“PRO BONO” Plot + Cast + Character Relationships + Ending Analysis + Filming Location Travel Guide

At the heart of the story is a "Pro Bono (public interest/free legal services)" team: they specialize in public interest litigation with "zero fees and zero revenue," yet they manage to fight for the rights of the vulnerable and the unknown under the real pressure of giant law firms.

I. Quick Look at Public Interest Lawyer Drama Information

*Pro Bono* (Korean: 프로보노, English: PRO BONO) is a tvN weekend drama series that premiered on December 6, 2025, with 12 episodes. It was created by director Kim Seung-yoon (*The Voice*) and screenwriter Moon Yoo-seok (*The Evil Magician*), and stars Jung Kyung-ho and So Joo-yeon. It is available on Netflix overseas. In South Korea, it airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM (KST).

II. Synopsis of "The Public Interest Lawyer" EP1–EP2

Public Interest Lawyer Episode 1

Kang Dae-wei was once a popular "national judge" and a candidate for Supreme Court Justice. However, after drinking with his elementary school classmates, a crate of cash (approximately 1.2 billion won) was found in the trunk of his car the following day. Surveillance footage also showed him personally moving the crate, turning him overnight from a model of integrity into a notorious "corrupt judge." This bribery scandal forced Kang Dae-wei to resign in disgrace, even blocking his path to becoming a lawyer. In desperation, he accepted an invitation from his junior, Oh Jung-in, to work at a top law firm represented by her.

He expected a partnership position, but instead, he was assigned to lead the firm's "Pro Bono" team, specializing in public interest litigation—an office in a dark, dilapidated basement where mushrooms grew in the corners, a marginal department with zero performance within the firm. Humiliated, David Chiang immediately negotiated terms with Wu Cheng-jen, promising to increase the team's win rate from 20% to 50% within a year, on the condition that she nominate him for a Grand Justice position through the Bar Association. Thus, David Chiang reluctantly began his career as a public interest lawyer.

Upon joining the charity team, he met four passionate members, each with their own quirks—a group genuinely dedicated to non-profit public interest litigation such as animal protection and anti-discrimination, creating a stark contrast with David Chiang's focus on fame and fortune, and generating numerous comedic moments. At the end of the first episode, David Chiang struggles to accept his drastic change in circumstances, collapsing outside his basement office and shouting, "I want to go back!"—fully revealing his resentment and helplessness at his current predicament.

Public Interest Lawyer Episode 2

In episode 2, David Kang faces his team's first case—a dispute over the ownership of a rescue dog named "Boo-eul" (meaning "star"). An animal welfare volunteer rescued the stray dog, Boo-eul, and helped it find a new owner. However, a year and a half later, the dog's original owner suddenly reappears, filing a lawsuit demanding the return of his dog. The plaintiff has an impressive background; she is the daughter of a former National Assembly member and a former chief prosecutor. Her appointed lawyer, Woo Myung-hoon, is equally distinguished—a former top prosecutor at the Central Prosecutors' Office. Coincidentally, the judge presiding over the case and Attorney Woo are high school classmates, indicating a close relationship.

Faced with the other party's intricate network of powerful connections, David Kang, with his keen insight as a former judge, quickly devised a strategy: he specifically invited a former court president-level lawyer to appear in court, causing the presiding judge to recuse himself due to conflict of interest, successfully transferring the case to another judge for further hearing. The case then took a new turn: when Bo-eun was found, she was actually wearing a collar with identification information, and the volunteer admitted that she had deliberately discarded it. Under questioning, she revealed her predicament: the collar contained an electric shock device that is banned in South Korea, indicating that the original owner had subjected the dog to prolonged electric shocks, abuse, and separation.

The volunteers worried that returning the dog to its owner as per regulations would only send it back to abusive conditions, so they chose to house it as a stray. After understanding the situation, David Chiang applied for a public jury trial, preparing to admit that the volunteers had abandoned the collar, but arguing that this was a "legitimate act" taken to prevent abuse and therefore did not constitute a crime. He also directed his team members to split up: some sneaked into the plaintiff's home to secretly collect evidence of dog abuse, some went to the abandonment site to try to find the collar, and others were responsible for researching relevant precedents to make thorough preparations for the courtroom battle.

On the day of the trial, the plaintiff's lawyer, Woo Myung-hoon, relentlessly argued about the missing crucial evidence—the collar—putting the public interest team at a disadvantage. At this critical moment, David Kang played his trump card—he personally brought Bo-eun to court, fitted her with a pre-prepared replica electric shock collar, and publicly revealed the cruel abuse she had suffered. Simultaneously, he secretly leaked this information to the plaintiff's father (a member of parliament), using political pressure to force him to comply. Caught between internal and external pressures, the plaintiff finally couldn't hold on any longer, declaring on the spot, "This isn't my dog, I admit my mistake," and immediately withdrew the lawsuit. The newly appointed judge in charge of the case, Choi Ho-ji, is a dog lover (he had adopted three stray dogs). He sternly rebuked the plaintiff for lying in court and acquitted the volunteer.

Thus, David Kang successfully led his charity team to victory in their first lawsuit, giving him a brilliant start to his career as a public interest lawyer. However, the end of the second episode planted a bombshell: the driver who took Wu Zhengren home turned out to be Yoo Jae-beom, the swindler who had set up the "apple box bribery" trap that ruined David Kang's reputation! This fact suggests that there was a larger conspiracy behind David Kang's involvement in the bribery case, and also makes people wonder if Wu Zhengren had ulterior motives in bringing him into the charity team.

III. Cast and Character Introductions for the Public Interest Lawyer Series

1. Jung Kyung-ho (정경호) | Plays: Kang Dae-wai (강다윗, 43) A promising and extremely pragmatic "detached" judge, who suddenly falls from grace due to an accident and is transferred to the "PRO BONO" pro bono litigation team at a large law firm. He goes from looking down on "free cases" to being forced to learn that even losses can be meaningful. IG: @jstar_allallj

   
   

2. So Joo-yeon (소주연) | Plays: Park Ki-joo (박기쁨, 31) A lawyer for the PRO BONO team. She's principled and believes that "doing what makes you happy" isn't selfish; she's the kind of person who brings ideals to life, often acting as a stabilizing force when team values clash. IG: @_yeonjuso

   
   

3. Lee Yoo-young (이유영) | Plays: Oh Jung-in (오정인, 41) The representative lawyer of "Oh & Partners," a top South Korean law firm, and the only daughter of its founder, Oh Kyu-jang. She embodies the contradictory tension of being both a member of the "elite power core" and someone who "desires to change the structure," making her one of the key figures driving the protagonist into PRO BONO. IG: @___2u0

   
   

4. Yoon Na-moo (윤나무) | Plays: Jang Young-sil (장영실) An 8-year veteran public interest lawyer, he appears relaxed and even a bit eccentric, but he always manages to pinpoint the core of a case; he is also the most reliable "all-rounder" teammate of the PRO BONO team in terms of practice and evidence.

   
   

5. Seo Hye-won (서혜원) | Played by: Yoo Nam-hee (유난희, 29) The youngest member of PRO BONO, she possesses maximum fighting spirit and an overflowing sense of justice. She's the first to "fire" at injustice, but also the most willing to be on the front lines for those she entrusts (even daring to infiltrate/ambush). IG: @s_wisdom_1

   
   

6. Kang Hyung-seok (강형석) | Plays: Hwang Jun-woo (황준우, 31) "Livelihood-oriented public interest lawyer"—ideals are expensive, but life is more realistic; his values don't entirely align with his teammates, often making him the most pragmatic and easily swayed member of the team. IG: @kanghyungsuk_

   
   

7. Kim Kap-soo (김갑수) | Plays: Oh Kyu-jang (오규장, 68) Founder of Oh & Partners, a "legendary monster" in the legal profession. Even in his advisory role, he still wields considerable influence; his power struggles and power plays with his daughter, Oh Jung-in, will weave a complex web of politics and interests into the main storyline. IG: @iamkksoo

   
   

8. Choi Dae-hoon (최대훈) | Plays: Woo Myung-hoon (우명훈, 43) A lawyer from the Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and also a classmate of Kang Dae-wai at the training institute; PRO BONO's cases always seem to involve "just happen" encountering him across the street, making him the protagonist's arch-nemesis.

V. Analysis of the Outcome of the Public Interest Lawyer (Important Reminders + Current Trends)

This drama only premiered on December 6, 2025, and is still airing, so the "final ending" will change as the episodes are released; below is...

From the perspective of "theme convergence," we can summarize the directions that seem most likely to lead to the finale.

1) The main theme is clear: Do you want to be the "winner" or the "right person"? The official and encyclopedia descriptions highlight the contradiction: the protagonist was originally a judge/lawyer who cared a lot about being born into the world and winning or losing, but was forced to enter the public interest battlefield where "fees are 0".

2) Case-based episodes will gradually "thin out" and then "reshape" the protagonist's values. The case developments compiled by Korean media show that the plot will be advanced through a series of social issues: such as abandoned dog cases, disabled children, migrant worker families, etc., allowing the team to not only debate in court, but also face systemic gaps in reality.

3) Speculated Ending (No Unreleased Plot Points, Thematic Deduction): If the story follows this "case-driven plot" structure, the easiest way to conclude it would be: David Kang must choose to sacrifice his impressive track record/high-ranking return in a key case to achieve a truly beneficial outcome for his client; simultaneously, the father-daughter relationship between Oh Jung-in and Oh Kyu-jang would return to the core debate of "whether a law firm should serve power or the public interest." This ending best aligns with the show's premise and character setup.

VI. Travel Guide to Filming Locations Used by Public Interest Lawyers

A. A one-day itinerary in Seoul: "Law + Urban Sensation"

• Gwanghwamun Square: It's a great place to capture the "big city/systematic" atmosphere of the opening scene in the drama, and the surrounding area is also easy to plan the flow of movement.

• Cheonggyecheon Stream: The night view and walkways are very picturesque and are often used to film urban scenes with dialogue, transitions, and moments of emotional reflection.

• The area around the Seoul Central District Court (exterior view is sufficient): It's a typical landmark in legal dramas, so it's recommended to focus on taking photos of the exterior to avoid affecting office work and access.

B. Seoul "Landmarks of Power + Han River" Half-Day Itinerary (Perfect for scheduling on the second day)

• The National Assembly Building (Yeouido): The image is highly recognizable and is often used to convey the visual language of "system and power".

• Hangang Park in Gwangnari: If you want to take some relaxed photos, like the feeling of a team taking a breather after get off work, Hangang Park is a great place to go.

C. Suburban healing options added (choose this section if you want to shoot something with a "contrast" effect)

• Daecheon Lake Myeongsang/Meditation Garden (대청호명상정원): If a scene in the drama shows "leaving the city and returning to one's heart," this scene is likely to be a key scene.

D. Campus-themed running spots (I'll go again when I have time)

• Inha University: Often used for filming scenes in campus/memories or character background segments; it is recommended to focus on public areas of the campus when visiting.