'Phantom Lawyer' Starring Yoo Yeon-seok Dominates Asian OTT Charts, Showcasing K-Content Power

Yoo Yeon-seok's 'Phantom Lawyer' has topped major Asian charts, proving the strength of K-content. Previously, Yoo Yeon-seok was embroiled in tax evasion allegations and reportedly paid around 3 billion KRW in taxes last year. Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo is also caught in tax evasion controversies, but unlike Yoo, he is facing public criticism with no renewal of advertising contracts.

According to the weekly chart released by Viu, a leading OTT platform in Asia, for the first week of April (March 30 - April 5), SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Phantom Lawyer' ranked first in Thailand, second in Indonesia and Hong Kong, third in Singapore, and fourth in the Philippines and Malaysia, securing top positions across Asia.

In Korea, the show is enjoying high ratings nearing 10%, captivating international audiences with its unique blend of legal drama and occult elements. Yoo Yeon-seok, playing the lead role of Shin I-rang, delivers a convincing performance as a character who can see and be possessed by ghosts, earning global acclaim. His dynamic partnership with Esom, who plays elite lawyer Han Na-hyun, adds tension and is a driving force in the series.

This achievement is significant as it marks success in a 'hybrid genre' that combines legal drama with occult elements, moving beyond the traditional romantic comedy focus of K-dramas. The fresh integration of Korean shamanistic themes into a modern legal drama and the universal appeal of delivering justice for the wronged have provided Asian viewers with a strong sense of catharsis.

Viu, operated by Hong Kong's PCCW, is a leading OTT platform showcasing Korean content to global markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It currently offers a variety of Korean content, including 'Climax', 'Phantom Lawyer', and the variety show 'After School Teacher Taeri'.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr