The Devil Judge (2021)
A bold Korean dystopian thriller where a morally ambiguous judge turns the courtroom into a spectacle — and justice into a performance.
The Devil Judge - Series Information
- Original Title: 악마판사
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Moon Yoo-seok
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (75 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: July 3, 2021 (United States - TV-MA), July 3, 2021 (United Kingdom - 15), July 3, 2021 (France - 16), July 3, 2021 (India - U/A 16+), July 3, 2021 (New Zealand - 16), July 3, 2021 (Australia - MA15+), July 3, 2021 (Brazil - 16), July 3, 2021 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: tvN
- Alternative Titles: The Demon Judge (US), 恶魔法官 (CN), あくまはんじ (JP), Akmapansa (KR), عدالة الشيطان (AE), El juez del diablo (The Devil Judge) (ES), قاضي الشيطان (SY)
- Production Companies: Studio Dragon, Studio & New
- Production Countries: South Korea
The Devil Judge - Plot
The court system is corrupted and old-fashioned. People desire a new system that can satisfy the crowds. However, are the crowds always correct? The drama shows how judges discover the truth about people in court. It centers around a chief judge who doesn't believe in justice, but only makes judgements that the crowds will be satisfied with. An assistant judge starts to question his motives and tries to find the truth.
The Devil Judge - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dystopian courtroom drama unfold:
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The Devil Judge - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Moon Yoo-seok
Main Cast
- Ji Sung
- Kim Min-joung
- Jinyoung
- Park Gyu-young
- Jang Young-nam
- Kim Jae-kyung
- Ahn Nae-sang
- Chun Young-min
- Jeon Chae-eun
- Kwon Hae-sung
Writers
- Moon Yoo-seok
Executive Producers
- Jang Jung-do
The Devil Judge - FAQs
What kind of judge is Kang Yo-han in The Devil Judge?
Kang Yo-han, played by Ji Sung, is a charismatic but deeply cynical chief judge who runs his courtroom like a spectacle. He delivers verdicts designed to satisfy public outrage rather than uphold true justice, making him one of Korean drama's most compelling antiheroes.
Is The Devil Judge worth watching?
Absolutely worth your time. The Devil Judge blends dystopian political intrigue with a gripping cat-and-mouse dynamic between its leads. Ji Sung delivers a magnetic performance, and the show's sharp commentary on mob justice and institutional corruption keeps the tension high across all 16 episodes.
Where can you stream The Devil Judge?
The Devil Judge is available to stream on Rakuten Viki, which offers both subscription and ad-supported viewing. You can also catch it on The Roku Channel with ads. Availability may vary by region, so check your local options for the most current information.
Is The Devil Judge based on a true story?
The Devil Judge is an original work of fiction written by Moon Yoo-seok. While it draws on real-world anxieties about judicial corruption, populism, and dystopian governance, the characters and events are entirely invented. Its themes resonate with contemporary debates about justice and public accountability.
Who are the main actors in The Devil Judge?
The series stars Ji Sung as the enigmatic chief judge Kang Yo-han, Jinyoung as idealistic assistant judge Kim Ga-on, Park Gyu-young as detective Yoon Soo-hyun, and Kim Min-joung as the calculating antagonist Jung Sun-ah. Together they form one of Korean drama's most dynamic ensemble casts.
How was The Devil Judge received by critics and audiences?
The Devil Judge earned strong praise for Ji Sung's commanding performance and its bold dystopian premise. Audiences responded enthusiastically to its stylish direction and layered storytelling, while critics highlighted its timely commentary on populism and justice. It became one of tvN's standout dramas of 2021.
What themes does The Devil Judge explore?
At its core, The Devil Judge wrestles with whether crowds can be trusted to define justice. It explores corruption, revenge, dystopian power structures, and the fine line between antihero and villain. The show asks provocative questions about spectacle, accountability, and who truly benefits when justice becomes entertainment.
What are similar shows to The Devil Judge?
If The Devil Judge hooked you, try Again My Life (2022) for another Korean legal antihero story, or Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) for a different take on Korean courtroom drama. For Western alternatives, Goliath (2016) and Damages (2007) offer similarly sharp, morally complex legal thrillers.
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