With only four episodes left, The Judge Returns continues to show strong momentum and is being praised as a key drama behind MBC’s recent rebound.
The MBC Friday–Saturday drama, which premiered on January 2, started quietly with ratings in the 4 percent range.
While the opening was modest, steady word of mouth helped the drama gain attention with each new episode.
The real turning point came after the end of SBS’s competing hit Taxi Driver 3. On the January 16 broadcast, The Judge Returns finally broke into double digit ratings, marking a clear rise.
Since then, the drama has continued to hold stable double digit viewership without major drops, confirming its strong position in the time slot.
This achievement is especially meaningful for MBC, which struggled last year to produce a major hit in its Friday–Saturday lineup. In that context, The Judge Returns has stood out as a rare success and helped bring new energy to the network.
Much of the attention is centered on Ji Sung, who returned to an MBC drama for the first time in about 10 years since Kill Me Heal Me, where he won a top acting award. Expectations were high, especially with trusted actors like Park Hee Soon also in the cast.
At the drama’s production press event, Ji Sung jokingly said, “I hope the ratings hit 50 percent,” drawing laughter. While the number was clearly playful, the drama’s strong performance has made the comment feel far from empty.
Although it did not reach 50 percent, The Judge Returns is now widely credited with reviving interest in MBC’s Friday–Saturday dramas.
With just four episodes remaining, viewers are watching closely to see how much more momentum the drama can build and whether it can finish on a high note.
Source: [1]
