Namkoong Min (Chun Ji Hoon) This actor is crazy good, he can be serious one minute, be a comedian the next, and be emotional with tears. His character in this drama is crazy and very intelligent. I love the way he plays a lawyer. Kim Ji Eun (Baek Ma Ri) very well playing a trainee to be a lawyer. Thanking all the other actors and actresses because, without their part in this drama, it wouldn't have gone as far as it did. The only thing I had a problem with is when the fianceé was murdered. It shifted like some episodes were missing. It only went to 12... and usually, these dramas go to 16. I'm wondering what happened. oh well. It is good to watch for those who like Attorney dramas.
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A Backgroundesque Drama
1. StoryPerhaps the weakest part of the drama was the story. I think the writers and directors were not on the same page for what they wanted to show us. I heard there was some drama b/w them which is why the drama was cut to 12 and it is quite evident.
The PPL was absurd. Really really unnatural and took you away from what little grip the story had on you. If the drama had either focused less on comedy and more on law or not shown such heavy handed topics (like ML's backstory) then the drama would have been much better. Trying to do both, comedy and grave legal incidents, didn't work out at all.
2. Acting/Cast
The acting was good, they did amazing with what they were given. The problem lied with what they were given. The characterizations were weak for all characters, main and background. The backstory didn't make sense, the setting didn't make sense, the reason behind the way the characters interacted was never shown so their interactions never made sense.
ML did absolutely amazing as both the goofy guy and the witty lawyer, FL had little space to shine but I think she did well, most supporting characters were run-of-the-mill and acted as such.
I enjoyed Yejin's character a lot and Minhyuk was a waste of screentime.
3. Music
Meh
4. Rewatch Value
If you are reeeeeally desperate and have literally nothing else to watch, you can rewatch it to pass hours but I did watch half the show on 1.5x so maybe not even that.
5. Overall
It was a waste of an amazing concept. They took a character with incredible potential and turned him into a running gag.
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An untapped potential …till the end :/
A quirky smart attorney charges his clients only $1, to open justice for all the poor and downtrodden. He got to work together with a rookie prosecutor who went up and lost against him, with her motive to join a prestigious family law firm.In my opinion, the charm is mainly the lead character rather than the story or its development. The plot deals with corruption and bribery within the justice system. It has a lot of hilarious moments and gives a fast gratification feeling from the entertaining verdict of each court case. However, this legal drama is constantly teasing me to be exceptional but fails to awe me. The constant tone shift between the comedy and the serious story doesn't sit well with me. I describe the humour to be at most chuckle-worthy though mostly fell flat to me, subjectively.
Everything is tied up well but it left me feeling a bit hollow. I'm sorry I can't pinpoint why, but I feel like there's something missing that would have made it more enjoyable. Who else is watching One dollar lawyer? Let me know! Maybe you can defend it for me!^^
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Okay still acceptable
LIKEThe idea of helping those in need and charging only 1000 won
DISLIKE
How plot always ended up with personal revenge - it's such a cliche and I'm just have enough
MUSIC - personal fav
Day and Day - Kang Huh Dalrim
All Right - Flora
REWATCH VALUE
It doesn't matter if I re-watch or not
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This review may contain spoilers
Suddenly went downhill
When the series started initially, it looked like a good concept. A lawyer helping people solve cases for only 1 dollar (1000 won) but as the story progressed it seemed like there was nothing unique and special about this lawyer. Rather some things were plain luck. Still the highs were compensating for the lows.I'll lightly touch upon some points without giving away major spoilers.
When we dove into the backstory, I enjoyed the slightly serious mood as well. When we returned to the current timeline, that's when things took a nose dive. The episode seemed so pointless and a waste of time. Ironically, the episode number was cut down to improve quality. It just makes me wonder how much worse and insignificant things had to be chopped out to still make the episode and story feel so stagnant.
I'm a little tired of shows with excessively long build-ups and then quick and easy take downs of the bad guys. But I am willing to understand the show wants to end on a dramatic finish IF it is done well. But when you lose all steam towards the end, the finale feels very flat. At least this is my perspective. I genuinely enjoyed the show initially and up until episode 10 gave it an 8.5 rating. I have to drop that to a 6 because I was bored beyond belief by the last 2 episodes.
As far as acting is concerned, I enjoyed Namkoong Min as Cheon Ji Hun. The female lead as Baek Mari's character isn't very notable or important and because of that her acting is not something I enjoyed much. In contrast, the other prosecutors Seo Min Hyeok and Na Ye Jin are the more interesting characters. The second female lead also has a very subdued personality and doesn't get much of an opportunity to shine.
If you're looking for romance then there isn't really much to speak of in this series so you might be disappointed on that front. The show's comedy is a bit lame overall. I wish I could say otherwise. Maybe if the editing/story-telling was improved and pacing were faster, it would be a fantastic show. It's a shame because the cast seems to have given their best. To watch or not to watch is solely at your discretion.
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Fun ride of a legal drama
Much like Extraordinary Atty Woo, I cannot imagine any actor other than Namkoong Min to portray Ji Hun. This is actually my first time to watch his works and I loved it.I liked that the show balanced the comedic moments with the serious ones. It was flawlessly done and did not come out as corny or anything. The cast has a good camaraderie that shows in their scenes together. It is sad though that it has only 12 episodes. Would have wanted to see more of them.
Hopefully Namkoong Min will have something new lined up soon
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the best kdrama
Good series chun ji hoon past was sad but I was sure from that he is a rich guy and his past is sad really liked it that everyone supported each other and did not betray like they do in other series I was pretty sure that grandpa was good guy but when they showed him in ep 13 metting that guy who killed chun ji hoon fiance Lee Joo young I taught maybe he is also evil but in 12 ep they showed that he was guilt of helping that guy as lawyer company and wanted to make things rightGood series chun ji hoon past was sad but I was sure from that he is a rich guy and his past is sad really liked it that everyone supported each other and did not betray like they do in other series I was pretty sure that grandpa was good guy but when they showed him in ep 13 metting that guy who killed chun ji hoon fiance Lee Joo young I taught maybe he is also evil but in 12 ep they showed that he was guilt of helping that guy as lawyer company and wanted to make things right
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Namgoong Min Good Manager era is back
The most captivating one in 2022, I wonder why they put a chick upside down within the jar at the very end but still the audacity to shorten such wholesome series. If you're looking for very interesting kdrama, this must be the one to watch. Namgoong Min Good Manager era is back, I bet all the funny scenes we deserve most likely coming from his own ideation. Huge appreciation for the rest of the casts as well. Baek Mari & Seo Minhyuk in particular. Such loving characters. Y'all better watch this series and prove it yourself that 8.5 rate that this page giving for One Dollar Lawyer is way too underrated. They deserve 9 at the very least. Have a good day.Was this review helpful to you?
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An underlying revenge plot with just the right amount of comedy
Firstly, I also think that reducing it from a 16-episode drama to a 12-episode one.. could have gone worse, but it wasn't that badly executed.Secondly, I'm also glad that they didn't imply Jihun's backstory and left us viewers some time to gel into the present aspect of his life.
Cheon Jihun is an ex-prosecutor turned lawyer who looks at justice from all perspectives possible. Charging 1000 won as legal fees for his service, he intends to carry on the legacy that his late fiancée started and extend his services to people who are desperate to seek justice but can't afford it. The juxtapositioning of his social/wealth status with his benevolence is also beautifully portrayed. Baek Mari, I feel, is very headstrong.. but not in a bad way. She knows what's right and she works in her own way to seek the truth. The work dynamic between Jihun and Mari is definitely significant and their interactions are lowkey the best, they really brightened up the drama for me
I.. cried some real tears when I found out what happened to his fiancée, and I feel so awed at how he composed himself throughout the duration of the drama, even at the sight of her "killers". Namgoong Min is one of the best actors out there in terms of ACTUAL acting, and it's because of his scene and line delivery. Versatile in expressing emotions and vocal dynamic and had me in a CHOKEHOLD throughout the drama I really do enjoy his roles.
Oh, and not to mention the Jihyuk and Jeyi reunion (The Veil)!!! I thought that maybe they were romantic partners in this drama but I guessed not HAHA it was very entertaining to see them again in this one!! I absolutely LOVE the OST for this drama too, I ended up saving all of them! And the anime-style intro??? NEVER DONE BEFORE??? It was so charming and I loved every second of it.
Lastly, I know I spoiled half of the show (probably) on here but if you're still reading and you HAVEN'T watched it yet, I can tell you you're in for a treat. Absolutely enjoyed it and I hope you do too!
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Namkoong Min is a brilliant actor.
Namkoong Min might just win Baeksang this year for his extraordinary performance in acting. The first episode is a bit slow. So give it some time. The drama takes a wild turn from the first one. It gets better and better. This is because the drama has a new vibe to it. Something you have never felt before. The best episodes are the ones where the past of Cheon Jihoon(Namkoong Min) is revealed. My goodness, one of the best acting performances I have ever seen. To be honest, I didn't like Namkoong Min before. I am wondering now why? Now, he is one of my most favourite actors. Consider the fact that I watched Stove League before. The drama is light and fun, but the past stories make it way better than expected. The drama has a new type of storytelling, new type of fun, camera angles, dialogue. Everything is fresh. Cannot compare it with any dramas. That's what makes it unique. The jokes are on point. The team of three is astonishing. Kim Ji Eun and Park Jin-woo did well too. Lee Chung Ha, Choi Dae Hoon and Gong Min Jeong did great. Such a great story. The past of Cheon really makes you to think twice. And this is is because Namkoong Min nailed that part. Absolutely nailed it. One of the best acting performances I have seen in my 350 kdrama watching.Plot: Attorney Cheon Jihoon takes 1$ per case. At first he looks extremely experienced in the court field. He was a prosecutor before who left to become attorney. Baek Mari loses to Cheon in a case and her father sends her to attorney as a probationary employee. Baek Mari works under Cheon and learns the excruciating past of Cheon which deals with pain all over the body. She comes to know why Cheon left prosecution and became attorney. Cheon works rigourously to get the criminals who caused his past miseries.
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This review may contain spoilers
SPOILER WARNING
p/s: i dont know if this considered as a spoiler or not. overall, i do like this drama. even the intro is unique for me. i also love the way they explained each scene so the audience didn't wonder and sense of the plot hanging. but the reason i gave 9/10 to story is because i wish they make the throwback about CJH past is shorter. I mean it took more than 1 and half episode to talk about his past. last, i do feel a little bit dissatisfactions when realize CJH cannot moved on from his past until the end. i mean, can't the writer just make some love line between him and baek mari. well, if not why not just make love line between baek mari and seo min-hyeok. but overall i do love this story. (p/s: don't judge me)?Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable drama!
Smaken är som baken, delad!If you enjoyed ...
Good manager (2017) (Same male Main Role as here)
Partners of justice (2018)
Stranger (2017)
… I would say you enjoy this show as well ?
There is no romance becides background story.
Enjoyable relaxing easygoing crime investigation lawyer drama for when you dont want anything heavy to watch! Its centered around male main character trying to resolve the murder of his wife in the past, while working at their law firm as a lawyer with the help of two others. Because the show was changed from 16 ep to 12, and 4 ep is just about background story, it feelt little bit rushed in the end.
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