The Judge Returns Episodes 1-2 recap: A righteous path brings more trouble for Han-young 

The latest legal K-drama, The Judge Returns, begins on an intense note where we see Lee Han-young being chased in the rain and then stabbed to death. The K-drama then takes us to 2035, where a new law to relocate homeless people from urban areas is passed. It is also revealed how the powerful conglomerate S-Group is in the middle of all of it and profiting from it, with the law in their hands, as people like Han-young and his father-in-law are ready to favor them in the court.

However, after a case where Han-young favors a chemical company instead of the common people, Han-young tries to change his stance and be on the right side of justice. But it proves to be too late for him as he becomes a threat to the powerful people, and they decide to eliminate him. That's when a twist involving time travel gives Han-young another chance to make things right.

Here's what happened in Episodes 1 and 2 of The Judge Returns.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

The Judge Returns Episodes 1-2 recap: A wrong decision in court results in a greater loss for Han-young

MBC's The Judge Returns can be considered a gritty K-drama from the beginning, and the intensity does not wane in any of the moments later. Han-young, described as a 'lapdog' of the rich and powerful, takes a case of a chemical company. The workers of the factory have been facing serious health issues, and some have also lost their lives after being exposed to the toxic chemicals.

However, this does not move Han-young much, and he makes a decision in favor of the company despite evidence against them and also refuses any compensation to the victims, causing an uproar. This results in the suicide of a young victim, which gradually starts affecting Han-young as well.

On the other hand, Kim Jin-a, a public prosecutor, builds up an embezzlement case against the S-Group and raids their office. Along with this, she also learns about Han-young helping corporations like S-Group evade the law and carry on their illegal activities. At the end of Episode 1 of the K-drama, Han-young tries to make the right decision and goes against protecting S-Group but also invites more trouble for himself.

The Judge Returns Episodes 1-2 recap: Han-young gets a second chance to follow the path of justice

After losing his mother in Episode 1 of The Judge Returns, Han-young attempts to follow the righteous path but is unable to find a way out of the corrupt ways. However, he still makes the right decision and gives a verdict against S-Group. This move hampers him more as he is then arrested for the murder of the whistleblower of the S-Group.

While Jin-a seems skeptical, Han-young is sent to prison. Attempts are made to force Han-young into silence and also endanger his father's life outside. Deciding not to give up, he escapes from prison to save his father but gets stabbed to death by none other than Chief Justice Kang Shin-jin's bodyguard. Shin-jin was the one who asked Han-young to take the S-Group's case and make them win, but when he strays from the path he is supposed to take, he is eliminated.

While it may look like the end for Han-young, near the end of Episode 2, he finds himself alive and 10 years in the past. Taking it as a second chance, he vows to change every wrong verdict of his and fight for justice, starting from the current case of a thief, whom he knows will become a serial killer later.

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Also Read: The Judge Returns cast and characters: Here’s who brings the MBC K-drama to life

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