[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

I came, I saw...

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.

.

I left. Almost.

 

I honestly don't know what to say about this episode aside of the simple: don't like it. 

Well, maybe the moment when Kang Yo-Han tricked the Minister. It was fun. And when he tried to take lessons in parenting. That's good. Poor 'Secretary/Butler's, it only tried to help, also deliveries company in this drama should be awarded. Good express don't even cover it... Light speed maybe?

So, Jung Sun-A killed her mother? Who was the one that tried to move one her and she took evidence? The foundation fake president? 

Oh Jin-Joo questioning Kang Yo-Han's motives... Hm, they say that if you meet your idol you're be most likely disappointed. But she's clever and I curious what she'll do now. 

Aside of those parts, I'm not impressed, shocked or moved... Just exasperated. 

The hard life lesson hasn't much impact, it's simply overdue for a judge to understand the position he's in in dystopian-like reality... 

What is interesting is the emphasis the show puts on women's strength, right, situation. It's something I didn't see a lot in K-drama (but maybe I didn't watch that much in the first place). Not sure the message is... a good one, but focusing on the issues is a nice change (still that lecture was a bit... wow, something). 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

8 hours ago, KY L said:

Usually by episode 4 or 5, we'd already have a good the sense of all the characters, or at least a strong desire to want to know them.

If we're optimistic, there might lie the trick. It's either a bad writing, or the diverse play.

We focus on the bad things, inconsistency, and general... recklessness that gets annoying fast, and ignore the impact it has on the other characters, the way their actually started circling around Kim Ga-On, even the Isaac's cross get into consideration, when before it was just a sentimental souvenir.

The attention wanders from Kang Yo-Han, it slowly, but methodically directs towards Kim Ga-On, I don't know if you noticed it? There is a lot more actions pointing at him, than at Kang Yo-Han, and even Kang Yo-Han looked at him in the court. Does anyone has the same feeling, or I seeing things?

8 hours ago, KY L said:

Maybe he had plastic surgery to make himself look exactly Isaac for a darker reason underneath.

He looked like Isaac more than 10 years ago (in high school), so the surgery might not be an option. Or his a Doppelgänger of a Doppelgänger who has a surgery to resemble an only (true) heir. 

8 hours ago, KY L said:

Though, there's no way that Yohan didn't do a thorough background check on the two judges who would work with him.

He just one man with a single (but capable) minion. There's just as much he can do to get to the dark secrets. He's not the kind of guy to have a big net of contacts or the connections, or at least he doesn't seem so. If someone looks closer, he's a bit... behind in that part of the rich men's game.

8 hours ago, KY L said:

Yohan lives to study and manipulate people, so it would be a total surprise if Gaon flips the script on him.

It probably happen, the question: how is still open. 

6 hours ago, lila21 said:

So yeah, Jin Joo has a more practical goal for herself other than becoming the "Ophelia" to an emotionally and mentally disturbed Yo Han. 

We do not know much about her at this point. Yes, bits here and there, but nothing about her past, her relationships, her family (she from country, if I'm remember correctly) and has an ambition. It's all. She might be a wench, whose stepping on people on her way, she may do something in her past that needs to be hidden, or the way she's might be an act. So, would be so sure about her role in the game just yet.

Also, shipping is a wishful thinking, a bit of fun, so don't take it too seriously. 

6 hours ago, lila21 said:

However, Gaon's actions are not stabilizing but rather provoking and seemingly, not well thought.

If you want your enemy/opponent to underestimate you, you're going to be an idiot. A bit capable, but otherwise... more annoying and reckless than one would expect. You want an enemy to lower their guards, and then strike with the heavy blow.

(It might be Kim Ga-On, or might be a writer, who doesn't want for viewers to pay attention to his actions, just see the inconsistency, and turn eyes from the other things). 

He is literally not helping in the court at all (could help to split the team), live in Kang Yo-Han house, which means that he is... distracting us with that thing his doing, he uses Elijah in the last episode, he is... easy to get under someone's skin, those things are getting piled up. 

6 hours ago, lila21 said:

If all of these seemingly guileless actions were by design by Gaon then he is even more mentally unhinged and dangerous than Yohan or even Sun Ah.

Who can say in the absolute certainty that he isn't? We don't know much about him yet, which gives a lot of room to flip things upside down.

 

6 hours ago, lila21 said:

If Gaon's naivety and foolishness is a facade, then he could be the main antagonist of the drama.

Yep. It makes a lot of sense, if looking at it from different angle. That's what's disturbing. Though, I don't think he's the main bad guy in that scenerio...

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

7 minutes ago, ferily said:

We don't talk about Mouse

 

 

It was so bad or something? YouTube tried to convince me it's interesting to watch, but that emoji... Maybe better stay on unawareness side...

 

10 minutes ago, ferily said:

it'll invoke past memories and allow us to see more into Yo Han

Can't wait for that part to be revealed. It'd gives us some perspective and, probably explain, how Kim Ga-On fits into the whole picture of the fire and Kang Yo-Han's plan. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

53 minutes ago, Sleepy Owl said:

Also, I think there is still someone behind Sun ah here. Because a house maid, suddenly getting this much powerful to control an old dude and be the main head of the foundation means she has got a solid backing. She surely has got something big in her hands that is making the old dude her dog literally. This is where I think Ga On's mentor comes into play.

She doesn't have the means to be a sole mastermind. Her background (and be realistic, her gender in the show that time and again emphatize men's domination) isn't allowing her to play a big shot without either a blackmail material (but it can be obtained, if she hasn't anyone on her side, what's it to a nameless person to just dissapeard?) and/or someone whose her benefactor (or the boss). 

I'm still curious about Isaac's wife and her background - was it said in the show if she was from rich or poor family? (it's related to the person at charge, which maybe connected, but it's a side note, not important here). 

53 minutes ago, Sleepy Owl said:

I think Yo Han does know she plays an important part here and was the mastermind behind both attacks on him, but as I said it would be useless if he would show her picture. 

I think he doesn't know or suspect her of being more important. Kang Yo-Han is still a man who has money and looks at those with less as lesser. She's a maid for him, and unimportant fly, whose obssessed, but she already had been in the past, so nothing much changed. He's may not connect her to the bigger picture - because, again, she's petty and annoying. 

53 minutes ago, Sleepy Owl said:

Like Ga On forgetting about that incident would be too weak for a plot. At the same time, he does look genuine in wanting to know more about the fire incident even when he is alone.

It'd made the whole inccident more intense and emotional, to cause a young, graving person to forget about his wrong doings, that'd also hightlight the guilt in him. Trauma is a powerfull thing, and subconsciously it may push him more to find out the truth and blame someone else, because he has strong feelings towards said person. I don't find that weak (it was used in some dramas, but can't recall titles, I'm generally bad with titles), if incorporated skillfully into the plot. But, well, we'll see. 

53 minutes ago, Sleepy Owl said:

During the first episode when Yo Han was getting ready for the first live court trial and looking at his robe, he remembers a fire starting from a fire place, somewhere which looked like a drawing room or a study with chairs and table around.

Hm, it could be symbolic (the burning of the old court started, like his revenge have started and now the ghost of his brother would finally rest?). Or he mixed things up - his childhood memories with the later memories of the fire? That's my guesses. Wouldn't think too much into this, but maybe it's important somehow? 

 

EDIT: 

A radom thought: 

The show implies the tension between Kang Yo-Han and Kim Ga-On, mostly of sexual nature, or an physical attraction. It's obviously fanservice to some degree, but the question is: would they do that, if they are related. Wouldn't that leave a bad taste, if the kinship is... true? 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

5 hours ago, Sleepy Owl said:

But, now if we are supposed to go with Ga On being the bad guy, I think it is more than possible that he was behind the Church fire since if it happened 10 years ago, he must have been 19 and quite capable to start a fire and flee from the scene. Why did he do it?

It's possible. One of the things in those flashbacks that actully caught my attention was the fact that, when little Elijah ran into the church main hall, she was looking for Isaac, and when she found him (they made extra effort to distinct him from other people), she seems a bit confused and lost (it can be explained by other reasons, of course, but it was still odd). 

Then Kang Yo-Han's reaction at accusation from Kim Ga-On. Nanny and Elijah probably aren't very... secretive about their less than favorable feelings towards him in that matter, but when it came from that specific person he snapped. At this certain phrasing. 

Also, Kang Yo-Han is determined to make Kim Ga-On find out the truth. Like Kim Ga-On might know it, just don't remember. If I'm not wrong there is possible for a person to be in a state of mind that they don't recall certain action they'd made or forget about it under trauma. It's possible that Kim Ga-On caused fire and simply forgot. 

5 hours ago, Sleepy Owl said:

One thing about the fire incident does not really match and that is all the people Yo Han is going after were actually in the church.

He may not know what and who is exactly behind the Dream House project and by eliminating members of the foundation (known to him, and probably only because they were there on that day, which made them the only trail he has), he shrinks the group to more managable individuals and possibly finds more evidence, clues, files, people involved, etc. in the process. 

[[Drama 2021] Black Sun/The Veil, 검은 태양]

3 hours ago, gm4queen said:

And I just realized that this drama only has 12 episodes in total?

If it'll succeed, maybe they add some episodes? 12 seems like a good number, though. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

5 hours ago, lilyphenix said:

Ga On has been a double agent from the start, reporting to Supreme Court Justice Min Jung Ho.

You're right. I phrased it wrongly. What I mean was that Kim Ga-On can actually be a person whose a villain and only playing a reckless guy, because he's a part of Min Jung-Ho's plan, and the man is an ultimate evil. Hope that makes more sense. 

 

Also a bit of crazy theory (it's weird, impossible and absurd, but I like to share it - put it under spoiler for those who wants to read.) Is that misuse of the spoiler tag?

 

Spoiler

Kim Ga-On is Isaac. 

He'd survived, and fell under wings of the ultimate baddie. He also lost memory. Now they, after creating a false identity, want to defeat Kang Yo-Han using him against him. Maybe he has some important evidence and they want to get it back. And maybe the Dream Project was something that Kang Yo-Han and Isaac's father was part of? Also, maybe the memory of his teenage years were true, because they belonged to Isaac - he could be a bit of a rebel. And So Hyun is a part of it, because she started to be pushy when Kim Ga-On started to be on Kang Yo-Han side? And could simply fake the part of the memory to fit the version they told Kim Ga-On?

 

EDIT:

 

Also, let assume that Kim Ga-On reveal at some point that he's a spy and go to his mentor, who is baddie. He met with Jung Sun-A, who didn't know before. Then the two baddie would want to frame Kang Yo-Han or use the cross in any other way. It the moment that Kim Ga-On could have a better look on it and kind of having sort of flashback. 

 

Plotting imaginative events it oddly satisfying. 

 

 

I'm getting better at the absurdity of those theories 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

Ok, honest question: how many of you started suspecting Kim Ga-On of being double agent or a bad guy? 

 

(I did. And I'm curious about you.)

 

Also, doesn't Elijah's action look a bit of a petulant child? I mean her uncle disappeared for a night without notice and came back like nothing happened (in her eyes). Could it be that she went with Kim Ga-On to spite Kang Yo-Han? Just a way to stick out her tongue at her uncle... It didn't work how she expected but it could be a fun addition to they relationship. 

[[Drama 2021] Black Sun/The Veil, 검은 태양]

I think I saw a trailer on YouTube for this drama, but I've thought it was a movie coming. So good made, the action and details, really impressive. 

 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

6 minutes ago, iria said:

i think the general public opinion wont affect the flow of the drama. As far as i know, this is the pre-produced drama, which means the filming for all episodes has been done. 

Oh, that's good. Thank you for clarifying. 

 

8 minutes ago, iria said:

who knows that maybe he is the main antagonist in this drama right (lol this is a reach tho).

Please, don't feed my theory hungry brain, its already feasting here like never before. But in all seriousness, after that little comment from yesterday, that idea actually stuck. It explains more than half of his actions, and might be a turning point in the upcoming episodes. Also, that would be huge plot twist.

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

44 minutes ago, iria said:

I mean the reaction is so different with the reaction on the korean platform, most of them there liking the kim gaon character because he seems easy to read but actually the hardest to comprehend.

It makes so much sense. 

The main target is obviously Korean audience, and if they don't see anything wrong with Kim Ga-On behavior, then producer aren't obliged to change it, which means...

.

.

.

We're doomed 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

2 hours ago, Kvothe said:

 

Just my opinion, but the fact it took all of 2 seconds before Ga On started playing good cop to Soo Hyun's bad cop makes me think it was the plan. For him to take Ga On without getting anyone's permission or even inform anyone simply to have her meet Soo Hyun so that she can have a female friend seems...naive.

If it really was their plan, then the approval of the guardian is one thing, but in that scenerio Kim Ga-On consciously convinced a traumatized child (young adult actually, but still young) to go out after gaining her fragile trust and after the fearful confession about her uncle, to travel outside of the safe environment (well, safe in the manner that she knows it and routes to escape or hide) to the unknown place to meet a stranger, when she has no means to defend herself, then actually let the questioning by said stranger happened (trying to lessen it's impact wasn't close to enough, truly). 

Ok, I'd prefer to think they didn't sync or just that he's naive. The alternative is horrible. 

.

.

.

.

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But Kim Ga-On isn't the bad guy here, right? Just faking the act of being an idiot and waiting to strike? Right? It's OCN's domain to create that kind of characters and plot, not tvN, right? 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

37 minutes ago, noor1 said:

- Who is Elijah's mother? Did the woman next to Isaac survive? Who was she?

I'm thinking this part is connected to Oh Jin-Joo (female judge) and be explored more in the second half, giving us more insights into the situation of who Isaac was and what he was doing. 

39 minutes ago, noor1 said:

They are either related or she knows something / someone from Sun Ah's past that/who can be used against Sun Ah.

I'm betting on the fact that she's Kang Yo-Han's mother and now she tries to punish her son for being evil, guilty and angry, and also scared for rise a man like him. I think their relationship is complex and deeper than we can see now. 

 

(Horrible thought what if Kang Yo-Han and Jung Sun-A are twins?!  )

(Love those emojis!)

 

43 minutes ago, noor1 said:

I see Yo Han being 'presumed dead' at the end of the series, running an animal shelter in some woods, giving him peace and anonymity. (...)

He might go into prison for his misuse of a court institution and the whole juristic system, or actually for being involved in something else to happen later. 

But it's nice picture. Add Oh Jin-Joo at his side (shipper here, hi!) and I've got nothing to add. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

25 minutes ago, Sleepy Owl said:

But while being angry and suspecting Yo Han for the same, he will realize he was actually wrong in jumping to conclusions again. 

At this point I can only hope you're right and it'll be the defining point for Kim Ga-On. But honestly, he maybe also strike back and this time the damage will be hard to fix. 

 

29 minutes ago, Sleepy Owl said:

I don't think it was part of the plan for Soo Hyun to start questioning yet.

I don't think they were at sync this time, even discussed the meeting in terms what they expect from it, trusting the other to understand the meaning. It didn't work from both sides, not only Soo Hyun. 

 

That poll was hard, so many plausible answers regarding Jung Sun-A's future actions.

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

1 hour ago, agenth said:

However, Gaon is in both places for a reason.

My brain knows that. What you've written is all true, but this less logical part of me just... can't. Kim Ga-On is written so inconsistently. He doesn't have a reason (something that every character should have in a good script, even if it change, it should be something that define them - Kim Ga-On's isn't either strong or visible, if there is truly any reason at all), instead of being a reliable character (was is you who said he's 29?) he makes everyone annoying. And I honestly don't think it's the way he should be as an inexperienced character that's still learning. 

But I know there is a reason inside and outside of the script that he needs to be there to move the plot. Still even without him there are ways to move it, so he's a bit unnecessary, maybe? 

1 hour ago, agenth said:

But Gaon has a long, long way to go before he comes Robin to Yohan's Batman. 

He does. He truly does. 

 

I don't think that Kang Yo-Han wants to harm him, permanently at least, but giving Kim Ga-On his own medicine, sniffing around one's family and use them as a mean to get what he wants isn't nice. But Kim Ga-On doesn't even use the info and try to decide where he stands, it's a waste on everyone's time.

(Or it's me projecting the need to get under Kim Ga-On's skin, or shake him to get into his senses as a judge). 

1 hour ago, agenth said:

He was the one who noticed that Elijah was uncomfortable with Detective's straightshooting accusations/questions, saying how Yohan's action could have been for her benefit, rather than malignant intentions. 

He was the one who brought Elijah there, so not necessary see it as anything positive. Also, he brought a detective (not a friend, Soo Hyun wasn't there as one from what I understand) to the suspects family, what did he expect? Drinking juice and joking? 

1 hour ago, agenth said:

The case of Gaon's parents probably has to do with their shared connection/past, so it's just another step in Yohan's plan.

Too much of a coincident. Even Kang Yo-Han can get annoyed by someone who's not showing any progress, also he may be simply hurt and wants to just push back. 

And if that helps his plan, why not?

1 hour ago, agenth said:

Sunah is supposed to come across unhinged/crazy

It's more mannerism than the behavior per se. Being crazy and obsessive doesn't exactly entitle the way she generally moves, how she uses gesture around people. It feels a bit over done...?

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

5 hours ago, lebeaucouple said:

also Dynamic Duo (for Batman and Robin) between kang yohan and Kim Ga-On.

I can see Kang Yo-Han as Batman somewhat, but when Robin was... a clueless guy as Kim Ga-On? He doesn't qualify as  Robin. Bring Oh Jin-Joo, she's a better candidate. 

 

4 hours ago, ferily said:

I don’t blame Yo Han for getting upset at Ga On and taking her without letting him (Yo Han) know.

Kang Yo-Han is a manipulative person, I wonder if Kim Ga-On's actions in those past two episodes don't feel like a personal attack on against Kang Yo-Han.

First 'Judge Kim' makes him lost his cool, then tries to gain trust of people around Kang Yo-Han, then lure him into a false sense of security/understanding, then use his niece against him. And when his friend was attacked Kim Ga-On physically attack a person (with abusive past) without evidence. 

If someone asks me, I'll cheer for Kang Yo-Han to squeeze every single drop of pain from Kim Ga-Han in the next episode. That guy needs to finally see how nice of a feeling is when someone turns your own family against you and into weapon. Hold tight, Kim Ga-On, pay back is coming!

(I'm upset with him, still not regretting it. Mostly.)

1 hour ago, reddragon said:

The style of acting of the actress playing Sun Ah is not working for me.

Yeah, it's over the board. Didn't watch "Mr. Sunshine", but the act in this drama feels unnatural somehow, and not in the meaning that she's use it to mask her true role.

 

Does anyone noticed that Kang Yo-Han didn't included her on the list? He's still underestimating her importance in the foundation, probably seeing the neckless as a petty theft instead of something which can potentially serves as a weapon. Before I'd bet it was intentional, now... 

 

1 hour ago, reddragon said:

 

I am now at the stage where I'm enjoying the drama because of Ji Sung's acting.

It feels like his keeping this drama going. Not in effort put in playing, because everyone is working hard, but... as a character that's keep viewers coming back. Wondering how long it'll be enough.

Also, he's suggestive glances or moments with other characters feels like he's portraying slightly different version of Kang Yo-Han than the script tries to force out. Better in my opinion, more intriguing. 

1 hour ago, Sleepy Owl said:

I wonder how much longer Yo Han will tolerate him before losing it all. 

I think he already lost patient. Bringing Kim Ga-On parent's case is his version of showing a 'middle finger' but more skillfully delivered. Can't say it's uncalled for after what happened in the sixth episode. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

I put it under spoiler to be safe.

Spoiler

Did I get it right?

After Jung Sun-A said that she's after someone/something that Kang Yo-Han wish to protect we're seeing her approaching Oh Jin-Joo? She probably the only connections available, but it's still telling. Is she jealous of Judge Oh as a woman or something? Or she doesn't know how to get to Elijah?

Also, I don't have words for Kim Ga-On, give up on that guy... Seriously.

 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

6 minutes ago, lila21 said:

I can't wait for the next episode. What if Yo Han let himself be caught that he walked into the lion's den inorder to catch the lion? That he had prepared a backup to follow him to the lair?  

Fat chance, he probably wanted to see the mastermind, true, but there wasn't anyone who would back him up, judging by the way he sees people and how he works on cases (alone, with one man as an assistant).

Hey, what if Min Jung-Ho (Kim Ga-On's mentor) is working with Jung Sun-A, is her silent ally in the Supreme Court or even the mastermind behind the Dream House project (talking like he was a priest in a sect or something). He's close to Kim Ga-On, can use him against Kang Yo-Han, his betrayal would be a big blow to Kim Ga-On and put him in a difficult position. Also, the person who would fit the best as the big boss behind the scene sort of scenerio. Jung Sun-A is too visible, even if she's the villain, she's not alone, it's unreal for her to be alone and be at the position she's now... Not in that society and not with those people. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

1 hour ago, lila21 said:

So, it might be that it was all an act on her part. That she maybe helping her uncle find the real cause of the fire.

Doubtful they are working together. On the same case sure, but didn't join hands. It's still a bit unclear how this whole 'helping' happened, just Kang Yo-Han's jab at Kim Ga-On. She seems believe he was responsible for the death of her father. 

 

Funny thought, could nanny be Kang Yo-Han's mother?

We learned what happens to that women from her story (could be that she tried yet failed to use an infant, then when the boy was rejected she also didn't felt like his worth it), she also was the one who took care of him (wasn't breastfeeding the child? If so, she must be a mother not a long ago, right?) and is now his biggest enemy in the household.

It's not outside of the possibility that a housewife spend a night with the grieving master of the house (unrequited love or the chance to climb the social leather, who knows). Then hated her son for not giving her what she dreamed (love of the man she fell or the position in the house, or worse, was a fruit of abuse/violence? Kang Yo-Han seemed emotional during the case of domestic violence in the past and during the sex offender trial...). Now she also wants to make him regret that he got something she was refused? She also wants to turn Kim Ga-On against her son, to alienate him even more. That's why he in also very careful around her.

Also, what interest has a maiden in asking about the illegitimate child being mistreated by his father? And even more a master of the house taking part of such conversation and revealing his thoughts (in case of what she said was true in the first place). Maybe it wasn't kill Isaac but fight for his right to the name and part of fortune? 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

18 hours ago, mystic62 said:

Something tells me that the chief judge might had known Isaac in the past and encountered his doppelgänger as a rebellious high schooler  then set him up to take down Yo-Han who is believe to be a monster in disguise.  For whatever the reasons, he hated the judge.

It's also possible that he's part of the accident and is afraid that Kang Yo-Han goes after him. He's a genuine mentor to Kim Ga-On, I think, but he may use him against Kahn Yo-Han as a mean to defend himself. That kind of betrayal maybe an eye opening for Kim Ga-On. He doesn't strike me as a person without something to hide and it's nothing good (or I'm biased because he's played by an actor lately plays this kind of roles...).

18 hours ago, Mic gon said:

But why Kang yo was out side the gate on the Cburch why  he is the brother and he suppose to be inside like issac.

Maybe he doesn't want to go there at the time? Maybe meeting those people was a bit too much for him, even if it was his brother's big day. He also may be planning to met someone and don't want to be seen. Or maybe he simply doesn't believe in the church and the meaning of the ceremony? Or maybe he wasn't allowed to step inside? 

12 hours ago, blue003 said:

By the way, does anyone get a vibe that maybe Isaac is not that great of a brother?  Maybe it was his plan to burn the church but something went wrong?

He maybe not the best person (the environment wasn't the one the rise honest, compaction people on the outside), but he was probably a good brother (or a bad brother, but the father was the nice guy), because Kang Yo-Han isn't a person who was rised without affection. It can be the part of nanny's influence, so he's now so bitter about her (here flies my theory they played Kim Ga-On, straight into the sundown). There was something that thought him positive emotion he's now craving. The first crush? Brother's affection? Niece innocent love? Someone was the that save his humanity (the ability to feel and to be affected by the other feelings - I'm betting Isaac because he reacts too strongly towards Kim Ga-On, or it was the indifference, needs to impress, and now he craving it for Kim Ga-On, like during the trial against the actor?). 

5 hours ago, ferily said:

Ga On making a difference 

Isn't it too fast? It's nice to see them like this, but it still feels, idk, like too much? They build they walls pretty thick, can he step in and break them in a few days, and left the ruins so clean? 

 

5 hours ago, noor1 said:

 

- Elijah 'worked' with Yo Han to find an appropriate prison, but keeps on accusing him of being her parents' killer - what's up with that?

That one. It makes me wondering too. Human soul is complex and can be a lot of thing at the same time, but while telling a story it needs to make sense, not just use some random facts to them together at the end then just leave. 

Should also Elijah be a successor now? As an only legal family member that's alive? Or they faked the register and put Kang Yo-Han there (as 'taking care of things' mentioned during the gala)?

5 hours ago, noor1 said:

Trusting strangers over the guy she has known all her life is nonsensical - especially in dystopian korea!

It makes sense psychologically. He's living with the murder (to whom she's snappish, yet wasn't punished at all, try that with your grandpa...), in the society that's controlled by people who helped cover that event. When else could she go as no tot the stranger with her father's face openly disapproving Kang Yo-Han's actions? 

(Also the cat likes him, which is also important factor, believe it or not.)

5 hours ago, noor1 said:

His invincibility is cracking and I don't know why he doesn't have a plan to get to SRF and others before they strike. Why hasn't he built more undercover people? He has zero support system, and he should know better than anyone that a pack of wolves is always better than a lone one.

Simple answer it that it would be as dramatic and would give Kim Ga-On and Jung Sun-A the advantage. Outside of script-wide reasons, he probably wasn't prepare for strike of unknown origin. People always back off of him, because he was a monster, they were scared, they simply give him his way, because... well, people avoid fighting with an unpredictable (also someone they can't bully in submissiveness). Then the interview happened, then Kim Ga-On talks back, then the troubling case. It's possible that he's also pretty naive about the world, just in different way than Kim Ga-On.

5 hours ago, noor1 said:

Why doesn't he know and accept this? 

With the 'help' of others he create an image of himself. He's a monster, so he's not a typical human. Others are but not Kang Yo-Han. If he starts entertaining the thought, all will crush, everything will flow with repressed emotion, he's subconsciously defending himself from this, even if at the same time, he provides himself with the problem. It kind of fascinating how human mind works. 

5 hours ago, noor1 said:

At this rate, I am expecting nanny to be Sun Ah's mother!   

Can't rule that one out... Or the maiden that fall and could be pushed by Jung Sun-A. 

 

5 hours ago, noor1 said:

- Is Yo Han gay?    

 

Visuals are great, trials are still flashy, but drama lacks substance and characters' actions are not logical. Best thing remains Ji Sung / Yo Han. 

He doesn't know himself, because didn't entertain the idea of the romance too focused on the revenge and before wasn't close to anyone to feel a sexual attraction? 

(Alternative: He is as a part of fanservice the show gives viewers?).

Also, yeah, logic isn't they friend, ally or even a unwanted guest. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

Ok, I'm freshly after watching the fifth episode and I can only say: WT...?! 

They made this 180 degree flip (they basically switched the main leads personalities in the first half - don't know what to think about this one yet), then ended it like that (I'm more shocked they actually went into the route that I've thought they may than the fact there was something between them in the past). 

In the middle was the controversial case of sex offender (a brilliant move, giving him a case with not a good way out - yet he made it) and the fabricated flogging aftermath, which probably where also made to shake Minister Cha in her resolve to not back down and still be useful (to people who maybe be more experience, where they really fake?).

And that swap of personalities... Ugh, it was pretty cheap to put Kim Ga-On back to the game (viewers started to be upset with him and it's a no-no), or they switched tactic in the middle without reason, clues, just for the effect - please don't be this one). He's still recovering from the explosion, but his relationship is ten steps further than in previous episode. It feels rushed to move them to the certain points without building the right amount of... trust? Work? Affection? 

Also the ending, does that mean that Jung Sun-A is the maiden who fell from the window? That's... wow, that would actually be fitting the little theory I have about they connection and what I-ve thought about it. 

Also, isn't it a bit sudden, the confrontation, should it be around eighth episode? Odt does it mean that Jung Sun-A isn't the ultimate villain of this story and they actually end up as allies, taking down the foundation (that guy with the cane who's part of the elite is the only one we're still in the dark mostly)? 

Let's see how the next episode will be. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

1 hour ago, Sleepy Owl said:

 and we came to the conclusion that there is a high chance that Ga On had actually lived in this house before. Noona pointed out an interesting thing and that was the fact that both Yo Han and the nanny/housekeeper seem to know Ga On from before.

What gives you that impression?

I think the first reaction that nanny has had was shock (she dropped the meal and retreated to the kitchen in a hurry). The first thing Kang Yo-Han said after greeting Kim Ga-On was "he's more similar to him that I've thought". There are not exactly reactions of people who knew him before... 

 

1 hour ago, Sleepy Owl said:

Also the housekeeper wouldn't really have a reason to tell Ga On that Isaac was the true heir and he died in a suspicious fire which made Yo Han the heir then.

Maybe, or maybe Kang Yo-Han asked her to told him this version of events (he knew that Kim Ga-On will not check facts or rumors, just go straight to the point and believe because it suits his image of Kang Yo-Han) as a test. He wanted to know how his possible ally would react, also dare him to acuse Kang Yo-Han of the murder, then Kang Yo-Han could manipulate him using Elijah's accident, then turn him into ally (well, use him to Kang Yo-Han's other plans). 

 

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 Also nanny/housekeeper told him "You have his eyes" no one tells this to a random guy looking like someone. 

If we think about it less literally, she could also mean the fact that he looks at the world the same way as Isaac, and you can tell something like this to the person whose sleeping in the mension after being hurt and dragged in by the master of the house (true or not). Both are unusual circumstances that allows it? Maybe? 

 

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Talking about Yo Han, I still don't believe he wants revenge just because those guys ran for their lives. 

I also don't believe it if this is the real version of events (which most likely isn't). Elijah part is definitely true, can't believe he would use his niece misfortune to just manipulate Kim Ga-On - but them running for their lives are, either half-baked or ture, but he's after someone else, Jung Sun-A or someone behind her. 

 

My bet is something like this (at the moment, when I didn't saw 5 episode or any trailers, so if something don't match or contradict this point, well, please point it out?).

 

Jung Sun-A and Kang Yo-Han knew each other as they had been teenagers (Jung Sun-A has a bit of crash on Kang Yo-Han - I've thought it would be Isaac so she would ruin his wedding and accidently kill him, which evoke the Kang Yo-Han rage, but it would be a bit pointless and would connect them the same way). She was already showing his sociopathic tendencies, and seeing Kang Yo-Han, following the rumors around his persona, she'd felt like a kindred soul, she also wanted him to be on her side - an illegitimate child to the fortune, who could want to be someone, take revenge on his father, also someone she couldn't manipulate easly). Then she wanted to met him during the wedding, maybe blackmail him to join forces, but he refused, so she started the fire. 

This theory (let's call it a theory, it's sounds nice) also would explain why we're not seeing any moves they make towards each other, and that weird feeling when they met. Like they're playing the game only they know, like Kang Yo-Han is a misbehaved puppy that she still has under control, yet starts barking on the wrong tree. 

Also fits the part, when I've suspected that Kang Yo-Han has someone with sociopathic personality around... But this is a bit too far fatched even for me, so let's leave it for now. 

 

It has holes, I know. But it's an idea, much more less that more, but still something to think about. 

1 hour ago, Pitchoum said:

 I will never ship them . I am not really fond of Kim Min Jung. I saw her in an old drama. I did not like her character lol. However she plays well her role here.  I clearly do not see them together at the end.

Me either. They're just... too unhealthy together and lacking that cute, innocent moments every time Oh Jin-Joo starts playing fangirl (or that girl who caught him off guard during the trial against Minister Cha's son). I think it would be a nicer version of romance for him, if they even planed one. A new land to explore and all (ok, maybe I'm a bit mean to the poor guy...). With his current way of seeing world an innocent love or crush could be... mindblowing for Kang Yo-Han. 

 

EDIT:

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the BL overtones are so strong in this one, unlike in Beyond Evil where, it only occurs occassionally.

There are so many. Starting from the personal space they both seem to ignore (around convenience flat surface behind...) to the banter and wound tending (changing clothes...). Yeah, there is a lot of that in those few episodes... Are they aiming for another same-sex (male) couple award or something? 

(emojis here are so cute!)

 

EDIT 2: 

That song fits the show so well, also... it's so nice. Thank you for posting it. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

Hm, when is comes to script, this drama is pretty average (in K-drama standards).

There is a character driven by revenge, there is a character that serves as viewer's eyes and incarnation (who is against avenging because it's a vicious circle without end), also a total opposite to the avenger, there is an opponent who is basically similar to the main character, yet through the story villains basically remain the same in they believes, where the main character will change to be worth viewer's support (and time invested in watching the show). That,' beautiful concept of redemption and stuff. 

Also, the second lead needs some development, which create the opportunity to set them up against the main lead and also change, because they needs to be strong and more mature for the things to work, otherwise they somewhat childish points of view prevent them from being victorious against the villain. And make viewers disappointed in betting on the wrong horse. 

It's pretty standard script. Nothing to look forward, if one likes challenges born from the mystery or thriller...

What should make it better are small things, characters actions that's ground them in reality their existing, living, and working in, also actors performance and the unique approach of the subject.

I'm still looking for those qualities within the script, because the cinematic part is exceptional, actors suits their roles, gives as a lot of emotions, and get us through the events with good measure of conflicting thoughts.

Yet the script is still weak and not catching up with the rest, it's lacking in almost every area, except maybe conflict, and I'm not sure if it's not because the actors effort more than scriptwriters conscious actions.

The overall symbolism is also nice, gives the hidden context that may reveal some truths. But it pretty hard to handle and might be a downfalls later. 

That's why looking from this angle is a bit disappointing to me. I prefer to see it as characters actions and thought inside the reality of the story (it's a lot more fun that way, don't you think?).

I know why Kim Ga-On is the way he is from script's points of view ( complete opposite of Kang Yo-Han, a man that we could relay on, who is the quiet hero and the power to be awaken and makes things the way they should be from right reasons), but it doesn't change the fact that he's not really well written (annoying on the wrong parts, he should be annoying while challenging the sympathy for Kang Yo-Han, makes viewer a bit embarrassed to find it more appealing than the lawful solution, should show the view on the moral decisions that are hard to accept yet as a firm choice, be someone who stand as a jurist of the rightness of the judgment, of peoples' right to have a dubious nature, either they poor or rich, but against people being eager to support live court, public sentences made by people no an independent court).

What Kim Ga-On doing through the last 4 episodes in making us stand on Kang Yo-Han's side because the alternative is to be disappointed by the childish, immature, naive and weak supposed to be hero, Kim Ga-On. Four episode is enough to show us that character can be strong, yet naive, righteous yet have his doubts about effectives of the standard methods, he can be suspicious of Kang Yo-Han, yet can actually give us the better resolve the case (and fails, but shows that it's work in progress). 

Instead as the person to lead Kang Yo-Han to be a more reliable character (even if still cunning and morally ambiguous) he makes us dislike him, just... ruining the time for the set up the small thing that would pay up later. 

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Hm, I might be more sensitive about the scripts bloops than I've originally thought.

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

2 hours ago, qynn said:

I thought Yohan's actions made complete sense.

If you count the parallels and add the part with the maid from nanny's story, it's pretty obvious, yet I kind of didn't caught it earlier. 

 

1 hour ago, ferily said:

Sometimes if the cliffhanger is reallyy bad for an episode, I have a hard time sleeping the night before the episode

If the cliffhanger is bad (actually good, as it's role is full-filed) I can't stop thinking about it after watching the episode. It's rare, because I try to stay on the completed drama's side, by on occasion there are exceptions, which leads to 'this here' (a'ka me all over the place in the thread) - only it was on different place some time ago... What you can't deny is that k-drama writers know how to make cliffhangers working.  

9 hours ago, Pitchoum said:

He probably wanted this woman to endure the same pain with her son.

If he did that to avenge Elijah's pain, then why did he gave the Minister Cha a choice? If she'd agree, then how would he do to actually cause her this kind of guilt? Assuming that he did it to just push her more into the gamble, and expected nothing more from her. But his surprise during the press conference looked if not genuine then at least not totally fake. Or maybe it's just me. 

[[Drama 2021] The Devil Judge ⚖️ 악마판사]

13 minutes ago, noor1 said:

The show has a LOT of explaining to do, right now things are half-baked. Let's see if it makes some sense tomorrow. 

The biggest reason against watching any drama before it's finished. Idk it's either my first and last time, or I'll get used to discussing it (dumping my chaotic flow of thoughts?) here.