Netflix’s latest kdrama, Beyond the Bar, brought a strong finale and sizzling chemistry between Lee Jin-wook’s Yoon Seok-hoon and Jung Chae-yeon’s Kang Hyo-min. However, initially, they got off on the wrong foot as the seasoned lawyer’s cold demeanor clashed with the rookie’s awkward confidence.
Things turned even worse when, in the second episode of the Netflix series, a client refused to talk to a female lawyer. Hyo-min thus chose to retreat, which left Seok-hoon unimpressed as he felt she couldn’t even defend herself. This also led him to begin doubting her defense skills and her ability to become a successful lawyer.
Beyond the Bar: How Did Seok-hook and Kang Hyo-min Become Friends?
Yoon Seok-hoon, played by Lee Jin-wook, is a logical, hard-to-approach senior lawyer who values precision and poise at Yullim Law Firm. His first impression of Chae-yeon’s Hyo-min was shaped by her anxious entrance and unconventional courtroom behavior.
Even though he saw her as impulsive and unrefined at first, their dynamics quickly changed when she uncovered a discrepancy in their very first case, demonstrating both sharp intellect and potential. From that point on, their relationship took a turn and evolved into a mentorship, based on trust and respect.
By Episode 8, their dynamic had evolved significantly. Seok-hoon’s advice turned from terse critiques to guiding wisdom. He told Hyo-min, “Justice is protecting the ones you have to protect,” a statement that cemented their deepening bond.
There were hints that they might end up being romantically involved, given their surprising blind date in the finale. However, even though they did go on a date, they did so without looking for any relationship. The series came to an end with Seok-hoon and Hyo-min sitting by a river stream, reflecting on everything they have learned about love, marriage, and friendship from their cases.
Coming to an open end, they weren’t romantically involved, but definitely closer than just a senior and junior employee.
Beyond the Bar: What Happened To Kang Hyo-min’s Boyfriend?
Kang Hyo-min’s emotional walls were not only due to her work style but also her personal life. Early in the series, she revealed that she ended things with her longtime boyfriend, Han Seong-chan (Kang Sang Jun), who worked at a rival firm.
In the finale episodes, Hyo-min has to argue against Seong-chan in court, in a court case involving a loveless court marriage. While she loses the case, Seong-chan tries to get back together with her. But she promptly turns him down, stating she will never stay with someone who is not loyal.
While she doesn’t end up in any relationship after her breakup, her emotional reaction to Seok-hoon’s mentorship suggests she is rebuilding trust in both herself and others through her success in the legal world.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | Beyond the Bar |
| Country | South Korea |
| Type | Drama |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Air Dates | Aug 2, 2025 – Sep 7, 2025 |
| Network | JTBC / Netflix (internationally) |
| Main Cast | Lee Jin-wook, Jung Chae-yeon, Lee Hak-joo, Jeon Hye-bin |
| Director | Kim Jae-hong |
| Writer | Park Mi-hyeon |
Now that the drama has come to an end, we can’t help but wonder what happened to our beloved leads. While there is no news of a second season, let us know in the comments below if you would like to see another season of Beyond the Bar.
Beyond the Bar Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.