The Judge from Hell

지옥에서 온 판사 ‧ Drama ‧ 2024
Completed
theeprincess
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 8, 2024
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

Killer story, but the ending was just okay.

Things I liked: the cast was wonderful, the storyline was fresh and exciting, the music was hauntingly beautiful and thriller/supernatural element was awesome.

Things I didn't love: the romance subplot. Honestly, I would've preferred the drama without romance between the main leads—they really didn't have the best chemistry and the story was so much stronger without it!! I normally am the first person to uplift a romcom (or action/thriller/romcom in this case) but I could not get myself to enjoy that part. Maybe that's just me.
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Ongoing 5/14
Hrishika K
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 5, 2024
5 of 14 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

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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Completed
dramareview writer
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 5, 2024
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Hell to Earth, Good and Evil - you choose! Should you skip? Watch Now? Watch Later?

Park Shin-hye's Devilish Transformation
The Judge From Hell offers a unique blend of fantasy, mystery, and thriller, setting itself apart from the usual Korean drama fare. The premise is intriguing: a demon, sentenced to a mortal punishment, takes on the role of a judge to mete out justice to ten sinners. This unconventional plot, coupled with Park Shin-hye's fierce portrayal of the devilish judge, makes for a compelling watch.

A Clash of Good and Evil
The drama effectively explores the eternal battle between good and evil, albeit in a somewhat clichéd manner. However, the seamless integration of heavenly and hellish elements, including the granting of wishes and the execution of punishments, adds a element to the narrative.

A Stellar Performance of FL, A Flawed ML character, Fun Supporting Cast
Park Shin-hye delivers a standout performance, breathing life into the character of the vengeful demon. Her transformation into a badass, vicious judge is both captivating and refreshing. Unfortunately, the male lead, while competent, lacks the depth and charisma to truly shine. The supporting cast, however, adds a much-needed dose of humor and intrigue, elevating the overall viewing experience.

A Missed Opportunity for a Powerful Showdown
One of the biggest disappointments lies in the underutilized character of Satan. Despite being a pivotal figure, the character's power and influence feel somewhat diminished. The anticipated climactic showdown between the demon judge and Satan falls flat, lacking the intensity and grandeur that such a confrontation deserves.

A Forced Romance
The inclusion of a romantic subplot, while not entirely detrimental, feels unnecessary and forced. The budding romance between the demon judge and the male lead distracts from the core narrative and hinders the development of more meaningful relationships, such as the camaraderie between the judge and her celestial assistant.

A Solid Soundtrack and a Convincing Villain
The drama's soundtrack, particularly "Crossroad," enhances the overall atmosphere. Additionally, the portrayal of the serial killer is both chilling and convincing, adding a layer of suspense to the plot.

In conclusion - A must-watch drama. The Judge From Hell is a bold experiment that, while not flawless, offers a unique and entertaining viewing experience. Park Shin-hye's exceptional performance and the intriguing premise make it a worthwhile watch, despite its shortcomings.

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Dropped 3/14
IsratJahan
10 people found this review helpful
Sep 27, 2024
3 of 14 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

it's a revenge type comedy genre

After all the rom com dramas of 2024 this drama is must watch anybody liking revenge genre and badass woman character will surely like this drama. currently it's on 3rd episode but i am already liking the show . seems like it's going to be very interesting seeing park shin hye in this kind of rule is already good and the lead actor is also too handsome overall the casting acting is also good . so it's a must watch for all.
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Completed
WatchGeriGo
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 23, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Who doesnt love a fiery Red-Head with killer style punishing people?!

All around goodness!! action packed, funny with the essence of justice or injustice you pick. Every single actor nailed their part. And I must say I haven't seen a lead actress NAIL a role so perfectly like this since Shin Hye Sun in Mr Queen. Park Shin Hye as Justitia/Kang Bitna was absolutely memorable and unique! I really enjoyed her performance.
There were some slight predictable writing, chemistry issues and choppy storytelling but all in all still a very enjoyable watch!
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Completed
StudyDramasPT70
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 16, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 5.0

Satisfaction pro Max

The Judge from Hell is a wild ride—super emotional and definitely gets you thinking. The main characters have a lot of depth, and you really **feel** for them as they dive into revenge. The emotional payoff? Totally satisfying. But the plot does get kinda repetitive. Like, the revenge arc stays the same throughout, and after a while, you kinda know what’s coming next. Still, it hits that sweet spot of justice and catharsis, so it works.

The big question here: is legal punishment enough, or does the cycle of violence keep going? The show does a good job of making you think about it. Also, shoutout to the male lead—he was absolutely adorable! His performance really carried the emotional weight, making the show way more impactful than it could’ve been.

Production is top-tier. The acting is solid, the visuals are great, and the soundtrack really sets the mood. It’s not the most groundbreaking show, but if you’re into intense character drama and moral dilemmas, it’s worth watching.

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Completed
scenophile
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 21, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Peak enemies-to-lovers

Oh, it's been a long while since I've seen a drama do pretty much everything right. THIS is how you do enemies-to-lovers. Yes, the leads have banter from the start and I thought it was just going to be annoyance-to-lovers, but they really ramped it up in the next few episodes and damn. We get actual violence and real betrayal. Yay!

The chemistry between the leads is fantastic, and I think this is one of the few instances where the romance arc weaves into the bigger plot perfectly. As much as I like some couples, it feels often out-of-place to have a "dating" episode where everything is sunshine and rainbows while the plot is put on hold. Instead, we get to see the leads communicating and working together to solve the mystery and catch the bad guy and that just means so much more. I'm just so impressed with the writing from start to finish; the setting and premise are creative and original, and even the subplots and mini-cases were impressive, and the show did an amazing job of raising the stakes and keeping them high.

I don't have any many criticisms about this drama, and if I do they're pretty minor; the transitions are just a little weird — it's like the show made it really clear where the ad breaks are, and the drama fades to black at the most inopportune times, like during really tense scenes. It's a really small thing but it did feel jarring sometimes.

Other than that, fantastic watch. I'm not a rewatcher but I think I might make an exception here.

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Completed
lexie
0 people found this review helpful
9 days ago
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Judge from Hell: Demon of all demons

First of all, the casting is just amazing. Everyone did such an amazing job. Even the minor villains/murderers in each episode. Special shoutout to Yang Kyung-won (aka Yang Seung-bin from Eps 5-6) because I was honestly just in awe of how well he transitioned from one "personality" to another. Also, props to both the leads (Park Shin-hye aka Kang Bitna & Kim Jae-young aka Han Da-on) because they freaking delivered since episode 1. This just might be my favorite Park Shin-hye drama I've seen so far.

From beginning to end, they executed the plot so well. And the "judgement" scenes of Justitia/Judge Kang? Absolute perfection. It satisfied everything in me seeing those vile beings suffer. Each story and the characters, amazing. They did so well. Honestly, I only have praise for this kdrama cause the writers and director truly id justice for each episode and story.

One thing I love that they did at the end of episode 14 is the montage of all the actors from ep 1 to 14. Just chef's kiss MWA

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Completed
rigauge
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 26, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

FOR SURE TO REWATCH-A Devilishly Good Ride into Redemption and Retribution

From the very first episode, The Judge from Hell had me hooked—not just for its gripping storyline, but for the way it unearths humanity in the most unlikely of beings. Park Shin-hye delivers a hauntingly elegant performance as Kang Bit Na, a demon forced into the role of a human judge, battling not just criminals but her own past sins. And Kim Jae-young’s Detective Han Da On is the heart of the show—a grounding force who brings empathy and stubborn hope to a world ruled by vengeance. The blend of crime, fantasy, and moral conflict was spellbinding, and each episode left me rethinking what “justice” really means.
The performances in The Judge from Hell were absolutely central to its emotional and thematic punch. Park Shin-hye, in particular, brought a mesmerizing duality to Kang Bit Na—balancing the cold, otherworldly presence of the demon Justitia with flickers of human vulnerability. Her ability to shift from icy judgment to moments of internal conflict made the supernatural premise feel grounded and deeply personal.

Kim Jae-young’s portrayal of Detective Han Da On added a compelling counterbalance. His warmth, moral clarity, and subtle emotional depth gave me someone to root for—especially as he began to unravel Bit Na’s true identity. Their chemistry wasn’t just romantic tension; it was a philosophical tug-of-war between justice and mercy

Critics have noted that the show’s success hinges on these “gripping performances” that elevate what could have been a gimmicky premise into something genuinely thought-provoking. The actors didn’t just play roles—they embodied the show’s central question: can even the damned be redeemed? That feeling—of wanting real justice to mirror the poetic kind shown in The Judge from Hell—is powerful and totally understandable. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing wrongdoers face consequences that are swift, certain, and proportionate, especially in a story where a supernatural judge ensures that no one slips through the cracks.

In reality, though, justice is messier and slower, guided (ideally) by laws and principles rather than vengeance. That’s why stories like this resonate so deeply—they tap into our frustration with real-world injustice and give us the catharsis we don’t always get in life.

I want to comment the directors -absolutely deserve the spotlight! The visionary direction and tight, layered writing are what made The Judge from Hell such a standout series. The director crafted a tone that balanced supernatural thrills with real emotional gravity—every visual choice, from the stark lighting in courtroom scenes to the eerie transitions into Bit Na’s demon realm, felt purposeful and intense.

The writers? Masterclass. They didn’t just build a fantasy revenge drama—they built a world where justice is personal, painful, and often paradoxical. The dialogue was razor-sharp, the moral dilemmas were compelling, and the pacing kept me on my toes without sacrificing depth. They knew when to let a moment breathe... and when to strike hard. I hope to see more of the director's work in the future.

gamsahamnida, (jeongmal gamsahamnida

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Completed
chatterbug_butterfly
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 7, 2025
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

Great story but some things could've been better.

Firstly the the drama was a great binge. I think it is one of the best kdramas in recent. Ive lost all my interest in kdramas because of the repetitive story lines. But this one caught my attention.
Over all the story was great. But they could've avoided the romance track. If there was no romance track at all the story could've been actually interesting and intense. Also i felt the ending was kind of open. Viewers like me might think there will be another season with such an ending.
Park Shin Hye's character was a badass character and i think somebody else might've been a better choice like Seo Yea Ji, IU, etc., Park Shin Hye was definitely not a right choice. Some viewers say that her acting has gotten better now but i think she is still the same. Finally the male leads character was really good and the actor was a perfect fit. But at times the character was paced down because of all the romance.
Overall it was a good series but they could've avoided certain things. It can be a good one time watch during the weekends.

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Completed
Maya kotori
0 people found this review helpful
22 days ago
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Yes, I started watching it when it came out and only finished it now (it wasn't a good time and my phone didn't work with the TV). Anyway, I finally finished watching it and on the one hand I'm sorry because I really enjoyed it. In a way, it reminded me a bit of everyone's beloved "My Demon". I immediately remembered that drama when I saw the first two episodes. Also, I want to praise the actors, who did a really great job and I forgot how many times that it wasn't real. Yes, I got so into it. It was incredibly beautifully crafted and no one can change my mind about those beautiful eyes. It was really well done and I think that this kdrama deserves much more recognition.

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Ongoing 4/14
Praise Elumeze
3 people found this review helpful
Sep 29, 2024
4 of 14 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.5

So in love!!!

Hey,
I am not really a fan of Park shin hye movies and series but this one!!! It is so good… she should go for badass role more often
The series till now has no boring scenes like nothing is skippable 🫶🏾 and the characters Han da on is so talented and handsome
I wish the drama can enter a double rating because it deserves it💗💗
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The Judge from Hell poster

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  • Score: 8.7 (scored by 30,856 users)
  • Ranked: #309
  • Popularity: #209
  • Watchers: 64,516

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