Actor Ji Sung is making a long-awaited return to the small screen this time, as a man of justice in MBC’s upcoming drama Judge Lee Han-young.
The drama’s production team revealed photos from its script reading session on November 12, attended by Ji Sung, Park Hee-soon, Won Jin-ah, and other cast members. The room reportedly buzzed with intensity as the actors immersed themselves into their roles.
A Legal Drama with a Twist of Time Travel
Judge Lee Han-young is a legal fantasy drama about a corrupt judge who works as a “servant of a mega law firm” — until he suddenly travels 10 years into the past. With a second chance at life, he vows to expose corruption and uphold true justice.
Ji Sung plays the titular character, a once morally compromised judge who transforms after the tragic death of his mother. Through realistic and emotionally layered acting, he portrays a man torn between regret and redemption.
Park Hee-soon stars as Kang Shin-jin, the senior criminal division chief judge at the Seoul Central District Court — a man whose ambition drives him to the top of the judicial power pyramid. His commanding aura dominated the room even during the read-through.
Actress Won Jin-ah plays Kim Jin-ah, a fierce prosecutor from the special investigation unit seeking vengeance for her father’s death. Her strong tone and presence left a lasting impression at the first script session.
Powerhouse Cast, Powerful Story
The ensemble also includes Tae Won-seok, Baek Jin-hee, Oh Se-young, Hwang Hee, Kim Tae-woo, Ahn Nae-sang, and Kim Beop-rae, promising a tight, emotionally charged narrative.
After the session, Ji Sung shared, “I’m grateful to work with such talented actors and staff — I’ll give my all to make Judge Lee Han-young unforgettable.”
Park Hee-soon added, “It’s a project I’m truly looking forward to.”
Judge Lee Han-young premieres January 2, 2026, on MBC.
Editor’s Insights: Ji Sung’s ‘Judge Lee Han-young’
1. The “King of Genre” Returns
Ji Sung has carved out a niche as the gold standard for psychological and legal thrillers (The Devil Judge, Connection). However, adding a time-travel (regression) element to a legal drama marks a pivot toward the “Reborn Rich” style of storytelling. From an editorial lens, we should focus on how this drama differentiates itself from the “over-saturated” legal genre by emphasizing the redemption arc—moving from a corrupt law firm “servant” to a champion of justice.
2. The Chemistry of “Intense Masculinity”
The casting of Park Hee-soon alongside Ji Sung is a major draw for the 30–50 age demographic. Both actors are known for their “heavy” screen presence and “smoldering” intensity. Our coverage should highlight the on-screen friction between the two; in a legal fantasy, the senior chief judge (Park) likely serves as the immovable object to Ji Sung’s unstoppable force. This “bromance-to-rivalry” narrative is a proven engagement driver on social media.