Lee Jong-suk has made a highly successful return to the small screen with Law and the City, a legal drama from tvN that has rapidly gained momentum both domestically and internationally. Within its first week of release, the series has topped streaming charts in over 150 countries, confirming its status as a global phenomenon.
Law and the City debuted to strong international reception, ranking in the Top 5 on Rakuten Viki across 144 countries, including the U.S., France, Brazil, and India. It hit #1 in India and the Middle East, and #2 in the Americas and Europe. The drama also performed well on U-NEXT Japan (#2 drama) and iQIYI Taiwan (#1 Korean drama).
In Southeast Asia, it became tvN Asia’s top-rated 2025 drama in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Domestically, it scored the highest opening ratings for a 2025 tvN weekend drama, peaking at 6.8% in Seoul by episode 4 and leading its time slot on all platforms, per Nielsen Korea.
Critics and audiences alike have praised its grounded portrayal of young attorneys, realistic legal cases inspired by writer Lee Seung-hyun’s real-life legal experience, and immersive direction by Park Seung-woo. Viewers commended the show’s diction, ensemble performances, and emotionally resonant storytelling.
Fan feedback across online communities includes comments such as: “A refreshingly realistic take on the legal profession,” “Powerful performances from every actor,” and “Every scene feels genuine—perfect for a relaxing weekend watch.”
Actors Lee Jong-suk (as Ahn Joo-hyung) and Moon Ga-young (as Kang Hee-ji) have both secured top positions in the Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex rankings for drama buzz and actor popularity for the second week of July 2025.
With its powerful cast, realistic narratives, and strong international reception, Law and the City has not only marked a successful comeback for Lee Jong-suk but has also positioned itself as one of 2025’s standout Korean dramas. Its continued ascent in both domestic and global markets underscores the growing global appeal of K-drama content rooted in professional realism and human emotion.