MBC’s new Friday–Saturday drama The Judge Returns has made a strong start, drawing attention with its intense opening and steady ratings.
The series premiered on January 2 and quickly became a hot topic, thanks to Ji Sung’s powerful transformation and the show’s solid performance in the ratings race.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode recorded 4.3% in nationwide ratings and 4.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area, signaling a promising beginning.
A key scene from the episode also pushed the drama’s peak rating up to 6.9% nationwide, showing strong viewer interest.
In addition, the 20–54 age group rating, an important indicator of channel competitiveness, reached 1.6%, reflecting a healthy response from younger viewers.
The Judge Returns tells the story of a once powerful judge whose life takes a sharp turn, and Ji Sung’s performance immediately stood out.
His emotional delivery, including the line, “I’m not the criminal, no,” left a strong impression and became one of the most talked about moments from the premiere.
With its fast pacing, heavy atmosphere, and focus on moral conflict within the legal system, the drama set a serious tone from the very first episode.
Viewers also took note of the cast lineup, including Park Hee Soon and Won Jin Ah, whose presence added to the show’s overall weight and credibility.
Starting off with stable ratings and strong buzz, The Judge Returns has positioned itself as one of MBC’s notable new dramas this season, raising expectations for how its ratings and popularity will grow in the coming weeks.
Source: [1]
