Cast members of SBS fantasy legal drama, "The Judge from Hell," pose during a press conference at the broadcaster's headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Thursday. From left are actors Kim In-kwon, Park Shin-hye, Kim Ah-young and Kim Jae-yeong. Courtesy of SBS

Park Shin-hye, renowned for her romantic comedy roles, is surprising fans with a villainous role in the SBS series, "The Judge from Hell," departing from her typical sweet image and making her first foray into portraying an inherently evil character.

The series features Park Shin-hye as Kang Bit-na, a fallen devil who inhabits the body of a human judge. On a mission to send 10 unrepentant sinners to hell to earn her return, Bit-na initially issues lenient sentences to those who are morally culpable. However, she later administers her own, much harsher penalties.

"The script was so fun to read and scenes unfolded in my head as I read. I was more curious about the audience's reaction (to the drama) than about transforming my acting," the 34-year-old actor shared her excitement about the project during a press conference at SBS headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Thursday.

She added, "'I've always enjoyed my previous roles, but this one offered a unique opportunity to explore different facets of my personality. The Bit-na character felt multifaceted and I was eager to bring my accumulated experience to this role."

In a teaser, Kang Bit-na embodies the principle of "an eye for an eye" by ruthlessly attacking a suspect and smiling with a bloodied knife, leaving viewers questioning whether she is a hero or a villain. As she carries out her dark mission, she encounters a passionate detective, Han Da-on (Kim Jae-yeong), and her seemingly flawless scheme starts to unravel.

A promotional poster for SBS new series "The Judge from Hell" / Courtesy of SBS

When asked about her first villainous role, Park delved into the moral ambiguity of her character, highlighting the complexities of her new part.

"The villains we usually think of harm others or commit serious crimes against society. Rather than a villain, Bit-na is more like a devil — a playful, manipulative being that enjoys twisting situations. She's more like a mischievous imp than a villain," she said.

Director Park Jin-pyo, known for his investigative journalism work on SBS' "Unanswered Questions" and directing films such as "Voice of a Murderer" (2007) and "Brave Citizen" (2023), introduces a new perspective to the legal drama genre.

While set in a courtroom, the series explores a fantasy realm where the laws of hell and the "an eye for an eye" philosophy are central, distinguishing it from other legal dramas.

Park describes the drama as a dramatic reinterpretation of the ancient Code of Hammurabi, emphasizing themes of retribution and justice.

"Within that, we focused on the victims and their families who have had their entire lives taken away. Rather than being a typical legal drama, I hope viewers will watch it as a fantasy action drama where good and evil coexist and find the series to be cathartic," he said.

"Judge from the Hell" will premiere Friday at 10 p.m.