REVIEW: ‘Divorce Attorney Shin’ Episodes 5-6

In Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 5-6, it picks up right where its previous episode left off. Shin’s (Cho Seung-woo) mystery cameraman he’s been trying to track down in episodes 3 and 4 reveals himself to be Attorney Choi Jun (Han Eun-Sung). The same attorney who represented Keum Hwa Law Firm in his last domestic case. Much to Shin’s initial dislike, Attorney Choi ultimately joins his law office team to help with the increase in cases.

While Attorney Choi’s intentions are genuine in wanting to work for Shin, his former boss,  Attorney Park Yu-Seok (Jeon Bae-Su) of Keum Hwa Law Firm, refuses to accept his resignation. Instead, Attorney Park blackmails Choi to spy on Shin while working at his firm. Approaching Shin with this information, Shin conspires with Choi to continue the charade and becomes a double spy.

Situations become tense in Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 5-6 as more of Ju-Hwa’s (Kong Hyun-Ji) life and death are revealed. After visiting his sister’s grave on her birthday, he gets a surprise visit from Ma Geum-Hee (Cha Hwa-Yeon), Ju-Hwa’s mother-in-law. The energy between the two is uneasy, and a refrained outburst of anger is felt by Shin. Much time has passed since they last saw each other, let alone spoke. Ma Geum-Hee wants to know where Ju-Hwa is buried to pay respect, but Shin refuses to state where.

Testing her new daughter-in-law’s character, Ma Geum-Hee asks if Jin Yeong-Ju (Noh Susanna) knows where Ju-Hwa’s grave is and asks if she takes Gi-Yeong there. A very jealous Jin Yeong-Ju begins to feel threatened by Ju-Hwa even in death and requests Attorney Park to keep a closer eye on Shin. As Yeong-Ju reaches out to Shin for the first time he finally gains a significant connection, he’s been seeking since his sister’s death. This prompts Shin to finally color in the last grape and marks the beginning of his attack on those at Keum Hwa Law Firm.

Upon introduction to Ma Geum-Hee, viewers are presented with the repeated phrase “kindness is a weakness.” While it is directly tied to Ju-Hwa, it shows itself through Jang Hyeong-Geun’s (Kim Sung-Kyun) situation with his wife Ji-Eun. He’s been putting off signing the divorce papers for too long. In doing so, he’s been enduring continual heartache. Selfless gestures like offering her a wellness check-up or the dream they had of opening up a cafe shop are met with the harsh reality that she is with someone else now. Jang Hyeong-Geun continually holds out hoping the two would reunite in time through his undying support and compassion.

In Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 5-6, Hyeong-Geun continues to exercise his kindness toward her by rushing to her aide while in labor with another man’s child. Post the unexpected circumstance, Hyeong-Geun still hopes for the best for Ji-Eun and even seeks out a gift for her newborn. Ultimately, we see tearful and apologetic Hyeong-Geun let go of Ji-Eun and hands her the signed divorce papers. 

Kindness does not automatically equate to weakness. It builds character and compassion and allows us to set aside our personal interests in times of need. Through Hyeong-Geun’s continual kindness that Shin and Jo Jeong-Sik(Moon-Sung Jung) often witness, it fosters growth for these best friends. Up until these last episodes, the three have never been able to talk about their issues directly. Instead, skirting around them with humorous diversions and laughter to diffuse the tough times.During a camping trip, Shin outrightly tells Hyeong-Geun that he must let Ji-Eun go. As Jeong-Sik begins to shift topics, Hyeong-Geun addresses the fact that they can never have a serious conversation. This directs them back on course to the tough talk and Hyeong-Geun expresses a self-reflection.Slowly, we’re starting to see these three talk, grow, and acknowledge tough realizations about themselves. 

Divorce Attorney Shin Episdoes 5-6, shows us kindness is not a weakness and begins to show growth for its characters. There’s a quiet strength in kindness even under the most unfavorable circumstances. It can even cause a ripple effect of positive influence. The show continues to build and parallel the larger story of Shin at a walking pace.

Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 5-6 are now available on Netflix, with new episodes airing on Saturdays and Sundays.