Episode 5 of "Beyond the Bar" kicks off with a gathering of women engrossed in heated discussions about a burgeoning artist named Ryu Gwan-mo, whose fame is currently skyrocketing. Seo-yeong proudly showcases his latest masterpiece, titled "Fiesta," which has fetched an astonishing 300 million won. However, Ye-jin, one of the women present, cannot contain her disbelief as she bursts into laughter, pointing out that the painting bears an uncanny resemblance to one she possesses at home, painted by an artist named Jeong-hye and titled "Amusement Park."
It appears that Seo-yueong may have been duped, and the tension mounts as the two women square off, each trying to call the other's bluff. The truth remains shrouded in mystery as their accusations fly back and forth.
Elsewhere, Seok-hoon is left stunned when he learns that Yeon-a is expecting Won-jun's child. She appears remarkably indifferent about the whole situation, claiming that she's undergone a change of heart now that she's in her 30s. In a surprising twist, Yeon-a places the blame on Seok-hoon for not being by her side, guilt-tripping him into taking responsibility for her decision.
Meanwhile, at Lee & Seo, they come across the ongoing lawsuit surrounding the copyright infringement of the "Fiesta" painting, which inevitably draws Gwan-mo into the fray. Convinced that the painting at the flea market is the genuine knock-off, he files a lawsuit against Jeong-hye.
Hyo-min's sister, Hyo-ju, messages her regarding the plaintiff in the painting case, urging her to take a closer look. The complaint has been served, but the defendant has failed to respond within the 30-day period or appear in court before the judgment day, which happens to be today. This means that the plaintiff will win by default unless something is done swiftly.
Eager to help her sister out, Hyo-min agrees to head to the court and submit a request to cancel the default judgment hearing. However, her intention to handle this case pro bono (for free) doesn't sit well with the money-driven executives at Yullim.
Hyo-min has been granted a week to gear up for the looming court case, albeit without any prior experience in legal matters. When Seok-hoon is apprised of the situation, he readily agrees to handle the administrative aspects but makes it clear that the bulk of the responsibility rests solely on Hyo-min's shoulders. She stands at a crossroads, with her future hanging by a thread—a classic case of sink or swim.
Intriguingly, when Lee and Seo discover that Hyo-min is navigating this solo journey, Seong-chan promptly transfers the case to a colleague but issues a stern warning: never underestimate Hyo-min's capabilities. To bolster her preparation, Seok-hoon tasks Lee Jin-woo with bringing the newcomers up to speed on legal arguments, using a sticker chart as an engaging motivator. The individual who fills their chart first will gain a distinct advantage in the practical assessment, setting the stage for an intense competition. Yet, Hyo-min finds herself grappling with the challenge of articulating her arguments persuasively.
That very night, Hyo-min is consumed by panic as she struggles to present her case material effectively in a courtroom setting. Seok-hoon, upon reviewing her work, is impressed by the strength of her argument. With the trial looming just a day away, he encourages Hyo-min to rehearse her case in front of him.
Imparting wisdom, Seok-hoon offers advice on how to weave her words with both confidence and conviction. "Set aside your biases and focus on the core of the matter," he advises, leaving Hyo-min to ponder over his profound words as she continues her journey toward the courtroom.
The following day, the judicial proceedings commenced with the initial hearing, showcasing the artworks of both Gwan-mo and Jeong-hye. Their creations, Fiesta and Amusement Park, bore an uncanny resemblance to each other, sparking the heart of the controversy: whether one was an adaptation of the other.
Hyo-min found herself under intense scrutiny, particularly when Gwan-mo ascended the witness stand. With confidence exuding from him, he expounded on Fiesta, its sources of inspiration, and the intricate drip and material techniques employed in its creation. His demeanor was brazen, almost arrogant, as he repeatedly interrupted Hyo-min when she attempted to question Jeong-hye. Jeong-hye, in a calm voice, merely reiterated that she had "drawn it," but Hyo-min almost derailed the questioning with her leading prompts. The pressure mounted, causing Jeong-hye to break into a panic and call out for her mother, overwhelmed by the glare of the spotlight.
During a brief interlude, a revealing truth emerged: Jeong-hye suffered from an intellectual disability. Despite being 21 years old, her cognitive abilities were equivalent to that of a 13-year-old. Her mother had kept this condition unregistered, allowing Jeong-hye to lead a seemingly normal life. However, the ongoing court case threatened to expose this reality, prompting the pair to seek an early resolution.
Hyo-min came under severe criticism for her lack of diligence in not conducting a thorough background check on her client. Seok-hoon stood by her side, but it was evident that she had marked herself as a target for scrutiny, labeled as a troublemaker. Despite her intentions to respect Jeong-hye's wishes, the prosecution relentlessly grilled her. They possessed her sketchbook, which contained numerous replicas of Gwan-mo's works. Furthermore, it was revealed that her college had visited one of Ryu's exhibitions prior to her painting Amusement Park.
When the prosecution persisted, Hyo-min's indecisiveness became apparent, leading them to extract a confession. Our protagonist froze, unable to utter a single word. Reflecting on Seok-hoon's advice, Hyo-min requested a brief recess to gather her composure.
Hyo-min, adhering to Seok-hoon's advice, engaged Jeong-hye in conversation, setting aside her personal biases. Inside the courtroom, her inquiry about a concealed image within the painting met with Gwan-mo's confident denial. However, Jeong-hye offered a contrasting response. It turned out that her artwork concealed a portrait of her father. She even possessed a photograph, which she unveiled to the court. She had cleverly hidden the image, but when illuminated in a darkened room, it became visible. As the courtroom lights dimmed, the painting revealed the luminous visage, confirming Jeong-hye's claim.
Jeong-hye's father had abandoned her when she was just 12, prompting her mother to destroy all his photos. Jeong-hye, however, clung to a fragment of one drawing, recreating it in all her artworks while keeping it a secret from her mother. Upon learning this, Jeong-hye's mother felt remorse and assured her that it was okay to miss her father. She even resolved to discuss the matter openly.
With this evidence presented, Gwan-mo's initial assertion of no hidden image came under scrutiny when he took the stand again. Ultimately, he confessed to the copyright infringement, his confession driven by a rage fueled by insane jealousy. He lashed out at Jeong-hye, sneering that despite her talent, she was nobody. He even went so far as to claim that God owed him an apology.
As the court case concluded in Jeong-hye's favor, the atmosphere shifted, and everyone lauded Hyo-min. Seok-hoon, in a gesture of respect, addressed her by her name rather than the formal Ms. Kang.
The following day at Yullim, a significant announcement was made. The named partners gathered, and Mr. Ko announced his retirement. To everyone's surprise, he named Kwon Na-yeon as his successor.
