The hit MBC legal fantasy drama The Judge Returns delivered one of its most intense and shocking hours yet with episode 13, which aired on February 13, 2026. In a stunning turn of events, the episode saw Kang Shin-jin’s carefully laid plans begin to crumble, but not before he executed a devastating betrayal that left protagonist Lee Han-young (Ji Sung) framed for murder and on the run from the law. As the series barrels toward its series finale, the stakes have never been higher for the judge who traveled back in time to deliver justice.
Episode 13, which was extended by 10 minutes to a 9:40 p.m. KST timeslot, served as the penultimate chapter of the 14-episode series . According to Nielsen Korea, the episode achieved its highest ratings yet, recording 13.6% nationwide and peaking at a remarkable 17.4% during the final moments when Han-young was named the prime suspect in a murder case . The episode secured a “triple crown,” ranking first in its time slot and dominating viewership among the key 20-54 demographic .
The Trap Springs on Han-young
The core of the episode’s tension revolved around the fallout from Woo Kyo-hoon’s tragic death. After being struck with a wine bottle during a chaotic confrontation, Kyo-hoon was killed, and the scene was manipulated to point toward Han-young. The betrayal cut deepest when Yoo Se-hee (Oh Se-young) , following orders from her father and Kang Shin-jin, took the blood-stained gauze from the hospital where Han-young was being treated for an attack and used it to frame him for the murder .
This act of betrayal left Han-young with no choice but to become a fugitive. Wounded and wanted for a crime he did not commit, the judge found himself in the exact position he was in during his previous life—hunted by the very system he swore to uphold. The moment was a mirror to the fate he suffered before his regression, making Shin-jin’s revenge feel cruelly complete .
“Find me before the police do.” – Kang Shin-jin to Lee Han-young .
In a moment of pure dramatic tension, a bloodied Han-young called Shin-jin, who answered with a provocation. Han-young’s response was a quiet declaration of war: “Since I started this knowing I’d see it through to the end. I’m not dead yet” . This single line signaled that despite being framed and on the run, the fight was far from over.
Shin-jin’s House of Cards Begins to Shake
While Han-young was fighting for his freedom, Kang Shin-jin (Park Hee-soon) was busy trying to secure his own path to power, but his plans began showing cracks. Earlier in the episode, Han-young had successfully managed to have former president Park Gwang-to (Son Byung-ho) detained, handing him over to special prosecutor Park Cheol-woo (Hwang Hee) . This move threatened to expose the illegal political funds and corruption at the heart of the Suojae organization.
However, Shin-jin’s counterattack was swift. Believing that Park Gwang-to might talk, Shin-jin moved to eliminate loose ends. In a shocking sequence, while convening with members of Suojae, Shin-jin murdered Woo Kyo-hoon and another member to maintain control and ensure his secrets stayed buried . The violence escalated when Kim Jin-han (Jung Hee-tae) was killed amidst the chaos, and Shin-jin manipulated the situation to make it appear as though others were responsible .
In a desperate move to consolidate power, Shin-jin met with the remaining Suojae members and declared that he would make Park Gwang-to take the fall for everything, positioning himself to take full charge of the organization . His ambition to sit at the top of the corrupt hierarchy seemed within reach, but his methods were creating more enemies than allies.
New Evidence and a Shift in Momentum
Despite being on the run, Han-young was not idle. The episode saw him meeting with prosecutor Kim Jin-ah (Won Jin-ah) to pass on critical information regarding the criminal activities of the Suojae members . This partnership, built on their shared desire for justice, became the lifeline for the case against the corrupt powers.
The biggest breakthrough came from an unexpected source. Following the death of Park Gwang-to in his prison cell—a death orchestrated by Shin-jin to silence him—Cheol-woo informed Han-young that a bible had been found in the cell . Inside the bible was a talisman. Han-young, using his sharp intellect, realized the talisman’s significance. It contained a picture of a pot, a pot that he recognized from the Suojae headquarters.
Han-young raced to Suojae and found the pot. Hidden beneath it was a USB drive containing the transaction records of political funds that the members had used to finance their crimes . This evidence was the smoking gun. With this information, Cheol-woo and Han-ah immediately began arresting the members of Suojae, systematically dismantling the power structure that supported Shin-jin .
Confession and Confrontation
As the walls closed in on Shin-jin’s operation, the weight of guilt became too heavy for one person to bear. Yoo Se-hee, who had betrayed Han-young by planting the false evidence, was shown drowning her guilt in alcohol . Her father, seeing her state, suggested she go abroad to study, but Se-hee made a different choice.
In a pivotal moment, Se-hee decided not to flee. Instead, she went to Jin-ah to confess everything . She admitted to taking the blood-filled gauze and framing Han-young, laying bare the conspiracy orchestrated by Shin-jin and her father. This confession was the final piece needed to turn the tide of public opinion and legal procedure.
The episode did not shy away from the physical toll of this war. A tense standoff between Han-young and Shin-jin erupted into a physical fistfight, leaving Shin-jin with a bloodied face and turning the Suojae headquarters into a scene of carnage . This raw confrontation symbolized the breakdown of any pretense of civility between the two men.
Production and Cast Performances
The intensity of episode 13 was elevated by the lead performances. Ji Sung once again proved why he is considered one of Korea’s most versatile actors. His portrayal of Han-young moved seamlessly between the strategic calm of a judge and the desperate fury of a man wrongly accused. News publications noted his ability to convey “layered emotion through restrained fury and piercing eyes” .
Opposite him, Park Hee-soon delivered a chilling performance as Kang Shin-jin, shifting between “madness and cold calculation” . His portrayal of a man willing to kill his own allies to secure power made him a truly formidable villain.
The episode was directed by Lee Jae-jin and written by Kim Kwang-min, the team behind the show’s successful blend of legal thriller and fantasy elements . The production values, particularly in the violent confrontation scenes, added a gritty realism to the high-stakes drama.
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How to Watch and What’s Next
The Judge Returns concludes its run with episode 14 on February 14, 2026 . The finale is expected to be another extended episode, wrapping up the battle between Han-young and Shin-jin. Viewers in South Korea can watch on MBC, while international audiences can stream the drama on Viki and HBO Max with subtitles in multiple languages, including English and Indonesian . The show is also available on platforms like TVING and Wavve in select regions .
With Han-young cleared by Se-hee’s confession and armed with the USB drive of evidence, the stage is set for a final courtroom showdown. Shin-jin’s trial is expected to begin, and with Jin-ah acting as prosecutor, the pursuit of capital punishment for his crimes is on the table . Viewers are eagerly waiting to see if Han-young can finally deliver the justice that has eluded him for so long.
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