What happens when a top-of-his-class future judge finds himself behind the counter of a chicken shop instead of behind a courtroom bench?
tvN’s upcoming Monday–Tuesday drama Shin’s Project plans to answer that question with humor, intrigue, and a dash of social commentary when it premieres on September 15.
Penned by Ban Gi-ri and directed by Shin Kyeong-soo—known for his knack for character-driven storytelling, Shin’s Project is produced by Two Frame and planned by Studio Dragon. Billed as a “conflict resolution hero drama,” it follows a new CEO who’s no ordinary businessman.
Played by Han Suk Kyu, this ex–legendary negotiator turned chicken restaurant owner has a mysterious secret and a knack for solving problems. His approach to justice swings between expediency and strict legality, negotiation and intimidation, making him an unpredictable force in the neighborhood.
Into this world steps Jo Philip, portrayed by Bae Hyun Sung—a young man who’s been winning at life since day one. With an IQ matched only by his discipline, Philip has always been first: first in his police academy graduating class, first through law school, and first on the judgeship exam. A legal career seems all but guaranteed… until fate, in the form of Judge Kim Sang-geun, sends him on a detour he never saw coming.
Instead of a courtroom robe, Philip finds himself wearing a chicken shop apron. His résumé—already the stuff of legend—becomes a curiosity in this unlikely setting, boasting credentials that include “providing legal advice” and, humorously, “being top of my class” as a special talent. The move leaves everyone, including Philip himself, questioning the connection between Judge Kim and the enigmatic chicken shop CEO.
Philip’s bewilderment is on full display in newly released stills. One shot shows him in a neatly pressed suit, exuding confidence and the cool precision of a budding legal mind. In the next, he’s wrapping chicken orders with the slightly dazed look of a man trying to figure out how his life’s script got rewritten overnight. His line—“If this is truly Judge Kim Sang-geun’s order, I must survive”—captures both his determination and confusion.
But Shin’s Project isn’t just about frying chicken; it’s about seeing the law from a different side. As Philip settles into his new role, he’s exposed to the smaller but no less significant disputes of everyday life—neighborly squabbles, community grievances, and the kinds of social issues that never make it into legal textbooks. Guided (and sometimes provoked) by the CEO’s unconventional methods, Philip’s black-and-white view of justice starts to take on shades of gray.
The drama promises a compelling blend of comedy, character growth, and human drama, as Philip’s journey mirrors the broader message of the series: sometimes you have to step out of the courtroom to truly understand the law—and people.
With Bae Hyun Suung bringing youthful earnestness to Jo Philip and Han Suk Kyu adding gravitas to the mysterious CEO, Shin’s Project is shaping up to be more than just another workplace drama. It’s a story about adaptation, humility, and how life’s detours can lead to unexpected forms of justice—served hot, crispy, and with extra sauce.
The first episode of Shin’s Project airs September 15 at 8:50 PM on tvN.
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