"Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho" Episode 14 recap

After a case fully dedicated to Chairman Jeong Geun-mo's financial transactions it is the turn of one related to the cost of human life lost to his dirty business practices. As Jeong becomes more reckless and obsessed with destroying our Superman, his accomplices start to worry over their involvement with him. Hae-kyeong goes head to head with Deul-ho and Eun-jo in court and her motives are being questioned by those around her.
The energy drink case is a return to issues concerning citizens. In a series which places a lot of importance in social commentary, keeping such cases coming is important. By making the source of this Chairman Jeong (Jeong Won-joong) once more, the creators stay close to our main story as well. It is smart to remind us that Deul-ho (Park Shin-yang) and Eun-jo (Kang So-ra) do take on other cases and make a living, because it feels as if everything is about the Chairman sometimes.

This is why I wish his character were more interesting. Be that as it may, at least they are trying to portray him as unstable now. His current behavior explains Michael's (Lee Jae-woo) mental condition. I was under the impression that Chairman Jeong is moody, but a businessman above all. His uncontrollable anger and dangerous pride will eventually ruin him. We can see it quite clearly, but it is very important that his current allies can as well.
Ji-wook's (Ryoo Soo-yeong) and Yeong-il's (Kim Kap-soo) situation is pretty clear. Ji-wook loves his father and wants to help him escape the Chairman. I love that he does not let his loyalty corrupt him alongside Yeong-il. Honorable devotion in dramas is sometimes portrayed as joining and enabling harmful behavior or life choices. It goes back to the concept of filial piety, but it still feels good to see creators encourage viewers to not just blindly accept standards without reflection and judgement.

Hae-kyeong (Park Sol-mi) and Sin-woo (Kang Shin-il) are a bit different. Hae-kyeong's reasons for helping keep Deul-ho safe, which I assume she is doing now as well, are more emotional than moral. Even so, the drama shows us that the dysfunctional standards of older generations can only be changed if new generations root out the parts which do not work or which work unfairly. Ji-wook and Hae-kyeong can be valuable in teaching this lesson.
Eun-jo and the team do a lot of leg work this time and she is more confident about taking charge. The series is called "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho", so I can understand the fact that she will always be secondary, but she is so endearing and I want more. I hope she steps up and becomes the partner Deul-ho will need as we approach our final battle.
"Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho" is directed by Lee Jung-seob, written by Lee Hyang-hee and features Park Shin-yang, Kang So-ra, Ryoo Soo-yeong and Park Sol-mi.
Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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