The Judge Returns (South Korean Television Series)
The Judge Returns (Korean: 판사 이한영; RR: Pansa Leehanyoung; literal title: Judge Lee Han-Young) is a South Korean television drama series directed by Lee Jae-Jin and Park Mi-Yeon, with screenwriting by Kim Kwang-Min. The series is based on the web novel of the same name by Lee Hae-Nal, originally published on Naver between January 1 and October 15, 2018.
Broadcast Details
The 14-episode series aired on MBC in South Korea from January 2 to February 14, 2026, occupying the network's Friday and Saturday 21:50 time slot. It followed the television series Moon River and preceded In Your Radiant Season, which premiered on February 20, 2026.
Synopsis
The story follows Lee Han-Young, initially depicted as a corrupt judge who uses his authority to benefit his father-in-law's major law firm after marrying the CEO's daughter. After deciding to abandon his corrupt practices, Lee finds himself miraculously transported back in time 10 years to his early days working as a judge at the Cheonan Branch of the District Court. He resolves to live a different life and combat systemic corruption.
Key figures in the narrative include Kang Shin-Jin, a chief judge of the Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court with ties to a shadow government led by a former South Korean president. Kang exerts considerable influence and frequently trades favors involving judicial rulings, leading to serious conflicts with Lee Han-Young. Meanwhile, prosecutor Kim Jin-A joins forces with Lee to target Jang Tae-Sik of the S Group, though initial mistrust remains between them.
Cast and Characters
The principal cast includes:
- Ji Sung as Lee Han-Young
- Park Hee-Soon as Kang Shin-Jin
- Won Jin-A as Kim Jin-A
- Tae Won-Seock as Seok Jeong-Ho
- Baek Jin-Hee as Song Na-Yeon
Supporting cast members include Oh Se-Hyu as Yoo Se-Hee and Hwang Hee as Park Cheol-Woo, alongside numerous actors portraying judicial officials, law firm representatives from Haenal Law Firm, and prosecutors.