lee Na-young), Kang Shin-jae (Jung Eun-chae), and Hwang Hyun-jin (Lee Chung-ah). Their bold and truthful dialogues have created numerous iconic scenes, directly confronting the contradictions of the legal system and the hypocrisy of perpetrators, providing viewers with a thrilling catharsis. Let's revisit some of their memorable lines and scenes from just the first two episodes.

In a live debate, Yoon Ra-young challenges the opposing lawyer's logic, which questions the testimony of sexual crime victims under the guise of 'defendant's right to defense.' She delivers a reality check by stating, "Over 80% of sexual violence victims experience secondary victimization during trials, and 28% abandon legal proceedings due to secondary harm in court."

She highlights the appalling questions asked in real trials that treat victims as criminals and criticizes the unconstitutional decision regarding video testimony of minor sexual crime victims, stating, "Now even children have to hear this nonsense in court." Her resilience shines as she finds and brings home Jo Yoo-jung (Park Se-hyun), a minor sexual crime victim whose personal information was leaked online, causing her immense distress. Instead of comforting her, Yoon Ra-young firmly tells her, "Why should you die? Live with the mindset of 'kill rather than be killed.' Live fiercely, and show them!"

Kang Shin-jae remains composed despite pressure from the L&J's parent company Haeil's operations committee regarding the minor sexual assault perpetrator Kang Eun-seok (Lee Chan-hyung) case. She emphasizes L&J's founding purpose and public role, questioning the company's social responsibility by saying, "If you made the powerless cry with your right hand, you should wipe their tears with your left." She firmly draws the line when asked if they should take on the unpopular Kang Eun-seok case, stating, "Because he's a bastard."

During a confrontation with Kang Eun-seok, who was urgently arrested for drug charges, Kang Shin-jae's shrewdness stands out. She hints at having evidence of his drug distribution, unsettling his poker face, and seizes the moment to uncover the truth behind the scandal involving Jo Yoo-jung. Her declaration, "I go all the way with a bad hand, and I've never lost," elegantly seals her victory, showcasing her strategic prowess.

Hwang Hyun-jin, who stands by Jo Yoo-jung in court, is both warm and strong. She comforts the victim's sister, who despairs at the perpetrator's court appearance, saying, "Our side is strong, and you need to show your sister that we won't be shaken by any tricks." Her reassurance to Jo Yoo-jung before the trial, "I'll be by your side from start to finish, and you won't be swayed or doze off," demonstrates her genuine solidarity with the victim. In court, she shows another side, holding Jo Yoo-jung's hand firmly amidst humiliating questions, providing strength and serving as a steadfast support beyond just a lawyer.

'Honor' showcases the expertise of three lawyers with different approaches, acting as shields for victims who cannot speak up in sexual crime cases, and delivering refreshing dialogues that confront the entrenched power structures. The drama promises an engaging experience from the first week, highlighting the strong alliance of the three lawyers. ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Honor: Her Court' airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on ENA and is available on KT Genie TV and Coupang Play.

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr