The supernatural legal drama Phantom Lawyer is quickly emerging as one of the most talked-about Korean series of the season, with rising viewership numbers helping restore momentum to SBS’s Friday–Saturday drama lineup.
The series has steadily approached double-digit ratings only weeks after its premiere, signaling strong audience interest in its unusual mix of courtroom storytelling and fantasy elements. The show’s performance is particularly meaningful for SBS, where the weekend slot had previously struggled to maintain consistent success compared with rival broadcasters.
Starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom, Phantom Lawyer follows a lawyer who gains the ability to see and be possessed by spirits while resolving unresolved cases connected to the dead. The drama blends mystery, legal investigation and supernatural storytelling a combination that has attracted viewers looking for something different from traditional courtroom series.
The program premiered on March 13, 2026, and airs weekly on SBS in the competitive Friday–Saturday evening time slot. Early viewership ratings showed steady growth, with later episodes continuing to climb as audience interest expanded. Nielsen Korea reported the drama reaching strong nationwide ratings in its early run, helping it become one of the most-watched miniseries in its broadcast window.
Industry observers say the drama’s success reflects SBS’s broader strategy to strengthen its weekend lineup through genre-blending series featuring established actors. The network’s 2026 programming schedule includes several high-profile projects aimed at reclaiming ratings leadership across key time slots.
In addition to its domestic performance, Phantom Lawyer is also gaining international visibility through global streaming platforms, allowing overseas viewers to follow episodes shortly after their Korean broadcast. The combination of strong cast performances and an original supernatural premise has helped the drama stand out among recent legal-themed K-dramas.
With ratings continuing to rise and audience engagement growing week by week, the series is now being viewed as a major step forward for SBS’s weekend programming strategy in 2026.