Judge vs. Judge displays graceful composure amidst its emotional courtroom setting, but fails to seal a satisfying closure due to an illogical late-minute twist.
Appearing to be a tranquil and rationally executed drama that won’t let viewers down, Judge vs. Judge did for the most part until the crowning chapters kicked in. I got disappointed with how the ending neglected the poignant flow centered on the focal conflict of the narrative.
- Main Leads: Yeon Woo Jin, Park Eun Bin, Dong Ha
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Re-watch Value:
- Plus Factors: Detailed Character Portrayal, Serene Narrative Mood
- Oh No Moments: Lame Ending Twist
- Related Dramas: Punch | Stranger |
Judge vs Judge Plot Recap
Judge vs Judge chronicles two wrong misruling of former respected court judges which affect innocent lives and their children. The neat concentration of the story trajectory is adorned by a stunning picture of characters whose lives get intertwined by an unexpected law manipulation administered, whom the protagonists have least anticipated to betray them.
Judge Lee Jung Joo is known for being an emotional and prickly magistrate. Upon losing her mother due to sickness, she disowned her brother who was given a lifetime prison verdict for raping and murdering a young woman.
When a court ruling is overturned, she stumbles the truth about his brother’s innocence and sacrifice so they can get money for their mother’s surgery. But the villain is quick to instigate the death of Judge Lee’s brother, who died just when he is about to confess that he is innocent of the crime.
Judge Lee works with Judge Eui Hyun (Yeon Woo Jin), who stands by her side in uncovering the bitter truth about how his brother became a victim of power abuse. They work side by side with Prosecutor Do Han Joon (Dong Ha), who is the son of Judge Lee’s mentor, former Judge Yoo Myung Hee. She is the same judge who indicted her brother for his supposed crime.
It turns out that Prosecutor Do’s father is involved in Judge Lee’s brother’s case. As he is running for the presidency, he is determined to sweep the scandal under the rugs at all costs. With solid evidence, he faces the court, but a sudden turn of events, equally painful like her brother’s death, pushes Judge Lee to face an agonizing reality.
Judge vs. Judge Peak Points + Drawbacks
Serene Mood
The subtle bearing of the narrative was the reason why I enjoyed listening to the court judge’s ruling decisions on the cases covered in the story. I like the poise of the characters and the lack of thoughtless exaggeration even in the heavy scenes.
Even the projection of the budding romance for the love pairing is depicted in a relaxed way where they rationalize the pretext of their blooming attachment when they could just admit that it is just a normal attraction mutually shared by them. Judge vs Judge‘s biggest charm for me is its calm bearing even in the tear-inducing scenes.
Stellar Character Portrayals
The low-key confrontations and placid demeanor of the main leads make the viewers settle comfortably while turning the pages and rooting for justice to be fulfilled in the story. Even the sketching of the faint romance stays true to present realistically how overthinking juries would be dense to acknowledge subtle romance hints thrown at them.
The male leads did not surprise me in drawing dynamic portrayals in support of the heroine who was equally stunning in her dauntless attitude.
Over Ambitious Ending
I was already resigned to pop champagne with the judges for staying honorable and consistent in the reasonably relaxed movement of the narrative. I thought yay! goodness prevails! Let’s wrap up happily! But then the sudden unnecessary conflict erupted, leaving me lost in space.
The last-minute power-of-two villain was quite uncalled for. True that it was mentioned in the early proceedings of the chronicle, but that’s where an evidence tampering card could be of use. After the whole “let’s break Prosecutor Do”‘s heart moment, the drama did not attempt to appease the viewers.
It proceeded with a weak finale episode, depicting what happened two years after with faint romantic air. Achieving the best possible way for the characters to redeem the pain in their hearts would have sufficed the disappointing ending. And no, a dragging pep talk definitely did not serve the purpose.
Judge vs. Judge Series Musings
Judge vs. Judge pushed me into a love-hate relationship with its story. The superb cast and laid-back attitude are the strongest charms of the drama. It is ironic how the patient story’s progression lost balance at the last hour, leading the viewers to feel stoic after the conclusion.
This drama requires forbearance and maturity since you would feel like going to the courtroom each day, hearing pleas, and analyzing verdicts. There are some cutesies here and there, romance teasings from east and west, but the majority of the picture leans on the lead girl’s endurance to all the emotional setbacks thrown at her.
I stay tuned because the placement of the side problems consistently coincided with the thrilling bends of the story. But just when you anticipate the culminating point, the excitement was shut down disappointingly without any apology.
I could relate to how Lee Jung Joo (Park Eun Bin) struggled in processing the motivation of the belatedly revealed secret villain. I was also lost and dissatisfied with how the drama disregarded the acknowledged universal truth that the climax was supposed to incite thrills or make you heave a sigh of relief.
I was left staring blankly at the ceiling of my room, weighing down how I could break up with Judge vs. Judge without any hard feelings, to be honest.
If we can crop the rushed and misaligned ending, this courtroom drama is still worth your watch list – if you like the genre.
Photos/Video: SBS
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