The Judge from Hell (Korean: 지옥에서 온 판사) is a 2024 South Korean television series written by Jo Yi-soo, directed by Park Jin-pyo, and starring Park Shin-hye and Kim Jae-young. It aired on SBS TV from September 21, to November 2, 2024, every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions.
On June 1, 2026, the second season was announced.
Contents
Synopsis
Justitia, a merciless demon judge from Hell, is exiled to Earth after wrongly condemning the innocent Judge Kang Bit-na to eternal punishment. As part of her penance, Justitia is placed in Bit-na's body, now tasked with living as a judge in the human world for a year while fulfilling a far darker mission: to track down and condemn ten ruthless individuals responsible for the deaths of others, all without a trace of remorse.
With no interest in the lives around her, Justitia's only focus is to carry out her mission and send these souls to Hell, knowing failure means her own demise.
Soon, she encounters Han Da-on, a sharp-witted detective of Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Nobong Police Station, who's known for his meticulous approach to justice. Unaware of Bit-na's true identity, he begins to investigate the strange cases connected to her judgments, and his own painful past gradually coming to light.
Cast and characters
Main
Park Shin-hye as Kang Bit-na
A judge of the 18th Criminal Division at Seoul Central District Court who was murdered. Her body is later possessed by a demon named Justitia, who came from Hell to complete her mission of killing and sending 10 criminals (now 20) to hell in a span of one year.
Kim Jae-young as Han Da-on
A kindly detective of Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Nobong Police Station
Supporting
Kim In-kwon as Gu Man-do
Bit-na's assistant who is a working-level official at Seoul Central District Court. He is possessed by a demon who is Justitia's assistant in Hell.
Kim Ah-young as Lee A-rong
A shop worker. She is possessed by a demon who punishes demons who became humanized or have fallen in love with humans. She pretends to be Gremory to hide that she is actually Venato.
Ha Kyung-min as Moon Dong-joo
A demon named Seire, who is a clean up demon, he entered a body soldier who was killed in a rollover of a military transport vehicle 10 years ago, and after being discharged from the military. He runs a cleaning company called Byeongjang Cleaning with Jae-hyun in the human world.
Lee Joong-ok as Kim Jae-hyun
A demon named Dantalion, he entered a body soldier who was killed in a rollover of a military transport vehicle 10 years ago. He runs a cleaning company called Byeongjang Cleaning with Dong-joo in the human world.
Kim Jae-hwa as Jang Myeong-suk
Owner of Hwangcheon Villa where Bit-na lives and a devout believer who attends church every day without fail.
Park Ji-yun as Yoo Jung-im
A tenant at Hwangcheon Villa who works from 9pm to 9am at a 24-hour noodle restaurant and raises Min-jun alone.
Oh Han-kyul as Yoo Min-jun
Jung-im's son who is shy and gentle third-year middle school student.
Special appearances
Yang Kyung-won as Yang Seung-bin
Oh Na-ra as Justitia
A demon who enters the body of Bit-na.
Shin Sung-rok
A demon of the highest rank, equivalent to the second-in-command of hell.
Park Ho-san
A demon who escaped from Hell with Kylum but lost it while escaping on Earth and possessed the body of Jeong Jae-geol to stay hidden for 26 years.
Production
Development
Produced by SBS' content production subsidiary Studio S, The Judge from Hell was written by Jo Yi-soo and directed by Park Jin-pyo.
In May 2025, Studio S confirmed a second season for the series.
Casting
Park Shin-hye and Kim Jae-young were reportedly cast as the lead actors of the series in September and December 2023, respectively.
On December 29, 2023, Park and Kim were confirmed to appear in the series.
Filming
Principal photography began in early 2024.
Release
The Judge from Hell was confirmed to premiere on SBS TV on September 21, 2024, every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 (KST). The series is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions.
