Kathryn_51

Here's the behind-the-scene video for Episodes 9-10. No subs, but fun to watch how they practice/choreographed the Hanyoung/Sehui scenes in the Korean restaurant. Especially the battle with the flimsy napkins. Enjoy. 😊

https://x.com/mbcdrama_pre/status/2018837029229129729

In Korea, the financial crisis began in late 1997 and IMF bludgeon began a few months later Dec. 1997 - so, the drama is just beginning to enter that era. I don't believe it will resemble Typhoon Family, but I hope they treat it seriously.

FL is 35 years old.

At least it isn't "highschool" past connection - I can't think of a single one I have ever enjoyed. I like Go Kyung Po, he's the reason I'm watching and I think the other characters (especially Mr. Lee and the secret spy boss, are intriguing and funny.

I hope they don't screw up the 1997 IMF crisis - it was a major turning point in Korea and shouldn't be treated flippantly.

I don't speak Korean (well, very little) but I read this today from the official website:

The American name is 'Albert Oh' and the Korean name is 'Oh Aram'.
In the company, he is called 'Al Bon (manager)'.

According to the official website, Albert and Nora are both 25 years old, Geum-bo is 35 and Jung-woo is 38 years.

Go Kyung Po is the main reason I put this drama on my watchlist because unlike all the pretty boys in kdrama land, he's actually a terrific actor.

The plot is pretty complex - I have been re-watching episodes just to better understand the sub-plots and the different minor characters and their role and connections. If you wait to the end and binge watch, you will miss quite a bit of the sub-plots.

Hmmmm, let me try to unpack. 😊

Using Her: He's using her to (1) get inside track to manipulate her father - all for HIS goals while telling her (and himself) that it will eventually help her (2) telling her to go to the fake Miracle Asia venue with no explanation. (3) encouraging others to believe he is the future son-in-law.

Changing Her: I agree - he thinks that what he is doing will allow her/persuade her to follow a different direction in life. That's how he justifies his actions towards her.

Reality Check: he's flirting with her, teasing her, manipulating her - and is cavalier to whether it will hurt her. Almost "she treated me badly in the past so she's in no danger of falling for me this time". Wrong!!

And we still don't know why he invited her - an attempt to bring her into the group or a desire to push her away?

Thanks for details on the webtoon. I have jumped around different chapters - so I knew that she followed Jin-ah and was sad that she wasn't part of the group, but missed the fact that he had seen her. So, agree with you - today's ep it appeared that he had invited her and was possibly planning to introduce her to the others. He's been using her all along, convinced that she's in no danger of falling for him romantically - it's time for him to get a reality check and I hope it comes soon.

I think he's supposed to be emotionless - but not providing any back-story as to their relationship is disappointing.

Not the only one, but probably in the minority. 😊 However, it's not clear to me what the writer is trying to do with Han-young, especially what was going on with today's scene with them? Writer should have provided some of HY's internal thoughts - maybe Koreans understood the point, but I didn't. 😒

He wants to revenge just two people: Kang Sin-jin (the man who ordered his murder) and Jang Tae-sik (S Corp). However, he is literally using everyone else - good intentions, but. . . . .?will anyone get hurt? That's my concern.

I must admit - I'm having difficulty figuring out/understanding the various motives/strategies of the players. The Ep. 10 pre-release is even more confusing??

"A Supreme Court Justice openly lobbying for his son's trial!?"
https://x.com/mbcdrama_pre/status/2017372252896178506

Who wins this competition?? Kang Sin-jin or Han-yeong. I really have no predictions. Just give me some Se-hui/Han-yeong lighthearted scenes to balance out the tension. ❤️😊

Congratulations to "The Judge Returns". Highest ratings for the season - and on a Friday, no less. 😊

Episode 9 (2026.01.30)
Nationwide: 13.5
Metro (Seoul): 14.7

Saturday has stiff competition and Koreans can watch streaming easily, but still. . . .this is great news (actually topping Taxi Driver 3 for 9th episode).

Yes, in his prior life, he was married to her - but it was a "contract" marriage - each one using the other and she betrayed him. To understand the back-story of the various characters, you really need to watch the full first two episodes which take place in 2035 before he regresses to 2025.

As for the different characters, I rely on the wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Judge_Returns

Over a span of 10 years (2025-2035), Lee Han-young gradually became corrupted due to his alliance with the Haenal Law Firm. In 2035, after his mother died, he decided to break from the law firm (and his wife) and in a final act of defiance, gave a ruling that harmed both the law firm and the most corrupt judge in Korea (Kang Sin-jin). The corrupt judge ordered his killing. In the fantasy part of the story, he confessed his guilt and somehow miraculously was "regressed" back to 2025. His primary goal is to get revenge against the corrupt judge , but when possible, he uses his knowledge of "prior" events to change outcomes so that bad people are punished and innocent people are saved/protected.

If you want more details, I'll provide in a spoiler post.

Based on preview, the BTS and the pre-release, they should have scenes at the restaurant, the steps to Namsen Tower and the law firm. MBC is really pushing them on social media this week.

Pre-release for Ep. 9 - Han-young and Se-hui on the steps to Namsen Tower. ❤️❤️ So cute - she's wearing his running sneakers. And the same white dress I mentioned in earlier post.

No subs.😒, but Se-hui has definitely left behind her cool, bitchy persona - at least for a few moments. MBC description is: "Whenever I see Hanyeoung and Sehee, the mood changes. Sehee wants to let Hanyeoung go and Hanyeoung wants her to believe in him."

https://x.com/mbcdrama_pre/status/2016662578760462562

MBC released the behind-the-scenes video for Episode 8 and it included a scene between Han-young and Se-hui that was NOT shown in Ep. 8, so hopefully will be early in Ep. 9. The couple is eating in the same restaurant as in Episode 1 and Han-young once again tells Se-hui that he's been there before with an acquaintance (Viki translates to "someone I once knew"). Se-hui is wearing the same outfit as end of Ep. 8 (in the law firm) and in the preview where they are on steps to Namsen Tower.

https://x.com/onurscz/status/2015107130374959153