Phantom Lawyer has been the breakout Kdrama hit of spring 2026, smashing through double-digit ratings and climbing to No. 5 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) with 2.4 million views in a single week. After Episodes 5 and 6 delivered one of the show’s most emotional cases yet — the Sang-ho murder mystery — viewers are eager to know what comes next.
Episodes 7 and 8 air this Friday and Saturday (April 3–4) at 9:50 PM KST on SBS and will be available on Netflix with subtitles shortly after. Here is everything we know so far.
For complete character profiles and the full backstory, start with our Phantom Lawyer Complete Guide (Ep 1–4 Recap). Caught up through Episode 6? Read our Phantom Lawyer Episode 6 Recap first.
Ratings Recap — How Phantom Lawyer Became Spring 2026’s Biggest Drama
Phantom Lawyer’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The premiere opened at 6.3% nationwide, already a strong debut for an SBS Friday-Saturday drama. By Episode 4, the show had climbed to 5.2%. Then came the Sang-ho arc: Episode 5 surged to 8.7%, and Episode 6 sealed the deal at 10.0% nationwide and 10.6% in the Seoul capital area, with a peak of 12.8%. Every single episode has set a new record for the series.
On Netflix, Phantom Lawyer debuted at No. 8 on the worldwide Top 10 in its first week with 1.8 million views, and rose to No. 5 globally by Week 3 with 2.4 million views. It has topped Netflix Korea since Episode 2.
The question now is whether Episode 7 can push past the 12.8% peak — and based on the preview, SBS clearly has a plan to keep the momentum going.
Episode 7 Preview — Yi-Rang Loses His Ghost Sight
The official Episode 7 preview reveals a major twist: Shin Yi-rang (Yoo Yeon-seok) suddenly stops seeing ghosts.
After six episodes of building his entire legal practice around spirit clients, Yi-rang wakes up to a ghost-free life. The SBS teaser title says it all: “Yi-rang Independence Day!” With no new ghost clients arriving at the former shaman’s office, Yi-rang is forced to pivot — he starts accepting human clients and attempts to operate as an ordinary lawyer.
This is a clever narrative move. We have watched Yi-rang grow from a timid, rejected law graduate into someone who genuinely embraces his supernatural gift. Taking that gift away forces both the character and the audience to ask: who is Shin Yi-rang without the ghosts?
The Real Estate Fraud Case
According to preview clips and SBS promotional material, Episodes 7–8 will center on a real estate fraud case involving a company called Seongryeong Construction. The preview shows Yi-rang and Na-hyeon (Esom) teaming up to represent victims of a housing development scam.
Na-hyeon tells Yi-rang that this particular case involves confrontation with powerful and possibly dangerous people. The fact that she actively seeks his help suggests their partnership has evolved from a reluctant alliance into genuine trust.
This also marks the first time both leads work together on a case that has nothing to do with ghosts — at least on the surface. Knowing this show’s pattern, however, the supernatural element is unlikely to stay away for long.
Yi-Rang’s Father — The Shocking Family Secret
Perhaps the biggest tease in the Episode 7 preview is a line that has fans buzzing: “Was my dad also a possession lawyer?”
A separate preview clip suggests Yi-rang’s mother visited a shaman in the past not because of superstition, but because of her husband. This implies Yi-rang’s ghost-seeing ability may be inherited — and his father may have lived the same double life before him. If the show explores this thread, it could fundamentally reframe everything we know about Yi-rang’s backstory and why the ghosts chose him in the first place.
A New, Dangerous Spirit Appears
Multiple fan accounts and spoiler posts note that “a new spirit appears, more dangerous than ever” in the upcoming episodes. While Yi-rang may have temporarily lost his ability, the show’s pattern of two-episode arcs suggests the ghost-free status may not last through Episode 8. The real question is: what kind of spirit is dangerous enough to break through even when Yi-rang has seemingly closed the door?
Episode 8 Preview — What to Expect on Saturday
Episode 8 airs Saturday, April 4 at 9:50 PM KST. Since Episodes 7 and 8 form a paired arc, expect the real estate fraud case to reach its climax in the second half. Based on the show’s structure so far, Episode 7 will introduce the case and complicate it, while Episode 8 will deliver the resolution — likely with a supernatural twist that forces Yi-rang to confront both the case and his feelings about his lost ability.
Na-hyeon’s growing belief in Yi-rang’s powers will also be tested. After watching him channel Sang-ho’s spirit in Episode 6, she can no longer deny the truth. But with the ghosts gone, what holds these two together? The human case may turn out to be the real test of their relationship.
3 Predictions for Episodes 7-8
First, Yi-rang’s ghost sight returns at a critical moment. The real estate fraud case will hit a wall that only supernatural intervention can solve, forcing a dramatic comeback of his abilities — possibly connected to a victim who died because of the scam.
Second, the father reveal opens a season-long arc. Yi-rang’s dad being a “possession lawyer” won’t be fully explained in two episodes. This is likely the setup for the second half of the series.
Third, ratings will break 13%. The combination of a new case type, the father mystery, and the loss-and-return of Yi-rang’s powers gives SBS its strongest promotional hook yet. Expect Saturday’s Episode 8 to push past the current 12.8% peak.
Where to Watch Phantom Lawyer
In South Korea, Phantom Lawyer airs on SBS every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST. Worldwide, the show is available on Netflix with subtitles shortly after the Korean broadcast. In select regions, it can also be streamed on Viu and KOCOWA.
Also airing this week — ENA’s political thriller keeps raising the stakes. Read our Climax Episode 6 Recap to stay caught up.
FAQ
How many episodes does Phantom Lawyer have?
16 episodes total. The series premiered March 13, 2026 and is scheduled to end May 2, 2026.
When do Phantom Lawyer Episodes 7 and 8 air?
Episode 7: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 9:50 PM KST. Episode 8: Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 9:50 PM KST.
Can I watch Phantom Lawyer on Netflix?
Yes. Phantom Lawyer is available on Netflix worldwide with subtitles.
Who plays Shin Yi-rang in Phantom Lawyer?
Yoo Yeon-seok, known for his roles in Mr. Sunshine and Hospital Playlist.
What are Phantom Lawyer’s current ratings?
Episode 6 reached a nationwide average of 10.0% and a peak of 12.8%, making it the highest-rated SBS Friday-Saturday drama of 2026.