Yoo Yeon Seok and Esom are preparing to bring a fresh mix of legal battles and supernatural mysteries to the small screen. The production team for the upcoming SBS drama Phantom Lawyer shared new character posters on February 24, 2026, giving a closer look at the lead duo. This series tells the story of Shin Yi Rang, played by Yoo Yeon Seok, a lawyer who gains the ability to see ghosts after setting up his office in a former shaman’s house. He eventually teams up with Han Na Hyun, played by Esom, an elite attorney who only cares about winning until she meets the ghost-seeing lawyer.
The new posters highlight the deep connection between the characters and the “cracks” in reality they must face. Yoo Yeon Seok appears with a gaze that suggests he is constantly balancing the weight of the living and the dead. Behind him, subtle hints of his “possessed” state are visible, as the drama features him literally taking on the personas of his spirit clients to argue their cases. Esom stands with a sharp, cold expression that reflects her character’s high-stakes background at a top-tier law firm, yet there is a sense of curiosity in her eyes as she begins to believe in the impossible.
A Legal Office Hidden In Room 501
The story begins when Shin Yi Rang opens his private practice in Room 501 of the Okcheon Building. The setting is far from a typical corporate law office. The walls are covered in traditional talismans and zodiac signs, left behind by the building’s previous tenant. While Yi Rang initially just wanted to be a successful, normal lawyer, his life changes when spirits begin to visit him with their unsolved grievances.
Esom’s character, Han Na Hyun, enters the picture after suffering a shocking loss in court against Yi Rang. Known for her 100% success rate, the defeat shakes her foundation. As she gets pulled into his bizarre world, she provides the logical and legal framework needed to turn a ghost’s testimony into a winning case in a human courtroom.
Yoo Yeon Seok Tackles Possession And Many Faces
One of the most talked-about parts of Phantom Lawyer is the “possession advocacy” mechanic. Because the dead cannot speak for themselves in court, Shin Yi Rang allows them to possess his body. This lets Yoo Yeon Seok show off his range as an actor, playing a different personality in almost every episode. He described the experience during a recent interview:
“Without a setup like possession, when else would I get to throw myself into a role and completely let go? This is my first time playing so many different people in one project. From an idol trainee to an elderly spirit, I tried to connect each person’s gestures and habits to my performance. Every day on set felt new.”
The production team noted that the mural behind Yi Rang in the posters actually features his own face in various forms, hinting at the many spirits that will take over his body throughout the 16-episode run.
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Supporting Cast And Premiere Details
The series also features a strong supporting lineup. Kim Kyung Nam plays Yang Do Kyung, the ambitious head of the massive Taebaek Law Firm and a direct rival to Yi Rang. Jeon Seok Ho appears as the office manager and Yi Rang’s brother-in-law, Yoon Bong Soo, while veteran actress Kim Mi Kyung plays Yi Rang’s mother, Park Kyung Hwa.
Phantom Lawyer will premiere on Friday, March 13, 2026, on SBS. It is scheduled to air every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST. Global audiences can expect to find the series on various streaming platforms, with Viu handling distribution in many Asian regions and Hami Video in Taiwan.
The drama is directed by Shin Jung Hoon and written by the duo Kim Ga Young and Kang Cheol Gyu. It takes over the time slot previously held by other successful SBS legal hits, aiming to provide a balance of humor, courtroom drama, and emotional closure for its ghostly clients.
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