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A different and very nice k-drama
This unique story grabs the audience right from the first episode. It really has what it takes to be one of the best of 2024. While this year has been promising for K-dramas, many have disappointed us. But "The Judge from Hell" turned out to be an unexpected surprise.What I love most about this drama is how the male lead's character and development are tied to the female character. From the moment he enters a scene, all the women aren’t just watching him in awe with comments like, "Wow, he's so handsome!" He’s not just there to be eye candy. His role isn’t just a romantic subplot for the female lead to revolve around; it’s actually one of the foundations of the story. His journey is what drives Kang Bitna’s transformation.
This show doesn’t just promise a romantic story; it offers a sweet and satisfying love within a beautifully crafted crime narrative. The female lead isn’t just a judge; she’s like a devil. Her goal is to complete her duties and send criminals to hell, ultimately knowing she might end up there herself. However, Kang Bitna’s story and her love for Han Do-on help her become more human. If she stayed completely unchanged and untransformed, it would make the story pretty boring for us. The show has many positive aspects, starting with its impressive plot, which can be a challenge for fantasy dramas. The storyline is overall satisfying. The direction is quite good, giving us entertaining, thrilling, and emotional moments.
Park Shin Hye plays her role really well, and Kim Jae Young is a new face for me; I haven’t seen him before, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on him from now on.
The way criminals are punished for their crimes definitely got us all really excited, and it was quite satisfying.
However, I want to mention a couple of negative points about the show. First, I couldn’t really connect with the serial killer’s backstory; the reasons behind the killings weren’t very strong. Yes, we saw some of the victims’ stories, but the overall narrative felt a bit weak, with not many details.
Another issue is the music. Specifically, the “Gehenna” sound effect that plays after Kang Bitna kills the criminals really disrupted the atmosphere. I don’t think it was necessary at all.
This will contain a bit of a spoiler.
Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations for the ending. For me, whether it was a happy or sad conclusion didn’t really matter because the overall story already gave us a sense of closure. I wouldn’t have been disappointed if Kang Bitna completed her mission and returned to hell. For those who are about to watch, enjoy!
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Outstanding Thriller-Mystry Drama
Mind-blowing Drama ❤️❤️After I started this drama I couldn't stop to watching❤️
The savage character of heroin is so much fun to watch!! And also the hero is so cute that I almost fell for him❤️
And the other characters are also fun to watch!!
This drama shows how should punish people after bad work!! How they are rotten to hell!! And the tension (love) between male Leads it's so satisfying to watch!!
I really loving this drama ❤️
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Extremely satisfying . This is therapy!
This drama is like one of those incredibly memorable older kdramas...when the stories used to be refreshing and every episode had some new tale to tell. This is what I was missing 😭The little stories have my heart ❤️
The plot is engaging and the female character is incredibly gripping.
The FL is very direct, business minded and a complex mixture of good and evil like human beings. She is sadistic and I LOVE THAT. Its almost therapeutic to see her doing her job.
The ML, He is nice but for how long? His patience is repeatedly tested and you wonder how that will affect his thinking.
Together, they make a unique and interesting duo. Man, I totally want them to end up together happily but I don't know if that's possible.
I can't wait for upcoming episodes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Every episode is heart stopping!
Hands down Park Shin Hye acting is stellar but can i just say that Kim Jae Young, acting is at par as well.. that emotion in the last episodes ending was the best so far.. the emotions from both actors - omg.This show is giving me weekly heart burn.
Every episode i love. Cant wait for next week again.
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Blockbuster Start, Slightly Lackluster Finale (still one of 2024's Best)
Supernatural merging with modern world, short length drama, one case per episode tying up to a larger storyline - these are the reasons why I started this drama. Right from the start it had me completely hooked, and the first 10 episodes were so captivating that I came on MDL weekly to discuss various theories with others. These engaging discussions made it one of the standout dramas in 2024 for me, but unfortunately, the ending didn’t quite meet my great expectations. Here’s the breakdown:➥ BEST PARTS
✦ Story & Pace: I like crisp, engaging story telling - & this had different cases per episode while tying it to a larger story involving the main & recurring support casts. (Think: Tomorrow, Move To Heaven, Signal etc)
✦ Acting:
(1) Kang Bitna/Justicia: Park Shin Hye is usually in damsel-in-distress roles, but here she’s a savage + showing vulnerability as her character grows humane. Applauding her acting—more roles like this for her, please!
(2) Han Daon: First time seeing him, and I’m wondering why I’m only discovering this gem now! Handsome & acted with conviction. Hoping he gets the popularity he deserves (like Byeon Woo Seok overnight)—excited for his future projects!
(3) Mando, Arong, Landlady, Police Officers: Often seen in support roles, they delivered perfection even in limited screentime. Especially Kim In Kwon—been a fan since Mr Queen, what a talent.
➥ What Could Have Been Better:
The Finale Episodes 11-14:
The initial 10 episodes had set the bar so high, the scale so massive with its action, mystery that when it came to unfold in the last finale episodes - I was expecting epic battles, emotional rollercoasters, that doubt that will they have a happy ending or not? While it was good and fell into place - it felt underwhelming to the point that what was meant to be blockbuster turned out to be lackluster.
Example: Bael's forced punishments, Justicia vs Satan Battle, Gabriel's Sacrifice*, etc. felt a bit flat & rushed. Also, they did not completely reveal the fate of human Kang Bitna (did she escape Hell or no?)
➥ Overall:
The shortcomings are due to the fact that my expectations were sky-high. Otherwise this drama is great - I am definitely adding it to my Wall of Fame, and I think it is one of the best dramas of 2024. Highly Recommend to BINGE - it is a short one with mystery, action, comedy and romance - so worth the time.
P.S.: Those who know PSH would be familiar with her fish face kissing scenes. I think the ML brought on the wild side - cause that kiss in finale was ROARRRR! FIREEEE!!!!!
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Vengeance, Demons, and Humanity’s Darkness
A satisfying open-ended conclusion; I think this is Park Shin Hye’s best K-drama. This kind of role suits her much better than something like Doctor Slump. Excellent production overall, with a solid script, impressive special effects—congratulations to SBS for this great drama!The scenes of revenge and Kang Bit Na’s execution were really gratifying. The actors playing the villains nailed their roles as despicable characters. The entire cast was strong; there wasn’t a weak performance, even in the smaller roles, like the journalist or all the victims appearing throughout the drama.
Someone pointed this out, and I completely agree—it really shows that humans can be far more cruel and malevolent than the demons, who just want to feel love, sadness, and all the range of human emotions.
The atmosphere shifts dramatically after Kim So Yeong’s death and the hunt for both J and Satan. Kim Jae Young also played his role as Han Da On incredibly well. You can really sense a shift in his character when he’s ready to kill J and collaborate with Bit Na.
A solid 9/10—a perfect K-drama for Halloween!
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An Unexpected Favorite: Park Shin-hye’s Fierce Transformation
Just when I thought the last half of 2024 dramas would let me down, Judge From Hell enters the chat!Usually, dramas like this start strong but tend to drag toward the end. Surprisingly, though, this one just keeps getting better with each episode! The suspense builds, the stakes get higher, and it keeps you hooked right until the very end.
Never did I think a role played by Park Shin-hye would make it to my list of favorite female characters, but Kang Bitna has proven me wrong! She’s everything we need in a strong, compelling lead—resilient, intelligent, and fiercely driven. Park Shin-hye brings such depth to Bitna’s character, This role has truly redefined what I expect from female leads, and I’m here for every moment of it
About Kim Jae Young, I wasn’t familiar with his game.he’s got undeniable charm! He looks incredibly attractive, and that rugged hairstyle suits him so much better than the polished CEO look I’d seen him in before. Plus, he nailed his character—it’s a role that truly lets his talent shine.
The actors playing the side characters in Judge from Hell showcase stellar performances that elevate the entire show. Each actor brilliantly embodies their character’s quirks and eccentricities.
The cases in this drama are genuinely intriguing, each one leaving you hooked and eager for the next. And the background music? It just amps up the cool factor, adding intensity to every scene. Altogether, it makes for an unforgettable watch.
I think Judge from Hell is perfect as a one-season drama. The ending was both happy and open, but I felt it didn’t need another season because it showed that she loved being a judge more than being with him. So the ending was just right.
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Hidden gem!
I knew nothing about this drama going into it; I just clicked on it because Park Shin Hye was on the cover. I was pleasantly surprised!I was interested in the first one or two episodes, but they hadn't hooked me yet. Once I continued watching it, wow, I loved it! This drama is just so perfect! It's the perfect bit of romance, sci-fi, thriller, and comedy. I've only seen Park Shin Hye in a few things, but this role made me like her a lot more. She did a great job playing her character. Also important to note is that I thought this show was so funny! All the comedic timing was perfect, and it had me genuinely laughing. I loved the scenes between Man Do, A Rong, and Bit Na; their dynamic was funny to watch.
Such a good drama, worth watching for sure.
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Favourite of 2024!
The Judge From Hell not only lived up to my expectations but clearly surpassed it. I absolutely loved Park ShinHye as Kang Bitna. Even when they show her personality transformation, it is actually believable. Contrast that to the human Kang Bitna who died in episode 1 and how differently she was portrayed. You can see a real difference between the two personalities. That was just one of the beauties of this show.The other aspect I loved is the punishments dealt by Bitna. The concept was simple yet ingenious. The CGI are beautiful. And if you love strong female characters as much as I do, you will especially love this one. It would have been so easy to mess this up because of some of the twists in the series and especially with the ending. But the series maintained it's strength and doubled down on it's portrayal of Kang Bitna as the judge from hell. Strength doesn't always have to mean physical. It can also come from within and that's what we get in those moments.
Han DaOn was also a nice character. A bit too nice and emotional to be a cop yet you want to root for him even when he is opposed to Bitna. He certainly doesn't take the attention away from her. Bitna is the shining star and the show never loses its focus! Credit to the writers and directors on that.
There are quite a few secondary characters that are enjoyable and the true villain was not easy to guess as there were many inaccurate theories by fans. That also made it more enjoyable guessing what the true nature of people was.
The only other supernatural justice plot I can think of is the Thai drama Girl From Nowhere which is more gruesome and serious. In contrast, The Judge From Hell keeps a balance between the seriousness of the cases and the punishments being entertaining due to the way they are recreated. Besides that TJFH has lighter moments and comedy that makes it a fun watch versus GFN is heavy. I loved both shows and there are aspects that are comparable so I would definitely recommend both.
The OST Boomerang, Crossroad and Gehenna are worth listening to.
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The Judge from Hell!
You guys need to understand how incredible of a drama this is from the beginning till the very end! It's the drama of the year for me. Park Shin-Hye outdid herself in this role. I personally haven't seen her drama, but I have seen how much of a criticism she gets because of her acting! But this is amazing her as Kang Bitna was truly a gem to watch! Kim jaeyon where was he all this long? please this was SOOOO good. They wrapped the drama so well in the last episode and it is by far the best dark fantasy drama ever.let's talk about the writing now this is called a drama well-written. Genuinely, it was so perfect. I devoured the whole drama. The casting, storyline and everything was just perfect. I have never given a drama 10/10. This was it for me. Each and every actor even the side actors did so well. The subtle romance and the OST?! AMAZING!
I hope writers learn from this drama and create good storylines not to say they aren't good dramas, but this was done really well :)
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Dark Justice: Where Demons Meet the Law!
This series is one of the best I’ve watched in the second half of 2024. I didn’t expect to see Park Shin-hye in a role like this, so I was both surprised and delighted. Known mostly for her dramatic and romantic roles, it was exciting to see her in an action-focused series again—something she’s previously done in Doctors and Sisyphus: The Myth. The plot is unique too, instantly becoming one of my favorites.The story follows Kang Bitna, a judge possessed by a demon named Justitia. As punishment, Justitia is tasked with hunting down unrepentant sinners who have caused others’ deaths, ultimately sending them to Hell. Along the way, Bitna encounters Han Daon, a detective with a different view of justice, and their chemistry adds a great layer to the plot.
There’s a lot to appreciate in this series:
- It’s satisfying to watch Bitna’s creative methods of punishing sinners, making them feel their victims' pain before their end.
- While there isn’t much romance, the chemistry between Bitna and Daon is undeniable.
- The cast’s performances are excellent, with the actress playing Gremory standing out among the supporting roles.
- The effects are impressive and well-executed.
- The pacing keeps the story engaging, and the music adds an immersive, intense atmosphere.
On the downside, there are a few areas where I had higher expectations:
- I expected more from Justitia’s demon enemies. While Paimon had a strong fight scene, Satan—being second in command—didn’t put up much of a challenge, which felt anticlimactic given Justitia’s rank.
- The “Nightmare Curse” by Satan in episodes 13 and 14 left some confusion, making viewers question if Bitna was still trapped in a nightmare.
- Bael’s role felt underdeveloped. As the one giving orders, I was hoping for a more complex twist around his character.
Overall, this series is absolutely worth watching (and rewatching), especially for those mature enough to handle the darker themes and intense action scenes.
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Hell to Earth, Good and Evil - you choose! Should you skip? Watch Now? Watch Later?
Park Shin-hye's Devilish TransformationThe Judge From Hell offers a unique blend of fantasy, mystery, and thriller, setting itself apart from the usual Korean drama fare. The premise is intriguing: a demon, sentenced to a mortal punishment, takes on the role of a judge to mete out justice to ten sinners. This unconventional plot, coupled with Park Shin-hye's fierce portrayal of the devilish judge, makes for a compelling watch.
A Clash of Good and Evil
The drama effectively explores the eternal battle between good and evil, albeit in a somewhat clichéd manner. However, the seamless integration of heavenly and hellish elements, including the granting of wishes and the execution of punishments, adds a element to the narrative.
A Stellar Performance of FL, A Flawed ML character, Fun Supporting Cast
Park Shin-hye delivers a standout performance, breathing life into the character of the vengeful demon. Her transformation into a badass, vicious judge is both captivating and refreshing. Unfortunately, the male lead, while competent, lacks the depth and charisma to truly shine. The supporting cast, however, adds a much-needed dose of humor and intrigue, elevating the overall viewing experience.
A Missed Opportunity for a Powerful Showdown
One of the biggest disappointments lies in the underutilized character of Satan. Despite being a pivotal figure, the character's power and influence feel somewhat diminished. The anticipated climactic showdown between the demon judge and Satan falls flat, lacking the intensity and grandeur that such a confrontation deserves.
A Forced Romance
The inclusion of a romantic subplot, while not entirely detrimental, feels unnecessary and forced. The budding romance between the demon judge and the male lead distracts from the core narrative and hinders the development of more meaningful relationships, such as the camaraderie between the judge and her celestial assistant.
A Solid Soundtrack and a Convincing Villain
The drama's soundtrack, particularly "Crossroad," enhances the overall atmosphere. Additionally, the portrayal of the serial killer is both chilling and convincing, adding a layer of suspense to the plot.
In conclusion - A must-watch drama. The Judge From Hell is a bold experiment that, while not flawless, offers a unique and entertaining viewing experience. Park Shin-hye's exceptional performance and the intriguing premise make it a worthwhile watch, despite its shortcomings.
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