Episode 1 of "The Judge Returns" commences with a desperate Lee Han-young, running through the rain-drenched streets, pursued by a masked assailant who punctures his neck with a blade, declaring this to be the end. As Han-young sags to the ground, we leap forward to the year 2035. The Seoul City Council has enacted its 18th ordinance, a 'urban homeless removal system' purportedly designed to enhance urban aesthetics and public safety by expelling homeless individuals from the streets. This has resulted in an upsurge of suicides, including a family of three that sent shockwaves through Seoul.
At the heart of this corruption lies S-Group, a firm that promises grand gestures and retribution for those who deserve it. In reality, they are as crooked as they come. The focal drama revolves around Gojin Chemical, where an industrial accident has sparked widespread protests. Lee Han-young, a prominent judge at the company, is deeply corrupted after witnessing his own father being beaten.
The industrial action against Gojin Chemical stems from Han Na-young and 24 employees who work at the Yeoju plant. They have been diagnosed with acute leukaemia and brain tumours, with nine already deceased—mostly young people—causing outrage across the community. Unfortunately, Gojin Chemical wields the power and influence to bring in 'experts' to twist the case in their favor. This is largely due to Go Jin-gyu, the head honcho of the law firm. He is well-connected, including with Han-young's own father-in-law who works for Gwangmin Law Firm. They will handle the defense, and the outcome will be a partial victory for the plaintiffs with a 'reasonable amount' paid out.
Han-young reluctantly decides to rescind his earlier decision and decides cruelly that no compensation should be paid to the victims. His decision is met with uproar in the courtroom as he faces the wrath of those within, all to his own indifference. Across town, a major raid is set to take place. The prosecution has been building this case for years and is now ready to strike. They arrive en masse to tackle corruption within S-Group. Kim Jin-ah and Kang Jae-jin are two of the more prominent prosecutors here, overseeing by Ma Kang-gil, the Chief Prosecutor, who warns Director Han about what's coming.
This involves the Prosecutor's Office obtaining a search and seizure warrant for the S Group chairman's office and the Future Strategy Office. When Director Han becomes aware of this, it's already too late. Jin-ah arrives at the offices 30 minutes earlier than scheduled, allowing them to search the premises before they can have a chance to destroy evidence.
That night, Han-young returns home to learn that Han Na-young has taken her own life after the court ruling. Her note states that she doesn't want to be a burden to her grandmother. He doesn't show it, but it clearly affects him deeply.
Han-young is married to Yu Se-hui, who happens to be the youngest daughter of Haenal Law Firm. The couple doesn't really get on and are simply together out of convenience. While Se-hui and her father live a lavish lifestyle and have extravagant belongings, Han-young's family had a rather modest upbringing. His father is in a nursing home, paid for by his wife, explaining why he can't leave her. He also has nothing in his name, so he's a lapdog and fall guy with nothing to call his own.
Han-young has grown distant from his mother too as a result of all this. To make matters worse, she knows about his corruption and after Na-young's death, she's torn up and guilt-stricken.
Meanwhile, we get a glimpse into another ruthless character in this series, the Chief Justice, Kang Shin-Jin. After Jin-ah's raid on S-Group, the CEO, Jang Tae-sik, brings him in to help swing the balance of power. Shin-jin wants the corrupt lapdog Han-young to oversee the case and side with S-Group. When Han-young finds out, he's forced to play ball with Jang Tae-Sik. Alongside Han-young's father, they decide to pin all of this on the CEO and head of S-Construction. This involves smuggling drugs into the prison so he commits suicide. With him dead, and the blame placed on him, it protects the company from wrongdoing.
As for Han-young's mother, she shows up to pay her respects to Na-young. She also takes the abuse meant for her son too. Unfortunately, she winds up passing out on her way back to the bus, having an asthma attack, right as Han-young is schmoozing and ignoring the call.
When Han-young eventually makes it to the hospital, he witnesses his mother pass away from cardiac arrest. While he's clearly grieving, he still has a job to do. Interestingly though, Jin-ah learns about Han-young's history and how he's got a 100% win rate, realizing he's corrupt. It's here she also learns he doesn't have much of a choice but to play ball, given the connection with his dad.
At the nursing home, Jin-ah confronts Han-young. She also brings up how the S-Construction death isn't suicide and promises to do what she can to get a proper and fair trial. After all, Jin-ah has evidence from Kim Yong-jin, the Accounting Director at S-Group, regarding the embezzlement and slush funds. She's been at this game for a long time, and like Han-young, is not doing everything by the book.
The next day is absolute anarchy at the courtroom, with Han-young hounded by reporters. Interestingly, the Presiding Judge, Kim Yun-hyeok, was actually appointed at the same time and seems to be on "decent" terms with Han-young. In reality, he's pissed that Han-young has better opportunities than him.
Han-young decides to submit his resignation after receiving this evidence from Jin-ah. When the Justice finds out, he questions what he's doing. Han-young's resignation is outright rejected and he's forced to continue in his role.
Shin-jin realizes Han-young could be a problem and works to make sure his father-in-law keeps him in his place as a lapdog. Han-young is clearly stuck and it becomes clear just how bad his life has become.
In the morning, the S-Group case takes place. Han-young is late to the courtroom and after hearing both statements, he sentences Tae-sik to 10 years in prison and to pay a fine of 24 billion won. Shin-jin watches from the back of the courtroom and is not happy, while Jin-ah is just sitting incredulously, listening to all of this play out.
In the aftermath of the case, Han-young's phone blows up as he works to try and put his life back together again. One righteous case at a time. However, we then cut to another scene where we see Lee Han-young charged with murdering an accomplice and arrested. He claims he's innocent and has been framed.
