REVIEW: ‘Divorce Attorney Shin,’ Episodes 9-10

A slow build-up for this series continues in Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 9-10. The case that brought Shin (Cho Seung-woo) and Attorney Park Yu-Seok (Jeon Bae-Su) of Keumhwa firm together in its previous episodes finds a bitter-sweet resolution for Shin’s client. While Shin wins this case, his pursuit of justice for his sister still remains. Consequently, Attorney Park is let go by Jin Yeong-Ju (Noh Susanna) for failing to ruin Shin’s career.

It is known that Yeong-Ju is the antagonist in the series. She is a looming presence that appears from time to time with just enough information for viewers to learn she has been the cause of familial strain. Facial cues and body language by the supporting cast show the discomfort felt by Yeong-Ju’s cold exterior. As confident as she has been in her strategic engagements with Shin, the loss of their case resulted in Yeong-Ju being forced to resign from her position at Keumhwa law firm. 

A slight but noticeable shift is made post Yeong-Ju’s failure and resignation in the story. Her ties with her father, Chairman Seo Chang-Jin (Lee Ho-Jae) of Dae Nam Electronics, hint at a larger connection to Ju-Hwa’s (Kong Hyun-Ji) death as we see more screen time of them together that show their character behind the power and money of Dae Nam Electronics.

Still an active player in her war against Shin, Yeong-Ju will represent her father in a divorce case represented by Shin. Equipped with a history of evidence, Ma Geum-Hee (Hwa-yeon Cha) and Shin will face a prestige lineup of attorneys defending the Chairman. As Shin tries to understand how to present his case, he receives an unexpected visit from his beloved nephew.

Although it can sometimes feel slow-paced, Divorce Attorney Shin continues to balance itself well between lighter, comedic moments and the more pressing social issues. It moves at a pace that makes its characters grow and evolve, which feels more natural, such as Lee Seo-Jin’s (Han Hye-Jin) gradual gain of confidence when facing the general public. In Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 9-10, she eventually starts up an online show, similar to her old job as a DJ host. While braver, viewers still witness Seo-Jin crumble into her mind when triggered by an online comment or crossing paths with a drunken fan regarding her scandal. Meanwhile, Jang Hyeong-geun (Kim Seong-gyoon) embarks on a new relationship that is slowly developed through shared close, personal matters of Hyeon-geun.

While the main plot is Shin’s pursuit of justice for his sister, Divorce Attorney Shin doesn’t forget to show us the lives of the other characters we’ve met along the way. If there’s something I have appreciated about the series so far, it’s the compelling way it takes viewers through controversial subjects. It’s the subjects and seeing how those involved converse and interact post their court trials. It is often tearful and tugs at the viewer’s empathic heartstrings. There’s never a clear-cut ending to circumstances, no matter the court case and life events. But we can strive for betterment and growth through our own trial and error.

Divorce Attorney Shin Episodes 9-10 are now available on Netflix, with new episodes airing on Saturdays and Sundays.