On April 8, 2026, viewers of the popular South Korean television program You Quiz on the Block were treated to a rare and revealing look inside the world of high-stakes divorce law. The episode featured Park Min-cheol, a seasoned divorce specialist from Kim & Chang, the country’s largest and arguably most prestigious law firm. Park, who has worked at Kim & Chang since 2009 after graduating from Seoul National University Law School, is no stranger to complex cases or public attention. But this appearance was notable for both his candid discussion of lawyer fees and for sharing a divorce case that left even the show’s unflappable host, Yoo Jae-seok, momentarily speechless.
During the broadcast, Park Min-cheol pulled back the curtain on the fee structure that governs legal services at elite firms like Kim & Chang. Explaining the industry standard of "Time Charge," he detailed how lawyers’ compensation is calculated by the hour, with a set rate that reflects experience and expertise. When Yoo Jae-seok mentioned an hourly fee of 1,300,000 Korean won (KRW), Park confirmed, with a slight chuckle, that his rate had indeed increased compared to two years prior. "As the years go by, it’s gotten a bit more expensive," he acknowledged, all but confirming the figure. This puts his current hourly fee at the equivalent of about $970 USD—no small sum, even in the rarefied world of top-tier legal counsel.
Park went on to break down the billing increments: fees are charged in six-minute units, or 0.1 hours, so a brief consultation of just six minutes would cost 130,000 KRW. This granular system ensures that every moment of a lawyer’s time is accounted for and compensated—a reality that might surprise those unfamiliar with the inner workings of major law firms. Park also noted, with a touch of humor, that his services have become especially appealing to women in their 40s and 50s. "Recently, it’s been resonating with women in that age group," he remarked, drawing laughter from the studio. According to Herald Economy, Park had previously disclosed on JTBC’s Knowing Bros in 2024 that his hourly rate had already surpassed 1,000,000 KRW, underscoring the steady rise in demand for his niche expertise.
But it wasn’t just the numbers that captured the audience’s attention. Park Min-cheol also shared a divorce case so unusual that it seemed almost fictional. As reported by Newsen and NEWSIS, the story involved an elderly woman who came to Park seeking advice about divorcing her husband. The husband, it turned out, had been married three times and was currently living under one roof with both his first and second ex-wives. This unconventional arrangement, Park explained, was a first even for him.
The woman, frustrated with her husband’s behavior, initially expressed a strong desire to end her marriage. But as the consultation unfolded, a surprising twist emerged: the first and second ex-wives, who were also living in the home, urged her not to go through with the divorce. Instead, they suggested that all three women could continue to live together harmoniously, regardless of their shared history with the same man. In Park’s words, "The first and second ex-wives told her, ‘Let’s all live well together. Don’t get divorced.’ So, she just had the consultation and left."
Yoo Jae-seok, the show’s host, was visibly taken aback by the story. "That’s astonishing," he exclaimed, echoing what many viewers must have been thinking. The third wife, despite her ongoing grievances with her husband, ultimately decided not to proceed with the divorce. As Park recounted, she left the office saying, "Even if my husband isn’t great, I think I can be happy living with the first and second sisters." This remarkable display of solidarity among the wives, Park noted, was what ultimately prevented the marriage from ending in legal dissolution. "It was a case where the unique bond among the women stopped a legal catastrophe," Park observed, highlighting the unexpected power of female camaraderie in the face of marital strife.
According to NEWSIS, Park reflected on the broader implications of the case. He pointed out that, while most people expect divorce consultations to center on animosity between spouses, sometimes it’s the relationships formed outside the marriage—such as the one between ex-wives—that shape the outcome. "The solidarity among the women was stronger than the animosity toward the husband," he remarked. The case, he suggested, challenges conventional wisdom about marriage, divorce, and the kinds of alliances that can emerge in the most unexpected circumstances.
The public reaction to Park’s revelations was swift and varied. Some viewers expressed astonishment at the high hourly rates charged by top lawyers, while others were captivated by the human drama of the divorce case. On social media, many noted that the story of the three wives living together defied expectations and offered a rare glimpse into the complexities of modern family life in South Korea. The episode also sparked renewed discussion about the cost of legal services in the country, with some questioning whether such fees are justified, especially for emotionally charged cases like divorce.
Park Min-cheol’s appearance on You Quiz on the Block was more than just entertainment—it was a window into a world where legal expertise, personal dynamics, and cultural norms intersect in surprising ways. His frankness about fee structures demystified a process that can often feel opaque to outsiders, while his storytelling brought to light the unpredictable nature of family relationships. In an age where the boundaries of marriage and divorce are constantly being renegotiated, Park’s experiences serve as a reminder that the law is just one part of a much larger, messier human story.
For those considering divorce, the episode offered both practical insight and food for thought. The message? Sometimes, the most unexpected alliances can change the course of a legal journey—and sometimes, the true cost of a consultation is measured not just in won, but in the bonds that form along the way.