A new K-drama has arrived for 2026, mixing intense courtroom battles with a surprising twist of fantasy. The Judge Returns premiered on January 2, 2026, and is already drawing viewers into its story of second chances and high-stakes legal fights. For fans around the world, the big question is where to watch it. The streaming options vary significantly by region, with services like Viki, HBO Max, and Disney+ each holding rights in different parts of the globe. This guide explains exactly where you can find the show and how to follow the story of a corrupt judge who gets a miraculous chance to rewrite his past.
What is The Judge Returns About?
The Judge Returns tells the story of Lee Han-young (played by Ji Sung), a judge who has spent years using his power to help a major law firm. After a crisis of conscience leads him to defy his powerful backers, he is killed. Instead of dying, he wakes up ten years in the past with all his future memories intact. Given this second chance, he is determined to fight the corruption he once served and become a true force for justice.
The series is adapted from a popular Naver Webtoon called Judge Lee Han-young. It combines the legal drama genre with fantasy and time-slip elements, creating a unique story about redemption and revenge. The main cast features acclaimed actors: alongside Ji Sung are Park Hee-soon as a senior judge with hidden motives and Won Jin-ah as a driven prosecutor. The drama airs new episodes every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM Korea Standard Time on MBC TV. The complete season will have 14 episodes, with the finale scheduled for February 14, 2026.
Where to Watch The Judge Returns by Region
Finding The Judge Returns depends almost entirely on where you live. Global streaming rights are split between several major platforms, and no single service offers it worldwide. The table below provides a clear summary of where the show is available.
Watching on Rakuten Viki
For viewers in North America, Europe, and many other territories, Rakuten Viki is the primary and often only legal streaming option. The service offers the first two episodes for free, after which a subscription is required to continue watching the series. Viki is known for its large library of K-dramas and its community-sourced subtitles, which are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, and several other languages.
A note on Viki’s regional availability page states: “This show is not available in your region. Want to see it in your area? Tell us about it!” This confirms that access is geographically restricted.
Watching on HBO Max
HBO Max holds the streaming rights for The Judge Returns in Asia. However, its availability is strictly limited to this region. If you try to access the show’s page on HBO Max from outside an Asian country, you will likely see a message stating, “This title currently isnโt available to watch in your country”. This is due to standard region-based licensing agreements.
Watching on Disney+
The drama is also available on Disney+, but only in a select group of countries. Japan is one confirmed market where the show is listed on the platform. It is not available on Disney+ globally, so users in the Americas or Europe will not find it there.
Watching in South Korea
In its home country, the drama can be streamed on the local services TVING and Wavve, which are the main digital partners for MBC broadcasts. These platforms are generally only accessible with a South Korean internet connection and payment method.
The Judge Returns Release Schedule and Episode Guide
The drama follows a consistent weekly release pattern. New episodes premiere first on MBC TV in South Korea at 9:50 PM KST every Friday and Saturday. For international viewers on platforms like Viki, new episodes are typically made available with subtitles shortly after the Korean broadcast.
The complete season consists of 14 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 60 to 70 minutes. The series began on January 2, 2026, and will run for seven weeks, concluding with the final two episodes on February 13 and 14, 2026.
Main Cast and Characters of The Judge Returns
The series is led by a strong ensemble of actors, headlined by veteran star Ji Sung. He plays the complex role of Lee Han-young, a judge who transforms from a corrupt official into a man seeking redemption after his life is reset.
- Park Hee-soon plays Kang Sin-jin, a senior criminal judge at the Seoul Central District Court. He is described as a powerful figure working behind the scenes and has a history of conflict with Lee Han-young.
- Won Jin-ah plays Kim Jin-ah, a public prosecutor determined to take down a powerful businessman. She becomes a potential ally to Lee Han-young in his new life, though she is initially skeptical of his sudden change.
- Baek Jin-hee plays Song Na-yeon, a principled journalist working at a major newspaper, adding another layer to the story’s exploration of justice and power.
The supporting cast includes Oh Se-young as Yoo Se-hee, the ex-wife of Lee Han-young, and Hwang Hee as Park Cheol-u.
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What to Do If The Judge Returns Is Not Available in Your Country
If you are in a region where none of the mentioned streaming services offer the drama, your legal options are currently limited. Some unofficial sites or user-uploaded channels may host episodes, but these often provide poor video quality, unreliable subtitles, and can pose security risks to your device. The safest course of action is to use the “request this show” feature on platforms like Viki to express your interest, which can influence future licensing decisions.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on availability, always check the official pages on Rakuten Viki, HBO Max, or Disney+ for your specific country.
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