The finale of Phantom Lawyer gives an emotional and action-packed conclusion, bringing justice, closure, and a heartfelt goodbye as Shin I-rang and his allies finally bring down Chairman Yang.
Gi-jung Takes The Reins
Episode 16 begins with Shin Gi-jung taking over I-rang again and he uses his expert Kendo skills to beat the Four Dragons gang members. In the confusion Lee Tae-goon sees the recorder on the floor, takes it and escapes before anyone can stop him. Gi-jung tries to run after him but Tae-goon is gone. Meanwhile, Na-hyun immediately calls the police and reports the assault.
Can Shin I-rang Clear His Father’s Name?
I-rang and Na-hyun, determined to find the truth, go to Chinatown to find Lee Tae-goon and the lost recording.
They visit the owner of the Red House, who is the same person who had lied about Gi-jung earlier and falsely accused him as a corrupt prosecutor while shielding Chairman Yang. This time the truth comes out at last. The owner tells him that the Four Dragons made him lie and that there are gang members watching him from outside.
I-rang intentionally goads Tae-goon’s men into running into the building when he sees this. Under the influence of the spirit of Gi-jung, I-rang defeats them and extracts a confession. They expose Lee Tae-goon’s plans to escape the country by boat.
Gi-jung remembers the Four Dragons’ involvement in illegal human trafficking through Incheon Inner Harbour, and so it is the most likely escape route.
His instincts do not betray him.
Harbour Showdown
I-rang, Na-hyun and Gi-jung follow Tae-goon to a shipping container at the harbour. Gi-jung possesses I-rang and confronts Tae-goon, pressuring him to tell the truth.
Finally Tae-goon admits and says Yang Do-gyeong has the recording.
The result is a carefully laid snare. I-rang pretends to surrender to Chairman Yang, but Bong-soo secretly teams up with Na-hyun and Gi-jung to get the recording back from Do-gyeong.
The plan works.
Now that I-rang has the evidence, she presents Chairman Yang’s recorded confession to the media, then hands the tape over to Prosecutor Kim.
The evidence shows years of corruption, murder and abuse of the power. Chairman Yang was detained, and Chief Judge Choi’s role was also revealed.
What’s Going On With Chairman Yang Byung-il?
After Yang’s arrest, Gi-jung visits his former friend in prison, looking for a sign of remorse.
Instead, Chairman Yang is wholly unapologetic.
He reminds Gi-jung of their old Kendo matches, saying he’s always hated to lose. He could never win cleanly against Gi-jung, he always cheated, always broke the rules.
Yang admits nothing has changed.
Still believes power is more important than loyalty, friendship or justice and will do anything to stay on top.
The talk breaks Gi-jung’s heart, as he realizes the friend he once trusted is no longer there.
But now, at last, Yang’s empire has fallen and he must face the consequences of his crimes.
What Becomes of Shin Gi-jung?
Justice is served, and Gi-jung is ready to move on.
I-rang takes him home to spend one last evening with his family, Bong-soon and Da-bong.
They have a warm meal, reminisce about twenty years lost to Gi-jung, and prepare for an emotional goodbye.
Gi-jung utters his last words, spoken through I-rang, later on the rooftop of the law office.
The family burns the talisman, finally allowing his spirit to rest in peace.
It’s one of the most emotional moments of the entire series.”
What will happen to Yang Do-gyeong?
Do-gyeong struggles to win his father’s approval in the series.
Ex-Chairman Yang is arrested but he still cannot accept the fact that he has a son, and he lies about being involved in the death of Gi-jung and the murder of Mr. Yoon.
This is a turning point for Do-gyeong.
He finally ceases to pursue his father’s approval and appears prepared to take control of Taebaek Firm on his own terms.
Perhaps without his father’s influence, he may at last become the lawyer he was meant to be.
Do Han Na-hyun and Shin I-rang get together?
Yes, the finale delivers the romantic payoff fans have been waiting for.
I-rang and Na-hyun keep working together, helping both living clients and restless spirits. But ghost possessions still get in the way of their relationship.
On Christmas night, I-rang finally has time away from his supernatural duties to take Na-hyun out to dinner.
He was going to tell her how he felt.
But another spirit is following him and ready to possess him again.
I-rang senses what is happening, and tells Na-hyun to trust him.
Before the spirit can take over, Na-hyun pulls him into a kiss.
I-rang, taken by surprise, immediately returns the kiss, showing their mutual affection.
“It’s a sweet and satisfying ending for the couple.”
How does Phantom Lawyer conclude?
In the epilogue, I-rang continues to work as a ghost lawyer.
New spirits continually arrive at his office, each with unfinished business.
One funny final scene even has a dog spirit possessing him, scaring Da-bong when she visits the office with Bong-soo.
The finale makes it clear that I-rang’s supernatural journey is far from over even as the main revenge story ends.
Episode 16 Recap
Episode 16 gives fans everything that could be asked for in a finale – action, emotional closure, romance and justice.
Thanks to the teamwork of I-rang, Na-hyun, Bong-soo and Gi-jung, Chairman Yang is defeated. The combination of their legal knowledge, strategic planning and supernatural support makes for a fun final fight.
The emotional farewell between Gi-jung and his family is easily the strongest moment of the episode, while Na-hyun and I-rang’s long-awaited romantic breakthrough is the perfect emotional payoff.
The finale also hints at future stories to come. The office of Phantom Lawyer is still packed with countless talismans, and new spirits continue to show up. There are plenty more stories to tell in the world of Phantom Lawyer.
While season 2 hasn’t been officially announced, episode 16 definitely leaves a lot of room for the story to continue.