Jung Kyung-ho's 'Pro Bono': Can His Dancing Formula Strike Gold Again?
Actor Jung Kyung-ho is set to transform into a lawyer once more with tvN's upcoming weekend drama "Pro Bono," which premieres December 6 at 9:10 PM KST. The show follows the successful run of "Typhoon Family," which concluded with double-digit ratings.
From Judge to Public Interest Lawyer
"Pro Bono" centers on Kang David, a materialistic judge obsessed with career advancement who unexpectedly becomes a public interest lawyer. After getting caught in an incident that forces him to resign, he finds himself trapped in a major law firm's overlooked pro bono team that generates zero revenue.
The drama marks writer Moon Yoo-seok's return to legal storytelling after four years. A former judge himself, Moon previously created beloved legal dramas "Miss Hammurabi" and "The Devil Judge," both centered on judges pursuing justice.
"The pro bono team is like a trauma center in the legal world," Moon explained. "They're people who willingly take on unprofitable work to save those in the most desperate situations. If I want to convey hope through legal dramas, this was a story I had to tell."
Jung Kyung-ho's Appeal as Kang David
Jung Kyung-ho brings his signature comedic timing to the materialistic judge-turned-lawyer role. He describes Kang David's charm as his ability to persuade others through his unique logic.
"You naturally get drawn into what Kang David is saying as you listen to him," Jung explained, highlighting the character's persuasive nature.
The actor plans to focus on Kang David's emotional journey and attitude as he transforms from selfish to public-minded, capturing this growth through his own interpretation.
Conquering Legal Dramas in 2025
Jung Kyung-ho has dominated legal dramas this year. Following MBC's "Oh My Ghost Clients," where he played a labor attorney who could see ghosts, "Pro Bono" marks his second legal role of 2025. While "Oh My Ghost Clients" emphasized possession and comedy, "Pro Bono" will blend comedic charm with Sherlock Holmes-style growth.
His natural, clever comedy style combined with precise diction and delivery makes him well-suited for courtroom dramas. He excels at portraying characters who appear clumsy but reveal sharp, serious sides when needed.
The Dancing Success Pattern
Industry observers have noted an intriguing pattern: Jung Kyung-ho's projects featuring dance scenes have achieved strong commercial success.
In "Crash Course in Romance," he played math instructor Choi Chi-yeol and performed idol-like choreography. The drama peaked at 17% viewership nationwide and became tvN's sixth-highest rated drama in history.
His 2025 film "Boss" showcased him as Dong Kang-pyo, a gang member imprisoned for assault who becomes obsessed with tango dancing. The action-comedy surpassed 2 million viewers in just 10 days, becoming the sixth Korean film of 2025 to reach this milestone.
"Pro Bono" continues this trend. In the teaser video, Jung appears in judge's robes dancing energetically to 2NE1's hit "I Am the Best," then cleverly pretends he was just doing health exercises when caught.
If "Pro Bono" succeeds, it could cement the amusing formula: "When Jung Kyung-ho dances, the project succeeds."
Following 'Typhoon Family's' Success
"Pro Bono" faces high expectations as the successor to "Typhoon Family," which concluded with its highest-ever ratings of 10.3% nationwide. The question now is whether the legal comedy starring Jung Kyung-ho as the sole lead can maintain this Saturday-Sunday momentum.
The drama features So Ju-yeon as Park Gi-ppeum, a passionate public interest lawyer who contrasts with Kang David's materialistic nature. The supporting cast includes Yoon Na-moo, Seo Hye-won, and Kang Hyung-seok as fellow pro bono team members.
With Jung Kyung-ho's proven track record in legal dramas and his unexpected dancing success pattern, "Pro Bono" aims to deliver both courtroom thrills and heartwarming human stories when it premieres December 6 on tvN and Netflix.
