"WE NEED SEASON 2"- Beyond the Bar fans disappointed after cliffhanger ending leaves Seok-hoon and Hyo-min's love confession unfinished

The final episode of Beyond the Bar aired on September 7, 2025. The last episode brought its legal conspiracy plotline to a close but left viewers stunned with an unresolved romance. The drama wrapped up its major corporate case, exposing fraud and ousting corrupt figures from Yullim Law Firm.

Seok-hoon and his team secured the votes to reform the office. Meanwhile, Hyo-min’s growth as a rookie lawyer was highlighted through her success in handling complex cases on her own. Amid these victories, the romance between Seok-hoon and Hyo-min finally seemed ready to bloom. Their bond had been developing slowly throughout the series, and the finale built toward an anticipated confession.

In the closing scene, Hyo-min asked Seok-hoon what love meant to him. He looked at her with clear affection and began his answer, only for the screen to cut off mid-sentence. Instead of a full resolution, the drama ended with silence.

This abrupt ending frustrated viewers who had waited 12 episodes for the couple’s romance to come to light. Viewers began to demand a season 2 of the show, and X user @mendulka wrote:

"WE NEED SEASON 2."

Many took to social media to express their anger. Some called the director’s decision unfair, while others demanded an immediate announcement for a second season.

Fans of Beyond the Bar agreed the story was far from over and that the two leads deserved a more complete conclusion.

About Beyond the Bar, story highlights, and what comes next

Beyond the Bar (Esquire) premiered on JTBC on August 2 and aired through September 7 before streaming globally on Netflix. The series starred Lee Jin-wook as senior lawyer Yoon Seok-hoon and Jung Chae-yeon as rookie attorney Kang Hyo-min. They starred alongside Lee Hak-joo and Jeon Hye-bin in pivotal roles.

The drama balanced high-stakes office politics with various personal narratives. Seok-hoon was known for his strict approach to the law. He found a partner in Hyo-min, whose empathy often clashed with his rigid methods. Their professional relationship gradually deepened into something more.

There were hints of romance woven throughout the cases they tackled together.

Stills from Beyond the Bar episode 12 (Images via Netflix)

Episode 12 tied up most of the firm’s conflicts. It resolved the fraud investigation and concluded custody disputes that tested Hyo-min’s confidence. Seok-hoon also closed chapters from his painful past. He confronted his former partner and put old matters to rest. With these battles behind them, the stage was set for the central romance.

Instead, the drama ended with an incomplete confession, which fueled frustration and speculation. The unfinished line has already sparked endless fan theories and calls for renewal.

While the producers have not confirmed future plans, the open-ended finale strongly suggests there is room for Beyond the Bar to continue with a second season.

About the author

Mantasha is a pop culture writer at Sportskeeda who covers K-pop and K-drama. She has recently completed her Masters in English and has a rich 3-year writing experience where she crafted engaging content for top companies such as Unacademy, Apollo Hospitals, Adani Airports, and the Economic Times. Her experience has helped her create a strong foundation that complements her passion for creating the best content related to K-pop, K-dramas and Korean movies.

Mantasha's interest in pop culture took root when her cousin introduced her to classic Hollywood and Bollywood tunes and the rest, as they say, is history. Mantasha’s connection with K-pop supergroup BTS is a special one as their song lyrics, hard work, and dedication resonate with her like no other group does.

Maintaining accuracy, relevance, and ethics in her reporting is extremely essential for Mantasha. She prioritizes thorough research, delving deep beyond just superficial sources, to ensure comprehensive and trustworthy information.

When not writing, Mantasha enjoys journaling and doodling, watching K-dramas and listening to songs.

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Edited by Riya Peter