The actress known for playing a tough prosecutor in the hit drama Taxi Driver is back on screen, but this time, she is playing a very different kind of legal expert. Esom stars alongside Yoo Yeon-seok in the new SBS legal fantasy series โPhantom Lawyerโ, which premiered on March 13, 2026. While viewers recognize her from her role as Kang Ha-na in โTaxi Driverโ, her new character, Han Na-hyun, shows a completely new side of her acting skills.
The series brings together a โpossessed lawyerโ who can see ghosts and a cold, elite attorney who only cares about winning. The show is now available for global audiences, streaming on Netflix and Viki in regions including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India.
How Han Na-hyun Differs From Kang Ha-na
For many viewers, Esom is still remembered as the passionate prosecutor Kang Ha-na from โTaxi Driverโ. That character was fiery, emotional, and driven by a deep sense of justice to protect victims. In โPhantom Lawyerโ, Esom plays Han Na-hyun, an elite lawyer at the top firm Taebaek Law Firm in the Seocho district. Unlike her previous role, this character is defined by logic, results, and a perfect 100% win record.
The production team explained that Han Na-hyun โputs logic and results first.โ She is described as a โcold-blooded elite lawyerโ who remains unaffected by emotion and always chooses the most efficient path to victory. While Kang Ha-na in โTaxi Driverโ was willing to break rules to catch criminals, Han Na-hyun operates strictly within the bounds of the law, focusing solely on winning cases.
However, the new role is not just about being cold. The series promises to show the hidden wounds behind her perfect exterior. Esom mentioned that she thought deeply about why her character hides her pain, asking, โDo you really have to live that strictly by the manual?โ
A Character Built on Wounds and Change
The depth of Han Na-hyun comes from a painful backstory. According to SBS reports, becoming a lawyer was originally her older sisterโs dream. Na-hyun took on that dream and pushed herself harder than anyone else, leading to her emotionless and result-driven personality.
Esom shared her preparation process for the role, saying, โShe looks cool-headed and strong, but I wondered what kinds of wounds and pain she might carry. I thought she might be someone who shut out outside emotions out of fear of getting hurt.โ The actress explained that after meeting Shin I-rang (Yoo Yeon-seok), her character goes through failures and gets angry, but slowly her gaze shifts. โIn that process, she discovers a โselfโ she didnโt know was there,โ Esom added.
This character evolution is a key part of the drama. Where Shin I-rang moves with โheartโ and โjustice,โ Han Na-hyun moves by the law and the win-loss record. The clash between these two perspectives creates the main tension of the story.
Release and Streaming Information
โPhantom Lawyerโ officially premiered on March 13, 2026 on SBS TV. The show airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST. For international viewers, the drama is available for streaming on Netflix and Viki, with subtitles in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Indonesian, and more.
The series consists of 16 episodes, each running approximately 70 minutes. The premiere episode garnered a 6.3% nationwide rating according to Nielsen Korea, marking a strong start for the legal fantasy drama.
What Makes This Role Special
Esomโs approach to Han Na-hyun was meticulous. To build the characterโs cold image early on, she lowered her acting tone and worked with styling that includes flawless suits and a smartwatch to emphasize a firm, restrained impression. As the characterโs emotions evolve, changes in color and mood in her wardrobe visually reflect her internal shifts.
In an interview with Harperโs BAZAAR Korea, Esom opened up about her commitment to the role. โIt wasnโt easy fully understanding Na-hyun, so I had countless conversations with the director. Whenever a script came out, Iโd go in and go through every single line togetherโup through Episode 16,โ she said. She added that she worked the way her character would, wanting to shape the role without any regrets.
The actress also discussed her chemistry with co-star Yoo Yeon-seok. โItโs our first project together, but I trusted he would embody Shin I-rang well,โ she shared. โEven when I was buried in lines, he still took care of the on-site atmosphere. There was a lot to learn.โ
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The World of โPhantom Lawyerโ
The drama is set in the legal world of Seocho and follows Shin I-rang (Yoo Yeon-seok), a lawyer who moves into an office that used to be a shamanโs house. After the move, he starts seeing ghosts and becomes a โspirit-possessed lawyer,โ letting the dead use his body to seek justice. This premise creates a mix of legal cases, supernatural elements, and comedy.
Esom emphasized that the stories of the dead who come to Shin I-rang are the core of the drama. She hopes the series shows โhow precious it is to truly listen to someone.โ She also noted that the variety of โpossessionโ characters appearing in each episode will be a major fun factor for viewers.
The supporting cast includes Kim Kyung-nam as Yang Do-kyung, the CEO of Taebaek Law Firm, and Heo Sung-tae making a special appearance as the first ghost client.
For fans who enjoyed Esom in โTaxi Driverโ, โPhantom Lawyerโ offers a chance to see her range as an actress. While both roles involve the legal system, Han Na-hyun is a different challengeโa character defined by control, precision, and a slow emotional awakening. With the series now airing, audiences can watch how this elite lawyerโs rigid world cracks open when she meets a lawyer who talks to ghosts.
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