The Judge Returns: Ji Sung’s Bold Undercover Strategy
MBC’s weekend drama The Judge Returns (planned by Namgoong Sung-woo and Jang Jae-hoon, written by Kim Kwang-min, directed by Lee Jae-jin and Park Mi-yeon, produced by OH! Story and Slingshot Studio) delivered a gripping Episode 8 on January 24. Ji Sung’s character, Judge Lee Han-young, made a daring move to infiltrate the enemy ranks, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle against entrenched corruption.
Ratings Triumph
The episode achieved nationwide ratings of 10.8% (Nielsen Korea), securing the top spot among Friday-Saturday dramas. In the Seoul metropolitan area, ratings matched at 10.8%. The climactic ending, where Han-young declared, “This is our only chance to hunt the judiciary’s white tiger, Baek Yi-seok,” soared to a peak of 13.9%, reflecting the drama’s growing popularity. Among viewers aged 20–54, the show also ranked first with a 3.9% rating, proving its competitive edge.
Han-young’s Bold Strategy
To dismantle corruption, Han-young willingly became an “insider,” aligning himself with Kang Shin-jin’s faction and orchestrating the downfall of Justice Minister nominee Woo Gyo-hoon (Jeon Jin-gi). His calculated infiltration shocked allies and enemies alike, but it was a necessary gamble to expose the rot within the system.
Arrests and Betrayals
Han-young captured fugitives Chu Yong-jin (Lee Jang-won) and Chun Hak-soo (Dang Hyun-seok) after a fierce confrontation with Kwak Soon-won (Park Geon-il). He also secured incriminating slush fund files, sending them to prosecutor Park Chul-woo (Hwang Hee) to trap the villains.
Meanwhile, Kang Shin-jin grew increasingly suspicious of Han-young’s motives, especially after hearing that events began to unravel following his arrival.
Political Scandals and Deadly Schemes
As Woo Gyo-hoon’s confirmation hearing began, Park Chul-woo raided Kang Jung-tae’s district office. At the same time, Kim Jin-ah (Kim Jin-ah) stormed a nightclub to arrest Woo’s daughter in a drug scandal, trusting Han-young’s promise to help her capture Jang Tae-sik (Kim Beop-rae).
Kang Shin-jin, however, plotted darker schemes—ordering Kwak Soon-won to kill Kang Jung-tae and targeting Park Chul-woo as well. Park barely survived an assassination attempt, heightening the tension.
Han-young’s Revenge and Kang Shin-jin’s Trust
Han-young revealed his desire to bring down Supreme Court Justice Hwang Nam-yong (Kim Myung-soo), who once colluded with conglomerates to deliver an unjust ruling against his father. This confession won Kang Shin-jin’s trust, leading him to share his own painful past and promise to sacrifice Hwang Nam-yong during the upcoming judicial reshuffle.
At the same time, Han-young warned Jin-ah that the true mastermind behind Jang Tae-sik’s release was far more dangerous, cautioning her: “You’ll have to risk your life.”
Courtroom Drama and Public Outcry
Before Chu Yong-jin’s trial, Han-young confronted him, exposing how slush funds had fueled political power and warning that denial of responsibility for the Nammyun sinkhole disaster would only lead to death at the hands of corrupt elites. Chu was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined 5 billion won, a moment of catharsis for viewers.
Meanwhile, Kang Shin-jin launched a campaign to oust the Chief Justice, meeting with Hwang Nam-yong to propose judicial reform. In a shocking twist, Kang handed Han-young records of Hwang’s son’s corporate recruitment scores, cementing their uneasy alliance.
A Dangerous Game of Deception
By episode’s end, Han-young confessed his contact with Kang Shin-jin to Baek Yi-seok (Kim Tae-woo) and Im Jung-sik (Kim Byung-chun), leaving them disappointed. Unable to fully reveal the truth, he visited Haenal Law Firm and baited Yoo Sun-chul (Ahn Nae-sang) with the line: “This is our only chance to hunt Baek Yi-seok.”
Han-young’s unpredictable maneuvers left both allies and enemies unsettled, ensuring that the next episode will deliver even more shocking twists.
Broadcast Information
Episode 9 of The Judge Returns airs Friday, January 30 at 9:50 PM on MBC. With Ji Sung’s relentless pursuit of justice, the drama promises to keep viewers on edge as the fight against corruption intensifies.
Read: The Judge Returns Episode 7 Preview: Ji Sung’s Character Steps Into Enemy Territory
