Lee Jong Suk is trading high-octane thrillers for legal briefs in tvN’s highly anticipated new Saturday-Sunday drama Law and the City!
In Law and the City, Lee Jong Suk transforms into Ahn Joo-hyung, a brilliant yet subtly disillusioned associate lawyer navigating life in Seoul’s elite legal district. Highlighting sharp intellect, dry humor, and real-world reliability, he is poised to deliver one of his most grounded and charismatic performances to date.
Set to premiere on July 5, the series will feature a slice-of-life legal drama that follows five associate lawyers as they grow, stumble, and survive in the fiercely competitive world of Law Town—a fictional but all-too-familiar version of the real-life legal community centered in Seocho-dong, Seoul’s hub of law firms and courtrooms. Written by Lee Seung-hyun and directed by Park Seung-woo, the show promises a blend of wit, realism, and emotional resonance, capturing both the career ambitions and quiet despair that often characterize professional life.
Ahn Joo-hyung, portrayed by Lee Jong-suk, brings a quiet gravitas and cerebral charm to the role. Ahn Joo-hyung is an anomaly in the cutthroat world of associate lawyers. While most of his peers hop from firm to firm within a few years, chasing promotions or better pay, he’s been steadfastly loyal to Kyungmin Law Firm for nine years—an eternity in a field marked by constant turnover. Not because he lacks ambition, but because he values stability, routine, and perhaps, comfort. In a world where everyone is running, Joo-hyung is standing still—and thriving.
Known among his colleagues as the “walking database,” Joo-hyung combines his years of experience with razor-sharp logic and textbook-precise legal reasoning. Whether dissecting complex litigation or strategizing in the courtroom, he’s the firm’s go-to problem-solver and a quiet powerhouse who always leads with facts, not flair. He’s the textbook definition of an elite lawyer—but with a refreshingly relatable streak.
Despite his credentials, Joo-hyung begins his day like many of us: groaning, “I don’t want to do this.” But once seated at his desk, glasses on and files in hand, he dives into work with an intensity that leaves little room for distraction. From reviewing case histories to meeting demanding clients, his day is packed—though he never seems rushed. Calm, composed, and perpetually ten steps ahead, he’s the kind of office worker whose competence is both enviable and inspiring.
The drama also highlights Joo-hyung’s personal moments that echo the inner lives of everyday professionals. His sighs of resignation, his quiet determination, and even his sacred lunch breaks—complete with mukbang sessions shared with friends—strike a chord with viewers who understand the quiet rituals of office life. These scenes offer glimpses into his subtle humanity: a man who finds solace not in prestige or power, but in the predictability of a warm meal and good company after a demanding morning.
The recently released still cuts from the drama provide a vivid look into this layered character. Whether Joo-hyung is absorbed in a legal consultation or hunched over a stack of briefs with unshakable focus, Lee Jong-suk brings a level of nuance that hints at both the brilliance and emotional fatigue beneath his character’s polished exterior. His portrayal effortlessly balances intellectual intensity with understated vulnerability—highlighting the inner world of a man who may be more emotionally complex than he lets on.
As anticipation builds for the show’s premiere, viewers are particularly excited to see Lee Jong-suk return to the small screen in a role that feels tailor-made for his blend of intelligence and subtle charisma. Known for his previous success in legal- and office-based dramas (While You Were Sleeping, Big Mouth), Lee is expected to elevate Seocho-dong with his trademark emotional depth and screen presence.
Featuring emotionally honest storytelling, and a cast led by one of Korea’s most beloved actors, Law and the City is shaping up to be much more than just another courtroom drama. It’s a story about staying the course in a world that’s always telling you to move, and about finding meaning not in meteoric success—but in quiet, consistent excellence.
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