Phantom Lawyer

Phantom Lawyer
Promotional poster
Also known asWith God[1]
Hangul
신이랑 법률사무소
Lit.Shin Yi-rang Law Office
RRSin Irang beomnyul samuso
MRSin Irang pŏmnyul samuso
Genre
Written by
  • Kim Ga-young
  • Kang Cheol-gyu
Directed byShin Joong-hoon
Starring
Music byDalpalan
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Running time70 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSBS TV
ReleaseMarch 13 (2026-03-13) –
May 2, 2026 (2026-05-02)

Phantom Lawyer (Korean: 신이랑 법률사무소) is a 2026 South Korean legal fantasy television series co-written by Kim Ga-young and Kang Cheol-gyu, directed by Shin Joong-hoon, and starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom. The series revolves around Shin Yi-rang, a lawyer who can see and be possessed by spirits, whose job is to resolve outstanding grievances of both the dead and the living. It aired on SBS TV from March 13, to May 2, 2026, every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Netflix, Viki, and Viu.

Synopsis

Shin Yi-rang struggled to get a job with the law firms after passing bar exams because his father died as a disgraced prosecutor. He eventually opens his own practice in room 501 of the Okcheon Building, a space used by a shaman, and starts seeing ghosts. Yi-rang's first client is Lee Kang-pung, an ex-gang member who died due to surgical negligence. The surgeon, Lee Jung-seok, was acquitted by lawyer Han Na-hyun, who had an unexpected change of heart during the trial. Yang Do-kyung, a lawyer at Taebaek, will do anything to impress his father, Chairman Yang Byung-il. He is even gone so far as to order the destruction of evidence – a hard disk with EMR data that could incriminate Jung-seok. Thanks to Na-hyun, Yi-rang won a pivotal trial for Lee Kang-pung's family. She then helped uncover the truth behind idol trainee Kim Su-a's death, bringing closure to the young girl's grieving family.

Cast and characters

Main

Dreaming of creating the best law firm in Korea, he opens a firm in Room 501 of the Okcheon Building, a former shaman's place, where his life changes. As he meets ghosts and hears their stories, Yi-rang starts resolving their unresolved issues, helping them move on. Despite his timid and clumsy disposition, he exhibits steadfast determination in confronting the injustices experienced by his unconventional clients. When possessed, he temporarily embodies the spirits he represents, adopting their traits and behaviors.
  • Esom as Han Na-hyun[2]
    • Hwang Hyun-jung as Na-hyun
Taebaek Law Firm's Ace Lawyer. Her life is torn apart after an accident kills her sister So-hyun, leaving her with crushing guilt. Discovering So-hyun's diary, she learns of her sister's dream to become a lawyer. Driven by guilt, she fulfills her sister's dream, rising to ace at a major firm. She becomes a top lawyer, undefeated until a loss brings her face-to-face with Shin Yi-rang.
The CEO of Taebaek Law Firm who did everything he could, regardless of whether it was right or wrong, to win the case to be accepted by his father. He has complex feelings towards Na-hyun.[3]

Supporting

Yi-rang's family
Yi-rang's mother who runs a butcher shop to support her two children after her husband died and was accused of corruption, but she never believed he would do such a thing.
Yi-rang's older sister.
Yi-rang's brother-in-law.
  • Lee A-rin as Yoon Da-bong[7]
Yi-rang's niece, who is Bong-su and Sa-rang's daughter.
Na-hyun's family
Na-hyun's elder sister, who died in an accident while trying to protect her.[8]
Taebaek Law Firm
  • Yeon Ji-hyung as Kim Hyun-woo, a prosecutor[9]
  • Choi Kwang-Il as Yang Byung-Il
Taebaek's chairman and Do-kyung's father, who was the Ki-joong's senior. He was the one behind his death.
  • Sang Do-hyun as Choi Min-hyuk
Yi-rang's client
A former gangster who died at the age of 46. He is Yi-rang's first ghost client.[10] (Ep.1–2)
A talented but tragic trainee who died before her debut.[11] (Ep.3–4)
  • Yoon Na-moo as Jeon Sang-ho
A genius scientist ghost[12] (Ep.5–6)
A shoemaker who founded a large shoe company with his wife, Chae Jung-hee, whom he met in 1979. Before his death, he suffered from severe dementia, so his spirit doesn't remember his wife, but his skill and obsession with shoes remain intact.
  • Park Da-on as Yoon Si-ho[14] (Ep.12–13)
A boy who was kidnapped and murdered by a police officer.
Others
  • Jeong Seung-gil as Matthew
a former shaman who becomes a priest.He helped Yi-rang release the spirit after completing their unfinished task.[15]
  • Yeon Jae-hyeong as Kim Hyun-woo
A lawyer and Na-hyun's close friend

Special appearances

Yi-rang's deceased father, a former prosecutor whose career ended after he was accused of corruption.

Production

Development

The Phantom Lawyer is directed by Shin Joong-hoon, who helmed Seoul Busters (2024), and the screenplay is co-written by Kim Ga-young and Kang Cheol-gyu. Produced by Studio S and Mongjakso,[17] It blends legal drama with fantasy, delving into grief, truth, and the need to be heard. It portrays a lawyer who goes beyond legal defense to provide emotional support, bringing closure to the dead and helping the living move on.[18]

Casting

Yoo Yeon-seok (L) and Esom (R)

The casting process began in late 2024, with media outlets reporting that Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom were cast for the lead roles, respectively.[19][20] Yoo stated that the project might be a human comedy, and that through possession he could portray various characters with great variety, blending comedic moments with cool-headedness in the courtroom.[21]

Yoo and Esom's appeareances were officially confirmed by late 2025,[2] and Yeon Ji-hyung had been cast.[9]

Filming

Principal photography began in early 2025.[19]

Release

Phantom Lawyer was originally scheduled to premiere on SBS TV in the second half of 2025, but then it was moved to the first half of 2026.[2][20] In November 2025, it was reportedly scheduled to air in January 2026.[9] On December 31, 2025, a special teaser video was released, and it was confirmed to premiere in March 2026.[3]

By February 2026, the series was confirmed to be broadcast on March 13, 2026, and would air every Friday and Saturday at 21:50 (KST).[22] It is also available for streaming on Netflix, Viki, and Viu internationally.[23][24]

Viewership

Phantom Lawyer : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
11.1651.6801.5061.8201.6061.9551.4901.7241.2761.2461.2481.1781.2311.1721.3661.5071.448
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[25]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[25]
Nationwide Seoul
1 March 13, 2026 6.3% (6th) 5.6% (5th)
2 March 14, 2026 8.7% (2nd) 9.2% (2nd)
3 March 20, 2026 7.8% (3rd) 8.1% (2nd)
4 March 21, 2026 9.1% (2nd) 9.3% (2nd)
5 March 27, 2026 8.7% (2nd) 9.0% (1st)
6 March 28, 2026 10.0% (2nd) 10.6% (2nd)
7 April 3, 2026 7.6% (3rd) 7.3% (1st)
8 April 4, 2026 9.5% (2nd) 9.4% (2nd)
9 April 10, 2026 6.7% (5th) 6.5% (4th)
10 April 11, 2026 6.6% (4th) 6.7% (3rd)
11 April 17, 2026 6.5% (5th) 6.4% (2nd)
12 April 18, 2026 6.0% (5th) 6.3% (4th)
13 April 24, 2026 6.5% (5th) 5.9% (3rd)
14 April 25, 2026 6.0% (3rd) 6.0% (3rd)
15 May 1, 2026 7.3% (3rd) 7.3% (2nd)
16 May 2, 2026 7.6% (3rd) 7.6% (3rd)
Average 7.6% 7.6%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

References

  1. ^ "With God". SBS (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d Park, A-reum (November 26, 2025). 유연석, 귀신 보이는 변호사 된다..이솜과 신들린 케미(신이랑 법률사무소) [Yoo Yeon-seok becomes a lawyer in 'Law Firm of Shin Yi-rang' who can see ghosts... Possessed chemistry with Esom]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Ban, Hyo-joo (January 1, 2026). 유연석 현란한 빙의 연기 '신이랑 법률사무소' 3월 첫 오픈 [Yoo Yeon-seok's dazzling acting in 'Law Firm of Shin I-rang opens in March]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  4. ^ 박경화 [Park Gyeong-hwa]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  5. ^ 신사랑 [Shin Sa-rang]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  6. ^ 윤봉수 [Yoon Bong-su]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  7. ^ 윤다봉 [Yoon Da-bong]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  8. ^ 한소현 [Han So-hyun]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c Park, A-reum (November 18, 2025). [단독] 연제형 '신이랑 법률사무소' 캐스팅...내년 1월 편성 [Exclusive: Yeon Je-hyung casting for 'Law Firm of Shin Yi-rang' Scheduled to air in January next year]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  10. ^ 이강풍 [Lee Kang-pung]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  11. ^ 김수아 [Kim Su-ah]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  12. ^ 전상호 [Jeon Sang-ho]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  13. ^ 한소현 [Kang Dong-sik]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  14. ^ 윤시호 [Yoon Si-ho]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  15. ^ 마태오 [Matthew]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  16. ^ Park, Soo-in (April 24, 2026). 유연석, 父 최원영 보자마자 뒷목 잡았다‥이토록 기막힌 재회(신이랑 법률사무소) [Yoo Yeon-seok clutched the back of his neck the moment he saw his father, Choi Won-young... Such a shocking reunion in Phantom Lawyer]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  17. ^ Kim, Ji-hye (November 26, 2025). 귀신 한 풀어주는 변호사...유연석X이솜, SBS '신이랑 법률사무소' 출연 [A lawyer who frees a ghost... Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom to appear on SBS's Phangom Lawyer]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  18. ^ 신이랑 법률사무소 [Program Introduction]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  19. ^ a b Kang, Hyo-jin (September 30, 2024). [단독]유연석도 변호사 된다...'신이랑 법률사무소' 주연 [Exclusive: Yoo Yeon-seok also becomes a lawyer... Starring in 'Law Firm of Shin Yi-rang']. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Jang, Da-hee (December 12, 2024). [단독] 이솜, 유연석 만난다...'신이랑 법률사무소' 여주 낙점 [Exclusive: Esom and Yoo Yeon-seok to star in 'Law Firm of Shin Yi-rang']. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Kim, So-yeon (May 1, 2025). 유연석 "시국이 이래서…대통령실 대변인, 드라마로만 봐주시길" [인터뷰+] [Yoo Yeon-seok: "Because of the times... please view the Presidential Spokesperson role only as a drama" [Interview+]]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  22. ^ Ha, Soo-jung (February 4, 2026). '신들린' 유연석, '굿파트너' 흥행 이을까?..사이다 법정물 온다(신이랑 법률사무소) [Will Yoo Yeon-seok, a "possessed," continue the success of Good Partner? A new legal drama Phantom Lawyer is coming]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  23. ^ "Five K-dramas to watch on OTT (Mar 9-Mar 15) starring Yoo Yeon Seok, Park Min-young, Bae In Hyuk: Phantom Lawyer to Siren's Kiss to Our Universe". The Economic Times. Mumbai: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. March 14, 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. OCLC 61311680. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  24. ^ "K-drama Phantom Lawyer: Yoo Yeon-seok represents deceased clients in jaunty legal comedy". South China Morning Post. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  25. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 13, 2026. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
    • "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 14, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 20, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
    • "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
    • "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 27, 2026. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
    • "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 28, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
    • "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 3, 2026. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
    • "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 4, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
    • "Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 10, 2026. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
    • "Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 11, 2026. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
    • "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 17, 2026. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
    • "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 18, 2026. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
    • "Ep. 13". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 24, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
    • "Ep. 14". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
    • "Ep. 15". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 1, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
    • "Ep. 16". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 2, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
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