MBC’s new drama “The Judge Returns” made its debut on January 2, delivering a solid start amid tough competition in the same time slot.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of the Ji Sung-led drama recorded an average nationwide rating of 4.3 percent. While the series faced strong rivalry from SBS’s highly popular “Taxi Driver 3,” its premiere performance was still considered a promising opening.

Meanwhile, “Taxi Driver 3” once again demonstrated its overwhelming popularity, topping all programs that aired on Friday. The drama secured an impressive average nationwide rating of 12.8 percent, maintaining its position as the undisputed No. 1 in its time slot.
JTBC’s “Love Me” also aired Episodes 5 and 6 on the same day, marking the conclusion of the first half of its broadcast run. The episodes achieved average nationwide ratings of 1.8 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively, bringing the initial chapter of the series to a close.