The Judge from Hell (2024)

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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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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It's great thriller drama

Okay so it was a great drama in 2024 so far .....I love fl a lot how she acts in it like so dam good her acting was so good that I actually think that if there would be a demon in this world then she would be like Kang bitna only.

Okay If I am talking about the main lead he is dam hot and he also acted so well in this drama that I have become a fan of him I would love to see him in more dramas like this. And one more his visual is no joke at all...he looks to fine in this drama. I won't give the spoilers to the viewers....I will say one thing that go for it guys without thinking..... it's totally worth watching.

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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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Judge from Hell was a ton of fun and it far surpassed my low expectations for it. Park Shin-hye was iconic as Kang Bit-na. She was hilarious and also did a great job with the many action scenes. She really showed her range.

The revenge sequences as she sends murderers to hell were great and watching her strut away from the crime scenes was so memorable. The back and forth between her and Han Da-on was always fun to watch and they had great chemistry. While the romance felt a little underdeveloped, I still really liked them together.

The show could’ve benefitted from a few more episodes, if only because it would’ve allowed time for expansion of plot lines that felt forgotten. I really thought we were going to see more of actual Kang Bit-na in hell and that felt like a bit of a loose thread. Some of the characters also felt wasted, like Bael who could’ve been a lot more interesting but just fell a little flat. The plot also felt unnecessarily complicated towards the end, with so many different villains, some of whom were wearing other faces. I would’ve preferred to have a little more of the revenge and a little less of the convoluted plot at the end.

I think that Park Shin-hye really put on such a fun show that regardless of any plot issues I might have had, I really had a great time watching. She was effortlessly funny and over the top, but in a way that made sense for the story and character. I think she’d be so much fun to see as a true villain in another project because the energy she had in the revenge scenes could work so well in a project like that!

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Hell to Earth, Good and Evil - you choose! Should you skip? Watch Now? Watch Later?

Park Shin-hye's Devilish Transformation
The 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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PSH, I apologize for not being familiar with your game

I'm loathe to ever say that any one actor "carried" a drama, because I believe that everyone contributes to the general success (or otherwise) of a show, but I must confess that Park Shin Hye's portrayal of Justitia/Bitna is the main reason why I finished this drama.

Justitia is irreverent and brash and sassy, and I thought PSH did really well in bringing the character to life and making her so fun to watch. This is my first time watching this actress and I know she gets a lot of flak for her acting, but I was impressed here.

Somehow though, I think the writers had too much fun make Bitna as crazy as possible and playing up those judgment scenes because the rest of the drama is absolutely chaotic.

First of all, the worldbuilding and lore are just laughable, to be honest. If you're going to adapt real-world religions and mythologies and change up stuff, at least put some care into it and have some internal logic. What do you mean Gabriel came all the way to rescue Justitia from Hell (her original home BTW) because she's suddenly a good person, when said angel didn't rescue Daon (was brought back by Bael) or the human Kang Bitna, who we never hear about again? Justitia is a DEMON and moreover the personification of justice. She shouldn't have to abide by human rules of good or bad. Also, Satan rebelling against Lucifer...? There were no other demonic names to use? And if Justitia was saved for being "good", which happened because she was becoming more human, why were other demons who were becoming human then being punished for doing the same? Mando can become a Christian, then later become Buddhist? To me, the writers were just doing whatever here, but I am open to any explanations.

Then when it comes to the plot, there were so many head-scratchers. Here are a few:

- Arong stopped chasing demons to become a full-time fan girl? Moreover, she was surrounded by demons who were practically human: Mando, the clean-up crew, etc, and she did nothing.

- What was the point in Bael asking Justitia to free J and send him directly to Hell? What would it have mattered to Bael in any case which murderers Justitia allowed to be punished by the law versus punished in her usual way? Also Justitia is apparently Bael's chosen successor but he sent an assassin after her?

- What was the point of the redevelopment plot if it played such an important role in finding the Kylum? All they did was mention it a few times until J revealed that it was where the Kylum landed.

- Speaking of the Kylum and Satan, both ended up being dispatched so easily, I can't believe they were set up as some kind of Big Bad and J the HUMAN serial killer ended up being so much more threatening (at least according to the drama's logic).

- I'm still wondering why any of the criminals' cases had to even make it to court before Justitia dealt with them in her own court? Once she knew who they were, she could have gone after them before their cases made it to trial and it wouldn't have mattered. Or she could have properly sentenced them then either have them broken out of jail or get them before they get to the prison like she did for the DID faker.

Also, you will never see shoddier police work and legal justice work in Kdramaland than in this drama. Honestly if you're hoping for some proper legal/cop drama action, think again.

I was also not a fan of the romance; I completely skipped their dating montage. I think the drama could have worked without it; I much preferred the flirty-hostile banter they had in the first few episodes. I really couldn't see what they liked about each other; all the FL did was look into the ML's eyes and her heart started beating. I'm not even sure at what point the ML fell in love. Not good enough. I think a slow, subtle attraction that came from them teaming up with each other would have worked better, and maybe they get together at the end or the drama leaves it open-ended.

As for what I did like about the drama, I liked Justitia's character development in realizing that justice could be achieved in other ways. I think the drama did an okay job exploring what true justice means using the FL and ML as foils, but IMO they could have done more. Also, the side characters were really good, especially the victims' families. They brought me to tears quite a few times.

KJY did good as Daon, but his character was downgraded to a puppy as the show went on. He's supposed to be the straight man to Justitia's insanity, but he was kind of overshadowed by her dominant personality. I don't think he was utilized as well as he could have been, but then again it's not really his show.

Criticisms with the story aside, the show really was an entertaining ride thanks to Justitia, even though it kind of petered out in the last few episodes. At least I'll keep hearing the word "Gehennaaaa" ringing in my brain for the next few weeks.

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A baddie who will put you in your place

Unfortunately, I thought I already reviewed this only to be cleaning my watch list and find out I did not. That being said, I'm lacking some details as I finished it over two months ago, but I do remember the plot being good, and thoroughly captivating. There is a little bit of romance, but this is definitely crime/fantasy-centered, and I love that the main character is an angry, judging woman, it just emanates such boss energy. While I appreciated Bitna's growth throughout the show, it was nice to see a female character that wasn't easily deceived, dumb, or constantly blinded by her feelings.

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Provavelmente o melhor de 2024!

História emocionante, atores excelentes (tanto os principais quanto aqueles que possuem menos destaque), e para mim o melhor, a protagonista que é perfeita e uma das melhores que já vi, forte, determinada e não abaixa a cabeça pra ninguém. Gostaria de parabenizar a Park Shin Hye que deu um show de atuação e entregou o seu máximo, curti demais! Kim Jae Young também entregou demais, finalmente um papel de protagonista pra ele, arrasou muito!

Enredo que te prende desde o início, com diferentes histórias em cada episódio que te deixa maluco por mais kkkkkk. Esse kdrama não teve pontos baixos, parecia que a cada episódio ficava ainda melhor.

O casal principal tem muita química, muitas pessoas não queriam que tivesse romance, mas pessoalmente achei que o romance foi na medida certa, não teve um desenvolvimento corrido, mas também não ficou tanto a ponto de atrapalhar outros núcleos da história. Inclusive achei tudo bem fechado, os acontecimentos rapidamente eram explicados, de forma que você não achasse que nada ficou incompleto.

Achei o final muito bom, mas fiquei com uma grande vontade de uma segunda temporada, acho que encaixa direitinho aí, vamos ver o que vai rolar ao longo do ano Kkkkkk.

Conclusão: Recomendo à todos a assistirem esse drama, muito bom e viciante, com certeza assistirei muitas e muitas outras vezes.

Lire davantage

Sensacional

Esse drama prendeu minha atenção do inicio ao fim. o roteiro, os atores, a musica, tudo aqui simplesmente foi ótimo.
A protagonista feminina arrazou na interpretação da personagem, ela era demais, minha protagonista preferida agora.

Adoro o fato da protagonista feminina ser forte, malvada em alguns momentos mas super carismatica e focada na sua missão. pensei que depois que ela se apaixonasse ela perderia o brilho e o foco, ficasse fraca mas nada disso aconteceu e ela ainda continuou ainda mais focada em desepemnhar sua missão para levar justiça aos que clamavam. Gostei também do fato dela ser quem briga , quem defende, quem protege, quem luta muito bem, pois geralmente esses papéis são sempre dos homens.

Gostei demais das atuações o elenco todo deu um show na tela. Encontrei tudo que gosto em drama nesta serie , ação, humor na dose certa, protagonista feminina forte, uma pitada de romance e uma pouquinho de violência, isso é muito dificil de encontrar.
Recomendo grandemente que você assista este drama.

Obs: Adorei o figurino da prtagonista sensacional.

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Divertido, caótico, triste e sangrento, um drama do jeito que eu gosto!
Finalmente entregaram uma personagem incrível pra Park Shin Hye interpretar, estava ansiosa pra ver ela com uma personalidade diferente das que ela normalmente faz!
Não conhecia o ator protagonista, amei, achei muito charmoso, combinou com a Shin Hye, fizeram um ótimo casal! O menino sofreu igual condenado, perdeu a família, depois a segunda mãe e ainda quase a namorada.
Achei a parte dos vilões muito bom, o deputado idoso ser o Satan foi o auge!
Esse drama tinha tudo encaminhado pra um final infeliz, não conseguia ver um jeito deles ficarem juntos, afinal ela é um demônio que precisava voltar pro inferno após sua missão/castigo, mas conseguiram dar um final feliz, queria mais cenas de romance no final, ficou meio aberto, mas o suficiente pra agradar!
Mas pobre coitada foi a verdadeira Kang Bit Na que morreu injustamente e ainda teve seu corpo usado por outra pessoa (Justicinia) kkkkk

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