'Phantom Lawyer' tops Netflix Korea, hits 11.3% ratings after just two episodes

16 Mar 2026, 21:02 by K-Soul · allkpop

A new SBS Friday–Saturday drama has kicked off with an unexpectedly strong start.

The show quickly reversed the heavy atmosphere left by its struggling predecessor, achieving a surge in ratings that nearly reached double digits after only two episodes. It has also climbed to No. 1 on Netflix Korea, simultaneously dominating both traditional television and OTT platforms. The drama’s rapid early momentum is now being viewed as a signal of revival for SBS’s recently sluggish Friday–Saturday drama lineup.

The drama at the center of the buzz is 'Phantom Lawyer,' which premiered on March 14. According to Netflix Korea’s “Top 10 Series in South Korea Today” ranking released on March 15, the series immediately claimed the No. 1 spot and has maintained the position as of March 16.

As of that day, the rankings were as follows: 'Boyfriend on Demand' in second place, 'Shining' in third, 'K-foodie Meets J-foodie' in fourth, 'Pursuit of Jade' in fifth, 'The Art of Sarah'in sixth, 'Dinosaurs' in seventh, 'One Piece' in eighth, 'Jujutsu Kaisen' in ninth, and 'Undercover Miss Hong' in tenth. The drama’s ability to quickly generate buzz and reach the top of OTT rankings right after its premiere has led many to describe its early response as exceeding expectations.

The ratings trajectory has also been steep. The first episode recorded 6.3% nationwide with a peak of 6.6%. Among viewers aged 20–49, the drama posted an average rating of 2.0% and a peak of 2.5%, placing first in its time slot.

Episode 2 saw a major jump, reaching 8.7% nationwide and 9.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area, with a peak minute rating of 11.3%. The 20–49 demographic rating also rose to an average of 2.6% with a peak of 3.4%, again taking first place in the same time slot. According to Nielsen Korea, the peak minute rating surpassed 11% after just two episodes—nearly double the highest figure from the premiere. For SBS, it marks a promising rebound after the underperformance of the previous drama.

'Phantom Lawyer' follows Shin Yi Rang, a “spirit-possessed lawyer” who resolves the grudges of the dead, and Han Na Hyun, a cold and elite attorney willing to risk everything to win her cases. Together, they solve various cases in a revenge-filled adventure. The series expands beyond the traditional courtroom drama format by weaving in fantasy, comedy, and human elements. Critics note that SBS has once again leaned into the strengths of its signature “cathartic legal dramas,” previously seen in titles like 'One Dollar Lawyer' and 'The Judge from Hell.'

Much of the early success has been driven by Yoo Yeon Seok’s transformation. In the series, his character Shin Yi Rang opens a law office in Room 501 of the Okcheon Building, a location that was once a shaman’s house, and soon finds himself entangled in unexpected cases. During the drama’s press conference, Yoo Yeon Seok revealed that he approached the project “as if his career were on the line.”

In Episodes 1 and 2, the actor delivered a wide range of tones—moving seamlessly between seriousness, sly humor, comedy, and desperation—while firmly anchoring the narrative. He has also become a major talking point among viewers for portraying different “alter ego–like” variations of his character in each episode, something he himself described as “letting go of everything” to fully commit to the role.

Esom has also made a strong impression. Her character Han Nahyun is a fiercely competitive and logical attorney, sharply contrasting with Shin Irang’s emotion- and intuition-driven personality. Their clash adds a key layer of tension to the story.

In the first two episodes, Han Nahyun experiences her first professional loss after a previously undefeated career as a lawyer. The moment reveals new sides of the character—from cold obsession to inner turmoil and ultimately more human choices. As the once-unshakeable elite begins to show cracks, anticipation is growing for her future character development.

The drama is drawing particular attention, given the context of SBS’s recent lineup. Last year, the network’s Friday–Saturday dramas achieved solid results with titles such as My Perfect Secretary, Treasure Island, and Taxi Driver 3. However, the first drama of this year, Starting Today, I’m Human, fell short of expectations with ratings ranging between a high of 4.2% and a low of 2.2%.

Against that backdrop, 'Phantom Lawyer' launched under significant pressure as its successor. Yet within just two episodes, it has successfully boosted ratings, buzz, and OTT rankings, marking a strong turnaround.

Director Shin Jung Hoon, who is making his main directing debut with the series, previously expressed his determination at the press conference, saying, “I’ve put everything on the line. My life is on the line with this project.” He also admitted, “It would be a lie to say there’s no pressure. I feel the responsibility of having to save the company.”

He added that the drama’s greatest strength lies in its accessibility: “More than anything else, it’s easy and comfortable to watch. It’s a drama that viewers of all ages can gather around, laugh, and enjoy together.”

For now, the early momentum has clearly shifted the narrative. After quickly erasing the shadow left by its predecessor’s poor performance, “Phantom Lawyer” has emerged as one of the fastest-rising Korean dramas at the moment. With a peak rating of 11.3% and a No. 1 ranking on Netflix after only two episodes, attention is now turning to whether the series can maintain its upward trajectory and restore pride to SBS’s Friday–Saturday drama lineup.

SBS’s new Friday–Saturday drama 'Phantom Lawyer' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.

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