ilovedramas293

Is the storyline here good?

Waiting another week for the next two episodes is going to kill me! This weekend was such a roller-coaster in terms of how everything is being set up. The cast is really fantastic and despite being huge, everyone is getting so much great screentime where they carry out their roles to perfection. I really love Kang Sin-Jin the most right now. He's such an interesting antagonist, and I didn’t expect to end up liking Kang Sin Jin this much, but his character continues to really grow on me ever since we learned more about his backstory. The actor himself really hides his intentions well, and you can't see what he's even planning on the surface sometimes. Sometimes he seems deranged and furious, but other times he seems so innocent like he truly is just bonding with LHY. He honestly feels like the version of Lee Han Yeong that could’ve existed if he fully stayed on his corrupt path, and it's nice to see the two bond, despite not being able to fully trust each other. What makes him interesting is that he still believes in equality under the law, but that he just thinks the only way to get there is by taking control of the law himself. The back-and-forth mind games between Kang Sin Jin and Lee Han Yeong are one of my favorite parts of the show. The way they manipulate people around them and clash with their enemies makes everything feel like a high-stakes chess match. I also really like that Lee Han Yeong knows what he’s trying to prevent from his past life. It makes his choices feel way more urgent and desperate, especially when he tries to get ahead of things before they happen again. I was skeptical at first, but JS really knows how to pick his scripts! He definitely found a winner. It's a shame it's not getting more attention, because the first 2 episodes give a very different impression from the rest of the drama. I'm glad this is getting a lot of viewership in Korea at least.

Anyways, enough about them. I loved seeing the little bromance developing between Lee Han Yeong and Park Cheol Wu this weekend too! The prosecutor trying to deny that they're almost close friends was funny to me. Also looks like Kim Jin A is getting more and more screentime now that Lee Han Yeong is pulling her into his plans. Seeing Se Hui really jealous was so hilarious. They honestly balance the action, seriousness, and comedic parts of each episode so well. Although his past life was nothing but bleak and depressing, his second life is so much more well-rounded. I also loved the action this weekend as well, and I have to say the way JS takes off his glasses and masks himself for it really gives off a cool superhero identity. He even has his own signature lines as a judge. Overall super entertaining and I'm not sure where this drama is going to go from here.

Yes, I'm so lost on what's going to happen next. It doesn't help that Kang Sin-Jin's actor is so great at hiding his intentions. Sometimes he seems deranged, other times surpressed, and other times he's so innocent as if he truly bonds with Han-young over their grudges and childhoods.

It's not clear yet. He does seem to have some loving memories of her from his past life like when they ate out at the same place they do in Ep7, but because he let Haenal fully take control over him, their relationship was horribly cold. She is turning over a new leaf though in this life, and he does need someone like her on his side for the power he needs over Haenal. I actually really like the chemistry between them. It's cute seeing her get so jealous and small moments like Lee Han Yeong looking at her intently to signal her to say "thanks" really made me laugh. He's the definition of "I can fix her." Also there's 3 female leads. The reporter, Kim Jin A, and Se Hui from what I see. All of them have their own roles and are fantastic actresses.

I read somewhere that he does end up back with his ex-wife and she does get a redemption arc.

I doubt it. Kim Jin A here is very serious, and there's no hints of romantic interest between the two

OMG yes, this comment. Ji Sung's judge fashion and hair is hilariously fitting for his character. He's literally a troublemaker and jester in his 2nd life.

This drama just keeps getting better with every episode. Episodes 5 and 6 were genuinely so good. I didn’t expect to end up liking Kang Sin Jin this much, but his character really grew on me once we learned more about his backstory. He honestly feels like the version of Lee Han Yeong that could’ve existed if he fully stayed on his corrupt path. What makes him interesting is that he still believes in equality under the law, but that he just thinks the only way to get there is by taking control of the law himself. The back-and-forth mind games between Kang Sin Jin and Lee Han Yeong are one of my favorite parts of the show. The way they manipulate people around them and clash with their enemies makes everything feel like a high-stakes chess match. I also really like that Lee Han Yeong knows what he’s trying to prevent from his past life. It makes his choices feel way more urgent and desperate, especially when he tries to get ahead of things before they happen again.

I also love how he’s slowly using everyone who wronged him in his first life against themselves. Even things like that video with his past wife ended up being used in his favor, when I originally thought it was for a totally different reason. Him getting involved with Haenal on his own terms is great to see. I actually think his past wife might get a redemption arc, which I wouldn’t mind at all. Her chemistry with Lee Han Yeong is great, and now that he understands how he was controlled in the past, their dynamic feels a lot more interesting.

Also really appreciate that the show doesn’t forget the mistakes he made before either, especially when it comes to the scenes with his parents, or with the grandmother and her granddaughter. Those moments make him feel human. And I can’t get over how his childhood friend is so sweet and loyal despite literally being a gang boss. Won Jin A’s reasons for going after Jang Tae Shik are finally clicking now, and she really feels like a main character herself. There’s just so much depth across the cast.

This drama seriously deserves more attention. Loving how unexpected things actually happen, Lee Han Yeong isn’t always in control, and he genuinely grows as a person. JS plays him so well too with how he can be playful, clever, remorseful, and intense when he needs to be. His character feels smart without being unrealistically perfect, and even the morally questionable things he does are on his own terms for the greater good in this life.

Has anyone watched the donghua? Is this worth watching? This was my favourite part of the donghua so I don't want to taint my memory of it, considering there seems to be major changes to the events that happened in this arc.

Well, this was really entertaining! I'm a little upset the ending felt so rushed, but I can't blame the writers, since every kdrama keeps getting shortlisted on episodes now. Seems the screenwriter is the same judge that wrote The Devil Judge, which is another really fantastic legal drama, albeit more like wish fulfillment on his part. It makes sense how good these cases are (also read that they're based on true stories), especially the one from Episode 5-7. That one is still my favourite in the drama, but all the others hit just as good and hammer in on the big issues overlooked by the imperfect legal constitution. I really love how well the cast works together, and JKH is always amazing at playing arrogant narcissists with a lot of heart and well intentions. He was amazing in Devil with No Name, Life on Mars, CCIR, and now this. I also think the director really did a fantastic job with this drama. Not a lot of dramas are able to keep the character development and plot going so well at the same time, since they tend to focus on one over the other, and usually mess the balance up. I love seeing the cases stay interesting, while sparing enough time to flesh the Pro Bono team out and show them growing visibly closer. No waste of character potential in this. Definitely underrated must-watch for legal drama lovers that appreciate comedy and realism mixed in. 9/10

Could pretty much see it coming from the beginning

I love how bleak and depressing Ep 1 is because of how well JS acts the part of an absolute conflicted scumbag, and then from Ep 2 onwards, JS gives his younger self so much charm, innocence, quirk, and youthful energy that adds a nice touch of humour. He also recognizes the asshole he became in his former life, and he's nicely making amends with his parents as well as the people he's done wrong. His relationships with the other judges, as well as the other people he knows from his former life are so much more hilariously shown than they were in Ep 1. It's basically been full out comedy since Ep 2 with all the theatrics in the court, and now I love how in Ep 3 and 4 you get a lot more characterization of his father, as well as learn more about his wife in his first life (their banter was so good), and see him cleverly gather allies for his eventual revenge against Haenal and the other wrongdoers in his former life. Definitely loved Ep 3 and 4 even more than Ep 1 and 2, not to say that they're bad or anything. I'm excited to see what happens with the prosecutor lady and I think his wife is probably going to have a redemption arc. I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a funny and entertaining drama, but I recommend turning your brain off if you're expecting any real courtroom drama or cases. The serious parts will probably involve the people he's trying to take revenge on and not really outside of it.

The title is literally the judge returns and it's mentioned in the synopsis and tags that he regresses to get a second chance. How did you miss that?

It's not the case with older dramas, because ratings stabilize a while after the drama has aired. Also yes, kdramas dominate in popularity on this site. But I'm not sure what you have against Cdramas, considering you haven't even seen a single one. Again, I stand by what I said. Kdrama watchers have become too quick to judge a drama and majority of the community has gotten worse over the years as the dramas have shortened. I've seen how petty some people's reasons are. Cdrama ratings are usually accurate and stable from the start, because their community knows how long their dramas can get, and they leave more time before judging them.

Not a sequel. Devil Judge is completely separate from this. This is based off a webtoon about a judge who regresses aka returns to the past.

I really doubt cdrama fans care that much, and in my experience, cdrama watchers mostly have more patience since they're used to long-running dramas that take their time to develop the story and characters (one of the main reasons I switched, cause I miss longer kdramas). I think kdrama fans just judge dramas too drastically, which is why they poorly rate in the beginning, or drop immediately if something isn't too their liking.

This is why it's important to judge for yourself. I have no idea why people disliked Ep 1 either, and it seems like it's just for petty reasons like not liking the fact that the MC is a horrible person, too bleak, etc.

yes

He already has been casted in serious roles, and I miss him in them. Watch him in Life on Mars, Cruel City, or Devil with no Name. All these series are extremely serious from the start or get very serious quickly. Fantastic thrillers with mystery!

Nope