ENA’s new Monday–Tuesday drama Honour made an intense first impression from episode one.
Produced as a Genie TV Original and broadcast on ENA, the series follows three female lawyers who specialize in representing victims of crime. Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae and Lee Chung-ah portray attorneys with different styles but a shared determination, delivering sharp courtroom tension and emotionally charged performances.
The story centers on L&J, short for Listen & Join, a law firm devoted to protecting female victims. Celebrity lawyer Yoon Ra-young openly criticizes flaws in the legal system during a televised debate, while firm representative Kang Shin-jae pushes back against pressure from the parent company. Meanwhile, passionate attorney Hwang Hyun-jin stays by a young victim’s side in court, helping her testify without fear.
Their first major case involves Kang Eun-seok, a widely loved actor accused of assaulting an 18-year-old high school student. Public opinion quickly turns against the victim, and protest trucks and funeral wreaths surround the firm, intensifying the pressure both inside and outside the courtroom.
Despite their efforts, the trial takes an unexpected turn. Questions surrounding testimony weaken the case, and Kang is acquitted in the first trial. As he walks free, the victim suffers secondary harm when her personal information is leaked online. Still, the lawyers refuse to back down and continue searching for new evidence.
A breakthrough comes when they uncover signs of a larger prostitution scandal and possible drug involvement connected to the incident. Securing key footage, the team shifts the tide of the case, raising new hope for justice and heightening suspense for what lies ahead.
The episode’s final sequence delivered the biggest shock. A reporter tied to the investigation is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and during the firm’s anniversary celebration, the victim suddenly appears barefoot and covered in blood. The chilling cliffhanger closed the premiere on a powerful note, leaving viewers eager for the next episode.
With fast pacing, layered twists and commanding performances from its three leads, Honour signals the arrival of a rare, well-crafted courtroom genre drama on the small screen. The solidarity and resolve of the three women promise an even fiercer legal battle moving forward.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode recorded 3.1 percent nationwide and 2.9 percent in the metropolitan area, marking the highest premiere rating in ENA’s Monday–Tuesday drama history.
Episode two airs at 10 p.m. on February 3.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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