Episode 13 of the legal-themed K-drama performed very well with key demographic
MBC’s courtroom thriller The Judge Returns has continued its impressive ascent in ratings, hitting its highest viewership yet last night with Episode 13, just as the series heads into its finale.
According to Nielsen Korea, the penultimate episode, which aired on February 13, recorded an average nationwide rating of 13.6 percent, marking a personal best for the Friday–Saturday drama.
The Korean drama also led in the key 20–54 demographic, further solidifying the show’s wide appeal.
The Judge Returns, Episode 13 fared even better in Seoul
In the Seoul metropolitan area, Episode 13 stood out with a strong 14.9 percent average, echoing its overall growth trajectory since its premiere in early January.
The K-drama was also the #1 most-watched show of the day in both regions.
Of course, the cliffhanger closing, during which Judge Lee Han Young (masterfully portrayed by Ji Sung) finds himself ensnared in a murder accusation, helped turbocharge viewership, with momentary peaks as high as 17.4 percent nationwide.
And yes, that’s the highest instantaneous figure yet recorded for the series as well.
This fan response follows a pattern of consistent gains: with earlier episodes regularly breaking their own records, reaching double-digit ratings and outpacing rival weekend dramas on broadcast television.
With just one episode left to air then, it appears The Judge Returns is poised to close its run on an even higher note. Both in terms of narrative stakes and audience numbers.
The Judge Returns stars Ji Sung, Park Hee Soon, and Won Jin Ah, with its final episode airing tonight on MBC.
Viki is now streaming its 14th and final episode internationally.
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Michelle Topham 
