Ji Sung's Bold Move in 'Judge Lee Han Young' Captivates Viewers with Record Ratings

Ji Sung takes a daring step to uproot corruption in the latest episode of MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'Judge Lee Han Young'.

In the 8th episode, aired on the 24th, Lee Han Young (played by Ji Sung) becomes an 'insider' to dismantle the corrupt system, targeting the Minister of Justice candidate Woo Kyo Hoon (played by Jeon Jin Ki) and joining the ranks of Kang Shin Jin's faction.

The episode achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 10.8% according to Nielsen Korea, securing its position as the top Friday-Saturday drama. The climax, where Lee Han Young visits Hae Nal Law Firm and declares, "This is our only chance to hunt down Baek Ho Baek I Seok of the judiciary," reached a peak rating of 13.9%, capturing viewers' attention. Additionally, the key demographic rating for ages 20-54 was 3.9%, making it the top program aired on Saturday, showcasing its competitive edge.

In the episode, Lee Han Young captures Choo Yong Jin (played by Lee Jang Won) and Chun Hak Soo (played by Dang Hyun Seok) after a fierce battle with Kwak Soon Won (played by Park Geon Il). He also sends a slush fund file, which Choo Yong Jin had given to Kang Jung Tae (played by Kim Jin Ho), to Park Chul Woo (played by Hwang Hee), trapping the villains. Kang Shin Jin grows suspicious as Kim Jin Han (played by Jung Hee Tae) suggests that things have been going awry since Lee Han Young's appearance.

As Woo Kyo Hoon's confirmation hearing begins, Park Chul Woo raids Kang Jung Tae's district office. Meanwhile, Kim Jin Ah, contemplating whether to expose Woo Kyo Hoon's daughter's drug scandal, trusts Lee Han Young's promise to capture Jang Tae Sik (played by Kim Beop Rae) and raids a club to arrest her. Kang Shin Jin plots to have Kwak Soon Won kill Kang Jung Tae and eliminate Park Chul Woo. Lee Han Young, despite Park Chul Woo being in danger, is forced to respond to Kang Shin Jin's call, while Park Chul Woo narrowly escapes death at Kang Jung Tae's office, keeping viewers on edge.

The National Assembly is thrown into chaos over Woo Kyo Hoon's daughter's drug scandal, and Woo Kyo Hoon is abandoned by Park Kwang To (played by Son Byung Ho). Watching the situation unfold with Lee Han Young, Kang Shin Jin is pleased but still harbors doubts. Kang Shin Jin questions Lee Han Young's intentions and mentions Park Chul Woo, unsettling him. In response, Lee Han Young requests help in capturing Supreme Court Justice Hwang Nam Yong (played by Kim Myung Soo), who had previously ruled against his father due to ties with the S Group.

Kang Shin Jin, moved by Lee Han Young's desire for revenge, shares his humble past and promises to offer Hwang Nam Yong as a scapegoat during the upcoming Supreme Court Chief Justice change. Meanwhile, Kim Jin Ah, now fully engaged in Lee Han Young's plan, demands evidence or witnesses to capture Jang Tae Sik. Lee Han Young hints that the true mastermind is yet to be revealed, warning Jin Ah, "You'll have to risk your life." The narrative of dismantling corruption accelerates, heightening anticipation for future developments.

Lee Han Young's unpredictable actions continue. Before Choo Yong Jin's trial, he informs Choo that the slush funds have reached the pockets of the powerful and explains that the murder of Kang Jung Tae was a cover-up. Declaring, "My trial begins now," Lee Han Young warns Choo that failing to admit the Namyeon-gu sinkhole incident was due to Taemyung Construction's faulty work could lead to another deadly threat from the powerful. Watching Choo receive a 10-year sentence and a 5 billion won fine from the gallery, Lee Han Young provides viewers with a sense of vicarious satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Kang Shin Jin immediately launches a public campaign to oust the current Supreme Court Chief Justice. He meets with Justice Hwang Nam Yong, expressing his intent to reorganize the judiciary and asking for his cooperation. Kang Shin Jin then fulfills his promise by handing over the employment records of Hwang Nam Yong's son's company to Lee Han Young, who was listening in the next room. The precarious alliance between Lee Han Young and Kang Shin Jin creates a tense atmosphere.

Towards the end of the episode, Lee Han Young confides in Baek I Seok (played by Kim Tae Woo) and Im Jung Sik (played by Kim Byung Chun) about his contact with Kang Shin Jin, leaving them disappointed. Unable to reveal the truth for fear of endangering them, Lee Han Young quickly leaves. He visits Hae Nal Law Firm, telling Yoo Sun Chul (played by Ahn Nae Sang), "This is our only chance to hunt down Baek Ho Baek I Seok of the judiciary," presenting an irresistible bait. As Lee Han Young's unpredictable moves confuse both allies and enemies, the drama promises to deliver dopamine-inducing twists in the upcoming episodes.

MBC's 'Judge Lee Han Young' Episode 9 will air on the 30th at 9:50 PM.

Reporter: Im Chae Ryeong, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr