Viki's The Judge Returns K-Drama Makes 1 Squid Game Villain Unrecognizable

Winter 2026 has already been off to a solid start for K-dramas everywhere, from Kim Seon-ho and Yoo Young-eun's charming Netflix headliner, to Rakuten Viki's latest onslaught of excellent shows. On top of netting the season's most controversial webtoon adaptation, the streamer debuted The Judge Returns adapting the eponymous manhwa, and it's already an impressive viewing experience.

The Judge Returns features Ji Sung in the lead as its protagonist, judge Lee Han-young, proving how popular he is in the legal drama scene following The Devil Judge. Initially growing older, cynical, and complacent with a corrupt society, Han-young is given a second chance at the moment of his death, sent back in time in a regression fantasy twist.

Whereas 2024's Lovely Runner saw Im Sol going back in time to save Ryu Sun-jae, The Judge Returns brings Han-young back to right previous imbalances and restore his own integrity. In doing so, he's placed on a collision course with the forces responsible for his demise, particularly one villain following his Squid Game role.

Winter 2026's Most Exciting K-Drama Is an Enthralling Time-Regression Legal Fantasy

Owing to itself being a webtoon-inspired K-drama adaptation, The Judge Returns banks on suspension of disbelief as audiences see a younger, lively Han-young jump at the chance he is given. Instead of gunning for self-preservation, upon finding himself younger and as a novice judge once more, Han-young closely investigates and personally sentences the heinous criminals who previously got away.

The result is an interesting tonal shift, with the start being a grim rendition of the near-future in 2035 (once again whipping out transparent smartphones) before viewers see the vibrant tones of an optimistic 2025 to which Han-young returns. It seems The Judge Returns itself gets a second chance after its lurid, dark premiere retreats into a wholesome, engrossing K-drama.

Originally framed for murder and ultimately killed by a mysterious masked man at the behest of a shady judge, Han-young retains his memories while correcting the course of his second chance. The shady judge in question, Kang Shin-jin, gets a nefarious rendition by Park Hee-soon, recently seen as the unique Masked Officer from Squid Game seasons 2 and 3.

Justice Is Served by The Judge Returns' Charming Lead

Showing a restored youthful exuberance and a revitalized idealism, Ji Sung's performance as Han-young is extremely likable as he embraces a family life he took for granted, and solves cases he previously fumbled. While it may seem hasty of him to sentence a petty offender to death, his intrepid investigation finds the truly dark deeds his defendants concealed.

Despite a potentially dark premise and initially bleak start in which his older self allows evil corporations to poison the public and the downtrodden to take their own lives, The Judge Returns encounters a quick reversal of tones. No doubt in part to test the waters mid-release in case of needed rewrites, the series grows increasingly popular.

Han-young's regression brings him across old bosses and courtroom colleagues like prosecutor Kim Jin-ah (Won Jin-ah) and reporter Song Na-yeon (Baek Jin-hee) who help him in his journey. But along the way, even his ex-wife from his previous life has a surprisingly fun storyline as her spoiled chaebol scion privileges are challenged by Han-young's moxie.

For those seeking a similarly dark or thrilling series like Squid Game, they may be surprised, but in its place they're seeing an impressively cast, satisfying drama in which the judge with an infectious smile steps up against wrongdoers. But with Shin-jin's dark deeds still very present in the past, it'll be interesting to see if Han-young can truly change destiny.