Hanoi [Vietnam], February 13: From the moment its first episode aired in early February 2026, the drama series 'Honour', with the impressive return of actress Lee Na Young, generated considerable interest on Korean television.
Lee Na Young's comeback after a three-year hiatus.
Three years after the project One Day Off , Lee Na Young officially returns with the role of Yoon Ra Young, a star lawyer at the L&J law firm, specializing in defending victims of sexual assault. This is considered a challenging role, requiring complex inner emotions and subtle emotional control.
In an interview before the drama aired, Lee Na Young shared that she was captivated by the script from the first reading: "I read it in one go, like devouring a novel. This character gave me the opportunity to push my acting boundaries." The actress also emphasized that the role is not only about justice in the courtroom, but also about confronting painful memories and personal redemption.
Lee Na Young is known for being a private artist. After marrying actor Won Bin, she chose a private family life, rarely appearing at entertainment events. This careful selection of projects makes each of her comebacks a focal point of attention. Lee Na Young's return in a challenging role is seen as a bold move after years of prioritizing projects with artistic depth. She didn't choose a safe image but directly tackled a sensitive topic, demanding a restrained yet powerful performance.
Impressive ratings right from the first episode.
According to Nielsen Korea , episode 1 of Honour achieved an average nationwide rating of 3.1%, the highest in the history of ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama slot. Episode 2 continued to increase slightly to 3.3%, showing positive word-of-mouth. In the context of legal dramas, which are not a genre that easily achieves high ratings, this figure is considered an encouraging achievement. Many opinions on Korean forums praised the drama's "strong opening" and commended the performances of the three female leads.
The drama revolves around three female lawyers at L&J Law Firm: Yoon Ra Young (Lee Na Young), Kang Shin Jae (Jung Eun Chae), and Hwang Hyun Jin (Lee Chung Ah). They specialize in defending victims of sexual violence, particularly in cases involving the elite and celebrities.
The central case in the early episodes involves a teenage girl accusing a famous star of rape. As the case becomes increasingly distorted by the defense lawyer and public pressure, the trio of lawyers must confront not only the harsh legal system but also a hidden network of power. Instead of portraying them as perfect "warriors of justice," the series depicts them as wounded and flawed individuals. In particular, the character Hyun Jin becomes entangled in a personal conflict when she becomes involved in a murder case, adding to the drama of the story.
Besides its impressive ratings, this courtroom-psychological drama quickly sparked widespread discussion among entertainment critics and the public due to its edgy themes of sexual crimes and women's rights. A review in the South China Morning Post described Honour as a "dramatic courtroom drama focusing on high-society sexual crimes," and described Lee Na Young as a "determined star lawyer leading a trio against those hiding behind the glitz and glamour."
Some South Korean critics argue that although the film has melodramatic elements and exaggerated details, it is precisely this that creates its mass appeal. The work is highly praised for its courage in tackling the sensitive but necessary themes of victim suffering and social prejudice on television.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
