The new K-drama The Judge Returns began airing on January 2, 2026, on MBC. The show airs twice a week, with new episodes arriving every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM Korean Standard Time (KST) . The series is a legal fantasy drama about a judge who gets a second chance at life and justice.
Complete Episode Release Calendar
The drama has a total of 14 episodes. Starting from the premiere on January 2, two episodes air each week. The season is scheduled to finish on Friday, February 14, 2026.
For viewers around the world, new episodes become available on streaming platforms shortly after they air in Korea. Below is the complete release schedule for all episodes.
- Episodes 1 & 2: Released on January 2 & 3, 2026
- Episodes 3 & 4: Scheduled for January 9 & 10, 2026
- Episodes 5 & 6: Scheduled for January 16 & 17, 2026
- Episodes 7 & 8: Scheduled for January 23 & 24, 2026
- Episodes 9 & 10: Scheduled for January 30 & 31, 2026
- Episodes 11 & 12: Scheduled for February 6 & 7, 2026
- Episodes 13 & 14: Scheduled for February 13 & 14, 2026
All episodes have a runtime of approximately 60 to 70 minutes.
Where to Watch The Judge Returns Online
International fans can watch The Judge Returns with English subtitles on several popular streaming services. The main platforms for the drama are Viki and HBO Max. In some regions, it is also available on TVING and Wavve.
New episodes are posted on these platforms shortly after the Korean broadcast. They are typically available with subtitles within a few hours.
- United States, Canada, Australia, UK, India: Watch on Viki or HBO Max.
- South Korea: Watch on TVING or Wavve.
Story and Characters of The Judge Returns
The drama is based on a popular Naver Webtoon called Judge Lee Han-yeong by Lee Hae-nal. It tells the story of Lee Han-young, a judge who is killed after defying a powerful law firm. He wakes up ten years in the past, remembering everything from his previous life. Given this second chance, he is determined to fight corruption and punish those who escaped justice the first time.
The lead role of Judge Lee Han-young is played by Ji Sung, a well-known actor for shows like The Devil Judge and Kill Me, Heal Me. He leads a strong cast.
“Let’s not judge others’ lives as we please.” This is the central belief of judge Lee Han-young.
- Park Hee-soon plays Kang Shin-jin, a powerful senior criminal judge in Seoul who becomes a key opponent for Lee Han-young.
- Won Jin-ah plays Kim Jin-ah, a prosecutor seeking revenge for her father’s death. Her character forms a tense alliance with Lee Han-young.
- Baek Jin-hee plays Song Na-yeon, a journalist with a strong sense of justice.
Early Viewer Reactions and Ratings
The first episode premiered on January 2, 2026. According to Nielsen Korea, the premiere earned a nationwide audience rating of 4.3%, ranking 12th for the day. This is a solid start for a new drama in a competitive time slot.
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On social media and fan communities, early reactions focus on Ji Sung’s powerful performance as a man torn between his corrupt past and his desire for redemption. The unique mix of a legal drama with time-travel fantasy has also generated positive comments, with viewers curious to see how the story develops.
The drama is directed by Lee Jae-jin and written by Kim Kwang-min.
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