The time-slip legal drama The Judge Returns continues its gripping run, with episodes 5 and 6 set to arrive this weekend. These new episodes promise to raise the stakes for the main character, Judge Lee Han-young, as the fallout from his recent actions creates new enemies and tests his fragile alliances. Following a major revelation in episode 4, the story moves from simple courtroom wins to a deeper conflict with the powerful system he is trying to change.
The Judge Returns Release Date and Time for Episodes 5-6
Episode 5 is scheduled for release on Friday, January 16, 2026. Episode 6 will follow on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Consistent with the show’s broadcast pattern, new episodes become available at 9:50 PM Korean Standard Time (KST) each Friday and Saturday. For international viewers, this translates to early morning releases in the Americas and evening releases in Europe on the same calendar day, depending on your local time zone.
Where to Watch The Judge Returns Online
The Judge Returns is available for global audiences primarily on the streaming platform Rakuten Viki. Viki follows the original Korean broadcast schedule closely, with new episodes streaming weekly shortly after they air on MBC in South Korea.
The platform offers the series with high-definition video quality and provides subtitles in numerous languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and Japanese, among others. Viewers can access the drama through Viki’s free, ad-supported service or through a subscription for an ad-free experience.
In some Asian territories, the series is also available on HBO Max. Viewers should check their local streaming service listings for availability in their region.
Story Recap and What to Expect in Episodes 5-6
The series follows Lee Han-young (Ji Sung), a corrupt judge who is murdered and then sent back in time ten years to 2025 for a second chance at life. Now working as a judge at the Cheonan Branch Court, he is determined to use his knowledge of the future to fight the powerful evil he once served, particularly the shadowy figure Kang Shin-jin (Park Hee-soon). He finds a potential ally in prosecutor Kim Jin-ah (Won Jin-ah), though she remains deeply suspicious of his sudden change of heart.
Episode 4 concluded with a major victory for Han-young. He successfully exposed a secret ledger detailing military service corruption involving the children of political and legal elites, dealing a direct blow to Kang Shin-jin’s plans. This public move has shifted Han-young from a behind-the-scenes player to a visible threat.
The sight of him standing confidently at the podium, reading out the names with the force of a judge passing sentence, delivered a cathartic release for viewers.
According to previews, Episode 5 will open with the direct fallout from this public exposure. Han-young will no longer operate in relative anonymity. Senior judges and powerful figures will begin to watch him closely, and the insurance murder case he is involved in will grow more complex as hidden connections come to light. His working relationship with Prosecutor Kim Jin-ah will strengthen out of necessity, but this alliance will also draw unwanted suspicion from others.
Episode 6 is expected to focus on systemic pressure. Han-young will face intense demands to conform and “play along” with the very system he is challenging. A critical witness may change their statement, jeopardizing a case, and the episode will highlight how justice can bend when powerful individuals feel threatened. The episode is slated to end on a note that hints at potential betrayal, raising the personal cost of Han-young’s mission.
Cast and Rising Popularity of the Drama
The drama is led by veteran actor Ji Sung, whose return to MBC after 11 years has been a major point of interest. He is supported by a strong cast including Park Hee-soon as the intimidating Kang Shin-jin and Won Jin-ah as the determined prosecutor Kim Jin-ah.
Since its premiere on January 2, 2026, the show has seen a notable rise in popularity. It quickly climbed to fifth place in overall TV-OTT drama rankings and claimed the top spot on Korean streaming charts like TVING and Wavve. The recent Episode 4 recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 5.8%, with a key emotional scene peaking at 7.7%, indicating growing audience engagement.
Fans online have expressed strong reactions to the plot twists and character development. One viewer noted on social media, “The storyline is so engaging, can’t wait for the next episode to drop and see what happens next!”.
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