Pro Bono has just landed on Netflix with its first season, giving U.S. viewers a tightly written South Korean legal drama led by Jung Kyung-ho. With all 12 episodes now available, many subscribers are already asking the same thing: is Pro Bono season 2 happening on Netflix, or is this story already complete?
Below, we break down where things stand right now: renewal status, how the ending sets up (or doesn’t set up) more episodes, how K-dramas usually work, and what would need to happen for a second season to become a reality.
Is Pro Bono Season 2 Confirmed on Netflix or tvN?
As of now, no second season of Pro Bono has been officially ordered. There has been no renewal announcement from tvN, the South Korean cable network that aired the series from December 2025 to January 2026, nor from Netflix, which handles the international release.
This silence is not unusual. In the K-drama ecosystem, most shows are designed from the outset to be one-and-done. Writers typically plan a closed narrative with a fixed episode count, and production wraps with the assumption that the story will not return for another season.
How Season 1 Ends and What It Means for a Sequel
The first season follows Kang Da-wit, a former judge who walks away from the bench to become a public interest lawyer. By the final episode, his character arc hits a clear resolution: he breaks definitively with the judicial hierarchy and launches a pro bono law firm that truly reflects his values, surrounded by the team he’s built along the way.
The major plotlines are wrapped up, particularly those involving the controversial influence peddling linked to the powerful law firm O&Partners and the elite figures using the justice system to their advantage. Those threads are not left hanging; they reach a logical and emotionally satisfying conclusion.
The very last scene shows the team handling a new case, but the way it’s framed feels more like an epilogue — a glimpse of their future work — than a cliffhanger engineered to force a season 2. In other words, the door to more stories is technically open, but the show does not structurally depend on a continuation.
Ratings in Korea: Strong Numbers, But Not a Guarantee
In South Korea, Pro Bono enjoyed steady audience growth throughout its run, ending with a nationwide share above 10% for the finale — an impressive performance for a cable channel drama.
However, even solid ratings rarely translate into multi-season runs in the K-drama world. Actors, writers, and directors usually commit to projects as self-contained limited series, then quickly move on to new titles. When exceptions do happen — such as with some medical or crime franchises — those shows are typically developed from the beginning with the idea of multiple seasons or spin-offs.
Netflix’s Role: Distributor, Not Primary Decision-Maker
On the international side, Netflix streams Pro Bono under the standard distribution schedule used for Korean series. The platform did not originate the series; it licenses it for global audiences.
What this means for a potential season 2 is important: tvN and the Korean production companies drive the renewal decision. Netflix can choose to participate in or co-fund a continuation if one is greenlit, especially if international viewership is strong, but the core call does not start in Los Gatos — it starts in Seoul.
Up to this point, there have been no public reports, production notes, or industry leaks pointing to active development of a second season. Any talk of a specific release window or production schedule would therefore be pure speculation.
Could Pro Bono Work as an Ongoing Legal Drama?
From a storytelling perspective, the world of Pro Bono could absolutely support more episodes. With Kang Da-wit now fully committed to public interest law, the writers could easily craft a more case-of-the-week structure built around social justice issues, systemic corruption, or underrepresented plaintiffs, while still threading in season-long arcs.
In the U.S., viewers are used to legal dramas that run for multiple seasons — think Suits, The Good Wife, or Law & Order — and Pro Bono shares some of that appeal: smart courtroom strategy, ethical dilemmas, and a lead who conflicts with the establishment. If the producers ever decide to deviate from the traditional K-drama one-season model, this premise would be a natural fit.
But right now, that remains hypothetical. The show was initially built and marketed as a single-season drama, and the ending reflects that original intent.
Timeline: When Could a Season 2 Announcement Happen?
If a second season became a realistic option, several steps would need to fall into place: schedules for the main cast would have to line up, writers would need to commit to expanding the story, and both tvN and potential financing partners (including Netflix) would have to see clear value in returning.
Typically, any renewal announcement for a Korean drama would arrive months after the original broadcast ends, not during the initial run. That allows networks and streamers to analyze ratings, international performance, social media buzz, and licensing potential before making a commitment.
Given that tvN finished airing the show in January 2026 and that Netflix has now rolled it out globally, the earliest realistic window for solid news — if talks were happening — would be well after both domestic and international metrics have been fully reviewed.
Should You Watch Pro Bono Now, Even Without Season 2 News?
For U.S. viewers wondering whether to invest time in the series if there’s no guaranteed follow-up: yes, Pro Bono stands on its own. You’re not left with an unresolved cliffhanger, and the core story — from Kang Da-wit’s break with the judiciary to his new mission as a pro bono lawyer — reaches a complete conclusion.
At the same time, the finale leaves just enough room for additional stories should the industry stars align. If a season 2 does get the green light later, it would feel more like a fresh chapter than an overdue resolution.
The first season of Pro Bono is currently available on Netflix, offering a sharp, critical look at the South Korean justice system, corruption dynamics, and the personal cost of choosing integrity over career advancement.
What to Watch for Next
For now, the most meaningful signals will be behind the scenes: casting announcements, writer or director interviews hinting at new ideas, or official press releases from tvN and Netflix. Until then, Pro Bono should be treated as a complete limited series with the potential — but not the promise — of a return.
FAQ
Will there be a Pro Bono season 2 on Netflix?
At this time, there has been no official confirmation of a second season from either tvN or Netflix. The show was produced as a single-season K-drama, and there is no public indication that season 2 is in active development.
Does the Pro Bono season 1 ending set up a sequel?
The ending resolves the main storylines and character arcs, especially around Kang Da-wit’s break from the judiciary and the takedown of corrupt power players. The final case teased in the last scene works more as an epilogue than a cliffhanger, so a sequel is possible but not required for closure.
What factors could convince producers to make Pro Bono season 2?
Strong long-term ratings in Korea, high global viewership on Netflix, sustained social media buzz, and interest from the original cast and creative team would all increase the chances of a renewal. A co-production deal or expanded financial involvement from Netflix could also play a role.
Is Pro Bono worth watching if I prefer multi-season shows?
Yes, even if you’re used to multi-season legal dramas, Pro Bono offers a complete narrative with a satisfying ending. Think of it as a high-quality limited series: you get a full character journey and a finished story, with the added bonus that the world could support more cases if a second season is ever announced.
