The popular MBC Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns aired its final episode on February 14, bringing the intense story of Lee Han-young (played by Ji Sung) and his war against corrupt powers to a close. The series, which kept viewers on the edge of their seats with its fast-paced narrative and thrilling endings, delivered a finale that was both satisfying and unsettling. The episode wrapped up major storylines while also leaving fans with a major twist that changes everything.
According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded viewership ratings of 13.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 12.8% nationwide, securing its position as the top Friday-Saturday drama . A key scene where Han-young and his team finally cornered Kang Shin-jin (played by Park Hee-soon) peaked at an instantaneous nationwide rating of 17.2% .
Han-young’s Final Battle Begins
The finale picks up with Han-young on the run after being framed for murder. In episode 13, Yoo Se-hee (played by Oh Se-young) betrayed him by taking blood-stained gauze from the crime scene and using it to incriminate Han-young, following her father’s orders . Han-young now has to hide while clearing his name.
Kang Shin-jin continues his manipulative games. He meets with members of Suojae, a secretive group of powerful figures, and threatens them with files exposing their corruption. He tells them he will make Park Gwang-to (played by Son Byung-ho) take the fall for everything while he takes charge of Suojae . Shin-jin boasts that he can even bring down the president-elect if he wishes to .
Meanwhile, Se-hee tries to drown her guilt through drinking. Her father, Seon-cheol, suggests she go abroad to study, and she surprisingly agrees .
The Turning Point: Evidence Found
The game changes when Park Gwang-to dies mysteriously in his prison cell, just as Shin-jin had planned . While searching Gwang-to’s cell, Park Cheol-woo (played by Hwang Hee) finds a bible containing a talisman with a picture of a pot .
Han-young recognizes the image. He goes to Suojae and finds the pot shown in the picture. Hidden underneath is a USB drive containing transaction records of political funds that the Suojae members used for their crimes . This evidence proves to be the weapon Han-young needs.
Cheol-woo and Han-ah begin arresting Suojae members one by one, slowly destroying Shin-jin’s support system . The prosecution moves to arrest everyone involved .
Se-hee’s Confession and Choice
Se-hee decides not to leave the country after all. She goes to Jin-ah (played by Won Jin-ah) and confesses everything about taking the blood-stained gauze to frame Han-young . This act of taking responsibility marks a turning point for her character.
In the aftermath of the finale, we learn that Se-hee steps away from her father’s corporate expectations and begins studying law, choosing accountability over blind loyalty to the family business . She leaves the company duties to a board because she cannot handle them . In a quiet moment, Han-young drops by to give her juice and check on her from afar .
The Final Trial: Han-young vs. Shin-jin
Towards the end of the episode, Shin-jin’s trial begins. He requests that the proceedings be broadcast live, a calculated move to gain an audience . Han-young becomes the judge for the case, while Jin-ah serves as the prosecutor. Jin-ah lays out all six cases against Shin-jin and pushes for capital punishment .
Shin-jin defends himself by claiming he did what he did to bring justice to a country that has none. He says he “got his hands dirty” to create order . He argues that every crime he committed was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good .
But Han-young rejects this reasoning completely. He counters Shin-jin’s arguments by stating:
“Justice is not about speed but direction. Personal justice can never change the world. Only dictators believed they could change the world themselves.”
Han-young adds that Shin-jin’s logic would only lead to famine, inequality, and endless cycles of crime . With that, he sentences Shin-jin to death .
Character Resolutions
The finale also gives closure to other characters. Jin-ah opens up about her painful past during dinner at Han-young’s family home. His parents understand and are happy she has grown up to become a prosecutor .
Na-yeon (played by Baek Jin-hee) leaves her job and decides to build something independent, signaling a break from compromised institutions . Baek Jin-hee shared her thoughts on the finale, saying:
“There were both good and regrettable aspects, but that made it a meaningful opportunity to learn and reflect. I am deeply grateful to everyone.”
She also thanked viewers for watching until the end, adding that their support gave her tremendous strength as an actor .
The Twist Ending: Is the Fight Really Over?
Just when it seems like justice has been served, the finale throws in a shocking twist. Han-young visits Shin-jin in prison, bringing dumplings from a familiar restaurant . The exchange is calm and reflective. As Han-young walks away, he questions whether this victory truly balances his own past sins . He mutters to himself:
“Is everything truly over now? Or will I continue living like this as penance for my past life? Well, can my choice still be just, no matter what?”
But the real shock comes in the final scenes. A new resident appears at Suojae. Surprisingly, Baek Yi-seok (played by Kim Tae-woo), the Chief Justice who supported Han-young throughout, sits in the second-in-command seat . His gentle face disappears, replaced by a chilling smile that hints he might be the real power behind Suojae .
Meanwhile, inside the prison, Shin-jin receives a secret phone call from a guard and smiles . This suggests that dark forces are still at work.
Kim Tae-woo’s portrayal of this twist has left viewers stunned. One review noted that his character “shocked viewers with a spine-chilling twist that turned the entire drama on its head” . The ending leaves it unclear whether Yi-seok is a new villain threatening Han-young or someone who infiltrated to dismantle Suojae from within .
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What the Ending Means
The finale of The Judge Returns suggests that justice is not a single event but an ongoing struggle . Shin-jin may be condemned, but the ideology he represents still lingers in the shadows. Power reshapes itself, and corruption mutates .
The final image leaves viewers with cautious hope rather than complete victory. Institutions may falter, individuals may betray, and power may corrupt, but as long as there are people willing to stand against it, the possibility of justice remains alive .
Han-young’s journey ends not with celebration but with contemplation. He has exposed corruption and upheld the law, but he understands that the fight is far from over. In the final scene, he meets up with his “Judger Avengers” colleagues at a restaurant, and everyone is happy to see him . It is a moment of peace, even if the larger battle continues.
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