MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns is off to a strong start, quickly gaining attention and topping charts in multiple categories.
According to FUNdex, the official platform of Good Data Corporation, the drama ranked 5th in overall TV-OTT drama buzz for the first week of January.
In the news category, it claimed No. 1, while lead actor Ji Sung reached 3rd in TV-OTT actor buzz, showing strong public interest even in its early episodes.
The drama also proved its popularity on OTT platforms. As of January 4, The Judge Returns ranked No. 1 on TVING and Wavve and topped the OTT trend ranking, highlighting its growing fanbase.
Ratings have been impressive as well, peaking at 6.9% in the metropolitan area (Nielsen Korea), signaling a strong contender in the competitive Friday-Saturday drama lineup.
The most-watched moment in episode 1 featured Lee Han Young (Ji Sung), a judge-turned-prisoner, shouting desperately, “It’s not me, it’s not me,” creating a powerful scene that left viewers eager for more.
The Judge Returns tells the story of Lee Han Young, a former corrupt judge who gets framed and dies, then returns 10 years earlier for a second chance at life.
In this new timeline, he seeks to correct past mistakes and challenge the absolute villain of the judiciary, Kang Shin Jin (Park Hee Soon), leaving viewers curious about his next moves.
The drama also highlights Lee Han Young’s partnership with Kim Jin Ah (Won Jin Ah), a prosecutor from Seoul Central District who had past conflicts with him, adding more intrigue to their evolving relationship.
A mix of suspense, revenge, and justice, The Judge Returns is quickly making its mark as a must-watch drama. The series airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM on MBC.
Source: [1]
