The premiere of ENA’s new Monday–Tuesday drama Honour, which aired on February 2, recorded a nationwide rating of 3.1% and 2.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea (paid households). This marks the highest first-episode rating ever achieved by an ENA Monday–Tuesday drama, signaling early signs of a breakout hit.

The opening episode immediately plunged viewers into a grim reality, revealing a sex crime scandal capable of shaking the nation. With relentless pacing and no room to breathe, the episode unfolded in a whirlwind of twists that held attention for the full hour.

At the heart of the story are three female lawyers from L&J (Listen & Join), a law firm specializing in female victims of violent crimes: celebrity lawyer Yoon Ra-young (Lee Na-young), firm CEO Kang Shin-jae (Jung Eun-chae), and fiercely dedicated trial lawyer Hwang Hyun-jin (Lee Chung-ah). Each woman moved decisively, driven by unwavering conviction and sharp instincts.

Their urgent mobilization stemmed from one explosive case: the firm’s defense of Kang Eun-seok (Lee Chan-hyung), a nationally beloved “son-in-law” actor accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old high school student, Jo Yoo-jung (Park Se-hyun). Public sentiment quickly turned hostile toward the victim, branding her a manipulator, while fans rallied to Kang Eun-seok’s defense by sending protest trucks and funeral wreaths to the law firm.

Despite L&J’s determination, the trial took an unexpected turn. It was revealed that the location where Jo Yoo-jung met Kang Eun-seok was not a nightclub, casting doubt over earlier testimonies. Kang Eun-seok was acquitted in the first trial and walked free, while Jo Yoo-jung suffered brutal secondary victimization after her personal information was leaked online. Even so, she remained silent about how she had first encountered him.

As public pressure mounted, prosecutors prepared to abandon their appeal, until Kang Shin-jae executed a decisive Plan B. Through investigative journalist Lee Jun-hyuk (Lee Choong-joo), Hwang Hyun-jin uncovered clues pointing to a massive sex trafficking scandal hidden behind the case. However, the truth came at a deadly cost. Just as Lee Jun-hyuk promised to hand over crucial evidence, he was brutally murdered, his body discovered by Hwang Hyun-jin in a chilling scene that sent the drama’s tension soaring.

The episode concluded with a haunting image: during L&J’s 10th anniversary banquet, Jo Yoo-jung stumbled into the venue barefoot and drenched in blood. The shocking entrance served as a declaration of war against a vast and brutal sex trafficking cartel, leaving viewers desperate for answers.

Beyond its relentless twists, Honour stood out for its commanding performances. Lee Na-young’s Yoon Ra-young rejected empty consolation, urging a victim to survive with defiance rather than despair. Jung Eun-chae’s Kang Shin-jae exuded unshakable confidence, declaring, “I’ve never lost, even when holding a bad hand.” Lee Chung-ah’s Hwang Hyun-jin proved equally formidable, standing as an unbreakable shield for victims against intimidation and violence.

With its bold subject matter, rapid-fire storytelling, and powerhouse performances, Honour signals the arrival of a rare, high-quality legal thriller in Korean television. Whether these three women can expose the full extent of the hidden cartel and restore stolen dignity now stands as the driving question propelling anticipation forward. Episode 2 of Honour airs on February 3 at 10 p.m. KST on ENA and is also available on KT Genie TV and Coupang Play.

Sources: Naver