Premiering on October 13, 'Shin-Irang Law Office' (directed by Shin Jung-hoon, written by Kim Ga-young and Kang Chul-kyu) drew audiences in with its intriguing storyline involving the unjust death of a spirit, a gripping first trial, and a possession-filled ending. The show achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 6.3%, peaking at 6.6%, and claimed the top spot in its time slot. It also topped the 2049 target demographic ratings with an average of 2.0% and a peak of 2.5%, proving the success of SBS's legal drama. (Data provided by Nielsen Korea)
Yoo Yeon-seok's versatile performance was a key highlight, showcasing a range of emotions from compassion for a street vendor to fear in the presence of a ghost, and a strong sense of justice for the wronged. His portrayal of the quirky lawyer 'Shin-Irang' added a comedic touch, enhancing the viewing experience. Meanwhile, Esom's portrayal of the cold-hearted elite lawyer 'Han Na-hyun' heightened courtroom tension, and Kim Kyung-nam's role as 'Yang Do-kyung,' the head of the law firm Taebaek, added depth to the villain narrative. The ensemble cast, including Kim Mi-kyung, Son Yeo-eun, and Jeon Seok-ho, along with a special appearance by Heo Sung-tae, provided seamless entertainment.
The episode opened with Shin-Irang, dressed in a sharp black suit with a talisman-patterned tie, shaking a fan as he sat in the defense seat. Despite the saying that the dead cannot speak, Shin-Irang could see and hear them. He was a lawyer who listened to the grievances of spirits unable to seek revenge and ensured justice was served. Just a year ago, Shin-Irang was an ordinary law firm job seeker, repeatedly rejected due to the 'scarlet letter' left by his prosecutor father's incident a decade ago. After facing harsh rejection from ace lawyer Han Na-hyun (played by Esom) during an interview at Taebaek Law Firm, Shin-Irang vowed revenge and decided to open his own law office.
With limited funds, he secured a shabby office in Okcheon Building, Room 501, attracted by its view of the courthouse. Upon lighting a mysterious incense found in a desk drawer, Shin-Irang began seeing a male ghost (played by Heo Sung-tae) floating in the air. The office had once belonged to a shaman who had passed away during a ritual. Despite hiding under the desk and praying at a church, the ghost followed him everywhere, pleading for help in uncovering his identity. The ghost even possessed Shin-Irang's body, causing chaos.
The explanation from Mateo (played by Jung Seung-gil), a former shaman turned priest, was even more astonishing. When ghosts become excited by things they like or dislike, they possess people, causing them to act irrationally, with Shin-Irang having no memory of his actions. However, with the ghost's name and birthdate, its memories could be restored. Through CCTV footage, Shin-Irang discovered that Kim Min-joo's (played by Kim Si-eun) husband was the ghost, 'Lee Kang-pung.'
Lee Kang-pung's memories revealed a happy family life with his wife and daughter, and his death during surgery due to medical malpractice. Despite initial hesitation to take on a ghost case without a fee, Shin-Irang couldn't ignore Kim Min-joo's tears as she described her daughter's isolation. Understanding the pain of having no one listen to his father's unjust death, Shin-Irang took action. Just as Kim Min-joo was about to sign a low settlement, Shin-Irang exposed her lawyer Byun Seung-jun's (played by Lee Kang-wook) underhanded dealings and filed a lawsuit against the hospital and doctor.
Shin-Irang's first trial opponent was none other than Han Na-hyun, who had previously insulted him. She used every tactic, including bringing up Lee Kang-pung's past as a gangster and falsely accusing him of child abuse, to win the case. As Lee Kang-pung's anger reached its peak, he possessed Shin-Irang again. In a fit of rage, Shin-Irang charged forward, only to trip over Han Na-hyun's foot and regain his senses after being doused with water. Lying in the courtroom, he lamented, "I really hate being a lawyer who sees ghosts," foreshadowing the challenges ahead. The episode left viewers eagerly anticipating how Shin-Irang would clear Lee Kang-pung's name and achieve his first victory.
The second episode of 'Shin-Irang Law Office' airs on Saturday, October 14, at 9:50 PM.
Reporter: Im Chae-ryeong, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr