Yoo Yeon-seok's 'Shin-i-rang Law Office' Sees Rising Ratings with Unique Legal Drama

The drama 'Shin-i-rang Law Office,' starring actor Yoo Yeon-seok, who debuted in 2003, is experiencing a rise in viewership ratings from the start.

The first episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Shin-i-rang Law Office,' which aired on the 13th, recorded a viewership rating of 6.3%. The second episode, aired the following day, saw an increase to 8.7%. Notably, the second episode achieved a peak rating of 11.3% in the metropolitan area, surpassing double digits in just two episodes, according to Nielsen Korea. It also ranked first in viewership ratings among all mini-series dramas aired during the same time slot on Fridays and Saturdays, both in average and target demographics of 20-49.

Shin-i-rang, played by Yoo Yeon-seok, is different from the typical justice-driven hero. After repeatedly failing law firm interviews due to the stigma of his prosecutor father's incident 10 years ago, he opens his own law office with the ambition to "create the best law firm with my name on it." However, the office he acquires, Room 501 of Okcheon Building, was once a shaman's house, with walls covered in talismans hidden by wallpaper. After lighting an incense burner found in a desk drawer, Shin-i-rang begins to see ghosts. Despite his fear and attempts to escape, he cannot ignore the unjust stories of the spirits and embarks on a bittersweet struggle, even risking his own body.

Yoo Yeon-seok's limitless acting transformation, from a kind-hearted lawyer to a fierce gangster spirit, enhances the immersion. He delivers thrilling bare-handed action scenes that turn a warehouse into chaos, and his involuntary outbursts of rough dialect and curses add to the excitement. After the possession ends, he is left flustered by the consequences. He also leaves a lasting impression by sincerely comforting Lee Ji-woo (played by Ahn Chae-hum), who blames herself for her father Lee Kang-pung's (played by Heo Sung-tae) death, saying, "It's not your fault that your dad died."

The production team stated, "The dead cannot speak, so their grievances are often buried forever, but Shin-i-rang becomes their voice, bringing the truth to light. The core of the story is Shin-i-rang's growth into a hero as he resolves the spirits' grudges." They added, "The narrative will continue to provide cathartic resolutions for those who have buried their unspeakable circumstances due to the barriers of law and reality, making it a work that continues the legacy of SBS's refreshing legal dramas."

'Shin-i-rang Law Office' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.

Reporter Jung Se-yoon, Ten Asia yoon@tenasia.co.kr