The Judge Returns writer Kim Kwang-min praised the chemistry among the actors, including Jisung, in relation to the work's popularity.
MBC's Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns ends its run after episode 14 (finale), broadcast today (14th). The corrupt judge Lee Han-young (played by Jisung), who lived as a slave of a giant law firm and returned to 10 years earlier, punishes great evils through a new choice in this justice-serving time-return drama The Judge Returns, which was adapted from a web novel of the same name into a drama and was loved as a refreshing, justice-serving "cider"-like drama. Thanks to that, it even became a hit, recording a personal highest rating of 13.5% in episode 9 (Nielsen Korea nationwide household ratings). Writer Kim Kwang-min, who wrote the work, and OSEN talked about the drama in writing.
Regarding the work's great popularity, Kim Kwang-min said cheerfully, "Finally, the nerve-wracking time of checking ratings every morning is over." He said, "Through the character Lee Han-young, I wanted to give a small comfort and a refreshing feeling to those tired of a frustrating reality, and I hope that feeling was conveyed well," and emphasized, "I sincerely thank the viewers who gave us excessive love."
There must have been many concerns in the process of turning a popular original into a drama. Kim Kwang-min emphasized, "The top priority was not to damage the original's greatest virtues, the sense of speed and the 'cider.'" However, he said, "To fit the novel's vast narrative into 14 episodes required choices and concentration. In particular, I wanted to emphasize that Lee Han-young's 'return' was not a simple opportunity but stemmed from a 'sense of debt' and 'responsibility' toward the people he failed to protect in his previous life, to add more emotional depth," and added forcefully, "After the return, we focused on the weight of choices, and for me as well, choices were as important as they were for Lee Han-young."
In this process, the actors' chemistry was also important. From leading role Lee Han-young played by Jisung to villain Kang Shin-jin played by Park Hee-soon, prosecutor Kim Jin-a played by Won Jin-a, and Lee Han-young's unconditional aide Seok Jeong-ho played by Tae Won Seok. Each brought different charms and fully brought their characters to life, gaining praise. How did Kim Kwang-min view them?
Writer Kim said, "It couldn't have been better," expressing boundless satisfaction with the casting. In particular he praised, "When actor Jisung firmly held and led the center of the story, actor Park Hee-soon added tension with his characteristically heavy presence. With actors Won Jin-a and Tae Won Seok breathing life and energy into it, it was truly seamless coordination," and added, "Above all, I heard the actors were very close on set, and that chemistry seems to have played a part," attributing the work's success to them.
(Continued from interview ②)<
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
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