Kathryn_51

I learned long ago that MDL ratings are pretty meaningless. The main thing that counts - for a kdrama - is ratings in Korea. And The Judge Returns is absolutely killing it.

Saw it earlier but I been busy. Posted a few seconds ago. 😊😘😊

And. . . .you think they won't end up together????? They are fated - history is repeating itself with detours and variations, but they'll be together (whatever that might mean with only 2 episodes to go 😘.

If you are a fan of Yoo Se-Hui and Han-young, then this pre-release is for you. 😘😘😘😘Se-hui visits Han-young in the hospital and. . . . . . I've already watched 10 times.

https://x.com/mbcdrama_pre/status/2022098394483671451

Description of pre-release

At Madame's restaurant, Apparently, serial killer Kwak Sun-won survived his injuries, although he almost died (?). Kang Sin-jin believes Kim Jin-han betrayed him and Kwak kills him!!!. Then KSJ encourages Kwak to kill Han-young.

In past weeks, the pre-release usually featured lovely scenes between Han-young and Se-hui. However, as we head into the final weekend, the pre-release scene is much darker with a major spoiler/twist. Here is the link but I’ve put the description below under spoiler tag.

https://x.com/mbcdrama_pre/status/2021743554578751637

The past weekend was the worst.

Preview for Ep. 11 (at end of Ep. 10) showed attack on Jin-ah
Episode 11 - attack on Jin-ah occurred in the very last scene
Episode 12 - attack finally occurred about 3/4 mark.

Since Episodes 13 and 14 are each 10 minutes longer than usual, I think the last scene in Ep. 12 will not be seen until well into Ep. 13.

As of Ep. 12, there is a very slow-burn *potential* romance that is charming to most viewers but it's definite sub-plot to the major story of revenge and battle against evil/corruption.

Episodes 13 and 14 will be 10 minutes longer than the usual. So, 75 minutes each - which hardly seems like enough but hopefully it means that the ending will not be a total rushed mess.

As I said, Seo Ji Hoon is one of my favorite actors and the only reason I started a "melodrama". I enjoyed the pairing of the 2nd Couple (Kim Seok Ju and Mo Tae Rin). But they had very little screen time compared to the main couple that I found boring. If you like melo and the two main leads, it may be for you but I rated it low.

I mean - why even mention the absent/disappearing driver if it doesn't mean anything, right?🤣🤣🤣

I will admit that I have a soft spot for the actor Cho Han-gyeol. In the recent mess called "My Youth", he played the teenager Kim Seok Ju. The adult version was played by one of my very favorite actors, Seo Ji-hoon. His handful of scenes with younger 2FL were intriguing, but alas the writer chose to focus 80% of the drama on the main couple. He's a great actor - but that doesn't mean that his character has a future with a hard-driver FL.

This is silly of me, but I actually hope that Nora is NOT the Chairman's daughter because I think Albert and Nora (with their USA upbringing) are cute as hell together. I know - aunt/nephew - but they are cute together.

Because of schedule (Super Bowl!), I FF thru quite a bit of Ep. 8 but did I understand that Ex-CEO's driver disappeared at the same time as the accident? If I heard correctly, that's a pretty big red flag that ex-CEO survived. Or, is there more? I hope to re-watch later today.

Totally agree and one reason I'm rather cool about the show is that she is flirting with him (and Mr. Lee) to use them for her goals - specifically, vindication for herself. Many people might get burned by her obsession.

Sin Jeong-woo knows she is in danger, is protecting her and in the end may save her. Albert doesn't have a clue.

Was he really that awful? If I understood their latest argument, she blew the whistle but because of that it was her boss that took the fall and committed suicide.

Bingo!

I watched the Ep. 15 preview in super slow-mo and there was a nano-second of Se-hui in a conservative navy blue dress/blouse. The only other time she has worn navy blue was when she testified against. Han-young.

History is repeating itself but much earlier than the original time-frame. (Jang Tae-sik finally imprisoned; HY potentially framed for murder?) and I wouldn't be surprised if Se-hui is ordered to testify against LHY. She may be his ultimate savior - that would be a great ending IMO.

This is one of my Top 10 kdramas - it's fast-paced (after the necessary slow introduction), with solid character development and entertaining plot twists.

The director stated this is a story in 3 chapters: Ep. 1-2 - the future [2035] - before he returns/regresses - the future is mildly dystopian and the villains are on steroids. Ep. 3-5 after the return, when he was active in Chungnam - characters are introduced and Han-young begins to rectify early mistakes. Ep. 6-finale - the last big game when Han-young returns to Seoul. Han-young "is a person who has previewed the game strategy book, but hasn't seen a way to attack the main villain."

The main plot is pretty easy to follow, but it has not been sanitized for Netflix-type viewers and there are many sub-plots/undercurrents that are a bit difficult to understand if you are the type of viewer who simply wants to binge and not re-watch a scene.

False testimony is bad. So is taking bribes. She may have "lied" about the money extorted from the victim, but in reality he was fixing trials and taking money for it. Meanwhile SHE was paying for his father's luxurious nursing home. His "crimes" were much worse than simple perjury.

You might be interested in this article. It's an interview with the Director and explains how they adapted the webtoon into a drama.

https://n.news.naver.com/article/140/0000057017?sid=004

I'm also enjoying the drama and wish there was just a leeeetle bit more character development. There was an overabundance of scenes with his best friend and FL prosecutor, but we know very little about the reporter, the 2nd prosecutor or Yoo se-hui's childhood/formative years - we're just left with adult versions.

But overall - well paced, constant twists and turns and gradual character changes for both Han-young and Se-hui are the best.