MBC’s Friday Saturday drama The Judge Returns is showing unstoppable momentum as it continues to post record breaking ratings and sweep the Friday night time slot.
According to Nielsen Korea, episode 9, which aired on January 30, recorded 14.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 13.5% nationwide, setting a new personal best for the series.
The drama also reached a peak rating of 17% nationwide, marking its strongest moment so far and confirming its status as the top Friday night show.
The drama’s dominance extended across key metrics. The important 20–54 viewer rating reached 5.7%, ranking No. 1 among all programs aired that day. With this result, The Judge Returns placed No. 1 in metropolitan, nationwide, and 20–54 ratings, fully taking control of the Friday drama lineup.
The strong performance reflects growing viewer engagement and buzz, with many praising the fast pace and powerful acting led by Ji Sung. Online reactions included comments such as, “There’s no dull moment,” and “Every episode makes me look forward to the next one.”
Thanks to the soaring ratings and high interest, episode 10 of The Judge Returns will air today (31st) with a 10 minute extended runtime, starting at 9:40 PM KST, raising expectations for another strong showing.
With its consistent rise and growing audience, The Judge Returns is clearly establishing itself as one of the most powerful dramas of the current season.
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