MBC’s new Friday–Saturday drama The Judge Returns is gaining attention as it shows a steady rise in ratings, marking a positive start for the network’s primetime lineup.
According to Nielsen Korea, episode 2 of The Judge Returns, which aired on the 3rd, recorded 4.4% in nationwide household ratings and 4.2% in the metropolitan area, showing clear growth from its premiere.
The drama also reached a peak rating of 5.7%, signaling strong viewer interest and word-of-mouth momentum.
The series stars Ji Sung as Lee Han Young, a character who is given a second chance at life after facing injustice.
Ji Sung’s intense and controlled acting has been pointed out as a major reason viewers are tuning in, helping the drama stand out in a competitive time slot.
In addition, the drama performed well among younger viewers. Its 20–54 target rating reached 1.7%, an important indicator of channel competitiveness and modern viewing trends.
This result suggests that The Judge Returns is successfully connecting with both traditional TV viewers and key age groups.
With its rising numbers and strong peak rating, The Judge Returns is being seen as a meaningful turnaround for MBC’s recent struggles in drama ratings. Many viewers are now watching closely to see if the upward trend will continue in the coming episodes.
Episode 3 of The Judge Returns airs on the 9th at 9:50 PM on MBC.
Source: [1]
