What Is Phantom Lawyer About?
Phantom Lawyer (Korean: 신이랑 법률사무소) is a 2026 South Korean legal fantasy drama that premiered on March 13, 2026 on SBS TV. The series stars Yoo Yeon-seok (Hospital Playlist) as Shin I-rang, a timid and kind-hearted lawyer who suddenly gains the ability to see ghosts after opening his law office in a former shaman’s house. Alongside him is Esom (Kill Boksoon) as Han Na-hyeon, a cold and elite lawyer at the powerful Taebaek Law Firm.
Together, this unlikely duo takes on supernatural clients whose unfinished business reveals buried truths — delivering justice not just for the living, but for the dead as well.
The drama airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST on SBS, with a total of 16 episodes planned. The finale is scheduled for May 2, 2026.
Main Cast
Yoo Yeon-seok as Shin I-rang — A warm but unlucky lawyer who has been blacklisted due to his late father’s tainted reputation as a prosecutor. After being rejected by every law firm, he opens his own practice in an old shaman’s office, where he discovers he can see and be possessed by ghosts.
Esom as Han Na-hyeon — A brilliant and ruthless attorney at Taebaek Law Firm. Beneath her cold exterior lies a painful past involving the death of her older sister, which continues to shape her decisions.
Kim Kyung-nam as Yang Do-gyeong — The ambitious CEO of Taebaek Law Firm who runs his company with an iron fist.
Jun Suk-ho as Yoon Bong-su — I-rang’s brother-in-law who, despite his fear of ghosts, loyally assists in his supernatural cases.
Kim Mi-kyung as Park Gyeong-hwa — I-rang’s loving and supportive mother who becomes a reluctant business partner after discovering the truth about his haunted office.
Episodes 1-4 Recap Summary
Episodes 1-2: The Case of Gang-pung
I-rang is a struggling lawyer who cannot get hired anywhere due to a mysterious red mark on his resume linked to his late father. Desperate, he uses his mother’s savings to rent an office — only to discover it’s a former shaman’s house. Soon after, he meets his first ghost: Gang-pung, a man who died during surgery.
I-rang learns that Gang-pung’s death was caused by medical malpractice that the hospital is trying to cover up. Gang-pung’s daughter has locked herself in her room for five months, blaming herself for her father’s death because she told him to see a doctor about his snoring.
Despite going up against Na-hyeon in court, I-rang fights to uncover the truth. With Gang-pung’s help (who occasionally possesses I-rang’s body for some action-packed moments), they recover crucial evidence from a hidden EMR machine. I-rang wins his first case, and Gang-pung’s daughter finally learns the truth — her father’s death was not her fault.
In a touching farewell, Gang-pung visits his sleeping daughter one last time before peacefully moving on.
Episodes 3-4: The Case of Kim Su-ah
I-rang’s second ghost client is Kim Su-ah, a teenage girl and former idol trainee who went by the stage name “Loanne.” She died after falling from the roof of her entertainment agency, and while authorities ruled it a suicide, Su-ah insists she was pushed.
The investigation reveals a web of betrayal. Su-ah’s best friend Emma, who was just below the cutoff for the debut group, pushed Su-ah off the roof out of jealousy. Vocal trainer Ko Jeong-seok witnessed the crime but was blackmailed into becoming an accomplice and later stole Su-ah’s original songs.
I-rang cleverly sets a trap — giving Emma a taser without batteries — and she reveals her true colors. Both criminals are arrested with Na-hyeon’s help, marking the beginning of a reluctant partnership between the two lawyers.
Su-ah’s story also uncovers her estranged mother, who left when Su-ah was a toddler due to a progressive eye disease. In a bittersweet ending, Su-ah donates her corneas to her mother before moving on.
Meanwhile, Na-hyeon witnesses I-rang’s ghost-seeing abilities firsthand and tells him to stop — but their paths are clearly destined to keep crossing.
Where to Watch Phantom Lawyer by Country
Phantom Lawyer is available on multiple streaming platforms worldwide:
Netflix — Available in 35+ countries including South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, Peru, and more. Currently ranked #1 in Malaysia and Vietnam on Netflix Top 10.
Viki (Rakuten Viki) — Available in the United States and other English-speaking regions. Currently ranked #5 in the US.
Viu — Available in Indonesia and Thailand (ranked #3 in both).
U-Next — Available in Japan (ranked #4).
Hami Video — Available in Taiwan (ranked #1).
SBS TV — Live broadcast in South Korea every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST.
Full Episode Schedule
| Episode | Air Date (KST) | Netflix Release |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | March 13, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 2 | March 14, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 3 | March 20, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 4 | March 21, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 5 | March 27, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 6 | March 28, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 7 | April 3, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 8 | April 4, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 9 | April 10, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 10 | April 11, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 11 | April 17, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 12 | April 18, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 13 | April 24, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 14 | April 25, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
| Episode 15 | May 1, 2026 (Fri) | Same day |
| Episode 16 (Finale) | May 2, 2026 (Sat) | Same day |
Why You Should Watch Phantom Lawyer
Phantom Lawyer is a rare blend of legal drama, supernatural fantasy, comedy, and heartfelt emotion. Yoo Yeon-seok delivers a standout performance, seamlessly shifting between the gentle I-rang and the various ghosts who possess him. The cases are not just about solving crimes — they explore themes of family, sacrifice, betrayal, and closure.
If you enjoyed dramas like Hotel del Luna or From Now On, Showtime!, Phantom Lawyer deserves a spot on your watchlist.
New episodes drop every Friday and Saturday. Bookmark this page — we’ll be posting individual episode recaps all season long!