The Judge from Hell (2024)

The Judge from Hell is a Masterpiece

To start this review, I am rating this Korean Drama, The Judge from Hell, a 10/10.

The plot was all about Kang Bitna, a judge. She was murdered in a public park. When her soul went to hell, she was wrongfully convicted by the judge of hell named Justitia. Since it was wrong, Bael, the director of hell, punished Justitia to be inside the body of Kang Bitna. She was tasked to kill 10 murderers within a year, if she did not fulfill this task, she will brutally die.

When she became Judge Bitna, she became carefree, not justifiable, and doesn't act like an honorable judge. Because of her task to kill murderers, she only use light sentences to them, for example is paying only a fine. Her sentences are only light since she kills them afterwards, torturing them through illusion before they were sent to hell.

In the first episode, Han Daon, a police officer was accused of physical maltreatment of a thief, but he argued that it was just a self defense. Judge Bitna sentenced him not guilty. With the continuous deaths of the murderers sentenced by Judge Bitna, Officer Daon and his team investigated thoroughly the truth behind their death. The story basically revolved with Officer Daon pursuing the truth between Judge Bitna's hidden agenda.

I gave the plot or story with a 10/10 because of how clear, concise, and well made it was. The viewers can easily apprehend what is going on in each episodes. There is also no dull moments, so each scenes are entertaining to watch and you will be easily hooked on what is happening on each episode. I love how you can see the effort of the staffs behind this series. Each episode was perfectly edited, no CGIs were cheaply done, it was edited beautifully. The set designs, especially to the supernatural settings, like the hell, was really done well also.

The other reviewers did not like the last 2 episodes. I kind of agree that the series can be finished with episode 12, but with the episode 13 and 14, they added more to the story. I feel like if it was finished with episode 12, it will be more confusing, because the viewers will feel that the story has more to offer. But with episode 13 and 14, the vision of what will happen next when Judge Bitna send Satan to hell was answered. Also, I love episode 14 especially, since the development between the 2 main characters was enlightened. That episode gave Bitna and Daon a chance for us to see what will happen to their story after all the obstacles they've been through.

Characters/Cast - 10/10
First of all, Park Shin Hye's acting really made me gasped. I know her already from her past films, but with this character, she amazed me so much more. With the way her character's emotions break, her fighting scenes, and her courtroom lines, she was really the perfect cast for this character. She served and slayed in giving us the best Kang Bitna or Justitia experience.

In terms of Kim Jaeyoung as Han Daon, to be honest, I did not like his character at first. I was like "Not all stories need to have love teams and this story is one of those", but later on I understood. Han Daon was the weakness of Justitia. Because of how powerful and strong minded she was, she needs a kryptonite to weaken her. Han Daon's character was really well portrayed with his kind of traumatic childhood experience, him pursuing Judge Bitna, and him as a police officer.

Valak, Gremory, Kim Jaehyun, Moon Dong Ju's characters was an experience. Kang Bitna's task will not be complete without the help of them. There are times that I got angry, most especially of Gremory, because of her poor decision making, but I still loved them all on the end of the series. Their respect to Judge Bitna, as her subordinates, made me respect their characters also.

Each and every side character was definitely needed because of how they added an extra flavor to Judge Bitna's character. Her co-demons, the angel, colleagues in the law firm, and neighbors, they all contributed well to the amazing plot this series has. Each part of Judge Bitna was highlighted because of them and their amazing roles for this series.

In totality, I love every inch of this series. I never felt bored on a single scene. Each episode made me interested on what comes and happens next. I love each and everyone of the characters. This was really perfectly and amazingly made. If a season 2 comes-up, that will be great, but if they decided to not come-up with another season, then it is okay. Everyone must watch this film, because The Judge from Hell is the true definition of a South Korean Thriller-Drama.

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This DRAMA PROMOTE CRIME(murder) and call it JUSTICE

Its new, and refreshing drama
i can see it take inspiration from Lucifer
but had its own work in it, not just a copy

I like it but there is but

overly Hell story forcing viewers to see it as some religious cult driven show
FL is a judge but drama has nothing to do with her being a Judge
Justitia goddess of justice is a vigilante murderer herself

Shin rok told her to murder 10-20 murderers
How this has anything to do with justice ?

If the concept of drama would have that she had to sentence 10 criminal capital punishment according to law of humans, than it would have been a challenge and struggling
But everything is so easy now days for Lead character that, it hard to connect to leads now days they become alien

They call it punishment but it looks like a vacation where she has all her power and some minions has to murder bunch of people

As fantasy comedy with nothing meaningful then this drama is Good
But if they pretend to be something more then just comedy in start of drama then for 15 ep they will do only comedy and in last ep 16 they will be lecture viewer about life lessons

It's Good but it could have been better if director wasn't only focus on making FL look only cool nothing more or less
She should look COOL
Life is so easy for lead characters

ML was IDIOT and he deserve his mother death for sure
that poor woman has to die for ML

as ep 8 end this is also following KDRAMA tradition of becoming a trash after half
MELO ROMANCE of weak demon crying because no matter what she is a weak WOman

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Dark Justice: Where Demons Meet the Law!

This series is one of the best I’ve watched in the second half of 2024. I didn’t expect to see Park Shin-hye in a role like this, so I was both surprised and delighted. Known mostly for her dramatic and romantic roles, it was exciting to see her in an action-focused series again—something she’s previously done in Doctors and Sisyphus: The Myth. The plot is unique too, instantly becoming one of my favorites.

The story follows Kang Bitna, a judge possessed by a demon named Justitia. As punishment, Justitia is tasked with hunting down unrepentant sinners who have caused others’ deaths, ultimately sending them to Hell. Along the way, Bitna encounters Han Daon, a detective with a different view of justice, and their chemistry adds a great layer to the plot.

There’s a lot to appreciate in this series:

- It’s satisfying to watch Bitna’s creative methods of punishing sinners, making them feel their victims' pain before their end.
- While there isn’t much romance, the chemistry between Bitna and Daon is undeniable.
- The cast’s performances are excellent, with the actress playing Gremory standing out among the supporting roles.
- The effects are impressive and well-executed.
- The pacing keeps the story engaging, and the music adds an immersive, intense atmosphere.

On the downside, there are a few areas where I had higher expectations:

- I expected more from Justitia’s demon enemies. While Paimon had a strong fight scene, Satan—being second in command—didn’t put up much of a challenge, which felt anticlimactic given Justitia’s rank.
- The “Nightmare Curse” by Satan in episodes 13 and 14 left some confusion, making viewers question if Bitna was still trapped in a nightmare.
- Bael’s role felt underdeveloped. As the one giving orders, I was hoping for a more complex twist around his character.

Overall, this series is absolutely worth watching (and rewatching), especially for those mature enough to handle the darker themes and intense action scenes.

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Shocked at How Much I Enjoyed This Drama

Do you ever enjoy something so much that you feel the need to share about it the moment you finish it? That's how I feel about this drama. Truth be told, the premise sounded really odd to me when I encountered it, and the fantasy / supernatural elements are not my cup of tea. However, I was in a rut about what to watch next and decided to give it a go. No regrets!!!

It's not really a drama for the faint-hearted, especially if you can't handle blood. I would often have it playing when my sister was around, and she commented a few times about how it was a bit scary and too much.

The acting in this drama was absolutely phenomenon, from the minor characters to the main characters. Each villain really draws you in, leaving you angry at how a human could be so cruel to do certain things. I absolutely loved that Kang Bitna's character would bring the criminal into their own "crime scene" to experience the torture of what they did to those they killed.

While the romance in this drama seems a little odd (simply considering the whole premise), the chemistry between Park Shin Hye and Kim Jae Young was fire. You can't help but want to root for them together even if it doesn't seem logical.

There are also some small comedic elements that help to break up the tension and thrilling aspects. The music was also fantastic!!! And the ending credits? Chef's kiss.

Highly recommend giving this drama a try, especially if you enjoy the genre.

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Damned if you do and damned if you don't

The subject matter and presentation of this series are outside the box. It is not every day you get angels and demons working together for the greater good, but k-dramas can be quite "creative" at times.

My problem with this drama is that its tone is hard to nail down. It is obviously a dark fantasy but there are also very humanistic topics on display. Law and order, rewards and punishments are the four pillars of this show. The problem is that demons don't play by our rules and they are happy to hijack our justice system to serve their own purposes. It is this clash of values that caused me some discomfort.

Ultimately, you must buy into this show's premise wholeheartedly. Any waiving will undo the spell. If you stick it out, then the show is quite engaging and is a blast. If you start asking questions, then it becomes a self-serving mess. It is go hard or go home.

With the preamble out of the way, let's move on. At its core, this is an old-school morality tale. It is literally fire and brimstone stuff. The not-so-subtle message is that our police is ineffective, and our justice system is opaque with forces at play that might deliver questionable outcomes. Whether it is due to valid rules of law, incompetence or corruption, we shall find them wanting.

So rather than waiting for sinners to show up in Hell via natural causes, Justitia, the Goddess of Justice is send to walk the mortal realm after a bad judgement in Limbo. The odd thing is Justitia is shown to be a demon of the Netherworld and is the heir apparent to Bael. I don’t quite get the connection but please refer to my point about “ask no questions”.

To wit, Park Shin-hye is the undisputed star of this show. She is Dominatrix il Supremo personified and one helluva of a sexy demon/goddess. The ML is too righteous and prim to be sexy. They are the OTP by default, and it took him 2/3 of the show to crack a smile. He defrosts towards the end and they have a few swoon-y moments but let’s just say romance is not the main theme.

By now you should know the main thrust is the judgment and punishment of A-grade sinners with extreme prejudice and I mean EXTREME. There are blood and gore by the bucket. If you are sensitive to that or might be triggered by bullying, DV and sundry abuse/torture then please don’t even start watching. Even if you are ok with it, you will be desensitized by the end. It is relentless.

In that sense, this show is a one trick pony (but in a good way). It follows its internal logic to the letter. See crime, judge crime and dish out punishment in the most graphical way possible. Rinse the blood off and repeat. It is engaging because the show builds up the angst and emotional pressure until you are braying for blood at the screen. The antagonist is pure evil with no room for redemption.

Speaking of redemption, there are healing and redemption for everyone (except the sinners) towards the end. Life goes on is the final message. The last ep even includes some fan service. The unicorns must be freed! Even if they breath fire. ;)

There are moments when I thought I can’t watch anymore but they’d pass and the show draws you in again. You know where it is heading but you just want to see PSH kick some more perp's arse. I have a feeling she likes this type of roles more than the standard issue ones as well. I don’t blame her.

In the end, I enjoyed this series but with caveats. It is definitely not for everyone. It is ultra violent and moralistic. That should be on a warning label. Yet, it is not all blunt instruments. It does have a quirky sense of humour and a weird charm.

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So Far So Good

Love both the ML and FL, so that helps. I’ve been kind of in a bit of a slump lately, but this has gotten me out of that. I kind of wish I would have waited for all episodes to air, but I was too anxious. Now I have to wait every week after they leave the currently airing episodes on a cliff hanger. I so far love it, but you how that goes. It’s a revenge kind of genre which I tend to like, with a very different kind of plot. If you don’t like a supernatural kind of Dramas, don’t bother watching this. So far, the FL character is unlikeable, but I have a feeling this will change. We will see going forward, and I’ll re-score it and review it at the end.

I started with a rating of 9, but it dropped to a 8.5. It was really good, but towards the end, it jumped around a lot. I would watch it again, but I really didn’t like the edits too much. Real short scenes toward the end then black, then another short scene. Liked the beginning more than the end.

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Amazing story

I've seen numerous thriller K-dramas, but this one stands out due to its exceptional acting and emotional balance. Each episode offers a thrilling mix of suspense, humor, and witty dialogue

The supporting cast delivers remarkably realistic performances, immersing viewers in the scenes. The drama masterfully captures the emotions of both the criminal and the supporting characters. The lead actors' performances are outstanding. The first two episodes will leave you wanting more, and by the end of the third, you'll be completely captivated by the story.

The music complements the story perfectly, and the subtle use of background music enhances the viewing experience.

This drama is a must-watch for fans of thrilling K-dramas. It reminds me of my favorite, "The Glory," and I appreciate the slow, organic development of the romantic relationship between the leads.

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Great drama exellent story outstanding acting so far greatly recommended.

This is one of the best k drama so far I have watched. The writing of the story is really good. It is not typical romantic drama. It also have a bit of humor touch. It is also emotional and have good editing and VFX. The acting is awesome. I hope that end it good. All I can say now is don't read the reviews just "wattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttch
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AN INSANE KDRAMA but

Here's my rant about *The Judge From Hell* since EVERYONE seems to love it:

- Why didn’t Mando just say that Arong asked him to keep an eye on Bitna’s outbursts and not just hint that “maybe she’ll betray us”?
- How is it that the place where Bitna was murdered can be rented so easily? Or is it because it’s in an amusement park that nobody heard anything?
- Where was the cleaning staff when Bitna got caught by Daon?
- If Justitia dies or turns human, then who’s going to be the judge in hell?
- If demons age, does that mean there’s a “before” and “after” version of them?
- Are Justitia, Gremory, and Paimon titles or names? Like, if one of them is missing or dead, who takes over their job?
- How does Bael know about Bitna’s verdict but somehow doesn’t know which demons have turned “human” (i.e., developed emotions)?
- HOW DID DAON EVEN FIND THE PLACE WHERE BITNA GOT STABBED?!

IF YOU WANT TO FREE PEOPLE FROM "POVERTY," YOU SHOULD GO AFTER ACTUAL POOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT PREFER TO BE DEAD RATHER THAN ALIVE! (Take *ML Death’s Game* or *The 8 Show* as an example—they would definitely choose death over having to live another day!!) BECAUSE SERIOUSLY, YOU KILLED A BUNCH OF MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE?! (Daon’s family even has a house, and the single parent lady is literally having an apartments!)

Honestly, the whole storyline with the detective and killer is not well thought out.
*The sudden change in tension between Daon and Donghoon feels weird and rushed.
*HOW CAN A DETECTIVE RELY ON A JOURNALIST?!
*All the detective ever does is wait for results!

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Must watch

The show exhibits remarkable chemistry between the male and female leads, complemented by the exceptional performances of the entire cast. Initially drawn to the series by the presence of Park Shin Hye, I found myself captivated by the other actors as well, who consistently deliver outstanding performances. Each episode is a captivating blend of suspense and humor, culminating in cliffhangers that leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment. This series is highly recommended for those who enjoy suspense, romance, anti-hero fantasy, judicial crime, and satanic themes.

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