[K-Drama Review] Hyena (2020)

HypnoticAsia 5 years ago

The 2020 South Korean drama “Hyena” is best described as a legal drama with a hint of romance and comedy. Revolving around two very competent but completely opposite lawyers, “Hyena” addresses issues of abuse (physical and mental), societal pressures, social class discrepancies, misuse of authority/abuse of power, etc. While the topics in the drama are quite dark and gory, the show does a nice job of keeping the viewers from being over exhausted by depicting the relationships between the characters in a more light and comedic manner.

Actress Kim Hye-Soo takes on the role of the underdog lawyer Jung Geum-ja, the heroine of the show. Coming from a traumatized childhood and impoverished background, Lawyer Jung manages to pass the bar and becomes a lawyer in a small run-down law office. With her street smarts, fiestiness, and knowledge of the law, Lawyer Jung protects herself and makes money by defending local thugs and gang members. Through an elaborate plan that involves faking her identity and starting a relationship with the elite and handsome lawyer Yoon Hee-jae, Jung Geum-ja manages to make a name for herself and eventually joins the largest and most recognizable law firm, Song & Kim Law Firm. With her unorthodox methods and investigative ability, Lawyer Jung may be mistaken for a thug but she is definitely a lawyer through and through.

Actor Ju Ji-hoon takes on the role of the elite and handsome youngest Equity Partner (EP) lawyer at Song & Kim Law Firm, Yoon Hee-jae. Coming from a privileged background with his brother, father, and grandfather being judges, Lawyer Yoon has always been known as the best of the best as a lawyer. His choice to become a lawyer instead of a judge has questioned many people but he has shown that he is a highly competent lawyer who has achieved what most others have not at his age. Wealth, fame, looks – he has it all and has been the target of envy for many. However, one day he meets the feisty Lawyer Jung and his world begins to change.

“It is the interactions and antics between the two lawyers and their teammates that made me binge watch this show for three days.” – Dee

The cases that the lawyers come across in the show are nothing out of the ordinary and is not what kept me glued to this show. It is the interactions and antics between the two lawyers and their teammates that made me binge watch this show during the past three days. Will the confident, arrogant, and sometimes child-like Lawyer Yoon learn to trust and work with the thug-like Lawyer Jung? Will the underdogs win this battle against the villain? Actually, who is the villain? The two are going to have to turn into hyenas that latch on to their prey in order to find their paths and win the war.

Don’t forget to look out for the hilarious side-kicks Ga Gi-hyeok and Shim Yoo-mi!

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