this is my all-time favorite drama, but I do not think it is for everyone.

Miss Hammurabi was a very unexpected delight for me. I firmly believe everyone has "their book" out there; a book that they feel truly seen by, and that can impact their life, a connection I would chalk up to being a literary soul-mate with the author. Miss Hammurabi is "my drama."

the drama is one that follows a format similar to While We Were Sleeping, where each episode addresses a big picture topic, with underlying themes throughout the entire series. the thing that made Miss Hammurabi stand out for me was how real the topics were they were covering. the stories were not unnecessarily dramatized, nor were they overly simplistic and easy to digest. I know that the novel this series was based on was written by a real judge, and it truly translates into the drama. each episode feels like you genuinely are looking into the life and consequences of the cases these judges were hearing.

in addition to how grounded and impactful the overall story was, the main cast was amazing. the best way to describe their characters was...subtle, almost soft. again, the way they were portrayed felt so real, without the dramatics that is usually in dramas (and which are usually such an enjoyable and immersive part of dramas, making the successful absence of it notable). I especially resonated with L's character (true INTJ representation, which I really appreciated).

all this to say, the drama just felt so authentic, it would be difficult not to feel a connection to it, but you have to give it a few episodes to loop you into the story. it is one of those dramas that will truly shift the way you look at the world, even if only a little bit, because it gives you some real insight into the humanity of each person around you, the sign of great storytelling.

however, I would be wrong not to acknowledge, I do not think this drama is for everyone. I think a lot of the characteristics that drew me into the drama, the subtle, slow nature of reality, etc. probably would deter a lot of people who like more traditional drama style of storytelling, especially if you aren't one to continue a show if you don't like the first few episodes.

Miss Hammurabi is not for the times when you want a fast paced, edge of your seat distraction. it is the perfect drama for when you want to feel a bit of hope in reality, when you want something to give you a kick of inspiration to go out and make a change for yourself.