Demons and angels coming to Earth and living interesting lives is a trope most of us are fascinated by. The idea of different Hells and the trials therein have been mused over and depicted in the media time and again. The latest addition to the fantasy of all things afterlife and hell is Park Shin Hye and Kim Jae Young’s drama The Judge from Hell. This drama premiered on September 21 on SBS in South Korea and Disney+ Hotstar in India. In the thrilling new legal drama, Park takes center stage as Kang Bit Na, a judge whose life takes a supernatural turn after being fatally attacked in a snowy park.
Park Shin Hye is Kang Bit Na, a judge whose body is possessed by a demon judge named Justicia. She was killed in the park and her soul was sent to Hell. The demon judge Justicia of Murder Hell, who ruled for her soul, is punished for her false ruling without verifying her history. She is tasked with punishing ten souls who have committed murders. She has one year to complete the task otherwise she will die too. She and her assistant Valak are sent to Earth. On Earth, Valak is Bit Na’s assistant too. Transported to a sinister underworld court presided over by the demon Justicia, Bit-na is mistakenly condemned for her impertinence, and forced to hunt down ten unrepentant murderers within a year to earn her way back to hell. With her devilish charm and quick wit, Bit-na navigates the complexities of human law while juggling her dark mission.
Kim Jae Young is Detective Han Da On, a hardworking and diligent detective ready to go above and beyond to protect the citizens. Da On and Bit Na have an interesting run-in in the first episode. He appears as a defendant and she was the judge for his case. Da On was amused by Bit Na’s eccentric outlook towards people and law, despite being a judge. People around Bit Na think that she is suffering from PTSD following the attack on her which is leading her to behave and dress in an outlandish manner.
In the first two episodes, we are made aware that most of the events in the drama will unfold within one year atleast. There will be some flashbacks to acquaint us with the characters’ past. Each episode is just about an hour each, consistent with other dramas of its genre. The Latin/ancient Italian/Greek incorporation of biblical references to Hell is a fascinating addition. Demons and Hell lords dealing with human matters and mingling with humans always brings congenial pleasure. The splash of vibrant colour comes when Bit Na is on screen, other than that the drama resorts to a dark yet vivid colour palette throughout.
The real Kang Bit Na was stabbed for unknown reasons. She was sent to Murder Hell despite not committing any. What remains to be seen is if Bit Na and Da On share some connection. So far, we only know that Da On has a secret of his own. In episode two, he made a drunken confession to Bit Na that he had killed three people when he was young. Bit Na, the demon who wants to complete the quota of ten souls, takes this as an opportunity. She stabs Da On with her dagger as the episode concludes.
The camaraderie between Bit Na and Da On is amusing to see. Park Shin Hye delivers a powerhouse performance as Kang Bit Na, effortlessly blending charisma and comedic timing with her character's dark, supernatural mission. Her portrayal captivates viewers as she navigates the chaos of the courtroom with a devil-may-care attitude, making Bit-na both formidable and relatable. Meanwhile, Kim Jae Young shines as Han Da On, a principled police detective caught in Bit-na's whirlwind. His earnestness and moral complexity provide a compelling contrast to Bit-na’s mischievous antics, adding depth to their dynamic. Together, they create an engaging on-screen chemistry that elevates the series, making their interactions both humorous and poignant as they grapple with justice and morality in an extraordinary setting. But the question remains did he kill those people? How did he become a detective despite that? If he did commit those murders, why did he do it?
The Judge from Hell is a thrilling supernatural crime thriller series. There is a layered perspective to the story that makes it an engaging watch. Demon judge Bit Na’s perspective on justice and morally right approach is different and makes quite a bit of sense if you look closely enough. In conclusion, "The Judge from Hell" is a thrilling and entertaining legal thriller that offers a unique and refreshing take on the genre.
Da On’s past holds a great mystery. He says that he does not have a family, but what is that? The supporting cast serves their purpose well and provides good comic relief whenever they are on screen. The drama holds a lot of promise in terms of a refreshing storyline when it comes to the legal thriller genre of dramas. With its intriguing premise and well-developed characters, The Judge from Hell is a must-watch for fans of Korean dramas.
What do you think of The Judge from Hell? Tell us in the comments below!
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