Law School: Episodes 7-8 Open Thread
by Anisa
Law School is really hitting its stride now, an entertaining blend of legal drama and campus hijinks, with thrilling courtroom showdowns in every episode. And exam stress. Lots of exam stress. New murder suspects continue to emerge, but the prosecution is hellbent on pinning this crime on our hero, whether they have the evidence to back it up or not.
EPISODES 7-8 WEECAP
I feel like this show really settled into its groove this week. The previous unevenness in tone has smoothed out, and now there’s a good balance of twisty reveals, nail-biting suspense and study group drama. Maybe it’s also that I’ve let go of some of my expectations and am starting to enjoy the show for what it is—a soapy, fast-paced and witty legal drama with a talented ensemble cast.
Jong-hoon remains the anchor of this group, but each week highlights new characters, and these episodes were all about Ji-ho and Ye-seul. We finally found out why Ji-ho’s been keeping that folder about Seo Byung-ju, and I particularly enjoyed his turn on the witness stand, practically bantering with Jong-hoon as the man skillfully cross-examined him.
Ji-ho keeps his pain and anger bottled up so tight that he comes across as cold. I’m glad Ramyun Bandit Joon-hwi has finally broken through that wall a bit by earning his trust. Joon-hwi clearly sees his job as leader of the study group as more than just a tutor. He’s always looking out for the others, quietly stepping in to help when needed.
But my heart went out most to Ye-seul this week, whose situation has only worsened since she started school, her abusive boyfriend using her as a punching bag for his frustration at getting rejected from Hankuk. I was already worried about her, but the nauseating revelation of that spycam, and then his and his father’s blackmail of her with that video, was absolutely wrenching to watch.
The boyfriend knew exactly what kind of threat he was holding over her, as he laid out coldly and gleefully what the release of that video would do to her life—a true-to-life violation that so many women have experienced, without even a hope for justice.
I’m glad the writing highlighted that, and that he didn’t kill her, which I was half-dreading, but I hate that she’s now going to be on the hook for his death, even though it wasn’t her fault (and even if it had been, in my book that’s self-defense). I’m glad Jong-hoon is the one who showed up, honestly, because if anyone can use the law as a weapon in her defense, it’s him—and another student might have panicked and convinced her to cover it up.
As for Seo Byung-ju, this week’s revelations increasingly point to suicide as the most logical explanation for his death. His warning to Sol B that “the moment you decide to cover up your wrongdoings, the door to hell opens” is a pretty large clue to his state of mind at the end.
He was too weak to own up to his mistakes, and too guilt-ridden to face the world sober, especially once Joon-hwi found out the truth. But Jong-hoon is so adamant that it was murder and not suicide, and the show has set him up to be so infallible, that it’s hard to discount his view.
More than Jong-hoon’s legal genius, though, what really stood out to me in these episodes is his passion for teaching. He seems genuinely grieved at the thought of being convicted of murder, primarily because he won’t be able to teach anymore. His determination to not allow any of his students to turn out like the corrupt Prosecutor Jin is a bit naive, but I think he recognizes that, given his conversation with Sol B.
He knows it’s idealistic, but he stubbornly holds on to that attitude through sheer force of will. The wistful moment when he and Eun-suk linger in their old spots in the courtroom was lovely, but no amount of nostalgia can hide how much they both love teaching—and love their students. Even though it’s also clear that the justice system could use another honest prosecutor and judge.
Jong-hoon has an unconventional style, but what makes him a good teacher is that he doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach; he treats his students as individuals and provides each with what they need. Knowing both Sol B and Ye-seul would perjure themselves, he confronted Sol B and refused to let her take the stand, while showing kindness and respect to Ye-seul and putting all the power in her hands. Sol B responds to strength, is working from a position of relative power, and has proved herself untrustworthy and self-serving in the past.
Ye-seul has had her power systematically, violently ripped away from her, and that freedom to choose on her own terms was exactly what she needed. Hearing both Jong-hoon and Sol A defend her right to make her own decision, even when that decision would cause harm, gave her the courage to stand up for herself. I loved that.
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Tags: Ahn Nae-sang, Kim Bum, Kim Myung-min, Law School, Lee Chun-hee, Lee David, Lee Jung-eun, Lee Soo-kyung (2), Ryu Hye-young
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1 amara
May 9, 2021 at 4:14 PM
i love ryu hye-young i should watch thiiiiis i wish we could see ha more
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2 Kafiyah Bello
May 9, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Sol A is currently me. I am studying for a certification and super stressed about it. She is really smart, but obviously isn't the best at exams. As for Ye Seul and her psycho boyfriend, their relationship is frightening, but a good example of an abusive relationship and how hard it is to get out.
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Anisa
May 9, 2021 at 9:36 PM
Best of luck!! 💪🏽
I agree, they did a great job showing exactly how hard it can be to leave an abusive relationship, even when people around you can see the danger and are trying to help. Tough to watch but well done.
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Kafiyah Bello
May 10, 2021 at 6:06 AM
Thanks!!
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amara
May 9, 2021 at 10:24 PM
good luck!!!
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Kafiyah Bello
May 10, 2021 at 6:07 AM
Thanks!!
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3 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
May 9, 2021 at 4:53 PM
The show is finally good. The acting is solid and the editing and timeline jumping issues are getting better. I’m becoming more attached to the characters too, which is always a good sign.
I can’t help hope that Ye-seul’s abusive boyfriend stays dead, even if it’s detrimental to her situation legally. Ye-seul deserves to finally have agency over her life and the freedom that comes with it. My heart goes out to her and the countless women who’ve been in such situations.
I hope none of the students are the real killers. Because even though some of them are definitely shady and up to no good, they sure make a cool group of friends.
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4 FlyingTool
May 9, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Does anyone expect a redemption arc for Sol B?
For her monstrous mother?
What would a Beanie poll show for. The main case - murder, or suicide?
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Jingbee
May 10, 2021 at 3:26 AM
i want Sol B to finally admit to her plagiarism case. I expect that she will choose not to get into a law career anymore. I dont expect a redemption for her mother, though.. more of Karma.
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FlyingTool
May 10, 2021 at 6:49 AM
The thing that bothered me about the plagiarism case, as discussed in the drama, was that it was basically verbatim, when she was smart enough to have added more recent cases and analyses. It’s as if she wanted to be caught? Except that doesn’t fit with her behavior upon being caught.
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5 miso
May 9, 2021 at 7:11 PM
I found Sol A's anger at Jong-hoon petty and childish. But she redeemed herself with the spycam scene and the way she was there for Ye-seul.
I also wish the show would stop devoting so much time to the creepiest people. First the child rapist (why is YJH okay working with this man??) and now the abusive molka creep 😒
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6 zitless
May 9, 2021 at 10:56 PM
I was happy that Jong-Hoon was the one to first see Ye-Seul. I thought the same thing too. If anyone can get her out, he can.
For the first time I wasn't angry they used convenient coincidence as a plot device. I want Ye-Seul safe.
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7 Sa
May 9, 2021 at 11:16 PM
i got super invested in sol a x joon hwi last week and this set of episodes only gave me crumbs but surprisingly this drama's been my main watch the last few weeks. *prays for more than crumbs*
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purplesheesh
May 13, 2021 at 1:33 AM
Same. I'm watching for them at first but after Ep8, I'm watching for everyone!
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8 dramalover4ever
May 9, 2021 at 11:42 PM
I'm enjoying this and also starting to think I know who did it. The least likely one, of course.
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9 Kurama
May 10, 2021 at 12:19 AM
Personaly, I found the treatment of Ye-seul's situation pretty weird. She was seen twice with big bruises and nobody reacted and I was wondering if I saw right. Only Jong-hoon understood the use of sunglasses in classes. I hope he could help her with a boyfriend and his father and of course the video. I was happy it was him and not a student with a bad idea.
So we know Ji-ho's secret. It was quickly resolved. I thought his story would be more important.
I always ask myself why Koreans are studying like that. It doesn't look very efficient. Your brain needs break too and bleeding during the exam is not the best way to pass it.
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EchidnaofParadise
August 20, 2021 at 7:28 PM
Studying "like that", how? Caffeinating the hell out of yourself? That's how students in American med schools, law schools, and vet schools keep themselves going through all-nighters before exams, especially midterms and finals, so if that's what you mean, it's not a Korean thing. Is it healthy? Absolutely not! Does going all night before an exam work? Absolutely not! Good luck, though, convincing students who are nervous as hell about passing something students have been doing for a looooooooong time and is a set-in-stone tradition isn't worth trying, just in case. ;p Law school is SO MUCH studying ALL. THE. TIME. To stay on top of the material. Excellent time management skills are essential.
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Kurama
August 21, 2021 at 12:26 AM
Yeah, it's not healthy and they're better way. Sleep is important for the brain and the body.
My sister was in Law School and she didn't study like that.
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10 Jingbee
May 10, 2021 at 3:23 AM
Yes, I agree this show has hit its stride and the story has progressed more. The boyfriend's stepping on Ye-Seul's feet was so vile - to me it was so cruel and so hateful, I wanted to transport into my TV screen and make him sit in the chair of atonement ala Vincenzo.
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11 Rose
May 10, 2021 at 6:04 AM
I'm waiting for the next 2 episodes and I know there gonna be another cliffhanger, simply because it's a drama after all. As for the self-defense thing, I'm pretty sure I'm speaking for everyone, that was self-defense in everyone's law book!
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12 CasualDramaFan
May 10, 2021 at 12:57 PM
There are few characters that shine in this show. Yongratis is top one. He is one tough teacher but he truly cares for his students. He stubbornly pursues justice even if it will not have best possible result for him. I do like Sol A as well. She is bit immature and bit too emotional but she always tries to do her best to. She is kind of Yongratis-light in her pursuit and passion for justice.
I can not say this for baddies though. The corrupt politician and prosecutor, the abusive boyfriend, the human trash and horrible mother all are one dimensional.
I think show should dwell into Seo Byung-ju and his life more. He is one interesting character. He was once the prosecutor who was admired by Joon-Hwi, Jong-Hoon and Eun-suk. His one decision led him to the path of destruction and he lost respect of every one who were near to him. He was deeply ashamed of that but he lacked courage to right the wrong.
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13 peachietime
May 12, 2021 at 12:24 PM
I have always enjoyed Law School for what it is. It is not a show that has taken itself too seriously or heavy. It is an entertainment, but a good one. It's soapy and eventful, but it's not makjang. The cast is amazing and not overacted like many of the makjangs out there. It's rooted in some form of logical plots. Good chemistry, beautiful scenes, great music.
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14 purplesheesh
May 13, 2021 at 1:36 AM
I'm one of this who started this drama for OTP (although this isn't a romance) and after the first half, I found myself enjoying this. Glad that Yagcrates found Ye Seul because at this point, it's only him who can help her.
There were signs of abuse on YeSeul and Sol A and Joon Hwi noticed those however the victim herself refuse to admit it and chose to stick to the walking human trash. Argh! I want to stab him, as well as his dad and that prosecutor!
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15 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
June 6, 2021 at 1:33 AM
Ye-seul's journey was so powerful in this set of episodes. Got to say, none of the other back stories we've seen had this kind of resonance and I have to give credit to Go Yoon-jung for drawing out every single conflicting emotion this character went through.
As well as the editing and pacing, I feel like the show this week stopped giving us splashy fakeouts and then walking them back in the next scene.
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16 EchidnaofParadise
August 20, 2021 at 7:17 PM
It's too bad that, apparently, practicing attorneys and judges can't teach at law schools in Korea. I know they do in the States (but not 1Ls), and I don't see any problems with it as long as there's no conflict of interest.
One thing about the show that annoys me is how they've had 1L students doing mock trials and working in the legal clinic, which no 1L would be doing because no 1L knows anywhere near enough law yet. Period, full stop, do not pass go, do not collect $200. I've looked up information on how legal education is done in Korea, and it's like the American system at this point, and I'm familiar with the American system. The mock trial and working in the legal clinic would make sense if they were 3Ls, because 3Ls do those things as prep for the Real World.
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17 redfox
June 8, 2023 at 9:17 AM
I am late to this drama and I think it is obvious by now that I have a total noona crush on somebody so I am EVERYWHERE.
please excuse me.
but, yeah, this is a pretty engaging watch even though not easy on the brain and I feel like I have to start taking notes or drawing schemes if I want to stay on track who said what, who changed their words, who was where, who blackmailed someone and who published information unauthorised. There is just sooooooo much information in every episode.
Jong-Hoon is a bit of a psycho. it´s like, he treats the whole situation as almost orgasmic, like being a murder suspect gives him endorphines. it´s bizarre.
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