JTBC’s new Saturday-Sunday drama Beyond the Bar is proving to be a breakout hit, overtaking the peak ratings of Park Bo-gum’s Good Boy in just four episodes.
Premiering on August 2, the series follows rookie lawyer Kang Hyo-min ( Jung Chae-yeon ) of Yullim Law Firm, whose righteous but socially awkward personality often leads to mishaps. Under the mentorship of Yoon Seok-hoon ( Lee Jin-wook ) a cold, sharp partner attorney with elite skills she steadily grows into a capable litigator.
While Law and the City explored the daily struggles of office workers in a legal district, Beyond the Bar focuses on high-stakes litigation, delivering a fresh lawsuit case each episode. Its fast-paced storytelling and satisfying legal victories have struck a chord with viewers.
The ratings reflect that enthusiasm:
- Episode 1: 3.7%
- Episode 2: 4.7%
- Episode 3: 6.7%
- Episode 4: 8.3% — surpassing Good Boy’s peak of 8.1%.
Lee Jin-wook’s nuanced performance has been widely praised, balancing cold charisma with moments of warmth and emotional depth. His explosive rage in episode 4 toward a child abuse perpetrator was singled out as a standout moment.
Jung Chae-yeon’s portrayal, however, has divided opinion. Some viewers commend her stability and grit, while others feel her high-pitched tone and limited facial expressions detract from the drama’s gravitas.
With the fastest ratings climb of any JTBC drama this year — outpacing The Art of Negotiation and Heavenly Ever After — Beyond the Bar is on track to potentially claim the network’s highest ratings of 2025 if the upward trend continues.
Sources: daum
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