The Judge Returns Ji Sung and Park Hee Soon Lock Horns Over Supreme Court Chief Nomination in High-Stakes Power Play

Ji Sung and Park Hee Soon engage in a tense battle of wills as they pursue their respective ambitions beneath the surface.

In Episode 9 of MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns, airing on January 30, the clash of intentions between Lee Han-young (played by Ji Sung) and Kang Shin-jin (played by Park Hee Soon) reaches a critical point. The two men find themselves locked in a sharp confrontation over the nomination of the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The Judge Returns. Photo by MBC.

In the previous episode, Lee Han-young exposed a drug scandal involving the daughter of Woo Gyo-hoon (played by Jeon Jin-gi), then a candidate for Minister of Justice, forcing Woo out of contention and earning Kang Shin-jin’s trust. Using this as leverage, Lee asked Kang to help bring down Supreme Court Justice Hwang Nam-yong (played by Kim Myung-soo), who had once delivered a ruling unfavorable to Lee’s father, Lee Bong-seok (played by Jung Jae-sung). The two formed a strategic alliance, but Kang unexpectedly handed Lee documents detailing employment corruption involving Hwang’s son, raising new questions and heightening tension.

In newly released stills, Lee Han-young visits the office of Baek Yi-seok (played by Kim Tae-woo), a senior figure within the judiciary, meeting him with a look of suspicion. As Lee grows closer to Kang Shin-jin, he risks disappointing his longtime allies Baek Yi-seok and Im Jung-sik (played by Kim Byung-chun). Still, Lee remains unwavering, pushing forward with a larger plan as he attempts to draw Baek back into his orbit. Viewers are left wondering whether the fractured relationship can be repaired or if it will spiral toward collapse.

Meanwhile, an unexpected variable enters the race for Chief Justice. Kang Shin-jin sits down for a private dinner with nominee Hwang Nam-yong, where a chilling undercurrent dominates the atmosphere. While Kang maintains a composed exterior, Hwang’s face reveals deep unease, amplifying the suspense. What kind of scenario will unfold between the two men as the night progresses draws keen attention.

Episode 9 of MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns airs tonight at 9:50 p.m.

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