Ji Sung Unveils Corruption Scandal in 'Judge Lee Han Young', Sparking Intense Drama

Ji Sung ignites a storm of retribution by exposing a ledger detailing military service evasion by influential figures.

In the fifth episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'Judge Lee Han Young' (directed by Lee Jae-jin, Park Mi-yeon/written by Kim Kwang-min), aired on the 16th at 9:50 PM, Lee Han Young (played by Ji Sung) finds himself in a perilous reunion with a past enemy while safeguarding a corruption ledger. He strategically approaches the ultimate villain, Kang Shin Jin (played by Park Hee-soon), to become his confidant.

The episode unfolds with a tense standoff between Lee Han Young and Kang Shin Jin, focusing on the investigation into military service corruption that shakes the judiciary and political circles.

Lee Han Young discovers a corruption ledger at his mother's junk shop, authored by hospital director Lee Chang Hyo. The ledger contains detailed records of power players' children avoiding military service through false medical diagnoses. Confronted by an assailant targeting the ledger, Lee Han Young recalls this person as his killer in a past life and fiercely defends the ledger.

Later, Lee Han Young meets Song Na Yeon (played by Baek Jin Hee), entrusting her to expose the ledger if anything happens to him, showing his resolute determination. Kim Jin Han (played by Jung Hee Tae), Kang Shin Jin's right-hand man, attempts to bribe Lee Han Young with a position at the Seoul Central District Court in exchange for the ledger, but Lee Han Young flatly refuses.

Lee Han Young takes a bold step by handing the ledger to the reputedly honest Chief Judge Baek Yi Seok (played by Kim Tae Woo). Despite Baek Yi Seok's concerns about the potential fallout affecting the president at the end of his term, Lee Han Young chooses to confront the issue head-on, trusting Baek Yi Seok to protect him.

Ultimately, Lee Han Young holds a press conference, revealing the names of high-ranking officials in the ledger, triggering an investigation into figures like Supreme Court Justice Kim Jun Man and his son, party leaders, and economic advisors. Kim Jin Han, enraged by Lee Han Young's unexpected move, confronts him, but Lee Han Young remains composed, maneuvering to meet Kang Shin Jin.

When Lee Han Young finally meets Kang Shin Jin, he reveals his background as the son of an evictee, gaining Kang Shin Jin's empathy and trust. Lee Han Young pledges loyalty, and Kang Shin Jin tests him by ordering the downfall of Justice Minister nominee Woo Kyo Hoon. Lee Han Young accepts the mission without question, beginning his undercover operation as Kang Shin Jin's confidant.

Meanwhile, Kang Shin Jin orchestrates the staged suicide of Lee Chang Hyo, a key figure in the corruption scandal, to cover his tracks. Lee Han Young, aware of this, teams up with Park Chul Woo (played by Hwang Hee) to target Woo Kyo Hoon, recalling a past incident involving Woo Kyo Hoon's daughter in a drug case as he plans his next move.

Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr