Phantom Lawyer

 Like most of you, I like to think I am realistic.  "Phantom Lawyer" (2026) is not realistic, but it is very funny and perhaps makes a few realistic points.  Science fiction is said to use tools to make a point.  This is more a fantasy, inside reality to give another perspective.  The dead can't testify, although science allows some information.  This series is the one I felt most addicted to this year as I found waiting for the next episode very anxious.

This series allows a lawyer to get a different view of a crime and pursue new clues.  Another lawyer wants to know how come he knows some critical facts.  Ghosts are really a tool that are used in different ways in the 16 episodes.

I-Rang graduates from law school, but finds it difficult to find a law firm as his father died with a corrupt reputation.  I-Rang gets an office that used to belong to a shaman.  

He is greeted by a ghost that at first scares him.  Over the initial episodes we learn the ghosts tend to be above ground until after they contact the lawyer.  They can pass through solid objects, but cannot  move objects.  At first they have a fuzzy memory, but it turns out they are usually involved with a crime.  Only I-Rang can see them and he is at least once in an episode is possessed by them, often voicing their frustration with no memory recall afterwards.  His brother-in-law, his mother, a rival attorney and a priest are all aware, but unable to see.

The romance starts out as competition between two lawyers, both with good ethical standards.   Han Na Hyun is recognized as a very talented lawyer, but with a win at any cost boss at Taebaek firm.  Na Hyun is stunned by how I-Rang is able to know things no one else does. 

The ghost tool is used cleverly to emphasize tricky situations.  The final episode (number 16) helps resolve another tricky situation and is very touching.

This series required some deft handling and here are some of the contributors that made the unbelievable engaging.

Jon Hun Shin was the director.  He has 2 directing credits, 11 for assistant directing and 1 for writing.

Kim Cheol-gyu was the writer.  He has 14 directing credits, 2 for writing and 3 for producing including "Flower of Evil" (2020),  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/10/flower-of-evil.html

Dapalan handled the music.  He had been a member of both heavy metal and electronic bands.  He has 70 music credits including "The Good the Bad the Weird" (2008), "The Thieves" (2012), "For the Emperor" (2014), "Assassination" (2015), "The Wailing" (2016), "My Name is Loh Kinan" (2024) "Killer Paradox" (2024) and "Romantics Anonymous" (2024). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/10/romantics-anonymous.html  see also http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/a-killer-paradox.html

 Yoo Yeon-seok played Sin I-rang, the male lead.  He has 40 acting credits and 1 for the sound department including "Oldboy" (2003), "Werewolf Boy" (2012), "The Beauty Inside" (2015) and "When the Phone Rings" (2024).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/01/when-phone-rings.html

Esom plays Han Na Hyeon.  She has 30 acting credits including "Because This Is My First Life" (2017).

Kim Mi-kyung played I-Rang's mother.  She has been involved with a theatre group.  Mi-kyung has 83 acting credits including "Secret Sunshine" (2007), "It's Okay Not To Be Okay" (2020), "Trolley"  (2022-23), "Doctor Cha" (2023) and "Welcome to Samdal-ri" (2023-24).  see  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/its-okay-not-to-be-okay.html  Also http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/02/the-trolley.html  and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/06/welcome-to-sandal-ri.html 

Kim Kyung-Nam played the CEO of Taebaek, the opposing law firm.  He has 13 acting credits including"Strongest Deliveryman" (2017). 

Choi Kwang-il plays the co founder of Taebaek and father to the current CEO.  He has 54 acting credits including "The Glory" (2022) and "When the Phone Rings" (2025)

Jeon Seok-ho, played the brother in law.  He has been with a theatre group since 2003.  He has 40  acting credits including "Misaeng" (2014), "Hyena" (2020), "Love Next Door" (2024) and "Squid Game" (2024-25).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/01/squid-game-season-2.html

Son Yeo-eun played I-rang's sister.  She has 21 acting credits including "The King's Affection" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/the-kings-affection.htm

Jeong Seung-gil played a former shaman turned priest.  He has 56 acting credits including "Tunnel" (2016), "Agency" (2023) and "Our Unwritten Seoul" (2025).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/06/our-unwritten-seoul.html

 When you watch any film, in the back of your mind it is a pretend world, but you enjoy the well done ones.   Using ghosts as a tool there are more plot moves. see  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/12/my-favorite-ghost-movies.html  It is available subtitled on Netflix.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  Some of them are among my favorite Korean films and a big part of my Korean obsession.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.