In the Anglo-American world, lawyers use 'Esquire' after their name. It is a title that conveys respect for a lawyer. If you want to be called that way, let's act accordingly.
Yoon Seok-hoon (Lee Jin-wook), a partner lawyer in the litigation team of the law firm Yullim, asks new lawyers who have just joined, "If you just pass the bar exam, are you a real lawyer?" This means that passing the exam does not equate to being a 'real lawyer.' He shares stories related to Esquire and urges them to make continuous efforts.
What is a true lawyer? Perhaps it is a lawyer who distinguishes between common sense and legal principles, a lawyer who achieves victory in court, or a lawyer who secures cases through excellent sales skills. Senior lawyers walking various paths of the profession are waiting for the newcomers at Yullim.
The drama 'Esquire,' which was released on the 2nd, depicts the growth story of new lawyers at a law firm. The main storyline revolves around new lawyer Kang Hyo-min (Jung Chae-yeon) as she meets partner lawyer Yoon Seok-hoon and grows. Kang Hyo-min is an outstanding graduate from Seoul National University Law School, but she is inexperienced in social life. She arrives late for interviews and takes unexcused absences without notifying her workplace.
However, when she immerses herself in a case, her focus is remarkable. In her first case, 'Advisory for the Shareholders' Meeting of Gangdong City Gas,' Kang Hyo-min discovers a sudden drop in sales in a specific area seven years ago and directly investigates the scene, uncovering the fact that gas was stolen. In this process, she hears the title 'lawyer' for the first time from a victim and resolves to become a true lawyer.
Initially, Yoon Seok-hoon dislikes Kang Hyo-min, but he gradually comes to acknowledge her. She possesses extensive legal knowledge and creativity in applying it to cases. To Yoon Seok-hoon, who believes that lawyers are the last hope for clients, Kang Hyo-min becomes an annoying yet lovable junior.
The two lawyers later demonstrate synergy in the cases they take on together. One of these is the 'final sperm destruction case of an infertile husband.' At first glance, it appears to be a simple case of missing sperm that was entrusted to a hospital, but this sperm was the last one preserved by the husband prior to his testicular cancer surgery. As a result, the wife, who had previously suffered severe burns in a traffic accident and had not come out into the world, loses hope of becoming a mother, leading both to endure prolonged suffering.
Kang Hyo-min and Yoon Seok-hoon come to understand the life of their client closely and search for the best solutions. They achieve realistic compensation through negotiations and, in the process, comfort the client's wounds. They are not just win-seeking lawyers, but are gradually growing into lawyers who heal people's wounds.
'Esquire' is currently maintaining the top position in Netflix's 'Today's Top 10 Series in Korea.' The viewership rating for the fourth episode was 9% in the metropolitan area and 8.3% nationwide, with a peak rating surpassing 10% during the broadcast.
People who chose the path of healing through lawsuits while bearing scars, and the lawyers who grow alongside them. 'Esquire' calmly follows this process and asks viewers about the meaning of a 'true lawyer.'