Director Park Jin-pyo Discusses Season 2 Renewal Prospects for ‘The Judge from Hell’
Director Park Jin-pyo, known for his work on the SBS drama The Judge from Hell, recently shared insights regarding a potential second season during a written interview with OSEN on November 5, shortly after the show’s finale aired on November 2.
“I’m very happy and excited, but for now, I’m just thankful that I finished one episode safely and received so much love. I think it’ll take some time to think about and talk about Season 2,” he stated.
Premiering on September 21, The Judge from Hell features Park Shin-hye and Kim Jae-young, concluding with a total of 14 episodes. The drama wrapped up with remarkable ratings, peaking at 11.9% national viewership and an impressive 14.7% rating, thus securing the top spot in its timeslot and dominating the Saturday and weekly miniseries ratings.
Anticipation for Season 2 of The Judge from Hell
The finale depicted a compelling meeting between Bael and Bit-na two years later, where Bit-na received a tantalizing offer from Lucifer. If she condemned another ten sinners to Hell within her third year, she could live on Earth with her beloved Da-on. Yet, the finale left viewers in suspense regarding Bit-na’s ultimate choice: remain on Earth or embrace her role as Bael’s successor in Hell.
In a poignant moment, Bit-na addressed the audience directly, acknowledging her identity as “a judge from Hell” —a scene that heightened anticipation for a second season.
Looking to the future, Park recognized the enthusiastic calls from fans for a second season, commenting on the audience’s appreciation for the show’s distinctive storylines and rich characters. While he values this interest immensely, he indicated that planning for a new season would require time and thought as he currently reflects on the success of the first season.
A Grateful Nod to the Audience
Expressing heartfelt thanks for the support from viewers, Park emphasized that their love and engagement served as a significant booster for both the cast and crew, especially while they balanced live broadcasts with final post-production work.
Park revealed his initial skepticism regarding the show’s potential success, given its dark themes and the fantastical elements of hell and punishment for sinners, which he thought might challenge viewers. However, the positive reception fueled the cast and crew’s determination to carry the show to completion.
“In fact, I didn’t think about box office success at all, even in part. Because the main background and setting of ‘Judge’, the worldview of hell and the devil punishing sinners, and the fantasy, may be a bit unfamiliar to viewers, and on the other hand, I thought it needed some resistance,”he reflected.
In discussing the show’s intended message, Park highlighted a significant line from episode 13 spoken during Bit-na’s trial, which underscores the series’ goal of honoring victims and providing solace to their families. This poignant statement—”The law does not forgive the sins that the victims and their bereaved families do not forgive” —resonated deeply with the creators and encapsulated the emotional essence of the entire series.
As fans eagerly await further updates, the future of The Judge from Hell hangs in the balance, driven by both creative contemplation and audience fervor.
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