The premiere of the new ENA drama from Monday to Tuesday Honorwhich aired on February 2, it posted a 3.1% nationwide rating and 2.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea (paid households). This marks the highest first-episode rating ever for an ENA Monday-Tuesday drama, signaling the first signs of a runaway success.
The opening episode immediately immersed viewers a sad realityrevealing a sex crimes scandal capable of shaking the nation. With a relentless pace and no room to breathe, the episode unfolded a whirlwind of twists and turns that held your attention for the entire hour.
At the center of the story are three female lawyers from L&J (Listen & Join), a law firm specializing in female victims of violent crimes: the famous lawyer Yoon Ra-young (Lee Na-young), the company’s CEO Kang Shin-jae (Jung Eun-chae) and the highly committed lawyer Hwang Hyun-jin (Lee Chung-ah). Each woman moved decisively, guided by unshakable belief and keen instinct.
Their urgent mobilization stemmed from an explosive case: the company’s defense of Kang Eun-seok (Lee Chan-hyung), a nationally beloved character. “son-in-law” actor accused of sexually assaulting 18-year-old high school student, Jo Yoo-jung (Park Se-hyun). Public sentiment quickly turned hostile towards the victim, branding him a manipulatorwhile fans rallied to Kang Eun-seok’s defense by sending protest trucks and funeral wreaths to the law firm.
Despite L&J’s determination, the process took an unexpected turn. It was revealed that the place where Jo Yoo-jung met Kang Eun-seok was not a nightclub, casting doubt on previous testimonies. Kang Eun-seok was acquitted in the first trial and was freed, while Jo Yoo-jung suffered brutal secondary victimization after his personal information was leaked online. Even so, she remained silent about how she first met him.
As public pressure mounted, prosecutors prepared to abandon the appeal, until Kang Shin-jae implemented a decisive Plan B. Through investigative journalist Lee Jun-hyuk (Lee Choong-joo), Hwang Hyun-jin uncovered clues pointing to Behind the case lies a huge sex trafficking scandal. However, the truth came at a deadly price. Just when Lee Jun-hyuk promised to hand over crucial evidence, he was brutally murdered and his body discovered by Hwang Hyun-jin in a chilling scene that sent the drama’s tension skyrocketing.
The episode ended with a disturbing image: During L&J’s 10th anniversary banquet, Jo Yoo-jung stumbled into the venue barefoot and drenched in blood. The shocking entrance served as a declaration of war against a large and brutal sex trafficking cartelleaving viewers desperate for answers.
Beyond its incessant twists and turns, Honor he stood out for his impressive performances. Lee Na-young’s Yoon Ra-young rejected empty consolation, urging the victim to survive through defiance rather than desperation. Jung Eun-chae’s Kang Shin-jae exuded unwavering confidence, declaring: “I never lost, even when I had a bad hand.” Lee Chung-ah’s Hwang Hyun-jin proved equally formidable, serving as an unbreakable shield for victims against intimidation and violence.
With its bold topics, fast-paced storytelling and powerful performances, Honor signals the arrival of a rare and high quality legal thriller on Korean television. Whether these three women can unravel the full extent of the hidden cartel and restore their stolen dignity now represents the driving question pushing the anticipation forward. Episode 2 of Honor airs February 3 at 10pm KST on ENA and is also available on KT Genie TV and Coupang Play.
Sources: Naver
