Im Seong Jae On His Ordinary Yet Endearing “Law And The City” Character, The Drama’s Warm Appeal, And More

Jun 27, 2025

Im Seong Jae has shared more insights into his character in tvN’s upcoming drama “Law and The City”!

“Law and The City” follows five associate attorneys—Ahn Ju Hyeong (Lee Jong Suk), Kang Hui Ji (Mun Ka Young), Cho Chang Won (Kang You Seok), Bae Mun Jeong (Ryu Hye Young), and Ha Sang Gi (Im Seong Jae)—as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of their daily lives. These salaried lawyers, employed by law firms, commute each day to the bustling legal district of Seocho.

Im Seong Jae plays Ha Sang Gi, an associate attorney at the law office Hojeon who believes that, at the end of the day, money is what matters most.

Reflecting on his first impression of the script, Im Seong Jae shared, “I really like Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), and when I first read the ‘Law and The City’ script, it felt like Pyongyang naengmyeon to me. It wasn’t tangled up with overly complex cases or character relationships and I could read through it smoothly, yet it left a lingering taste that made me look forward to what comes next.”

Explaining why he chose this role, he added, “Through Ha Sang Gi, I felt I could portray an ordinary, everyday life that was different from the roles I’ve usually taken on, so I chose it with a light heart.” He continued, “There’s a saying that if someone seems pitiful yet cute at the same time, there’s no way out—and I think Sang Gi is that kind of person. He has this inexplicable cuteness, like a rolled omelet.”

Im Seong Jae described his character as “both a lawyer and an ordinary citizen,” elaborating, “He seems like someone just trying to keep up with the times, but deep down, he carries a clear dream in his heart. His hopes become clearer as the story progresses, and his resolve to pursue them is strengthened thanks to the help of his friends. He receives help, and also wants to give help in return—that’s Sang Gi’s charm as an ordinary human being.”

On his approach to portraying Sang Gi’s subtle character, he shared, “Rather than emphasizing obvious traits, I focused on being naturally ordinary within his relationships. I tried to really listen to each of his friends. When Sang Gi is with Cho Chang Won, his personality comes out even more. His demeanor subtly shifts depending on which friend he’s with, so I hope viewers will notice those differences.”

He further teased, “If you watch the broadcast, you’ll find out Ha Sang Gi’s secret—but it’s hidden very well, so you’ll need to pay close attention.” With a laugh, he added, “Since the drama has so many scenes of us eating deliciously, I’m happily worried that viewers might gain weight along with us. I hope everyone can let go of everything and simply enjoy the show with us.”