In Law And The City episode 5, Ahn Joo-hyung (Lee Jong-suk) and Kang Hee-ji (Moon Ga-young) are not exactly dating. But something’s going on. In Law And The City episode 5, which aired on July 19, things between them moved from polite work talk to something more personal.
Joo-hyung asked Hee-ji to eat with him. Not in a casual way, but like he meant it. For longtime K-drama fans, this subtle back-and-forth is a classic slow-burn dynamic. The way Joo-hyung makes small but intentional gestures—like remembering snacks—reminds viewers of characters like Park Dong-hoon from My Mister, where emotional connection comes not from grand scenes but quiet care. It’s a fresh take for a legal drama, which often skips emotional nuance for plot-heavy twists.
And not just once. He brought it up again and again, with a kind of awkward sincerity that made things feel more real. He even remembered she didn’t have snacks last time and brought her emergency food. It wasn’t romantic on the surface, but you could feel it.
Hee-ji, though, had something else on her mind. She had run into Joo-hyung’s ex, Park Soo-jung (Lee Yoo-young), and told her that Joo-hyung had already left work. At the time, she didn’t think much of it. But now she felt guilty. She confessed to Joo-hyung, saying, “I crossed the line.” He asked her why she did it. She didn’t really have an answer, only that she didn’t want him to get hurt.
Their talk didn’t stay serious for long. Joo-hyung told her it was fine. He wasn’t angry & he said it was all in the past. He even thanked her. This moment felt small, but it mattered. The two of them seemed closer after that.
Shadows from the Past and Signs of Jealousy
While Hee-ji was solving a case with Jo Chang-won (Kang Yoo-seok), Joo-hyung noticed their closeness. It bothered him, even if he didn’t say it out loud. His offer to have a meal with her felt like more than just hunger.
When he reminded her of her promise to buy him food, she was confused. “Were you upset I didn’t buy you that meal?” she asked. He said no, but it was clear he remembered it too well to be casual. He added, “A promise is a promise.” That line said a lot. Not just about food. Their quiet tension and emotional distance carry the story forward in a way that feels honest, not rushed.
Meanwhile, Joo-hyung finally faced his ex, Soo-jung. She called him out after the trial, but didn’t seem to know why. She asked how he was. He said Fine. She said she wasn’t. It felt like a conversation that should’ve happened long ago, but was now too late to fix anything.
He apologized for the last trial. She said it was better that things ended quickly. There was no big fight, no screaming. Just two people who knew things didn’t work out. Before they parted, she said Thank you. It was simple but sad.
Law School Troubles and Harsh Truths
The episode didn’t stay focused on romance. Toward the end, the drama shifted to law school politics. A student named Sang-ki, son of a powerful chairman, was accused of faking a “commoner’s background.”
This storyline taps into a growing public concern in South Korea about “spec inflation”—where privileged students manipulate their records to win scholarships or public sympathy. Similar cases have sparked outrage in real life, making this subplot not just timely but socially grounded. It’s one of the reasons why Law and the City stands out—it doesn’t just entertain; it reflects. It hinted at deeper problems ahead.
But the real heat came from a child abuse case Joo-hyung was handling. He defended a teacher accused by students of hitting them. The teacher denied it. He said he only scolded them because they entered the gym without permission.
Joo-hyung found posts online by the students. They were bragging. One of them wrote, “If you mess with us, you’re done.” It didn’t look good. He confronted the kids and showed them their own posts. They tried to twist things, saying harsh words are abuse, too. Joo-hyung didn’t accept it.
He told them that making up stories was a serious crime. When they argued that they were just minors, he pushed back harder. “If it’s abuse, sue him. But don’t use your parents to do it for you and ruin someone’s life.”
He then brought in the parents to talk. That part felt real. What this case nails is the legal gray zone modern educators face. How much authority is too much? When does discipline cross the line? These are questions Korean society continues to debate, and the show cleverly brings them into the narrative without moralizing. It’s this blend of legal nuance and emotional drama that makes the story feel relevant beyond the screen.
It wasn’t just about legal lines. It showed how easy it is for rumors to turn into charges—and how hard it is to clean up once that happens.
Internet Jokes and Outdated Slang
Later, Joo-hyung needed help tracking down a student’s social media account. He asked Baek Moon-jung (Ryu Hye-young) to help. He couldn’t even sign up. “I couldn’t read the full terms,” he said. She looked at him like he was from another planet.
Then he said, “Try riding the wave. Like back in the day.” It made no sense. But he was serious. They finally found the account and started to piece together who was behind everything. But even then, he complained. He didn’t want to meet the students face-to-face.
This moment felt random, but it wasn’t. It showed how out of place Joo-hyung feels in this generation. He’s still using slang from 15 years ago. He’s not clueless, but he’s not always in sync either.
The episode kept moving between moods. From courtroom drama to quiet tension between exes, and then awkward flirting that barely passes as flirting. The tone never stayed steady, but that’s what made it feel alive.
Final Thoughts
Episode 5 of Law And The City didn’t give any big answers. But it gave important signs. Joo-hyung is not over Hee-ji. He’s moving on from Soo-jung. And Hee-ji, despite her confusion, seems to care back.
If you’re a new viewer wondering whether to start the drama, this episode is a turning point. It’s not flashy, but it shows that the emotional groundwork is being laid carefully. The courtroom isn’t the only place where truth is debated. It’s happening over half-finished meals, through awkward silences, and glances that say more than dialogue ever could.
The law cases are still complex, with blurry morals and unpredictable moves. That’s part of what keeps the show different from other legal dramas. It’s less about clear wins and more about messy human decisions. And in between it all, there’s a lunch that still hasn’t happened. But maybe it will. Or maybe the promise is enough.
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Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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