The new Korean drama Phantom Lawyer has officially arrived on Netflix, bringing a fresh mix of supernatural elements and courtroom drama to global audiences. The series premiered on March 13, 2026, and has already started conversations among K-drama fans worldwide.
Created by director Shin Jung-hoon and writers Kim Ga-young and Kang Cheol-gyu, this 16-episode legal fantasy follows a lawyer who suddenly gains the ability to see ghosts after moving his practice into a building that once belonged to a shaman. The show airs every Friday and Saturday on SBS in South Korea at 9:50 p.m. KST, with Netflix streaming new episodes on the same day for international viewers.
What makes this drama stand out is its unique blend of court cases, comedy, and ghostly encounters. The story revolves around unresolved grievancesโboth human and otherworldlyโcolliding with the legal system in unexpected ways. Here is a complete breakdown of the cast and characters who bring this supernatural legal world to life.
Main Cast of Phantom Lawyer
Yoo Yeon-seok as Shin Yi-rang
Yoo Yeon-seok takes on the lead role of Shin Yi-rang, a lawyer whose life completely changes after moving into a former shaman’s building. Yi-rang starts as an honest but somewhat timid attorney who struggles in the cutthroat legal profession. Unlike his aggressive colleagues, he genuinely believes in justice and helping people, though this sometimes makes him appear naive to others.
Everything shifts when Yi-rang discovers he can see and communicate with ghosts. The spirits who visit him often carry important information about past injustices, turning what seemed like a burden into a unique investigative advantage. When a ghost possesses him, his entire personality transforms, allowing him to access the spirit’s memories and emotions.
Yoo Yeon-seok is no stranger to Korean drama fans. He is widely recognized for his roles in hit series like Dr. Romantic, When the Phone Rings, Hospital Playlist, Mr. Sunshine, and the classic Reply 1994. For Phantom Lawyer, he reportedly tries his hand at full-fledged comedic acting for the first time since his debut, impressing the production team with his changing speech patterns, facial expressions, and bold reactions during possession scenes.
The production team compared his character to a squirrelโbig-hearted and prone to over-immersion in cases. Yi-rang treats each case as a person rather than a task, and once he commits, he follows through to the end.
Esom as Han Na-hyeon
Esom plays Han Na-hyeon, a sharp elite lawyer with a perfect 100 percent win record. She works at Taebaek Law Firm, one of the most prestigious legal offices in Seoul’s Seocho District. Unlike Yi-rang, who operates on emotion and instinct, Na-hyeon approaches the law with chilly efficiency, data-driven decisions, and ruthless ambition.
Her character serves as the perfect contrast to Yi-rang. While he believes in compassion, she puts strategy above gut feeling. But her seemingly perfect exterior hides painful wounds from her past, wounds she keeps sealed behind her cold demeanor. When she meets Yi-rang and starts witnessing strange, unexplainable phenomena, her rigidly logical worldview begins to crack.
The production team likened Na-hyeon to an eagleโshe reads the entire situation from high above, locks onto her goals, and dives with laser focus once she decides to act. Esom brings this intensity to the role, having previously impressed audiences in dramas like Taxi Driver, Because This Is My First Life, Save Me 2, and LTNS.
Kim Kyung-nam as Yang Do-gyeong
Kim Kyung-nam appears as Yang Do-gyeong, the CEO of Taebaek Law Firm. He represents the power and influence that large law firms wield in the legal world. The Taebaek firm handles prestige cases and those with political implications, and Do-gyeong’s management style mirrors the cold, power-centered image of his company.
Do-gyeong regularly clashes with Yi-rang’s more merciful approach to the law. He symbolizes how corporate interests and elite legal networks can distort the pursuit of true justice. Described as a raccoon by the production team, Do-gyeong hides meticulous calculations behind an easy smile. He may appear spontaneous, but his timing is always razor-sharp.
Supporting Cast
The Yi-rang Family
Jeon Seok-ho plays Yun Bong-su, Yi-rang’s brother-in-law who becomes the office manager at Shin Yi-rang’s law firm. Bong-su is a hard-working aspiring actor with an eclectic resume filled with part-time jobs he took to pursue realistic acting. He doesn’t fully believe in Yi-rang’s ghostly experiences but remains a steadfast friend who helps make sense of odd situations. The production team compared him to a busy honeybeeโhe handles the nuts and bolts of the office, and without him, everything falls apart.
Kim Mi-kyung, a beloved veteran actress in Korean dramas, portrays Park Gyeong-hwa, Yi-rang’s mother. She runs the Doo Geun Doo Geun Butcher Shop with a knife always in hand, raising Yi-rang while cutting meat. Her tough exterior hides a deeply warm and caring nature. The team likened her to a tigerโshe doesn’t waver easily, commands any room she enters, but beneath that tough shell lies devoted love for her family.
Son Yeo-eun appears as Sin Sa-rang, Yi-rang’s older sister, while young actress Lee A-rin plays Yun Da-bong, Sa-rang’s daughter and Yi-rang’s niece. Together, they complete the cheerful family dynamic that grounds the supernatural elements of the show.
The Mysterious Allies
Jung Seung-gil plays Father Matthew, a mysterious priest who becomes another key pillar at Shin Yi-rang Law Office. Described as a former shaman turned priest, he offers meaningful advice to Yi-rang at crucial moments with gentle warmth and positive energy. The production team called him a sheep with clawsโgentle on the surface but with unshakable convictions and steel within.
The Antagonists
Choi Kwang-il takes on the role of Yang Byeong-il, the chairman of Taebaek Law Firm and Yang Do-gyeong’s father. He represents the old guard of elite legal power in the series.
Yeon Ji-hyung appears as Kim Hyun-woo, a prosecutor who is Han Na-hyeon’s junior from judicial research institute. His character adds another layer to the legal dynamics in the story.
Special Appearances
Heo Sung-tae, known for his memorable roles in various dramas, makes a special appearance as one of Shin Yi-rang’s unique ghost clients, adding to the supernatural roster of characters seeking justice from beyond.
The complete supporting cast also includes Lee Su-ho, Kang Myoung-soo, Yoon Jae-jin, and others who fill out the world of Phantom Lawyer.
Where to Watch Phantom Lawyer
Global audiences can stream Phantom Lawyer on Netflix starting March 13, 2026. The show releases new episodes every Friday and Saturday.
For viewers in different regions, here are the streaming options:
- USA, UK, Canada, Australia: Netflix with same day release as Korean broadcast
- India: Netflix with new episodes every Friday and Saturday
- Southeast Asia: Available on Viu with subtitles
- Various regions: Also streaming on Viki
The series airs on SBS TV in South Korea every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST. Each episode runs approximately 70 minutes.
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What Makes This Cast Special
The ensemble of Phantom Lawyer brings together actors with proven track records in Korean entertainment. Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom mark their first on-screen collaboration in this series, creating fresh chemistry that viewers have already started noticing in early episodes.
The supporting cast features seasoned performers like Kim Mi-kyung, who consistently delivers strong performances across genres, and Jeon Seok-ho, known for his ability to balance comedy with genuine emotional moments. The inclusion of special appearances by actors like Heo Sung-tae adds extra excitement for longtime K-drama viewers.
Early reviews praise the cast’s ability to handle the show’s mix of comedy, drama, and supernatural elements. Yoo Yeon-seok‘s comedic timing, in particular, has been highlighted as a standout element in the first episode.
With 16 episodes scheduled to air through early May 2026, audiences have plenty of time to get to know these characters and watch their relationships develop as they tackle cases involving both the living and the dead.
Also Read: Yoo Yeon-seokโs New K-Drama Phantom Lawyer: Full Release Schedule And Where To Watch
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