In a recent interview, actor Park Hee Soon opened up about his thoughts and feelings regarding his upcoming drama The Judge Returns. Adapted from a web novel, the series follows corrupt judge Lee Han Young (played by Ji Sung), who once lived under the control of a massive law firm but gets a second chance when he travels ten years back in time. With this reset, he begins a journey to punish deep-rooted evil and seek true justice.
Park Hee Soon takes on the role of Kang Shin Jin, the criminal presiding judge at the Seoul Central District Court. He is a man who manipulates others’ weaknesses to build power and aims to climb to the highest ranks of the judiciary. Yet the appearance of Lee Han Young gradually disrupts the well-calculated structure he has built, shifting the trajectory of everyone involved.
What drew Park Hee Soon to the project was the original story’s compelling sense of momentum—the protagonist’s ability to flip situations in the face of despair. “I loved the web novel,” he shared. “The way the main character turns everything around despite the odds fascinated me.” That raw, determined energy also influenced how he approached his own character.
Describing Kang Shin Jin, he said, “On the surface, he appears meticulous and cold, but he’s far more complicated inside.” Park Hee Soon aimed to make audiences believe in Kang Shin Jin’s unique sense of justice, even if it comes from a morally ambiguous place, and he worked diligently to embody the character’s conviction and internal conflicts.
He chose “confidence, cool-headedness, and drive” as the keywords that best describe Kang Shin Jin. “He believes everything he sets his mind to is right and pushes forward relentlessly,” he explained—hinting at the intense clashes that will unfold between him and Lee Han Young.
Park Hee Soon also praised his co-stars. “I decided to join the drama the moment I heard Ji Sung was cast,” he revealed. “His thorough preparation impressed me greatly.” Regarding Won Jin Ah, who plays Kim Jin Ah, he added, “We didn’t share many scenes, but her bold and confident presence left a strong impression.”
In closing, Park Hee Soon described The Judge Returns as “a reconstruction of events”—a story where the protagonist revisits the past, examines it anew, and rewrites fate. “It will be fascinating to see how past events shift into entirely different outcomes after his time travel,” he said. “Please look forward to this entertaining and compelling drama.”
The Judge Returns is set to premiere on January 2, 2026, at 9:40 p.m. KST.
