Joseon Attorney (2023)
Title: Joseon Attorney
Hangul: 조선변호사
Writer: Choi Jin-young, Jung Ho-rak
Director: Lee Han-joon, Kim Seung-ho
Network: MBC
Episodes: 16
Joseon Attorney Cast and Characters
Woo Do-hwan as Kang Han-su
Bona as Lee Yeon-joo / So Won
Cha Hak-yeon as Yoo Ji-sun
Lee Kyu-sung as Dong Chi
Shin Dong-mi as Lady Hong
Chun Ho-jin as Yoo Je-se
Song Geon-hee as King Lee Hyul
Han So-eun as Kang Eun-su
Joseon Attorney Plot Summary
Kang Han-soo is a man who seeks revenge against the man responsible for his parents’ death. Initially, a cunning lawyer who exploits his clients’ emotions for personal gain, Han-soo unexpectedly becomes a hero and problem solver to the people. Over time, he evolves into a just and ethical attorney who pursues true justice.
Joseon Attorney Ending Explained
Does Joseon Attorney Have A Happy or Sad Ending?
Joseon Attorney has a happy ending with Han-soo and Yeon-joo achieving their long-sought revenge against Minister Yoo and the two reuniting as a couple. Han-soo, Ji-sun, and the King work to revise the book of laws incorporating the perspectives of people from all walks of life.
The final scene of Joseon Attorney features the three men and Yeon-joo visiting the late king’s grave and presenting the completed version of the revised book of laws.
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What Happened to Han-soo?
Han-soo grapples with grief and guilt following the death of his sister. He is on the verge of suicide on the rooftop but is saved by Dong Chi. And is shaken out of his depression by a fake Dong-chi kidnapping ruse orchestrated by Yeon-joo.
Han-soo manages to corner Minister Yoo into confessing to a crime using Ji-sun as a pawn, clearing Officer Kang’s name posthumously and obtaining justice for his entire family.
After taking down Minister Yoo, Han-soo is given the opportunity to retake the civil service exam by the King and the government position of his choice upon passing the exam.
Three years later, Han-soo is the governor of his hometown. Han-soo also finishes his father’s work, collaborating with Ji-sun and the King to revise and update the book of laws.
Han-soo continues to search for Yeon-joo, who he believes is still alive, and rejects the King’s attempt to set him up with another woman.
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What Happened to Yeon-joo?
Yeon-joo collapses before her wedding ceremony to Ji-sun and is quickly diagnosed as being poisoned. With the help of letters forged by Ji-sun (whose handwriting strongly resembles his father’s) and Han-soo’s father’s letter retrieved by Eun-soo, Minister Yoo is successfully framed for poisoning Yeon-joo.
When Minister Yoo demands a royal physician confirm her condition, they find the princess gravely ill to the Minister’s surprise. Knowing how perceptive Minister Yoo is, Yeon-joo ingested real poison to ensure the plan would go smoothly.
The Grand Queen Dowager declares Yeon-joo dead and a royal funeral is held for the princess.
However, unbeknownst to everyone, Yeon-joo faked her death by poison to frame Minister Yoo with the help of her grandmother, the Grand Queen Dowager. She announced Yeon-joo’s death and arranged a fake funeral allowing Yeon-joo to escape the palace.
Three years later, Yeon-joo continues to live in disguise as a man, working as an attorney in a town near Cheongsan. She has recovered from the poison but can no longer have children. Yeon-joo now lives freely, unburdened by the rules and expectations of royal life.
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Do Han-soo and Yeon-joo End Up Together?
Yes, Han-soo and Yeon-joo end up together at the Joseon Attorney.
Three years after Yeon-joo’s death, Han-soo hasn’t moved on from her and still believes there’s a chance she’s still alive because he never saw her dead body. He also refuses the King’s attempts to set him up and rebuffs women’s advances.
One day, Han-soo visits a talented attorney in a town near Cheongsan. The attorney turns out to be Yeon-joo, who has been living in disguise as a man called “Lee So-won”.
Yeon-joo admits to staying away from Han-soo purposely because of her infertility. She wanted Han-soo to have his happily-ever-after with a family and kids which she could no give him.
But Han-soo doesn’t care about Yeon-joo not being able to have children and loves her unconditionally and the reunited lovers kiss.
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What Happened to Eun-soo?
Han-soo’s sister, Eun-soo, is framed by Minister Yoo and accused of committing adultery with multiple men.
Eun-soo is put on trial and sentenced to death by the King who wants to assert his royal authority.
Han-soo devises an escape plan for his sister but Eun-soo is reluctant to go along with it. If Han-soo’s plan had been successful, the siblings would live as fugitives on the run and everyone involved would be punished.
Not wanting to be a burden to her brother, Eun-woo stabs herself with her dagger (given by Minister Yoo) and dies in her brother’s arms.
What Happened to Ji-sun?
After Eun-soo’s death, Ji-sun leaves his position at the royal court. He works with Yeon-joo and Han-soo on their revenge plan against his father, even offering himself as a pawn to Han-soo.
Ji-sun forges letters to incriminate his father as the two have the same unique handwriting. This leaves Minister Yoo cornered as he can either confess to his crimes or point to his son as the perpetrator. Minister Yoo chooses to protect his son leading to his downfall.
Ji-sun visits his father in exile where he watches his father descend into senility, to the point where he can no longer recognize him.
Three years later, Ji-sun is back by the King’s side as an advisor and works with him and Han-soo to complete the new book of laws.
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What Happened to Dong Chi?
Dong Chi pulls a suicidal Han-soo back from the edge of the rooftop and snaps him out of his depression by pretending to be kidnapped which spurs Han-soo to rush to his aid.
Dong Chi also finds the letter left behind by Eun-soo which becomes instrumental in exposing Minister Yoo.
Joseon Attorney ends with Dong Chi finding much-deserved happiness with Lady Hong as she reopens the Sowongak Inn.
What Happened to Lee Hyul (The King)?
In the last episode of Joseon Attorney, the King is presented with evidence of Minister Yoo’s numerous crimes. He ultimately decides to sentence Minister Yoo to 100 lashings and exile for his crimes as recommended by Han-soo.
He shows his support for Han-soo by offering him the government position of his choice upon passing the civil service exam.
Three years later, Lee Hyul and Han-soo are working together towards creating a just legal system by completing a new book of laws.
Lee Hyul also expresses concern for Han-soo’s well-being and encourages him to get married and settle down, even arranging a blind date which Han-soo rejects.
What Happened to Minister Yoo?
Minister Yoo is finally cornered into confessing his crimes by Han-soo and his allies. Minister Yoo is accused of and denies poisoning Yeon-joo but is trapped by evidence from all sides including letters forged by his son, Ji-sun. Minister Yoo must choose between defending himself or his son and chooses to protect his son.
Minister Yoo admits to his crimes in front of the King and is arrested and put on trial. Initially, he is facing a death sentence but ultimately, he is exiled (after 100 lashes), a punishment proposed by Han-soo.
In exile, Minister Yoo suffers from dementia and no longer recognizes his son.
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