SBS Drama 'Shin & Law Office' Unveils Shocking Truths Amidst Legal Battle

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Shin & Law Office' starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom has captivated audiences with a dramatic twist involving the past of the deceased Lee Deok-hwa and his wife Gil Hae-yeon.

In the episode aired on the 11th, Shin Yi-rang (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) and Han Na-hyun (played by Esom) engaged in a fierce courtroom battle over the will of 'Ideal Shoes' founder Kang Dong-sik (played by Lee Deok-hwa). The shocking truth revealed during the trial and the possession ending left them in a crisis.

The episode recorded a viewership rating of 6.7% in the metropolitan area, with a peak of 8.7%. The 2049 target audience rating reached a high of 2.6%, according to Nielsen Korea. However, the ratings showed a decline compared to the previous episodes, as MBC's '21st Century Grand Lady' starring IU and Byun Woo-seok premiered in the same time slot.

In the episode, Shin Yi-rang mistakenly offered condolences to Chae Jeong-hee (played by Gil Hae-yeon), thinking she was deceased, only to be snapped back to reality by her. Her husband, Kang Dong-sik, who was believed to have died from dementia, appeared. Chae Jeong-hee sought legal help to honor her husband's last will, which left a third of his estate to Cha Eun-seong (played by Ra Kyung-min), the son of co-founder Ryeo Seon-hwa (played by Bae Ye-wool). However, their son Kang Ji-hoon (played by Byun Jun-ho) contested the will.

The roots of the case trace back to 1979 in the handmade shoe district of Manri-dong. Designer Chae Jeong-hee, shoemaker Kang Dong-sik, and leather dyeing technician Ryeo Seon-hwa built 'Ideal Shoes' together. Their bond ended tragically when Ryeo Seon-hwa, a defector who sent money to her son in the North, was accused of espionage and died in prison. Chae Jeong-hee and Kang Dong-sik's lifelong guilt for not defending her innocence became the catalyst for the inheritance lawsuit.

However, Kang Dong-sik's memories were stuck in his youth. Despite being a master who could read a person's character and habits from their shoes, he couldn't recall anything related to the will. Shin Yi-rang tried to jog his memory by taking him to his old home, but to no avail. During this process, Kang Dong-sik possessed Shin Yi-rang, leading Han Na-hyun to realize Shin Yi-rang's loneliness in dealing with spirits. She offered her support by gifting him a necklace with her number engraved, to prevent him from getting lost again. Kang Dong-sik noticed the budding romance, exclaiming, "It's love! I'm a ghost!"

With their emotions closer than ever, Shin Yi-rang and Han Na-hyun prepared diligently for the trial. However, an unexpected storm hit the courtroom. Kang Ji-hoon's lawyer, Yang Do-gyeong (played by Kim Kyung-nam), claimed the will's date was manipulated. The ink analysis showed it matched post-2022 production, suggesting the will was written during Kang Dong-sik's severe dementia. A writing analysis revealed a 94% match with Chae Jeong-hee's style. Yang Do-gyeong further shocked the court by revealing military intelligence that Chae Jeong-hee reported Ryeo Seon-hwa as a spy.

Chae Jeong-hee's jealousy over Kang Dong-sik's closeness with Ryeo Seon-hwa was revisited. Yang Do-gyeong's argument gained traction, suggesting Chae Jeong-hee's guilt over Ryeo Seon-hwa's death led her to transfer the inheritance. She had also dictated the will to Kang Dong-sik during his dementia. As she left the courtroom, Kang Dong-sik's memories flooded back, causing Shin Yi-rang to blush. Despite his pleas, Kang Dong-sik possessed him again, leading Shin Yi-rang to shout, "I wrote it!" in court.

The 'Shin Yi-rang team' quickly intervened. Han Na-hyun covered Shin Yi-rang's mouth and requested a recess due to his severe condition, while brother-in-law Yoon Bong-soo (played by Jeon Seok-ho) splashed water on him to break the possession. The truth behind Kang Dong-sik's claim and the secrets Chae Jeong-hee kept from the lawyers remain to be seen. The outcome of Shin Yi-rang and Han Na-hyun's first official collaboration is eagerly anticipated. 'Shin & Law Office' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM on SBS.

Reporter: Lim Chae-ryeong, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr