The Judge Returns Prints Double-Digit Ratings, Ji Sung’s Drama Grows More Popular

The Judge Returns (Dok. Ist)

SecondUpdate.com – The latest Korean drama titled The Judge Returns is increasingly showing its strength on television screens.

Starring top actor Ji Sung, the series has captured viewers’ attention since its premiere and has now entered the ranks of the most popular dramas currently on air.

The surge in The Judge Returns’ popularity is clearly reflected in its latest ratings. In the episode aired on Friday, January 16, 2026, the legal drama recorded a 10 percent rating.

The figure then rose in the following episode aired on Saturday, January 17, 2026, reaching an impressive 11 percent. This achievement marks the highest rating since the drama first aired on MBC.

Broadly speaking, The Judge Returns tells the story of Lee Han Young, a judge portrayed by Ji Sung.

He is depicted as a man who once fell into corrupt practices in order to maintain his career and power.

His life becomes even more complicated after he marries the daughter of a major law firm owner, a relationship that leads him to frequently exploit his position for the benefit of his father-in-law’s family.

However, everything changes when Lee Han Young decides to put an end to his intrigue-filled life. At this point, the story takes an unexpected turn.

He mysteriously returns to the past, 10 years earlier, to a time when he was still serving as a judge at the Cheonan Branch of the District Court.

He uses this second chance to atone for his past mistakes and strives to uphold justice by punishing major criminals.

The conflict intensifies with the appearance of Kang Shin Jin, played by Park Hee Soon.

He is the chief judge of the Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court and a key figure in a shadow government controlled by a former Korean president.

With his vast influence, Kang Shin Jin does not hesitate to manipulate the law for certain interests.

On the other hand, there is Kim Jin A, portrayed by Won Jin A. She is an idealistic prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court.

Kim Jin A is known for her strong determination to uncover major crimes, including her efforts to arrest Jang Tae Sik from the S Group.

In her journey, she works together with Lee Han Young, although she still harbors doubts about the judge’s true intentions.

With a tense storyline, strong performances from the cast, and an intense take on legal themes, The Judge Returns has successfully kept viewers on the edge of their seats in every episode.

It is no surprise that the drama continues to post high ratings and has become one of the must-watch Korean dramas in early 2026.