Oh Se Young Reflects on “The Judge Returns” Finale and Surprise Ratings Surge

Actress Oh Se Young shared her heartfelt thoughts following the successful conclusion of the MBC Friday–Saturday drama “The Judge Returns.” The series aired its final episode on February 14, ending on a high note with strong viewership ratings and positive audience response.

Based on a web novel of the same name, The Judge Returns tells the story of Lee Han Young, a once-corrupt judge who mysteriously travels ten years back in time and is given a second chance to choose justice over personal gain. Actor Ji Sung led the series in the titular role, blending fantasy, legal drama, and revenge themes into one compelling narrative.

In the drama, Oh Se Young portrayed Yoo Se Hee, the youngest daughter of a powerful law firm family who relies more on authority than emotion to establish order. Reflecting on the project’s ending, she expressed gratitude to viewers, stating that the cast and crew worked incredibly hard and were thankful for the love and attention the show received. She added that watching the completed broadcast filled her with pride and happiness.

The Judge Returns stood out by achieving double-digit ratings, a notable accomplishment for MBC’s weekend time slot in recent years. When asked if she anticipated such success, Oh Se Young explained that although the script was engaging and the cast was filled with respected senior actors, television ratings are often unpredictable — making the sudden spike both surprising and exciting.

The drama initially aired during the latter run of SBS’s highly popular series “Taxi Driver 3,” which posed strong competition. However, once Taxi Driver 3 concluded, The Judge Returns saw its ratings nearly double as positive word-of-mouth spread among viewers. Oh Se Young noted that while competing against such a powerful franchise was challenging, the later surge in popularity was both shocking and rewarding for the team.

Discussing the show’s appeal, Oh Se Young observed that legal dramas often attract audiences through satisfying revenge arcs and the dramatization of real-world social issues. She also highlighted that The Judge Returns combined multiple genres — including courtroom suspense, family elements, romance, and melodrama — giving viewers a diverse emotional experience within a single series.

Her character Yoo Se Hee was already beloved in the original novel, prompting Oh Se Young to carefully reinterpret the role for television. She revealed that she paid close attention to styling and personality details to capture the character’s distinctive charm while staying faithful to the source material.

Although Yoo Se Hee’s words and actions could sometimes appear self-centered, Oh Se Young aimed to portray her as a character viewers could not easily dislike. She explained that beneath the confident exterior lay emotional vulnerabilities, especially visible in scenes opposite Lee Han Young, which added warmth and relatability to the character.

With its genre-blending storytelling and rising popularity, The Judge Returns concluded its run on a strong note, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and cast alike.