The two, who team up in SBS’s new Friday-Saturday drama "Phantom Lawyer", reimagined lawyer Shin I-rang’s office in a sleek, modern concept. With cool, piercing gazes and restrained expressions, they deliver a strong presence in every cut.
"Phantom Lawyer" follows attorney Shin I-rang (played by Yoo Yeon-seok), who frees the lingering regrets of the dead through possession, and elite lawyer Han Na-hyun (played by Esom), who puts everything on the line to win. It’s a strange yet heartwarming series of cases that connect the living and the departed.
In the interview, Yoo Yeon-seok opened up about playing the unique “possession” setup. “I went all in,” he said. “Without a situation like possession, when else would I get to throw myself into a role and completely let go? Back when I did musicals, I loved watching multi-cast actors switch costumes and take the stage. That was always so charming to me. This is my first time playing so many different people in one project.”
From an idol trainee to a scientist, he tackled distinct traits of each spirit that takes over Shin I-rang. “On set, I’d observe during rehearsals or listen to recordings,” he explained. “I tried to connect each person’s gestures and habits to my performance. Usually by the latter half of a drama, a character feels familiar and comfortable. This time, every day felt new.”
Asked what he never wants to change as an actor, Yoo shared, “I want to keep seeking characters I haven’t tried. Switch up genres. If I play a good guy, I want to try a villain too. I think fans will root for me showing different sides, so I’m going to trust that and keep going.”
Esom, who plays Han Na-hyun―an elite lawyer from a major firm who assists Shin I-rang―talked about her approach. “I kept asking, ‘Why does she hide her pain like this?’ Do you really have to live that strictly by the manual?” she said. “The more I looked into Na-hyun, the more I realized everyone carries wounds or loneliness. We’re all human.”
What did this drama leave her with? “No regrets,” Esom said. “It wasn’t easy fully understanding Na-hyun, so I had countless conversations with the director. Whenever a script came out, I’d go in and go through every single line together―up through Episode 16. I think I worked the way Na-hyun would. I really wanted to shape the character without any regrets.”
"Phantom Lawyer", starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom, premieres March 13 at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo = Harper’s BAZAAR Korea]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
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