The Judge Returns

Directed by • Lee Jae-jin-II (이재진) • Park Mi-yeon (박미연)

Written by Kim Kwang-min-I (김광민)

TV Channel/Platform: • MBC (MBC) • TVING (티빙)

Airing dates: 2026/01/02~2026/02/14

14 episodes - Fri, Sat 21:50
Filming: 2025/04~2025/11/09
Synopsis
Based on a Naver web novel of the same name by Lee Hae-nal (published from January 1 to October 15, 2018), this legal courtroom drama tells the story of an unjust judge who declares, "Let's not judge others' lives as we please". After dying prematurely due to a false accusation, he regains consciousness and finds himself 10 years in the past, determined to punish the wrongdoers and change his fate.

Lee Han-young is a corrupt judge. When he was still insignificant in his career, he married the daughter of a major law firm CEO. Since then, he has used his authority to benefit his father-in-law's firm. However, when Han-young decides to put an end to his corrupt dealings, he suddenly finds himself transported 10 years into the past, back to when he was working as a judge at the Cheonan Branch of the District Court. There, he struggles to live a new life and bring powerful criminals to justice.

Kang Sin-jin is the chief judge of the Criminal Division at the Seoul Central District Court and a key figure in a shadow government led by a former Korean president. He wields immense power and is unafraid to manipulate trials for his own interests. He becomes a formidable adversary to Han-young.

Kim Jin-ah is a prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court. She chose her career path out of a strong determination to bring down Jang Tae-sik of the S Group. She teams up with Han-young, who agrees to help her, but she still cannot fully trust him.