Lawless Lawyer

Plot

Background

Synopsis

Cast

Main

• Lee Joon-gi as Bong Sang-pil – a former gangster turned lawyer who takes advantage of loopholes in the law and boasts an excellent win rate. Born in Kisung, but raised by his uncle Dae-woong in Seoul after his mother was killed. As a member of his uncle's gang, he became an excellent fighter. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he spent time in prison for his gang activity. According to actor Lee Joon-gi, he has lived a life of hardship. While now a lawyer, he is not afraid to use his fists and his old gang connections when needed for a case. He is defined by his desire to gain justice for his mother and his loyalty to Jae-yi. He trusts Jae-yi completely, even when his life, freedom, or work is on the line.
• * Lee Ro-woon as young Bong Sang-pil
• Seo Ye-ji as Ha Jae-yi – a lawyer of integrity who ends up demoted after attacking a judge. Raised by her father after the disappearance of her mother. Before her return to Kisung, she thought highly of Moon-sook as a role model. Having learned the truth, however, she is relentless is seeking justice for her mother and Sang-pil. Described by actress Seo Ye-ji as unable to hold in her anger, she does not back down when she is in the right. As a strong, independent woman, she is an equal partner with Sang-pil and protects those she loves. She is loyal to Sang-pil even when others, such as her father, oppose her relationship with him.
• Lee Hye-young as Cha Moon-sook – a senior judge who is highly respected but corrupt and greedy. She appears noble, caring, and just and will go through great lengths to protect that reputation. She has ordered murders, rigged trials, run a corrupt charity for her own gain, and chosen city leaders favorable to her cause. The antagonist of the series, she manipulates others with ease. She is a formidable opponent to any who cross her and shows no remorse for her past actions.
• Choi Min-soo as Ahn Oh-joo – a former gangster, he has also been the boss of a large corporation and the mayor of Kisung. He is a dangerous, unscrupulous man who tries to hide his ugly past and true colors. While he wishes to distance himself from his old associates, he still uses them to protect his goals. Once a loyal fixer for Moon-sook's father, he came to support her as well. He is charismatic and can easily convince others to do his bidding. Defined by his ambition and love for money, he will do anything to gain a higher position in life.

  Supporting

Lawless Law Firm

• Kim Byung-hee as Tae Kwang-soo – a former gangster who manages the field team at the law firm. His life was saved by Sang-pil, who then went to prison for doing so. Since then, he is fiercely loyal to Sang-pil, and does not hesitate to do whatever he is asked to do. As a former gangster, he has some fighting skills, but also good skill with technology. He is determined to study law and become a lawyer himself.
• Lim Ki-hong as Keum Kang – former manager of the loan shark company that became the Lawless Law Firm. He continues to work at the firm and often takes the lead in field activities. While not as skilled as others in the firm, he gives his full effort to his tasks. He once decided to study law but gave it up after struggling to understand the law books.
• Seo Ye-hwa as Keum Ja – sister of Keum Kang, she is hired at the law firm after demonstrating her efficiency. She is good with numbers, and can determine the value of something quickly. Often she is the key to the success of the field team. Not afraid to speak her mind and share her feelings, she is also not easily embarrassed. She is attracted to lawyers and has the desire to marry one someday.

  People around Cha Moon-sook

• Yeom Hye-ran as Nam Soon-ja – assistant to Moon-sook. While not officially holding a job, she is known as the person to go through to get to Moon-sook. Willing to do anything that is asked, she often communicates the orders for dirty deeds. She is constantly suspicious of Oh-joo and does not understand why Moon-sook favors him. Her foremost desire is for her daughter to have a good life.
• Cha Jung-won as Kang Yeon-hee – a lawyer and daughter of Soon-ja. She has been rivals with Jae-yi since their days in law school. While an intelligent and passionate woman, she allows her pride to get the best of her. After being embarrassed while losing a case to Sang-pil, she joined Moon-sook's side. Her desire is to continue advancing her career and to have the respect of others.
• Jeon Jin-gi as Ko In-doo – a former judge turned top lawyer at Oh-joo's company. Seen as a high-powered lawyer, many consider it an honor to be defended by him in court. At Moon-sook's orders, however, he often sabotages the cases to make it hard for his clients to win. He is motivated by the money and power such corrupt actions bring him.

  People around Ahn Oh-joo

• Choi Dae-hoon as Suk Kwan-dong – campaign manager and assistant to Oh-joo. From Kisung, he went to Seoul to start his own gang, but was forced to return. He is not afraid to resort to force and even murder to get his way. Since being given a second chance by Oh-joo after his return, he has carried out his orders. His first loyalty, however, is to money and any method by which he can acquire it.
• Lee Dae-yeon as Woo Hyung-man – a police detective under Oh-joo's influence. At one time, he was an honorable police officer. However, he is corrupt in order to get money to pay his wife's medical bills. Once ordered to kill Sang-pil and Hyung-joo, he has allowed Oh-joo to think he has done so. Defined by his love for his wife, he has allowed it to overcome his sense of right and wrong.

  People around Bong Sang-pil

• Shin Eun-jung as Choi Jin-ae – a lawyer and the mother of Sang-pil. A single parent, she raised her son while running her own law firm. She is known for her commitment to her clients and looks out for them even when they do not request help. While a friend of Moon-sook, she is willing to reveal Moon-sook's crimes due to her integrity. She did not approve of her brother's activity as a gangster and, at the time of her death, was not on speaking terms with him.
• Ahn Nae-sang as Choi Dae-woong – a leading gangster in Seoul and uncle of Sang-pil. He raised Sang-pil as his own child following the death of his sister Jin-ae, and supported his schooling as a lawyer despite only discovering Sang-pil's existence after Jin-ae's death. Despite being the leader of a gang, he has a strong sense of honor and does not believe in murder. Even though he desires justice for his sister, he repeatedly warns Sang-pil that revenge is not the answer. He cares deeply for his nephew and those close to him, and puts their safety above money, the gang, and his own life.
• as Cheon Seung-beom – a determined prosecutor who helps Sang-pil and Jae-yi. Sang-pil trusts him to do the right thing, due to his placing him in jail when he was younger. Not swayed by power, money, or pressure, he also has no desire for promotion. Seung-beom does what he thinks is best regardless of what his superiors tell him to do. He is defined by his sense of justice and desire to unravel corruption at all costs.

  People around Ha Jae-yi

• Lee Han-wi as Ha Ki-ho – photo studio owner, father of Jae-yi, and husband of Hyung-joo. Having raised Jae-yi as a single parent since her mother's sudden disappearance, he has gone through hardship to support her. Due to the costs of her law degree, he owes loan sharks a good amount of money. An ardent supporter of Moon-sook, he does not approve of any who criticize her. He initially opposes the relationship between Jae-yi and Sang-pil due to the latter's delinquent past.
• Baek Joo-hee as Noh Hyung-joo – photographer, massage therapist, and mother of Jae-yi. Due to her evidence of Moon-sook's crimes, Oh-joo ordered her death. While assumed dead, she actually survived by hiding in Thailand. Having returned to Kisung, she desires to bring Moon-sook down so Jae-yi will not get hurt. Even though she saved Sang-pil's life when he was younger, she initially disapproves of his relationship with Jae-yi.
• Kim Kwang-kyu as Kong Jang-Soo - police officer formerly the lead detective in charge of the Choi Jin-ae and Noh Hyung-joo cases back in the day. He later meets their now-adult children and agrees to help them piece together the evidence in order to bring Cha Moon-sook's crimes to light.

  Others

• Jung Young-hoon
• Lee Bok-gi
• Kim Ki-hyun
• Jang Yul
• Kim Dong-gyu
• Kim Chang-hee
• Yoon Joon-ho
• Kim Min-geon
• Park Shin-woon
• Park Sung-gyun
• Son Min-ji
• Jeon Bae-soo
• Lee Ho-cheol

  Special appearances

• Jin Seon-kyu as Motorcycle Officer Park
• Jeon Gook-hwan

  Episodes

Production

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Ratings

• In this table, represent the lowest ratings and represent the highest ratings.
• N/A denotes that the rating is not known.

• Awards and nominations

International broadcast

• The series aired in the U.S., Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand at the same time as its Korean broadcast. Later, it aired in Japan in August on Mnet Japan.
• In Malaysia, the series was broadcast on 8TV every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30pm to 11:30pm from May 16 to August 1, 2018.