Actor Kim Tae Woo decorated the finale of The Judge Returns with a breathtaking twist.
Kim Tae Woo appeared as Baek I-seok, chief justice of the Seoul Central District Court, in the MBC Friday-Saturday drama The Judge Returns (planning Chang Jae-hoon/ screenplay Kim Kwang-min/ directed by Lee Jae-jin, Park Mi-yeon/ produced by OH Story, Slingshot Studio), which concluded on the 14th.
In the final episode, Baek I-seok acted as a reliable ally, secretly meeting with Lee Han-young (Jisung), who was on the run after being framed for murder, offering advice and support. Baek I-seok gave strong backing by saying, "Come back and take the Gang Shin-jin trial," in response to Lee Han-young's unwavering resolve to catch the villain Gang Shin-jin (Park Hee-soon). He showed the true character of a senior by placing boundless trust in a junior who risked danger to pursue justice.
However, Baek I-seok surprised viewers with a chilling twist that overturned the entire drama. Baek I-seok appeared in Suojae, which was thought to have disbanded after Gang Shin-jin's downfall. The gentle face he showed in front of Lee Han-young disappeared, and positioned among high-ranking figures, Baek I-seok hinted at being the actual power in Suojae with a cold smile, delivering both shock and questions.
Through The Judge Returns, Kim Tae Woo captured viewers' hearts as the "white tiger of the judiciary," unleashing fierce rebukes against undue pressure and offering a warm hand to juniors who walk the straight path. From an impeccable suit fit to incisive insight flashing behind his glasses, he perfectly embodied the image of a righteous judge.
Even on the verge of the pinnacle of power, Baek I-seok's final twist, who once proclaimed law and conscience, reminded viewers why Kim Tae Woo is a trusted actor. He held viewers' attention to the end, leaving a mysterious question of whether he was a new villain threatening Jisung or had infiltrated Suojae to bring it down.
Meanwhile, Kim Tae Woo is delivering a chilling performance as shaman Park Do-chul, who targets gumiho Eun-ho (Kim Hyeyoon), in SBS's No Tail to Tell, which airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.
[OSEN]