MBC’s latest legal drama “The Judge Returns” is proving to be unstoppable in the ratings race. On January 16, the series starring acclaimed actor Ji Sung achieved its highest viewership yet, cementing its place as the most-watched program of any kind to air on Friday.
According to Nielsen Korea, the fifth episode of “The Judge Returns” soared to an impressive 10.0 percent average nationwide rating. This marks a dramatic leap from the previous week’s numbers, with the show nearly doubling its ratings in just seven days. The surge not only highlights growing audience interest but also solidifies Ji Sung’s reputation as a ratings magnet, with fans praising both his powerful performance and the drama’s gripping storyline.
Meanwhile, rival networks struggled to keep pace. SBS’s new drama “No Tail to Tell,” which premiered in the same time slot as “The Judge Returns,” debuted with a modest 3.7 percent average nationwide rating. Despite anticipation surrounding its launch, the series faced stiff competition from Ji Sung’s commanding presence on MBC.
On JTBC, romantic drama “Love Me” continued its run with back-to-back episodes, recording 1.7 percent and 1.5 percent average nationwide ratings for its ninth and tenth installments. With the finale week approaching, the show has maintained a steady but relatively low viewership compared to its competitors.
The latest ratings battle underscores how “The Judge Returns” has quickly become a must-watch drama of 2026, dominating the Friday night slot and setting the stage for even higher numbers in the weeks ahead.
