Pro Bono

Pro Bono
Promotional poster
Hangul
프로보노
RRPeurobono
MRP'ŭrobono
GenreLegal drama
Written byMoon Yoo-seok [ko]
Directed by
Starring
Music byPark Sung-il
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes12
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseDecember 6, 2025 (2025-12-06) –
January 11, 2026 (2026-01-11)

Pro Bono (Korean: 프로보노) is a 2025–2026 South Korean legal drama television series written by Moon Yoo-seok [ko], directed by Kim Seong-yoon and Baek Sang-hoon [ko], and starring Jung Kyung-ho, So Joo-yeon, Lee Yoo-young, Yoon Na-moo, Seo Hye-won, and Kang Hyung-suk. The series follows a high-achieving but arrogant judge who is forced to become a public interest lawyer. It aired on tvN from December 6, 2025, to January 11, 2026, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Netflix.

Synopsis

Kang Da-wit, a former judge turned public interest lawyer had fame, a perfect image, and a huge following on social media. However, his life took an unexpected turn, forcing him to start over in a humble role.

Cast

Main

A former judge who becomes a public interest lawyer.
  • So Joo-yeon as Park Gi-ppeum
    • Kim Tae-yeon as young Gi-ppeum
A law expert who earns admiration through in-depth knowledge.

Supporting

Pro Bono Team Members

An activist in the labor union. His estranged father is the powerful conglomerate Chairman Jang Hyun-bae.

O&Partners People

Oh Gyu-jang's daughter. Her ambition is to transform O&Partners into a world-class law firm by prioritizing the law firm's growth and her own goals over justice and truth.
Founder of the leading law firm O&Partners, a figure of powerful lobbyist controlling political policy behind the scenes.

Guest appearances

  • Shin Hye-ji [ko] as Baek Han-byeol, the granddaughter of Baek Joong-seop, who runs a dog café.
  • Lee Moon-sik as Shin Jung-suk, Chief Justice (Ep. 1, 4, 9–12)
  • Kim Jung-young as Kim Sung-rye, Kang Da-wit's mother whose hand was severed due to excessive overtime in Yoo Jae-bum's father's factory and then passed away suddenly when Da-wit was a high school student (Ep. 1, 2, 5, 9)
  • Yun Je-wook as Yoo Jae-bum, a conman who pretended to be Kang Da-wit's elementary school classmate in order to take revenge against Da-wit by framing him for receiving a bribe (Ep. 1, 8–10)
  • Lee Kang-wook as Kim Do-hoon / Goo Ji-hwan, a journalist who is friends with Kang Da-wit and a lawyer who earns money by taking on cases through illegal means (Ep. 1, 2, 4, 6–9)
  • Sung Dong-il as Choi Ho-jip, Chief Judge who is notorious for his prickly nature in the legal community (Ep. 2)
  • Yoon Sang-jung as Ji So-yun, the rescuer of the puppy Byuli (Ep. 2)
  • Lee Chun-moo as Kim Kang-hoon, a 12-year-old child on wheelchair due to paraplegia and wants to sue God for damages (Ep. 3, 4)
  • Jung Sae-byul as Jung So-min, Kang-hoon's mother who is pushed to the limits of life while raising her disabled son alone (Ep. 3, 4)
  • Yoo Jae-myung as Choi Woong-san, Woongsan Group and hospital's chairman who advocates anti-abortion hospital policy due to his religious beliefs (Ep. 4)
  • Choi Hee-jin as Kim Jin-oh, a visually impaired judge (Ep. 3)
  • Lee Dae-yun as Kook Young-joon, the appellate court judge (Ep. 3, 4)
  • Jung Hoe-ryn as Kaya, an immigrant from Myanmar who wants a divorce due to her father-in-law's sexual assault (Ep. 5, 6)
  • Sung Yu-jin as Goo Ji-won, the judge who grants Kaya's divorce case and allows her to maintain her residency status (Ep. 5, 6)
  • Lee Jong-won as Jo Kang-ryul, Chief Judge who believes in South Korea being a country of freedom and justice (Ep. 6)
  • Jung Ji-so as Elijah, popular singer/idol who has been continuously harassed by cyber-bullying activist Ma Young-sook and by some fans obsessed with her (Ep. 7, 8)
  • Oh Min-ae as Cha Jin-hee, Elijah's domineering and manipulative mother who is the CEO of her agency 'EK Entertainment' (Ep. 7, 8)
  • Jang Deok-su as Kang Min-ha, employee at a luxury brand store taking the stand as a key witness against Cha Jin-hee (Ep. 8)
  • Kim Yong-joon as Yoon Baek-man, Yoo Jae-bum's father who owned a paper factory where Kang Da-wit's mother worked (Ep. 9, 10)
  • Song Young-chang as Jang Hyun-bae, a powerful conglomerate chairman who was sentenced to a heavy prison term by Kang Da-wit for habitual assaults on employees and a forced sexual assault on a domestic helper (Ep. 1, 11–12)

Production

Development

Pro Bono is written by Moon Yoo-seok, directed by Kim Seong-yoon, planned by Studio Dragon, and co-produced by Sequence One, Lotte Cultureworks, and Studio Flow.

Casting

On February 19, 2025, it was reported that Jung Kyung-ho would star in the series. On March 26, Lee Yoo-young was reported to be cast as the lead. Jung Kyung-ho and So Joo-yeon were officially confirmed to star on April 28. On April 30, Choi Dae-hoon was set to make a special appearance. On October 30, Yoon Na-moo, Seo Hye-won, and Kang Hyung-suk were officially revealed to have joined the cast as part of the pro bono team alongside Jung and So.

Music

The OST singer lineup, which includes K.Will, Gyeong-gye, John Park, Namjong, and Yangpa, was unveiled by Curiosity Studio on December 1, 2025. The music director of the series is Park Sung-il.

Release

On November 1, 2025, a teaser video was released, and the series was confirmed to premiere on tvN on December 6, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST). It also streams on Netflix.

Viewership

Pro Bono : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
11.0291.4391.1971.8020.9631.8681.4432.1161.3661.9701.7342.4161.612
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)
Nationwide Seoul
1 December 6, 2025 4.451% (1st) 4.136% (1st)
2 December 7, 2025 6.180% (1st) 6.017% (1st)
3 December 13, 2025 5.015% (1st) 5.067% (1st)
4 December 14, 2025 8.032% (1st) 8.148% (1st)
5 December 20, 2025 4.026% (1st) 4.010% (1st)
6 December 21, 2025 7.877% (1st) 7.438% (1st)
7 December 27, 2025 6.095% (1st) 6.154% (1st)
8 December 28, 2025 9.096% (1st) 9.486% (1st)
9 January 3, 2026 6.014% (1st) 6.025% (1st)
10 January 4, 2026 8.616% (1st) 8.608% (1st)
11 January 10, 2026 6.154% (1st) 5.544% (1st)
12 January 11, 2026 10.003% (1st) 9.574%(1st)
Average 6.797% 6.684%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

References

  1. 1 2 프로보노 [Pro Bono]. Watch CJENM. Archived from the original on March 6, 2026. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kim, Mi-ji (October 30, 2025). 정경호·소주연, 로펌 출근 준비 완료...'프로보노', 대본 리딩 현장 공개 [Jung Kyung-ho and So Joo-yeon ready for work at the law firm... 'Pro Bono' script reading revealed]. Maeil Kyungje (in Korean). Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  3. ↑ Lee, Su-jin (December 6, 2025). 박윤호, 차세대 라이징 행보 이어간다... '프로보노' 정경호 아역 [Park Yoon-ho continues his rise as a rising star... Child actor of Jung Kyung-ho in 'Pro Bono']. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  4. ↑ Yoo, Kyung-sang (January 10, 2026). "윤나무, 재벌회장 서자 출생비밀 드러났다 "매주 날 때린 아버지" (프로보노)". [News En].
  5. ↑ Jung, Ye-won (January 12, 2026). "'프로보노' 이유영 "새로운 도전, 뜨거운 사랑에 힘 얻어"".
  6. ↑ Ahn, So-young (November 17, 2025). "[공식] 김갑수, 1등 로펌 설립자 된다…'프로보노' 출연 확정'".
  7. ↑ Hwang, Yeon-do (December 2, 2025). 배우 신혜지, 정경호 만난다... 법정 드라마 '프로보노' 출연 [Actress Shin Hye-ji and Jung Kyung-ho to star in legal drama "Pro Bono."]. star1 (in Korean). Retrieved December 2, 2025 – via Naver.
  8. ↑ Yoo, Kyung-sang (December 7, 2025). 첫방 '프로보노' 국민판사 정경호 추락, 12억 함정 판 범인은 누구?.
  9. 1 2 Yoo, Kyung-sang (January 3, 2026). "'프로보노' 정경호, 진짜 조작재판 했나? 두 얼굴에 소주연 눈물 (종합)". [News En].
  10. ↑ Hwang, Yun-do (December 29, 2025). "이강욱, 선한 얼굴 벗었다…정의 쫓던 기자→비열한 변호사(프로보노)".
  11. ↑ Baek, Ah-young (December 7, 2025). '프로보노' 성동일, 정경호 공익변호 데뷔전 담당 부장판사로 특별출연.
  12. ↑ Park, Ah-reum (December 8, 2025). 공익변호사 정경호 성공적 데뷔 '프로보노' 최고 시청률 7.3% 찍었다.
  13. ↑ Yoon, Kyung-sang (December 13, 2025). '프로보노' 공변 정경호 일 키웠다, 가출청소년 강제출산 배후 유재명 회장 고소 (종합).
  14. ↑ Son, Bong-suk (December 13, 2025). 배우 정샛별, '프로보노' 정소민 역 낙점. Sports Kyunghyang.
  15. ↑ Kim, Jin-suk (December 14, 2025). "'프로보노' 정경호, 이천무 보호 성공했으나… 살인범 의혹 제보 [종합]". [TV Daily].
  16. ↑ Park, Eun-kyung (December 15, 2025). "배우 최희진, '프로보노' 특별출연으로 명품 연기력 증명".
  17. ↑ Kim, Jin-suk (December 14, 2025). "'프로보노' 정경호가 상대 변호사마저 움직이게 만든 묘수". [TV Daily].
  18. ↑ Park, Ah-reum (December 21, 2025). "정경호, 국제결혼女 시아버지 추악한 민낯 밝혔다(프로보노)". [News En].
  19. ↑ Hong, Sun-hua (December 22, 2025). "'프로보노' 판사 성여진, 단단한 카리스마 빛났다". [Biz Enter].
  20. ↑ Jung, Eun-chae (December 22, 2025). "'프로보노' 블랙핑크 제니, 이주여성 추방 막았다..정경호 '환호'". [Star News].
  21. ↑ Yoo, Kyung-sang (December 27, 2025). "'프로보노' 아이돌 정지소, 팬에 욕설 파문→친모가 남친 제보 '반전' (종합)".
  22. ↑ Kim, Nol-eul (December 29, 2025). "'프로보노' 정경호, 친족상도례 폐지 성공..최고시청률 10.5%[종합]". Archived from the original on December 30, 2025. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  23. ↑ Kang, Noe-ri (December 29, 2025). "신예 장덕수, '프로보노'의 히든카드…설렘 제조기에서 궁금증 유발자로".
  24. ↑ Lee, Min-ji (January 5, 2026). "프로보노' 정경호, 프로보노 팀과 정면 충돌…양보 없는 법정 대결".
  25. ↑ Yoo, Soo-yun (January 11, 2026). "'프로보노' 정경호, 법조계 거물들과의 전면전 예고..시청률 동시간대 1위 [종합]". Archived from the original on January 11, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  26. ↑ Hwang, So-young (February 19, 2025). [단독] 정경호, '이태원 클라쓰' 감독 신작 '프로보노' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Jung Kyung-ho to Star in 'Pro Bono', Director of 'Itaewon Class'] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025 – via Naver.
  27. ↑ Jang, A-reum (March 26, 2025). [단독] 이유영, 로펌 대표된다...정경호와 '프로보노' 주연 [[Exclusive] Lee Yoo-young to Lead Law Firm, Starring Jung Kyung-ho in "Pro Bono"] (in Korean). News 1. Retrieved November 1, 2025 – via Naver.
  28. ↑ Kim, Soo-jin (April 28, 2025). 정경호·소주연, 드라마 '프로보노' 출연 [공식] [Jung Kyung-ho and So Ju-yeon to Star in Drama "Pro Bono" [Official]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved November 1, 2025 – via Naver.
  29. ↑ Jang, Jin-ri (April 30, 2025). [단독]'폭싹' 학씨 최대훈, '프로보노' 뜬다...'초특급 대세'의 특별출연 [[Exclusive] Choi Dae-hoon, the "Boomssak" student, is on the rise with his "Pro Bono" work... A special appearance by a "superstar."] (in Korean). SPOTV. Retrieved November 1, 2025 – via Naver.
  30. ↑ Jeong, Min-kyung (February 19, 2025). 서혜원, '악마판사' 작가 신작 '프로보노' 출연...정경호·소주연 만난다 [공식] [Seo Hye-won to star in "Pro Bono," a new drama from the writer of "The Devil Judge," alongside Jung Kyung-ho and So Joo-yeon [Official]] (in Korean). Xports News. Retrieved November 1, 2025 – via Naver.
  31. ↑ Kim, Ji-hye (December 1, 2025). '프로보노' OST 라인업 공개... 케이윌·존박·양파 총출동 ['Pro Bono' OST lineup revealed... K. Will, John Park, and Yangpa all appear]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  32. ↑ Park, Soo-in (November 1, 2025). 정경호, 프리 허그? NO! 프리 변호(프로보노) [Jung Kyung-ho, free hugs? No! Free defense (Pro Bono)]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Pro Bono' On Netflix, A New K-Drama That Might Remind You A Little Of 'Suits'". Decider. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  34. 1 2 Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 6, 2025. Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
    • "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 7, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 13, 2025. Archived from the original on December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
    • "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 14, 2025. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
    • "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 20, 2025. Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
    • "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 21, 2025. Archived from the original on December 21, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
    • "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 27, 2025. Archived from the original on December 27, 2025. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
    • "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). December 28, 2025. Archived from the original on December 28, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
    • "Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 3, 2026. Archived from the original on January 4, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
    • "Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 4, 2026. Archived from the original on January 4, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
    • "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 10, 2026. Archived from the original on January 11, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
    • "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 11, 2026. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.