SBS’s new drama Phantom Lawyer, led by Yoo Yeon Seok and Esom, premiered to stable ratings and instantly topped its time slot.
The first episode, which aired on the 13th, posted a 6.3% nationwide rating (Nielsen Korea), peaking at 6.6% to rank No. 1 among dramas in the same slot. In the key 20–49 demo, it averaged 2.0% and peaked at 2.5%, the highest among competing programs.
The series is a fantasy legal drama about lawyer Shin Yi-rang (played by Yoo Yeon Seok), who helps resolve the grievances of the dead, and lawyer Han Na-hyun (Esom), who coldly digs into cases to win. Yoo Yeon Seok shows fresh charms as a lawyer who can see ghosts.
In the premiere, Shin Yi-rang starts seeing spirits after opening a law office on the former site of a shaman’s house. He encounters the ghost of a man who died from medical malpractice, uncovers the truth, and takes on a lawsuit against the hospital and medical staff on behalf of the bereaved family. During the trial, Han Na-hyun’s aggressive arguments turned up the heat, and a furious spirit even possesses Shin, driving the plot to a dramatic high.
The final scene especially delivered laughs as Shin Yi-rang shouted, "I really hate being a lawyer who sees ghosts." With a distinctive premise and brisk pacing, the opener drew strong attention—now viewers are eager to see whether Shin can win his first case.
Meanwhile, episode 2 of Phantom Lawyer airs on the 14th at 9:50 p.m.