[HanCinema's Drama Review] "The Devil Judge" Episode 3

So last cliffhanger there was an explosion in Yo-han's office...or should I say Johanne? As Ga-on recuperates from the explosion in Yo-han's creepy mansion, we meet his niece Elijah (played by Jeon Chae-eun), and learn about his dead brother Isaac (played by Jin Young). Yes, you read that right. The same actor plays both Ga-on and Isaac. Which seems to suggest that even if the bulk of this episode deals with Yo-han's backstory, Ga-on himself may have a more direct connection to all of this than just being a supposedly impartial secret investigator.

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But for now Ga-on's totally sidelined. The second trial takes place without his assistance, although as has been noted before, there isn't exactly a whole lot for Ga-on to do anything if online voting is what determines the results. This time around the defendant is the son of Kyeong-hee (played by Jang Young-nam), the chief prosecutor. You may better know him as that jerk in the second episode who harassed people with his car, although that's not what he's currently being charged with.

For all the disclaimer insists that "The Devil Judge" is a dystopia and not based on real-life events the political edge here is pretty impossible to deny. Corporate malfeasance as what was shown in the first episode has led to much easily presentable death. So too have the idiot failchildren of the elite easily escaped punishment due to a legal system that deemphasizes harsh sentences in cases of remorse.

As is stated explicitly in the scene detailing the threats made to the hole-in-the-wall restaurant, sincere remorse is something only expected of poor people. While true, Yo-han's existence as a folk hero figure for dispensing harsh justice has so far avoided reckoning with the fact that in general harsh sentences tend to be used against the poor rather than to their favor. I imagine this angle will be more closely examined in short order.

With just two trials in three episodes, both of which concluded quite quickly, it's clear that legal nuance is not the story "The Devil Judge" is aiming to tell. To the contrary, the mysterious ruthlessness of Yo-han is what's in full focus. We get a clear glimpse of his humanity at home, with uncle Yo-han looking almost normal in his parental dealings with Elijah, a pre-teen who holds a chronically annoyed and morbid attitude. I hope we get to see more of their dynamic.

Review by William Schwartz

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"The Devil Judge" is directed by Choi Jeong-gyoo, written by Moon Yoo-suk, and features Ji Sung, Kim Min-jung, Park Jinyoung, Park Gyu-young, Ahn Nae-sang, Kim Jae-kyung. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/07/03~Now airing, Sat, Sun 21:00 on tvN.