Judge Lee Han-young’s journey for a second chance continues this week. After a powerful premiere, MBC’s new legal fantasy drama “The Judge Returns” moves forward with its next two episodes. The show, starring Ji Sung, has grabbed viewers with its story of a corrupt judge who gets a rare opportunity to relive his life and fix his past mistakes.
The first weekend introduced a complex world of judicial corruption and personal regret. Now, episodes 3 and 4 are ready to air, bringing more of Judge Lee Han-young’s fight against a broken system. Here is everything you need to know about the new episodes, including exactly when and where to watch them around the world.
When to Watch Episodes 3 and 4: Global Release Schedule
Episodes 3 and 4 of “The Judge Returns” will air on MBC TV in South Korea on Friday, January 9, and Saturday, January 10, 2026. Both episodes will start at 9:50 PM Korea Standard Time (KST). This is the regular weekly schedule for the drama, which airs every Friday and Saturday night.
For international fans, the release time depends on your location. The episodes will be available on streaming platforms shortly after the Korean broadcast ends. Below is a guide for key time zones:
- United States (Pacific Time): Episodes will be available on the morning of the airdate, around 4:50 AM PT.
- United States (Eastern Time): Episodes will be available on the morning of the airdate, around 7:50 AM ET.
- United Kingdom: Episodes will be available in the afternoon, around 12:50 PM GMT.
- India: Episodes will be available in the evening, around 6:20 PM IST.
- Australia (Eastern Daylight Time): Episodes will be available just before midnight, around 11:50 PM AEDT.
The series has a total of 14 episodes, with the season finale scheduled for February 14, 2026.
Where to Stream The Judge Returns Online
International audiences have two main platforms to watch “The Judge Returns” with English subtitles.
The primary streaming service for the series is Rakuten Viki. Viki often provides subtitles in multiple languages quickly after the episode airs. You can watch with a free account that includes ads, or subscribe to a Standard Pass for an ad-free experience. Subscription plans in the US start at $7.99 per month.
The drama is also available on HBO Max in many regions. HBO Max offers several subscription tiers. The basic plan with ads costs $10.99 per month, while an ad-free standard plan is $18.49 per month.
In South Korea, the show streams on TVING and Wavve following its live broadcast on MBC.
What Happened in Episodes 1 and 2? Story Recap
To understand where the story is going, it helps to look back at how it began. The drama opened in the year 2035. Judge Lee Han-young (Ji Sung) was successful but deeply unhappy. He was known as the obedient “lapdog” for his powerful father-in-law, who ran the major Haenal Law Firm.
Han-young’s life was defined by compromise. He followed orders to rule in favor of a corrupt conglomerate responsible for a deadly chemical accident. This decision led to the plaintiff’s suicide. His refusal to show remorse for this verdict caused a final, painful rift with his mother, who later died from a sudden asthma attack.
“Overwhelmed by his mother’s death and constant criticism… Han-young finds himself trapped within the system.”
His breaking point came during the trial of S Group’s chairman. Pressured by his father-in-law and even the Chief Justice, Kang Shin-jin (Park Hee-soon), to deliver a not-guilty verdict, Han-young finally rebelled. In a shocking move, he sentenced the chairman to prison. This act of defiance made him a target. After resigning and opening his own law office, he was framed for murder and ultimately killed.
In his final moments, he saw Chief Justice Kang Shin-jin nearby and realized his death was an ordered assassination. Feeling a deep sense of injustice, he wished for another chance at life.
He then awoke, not in 2035, but in 2025—ten years in the past, at the very beginning of his judicial career. Armed with the memories of his previous life, he understood this was a true second chance. His first act was to overturn his very first wrongful verdict. He even identified a dangerous serial killer early and worked with a determined prosecutor, Kim Jin-ah (Won Jin-ah), to stop him. Episode 2 ended with Han-young using his car to stop the fleeing killer, declaring that the man would finally face justice.
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What to Expect in Episodes 3 and 4
The new episodes will continue Han-young’s mission to reshape his destiny and challenge corruption. However, his bold actions are starting to draw serious attention.
Having just intercepted a serial killer, Han-young will face questions about the limits of a judge’s authority. His aggressive, unconventional methods put him under the watchful eyes of the judiciary, including the future Chief Justice Kang Shin-jin, who was involved in his death in the previous timeline. Han-young’s past-life father-in-law from the Haenal Law Firm is also likely to be monitoring the suddenly rebellious judge.
The plot will introduce a new case. Han-young will take on the suspicious death of a bride-to-be, which involves a questionable insurance claim. This investigation will likely test his new partnership with Prosecutor Kim Jin-ah and challenge his resolve to protect victims instead of the powerful.
The core of the series is Han-young’s struggle. He must use his knowledge of the future to change outcomes, all while avoiding the traps that led to his downfall before. Viewers can expect more tense courtroom scenes, unexpected twists, and Han-young’s growing commitment to a justice that does not bend to power.
The drama is an adaptation of the popular Naver Webtoon “Judge Lee Han-young” by Lee Hae-nal. It is directed by Lee Jae-jin and written by Kim Kwang-min.
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