Netflix’s original Korean historical fantasy series ‘The East Palace’ has captivated global audiences, making waves as the streaming giant’s first major original period drama success since the iconic ‘Kingdom’ seven years ago. This new must-watch K-drama immediately proved its power, pushing ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ down to No. 2 globally. According to global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol on July 23, Netflix’s ‘The East Palace’ earned an impressive 554 points, securing the No. 2 spot on the platform’s global TV show rankings. This put it ahead of SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama ‘Agent Kim Reactivated,’ which dropped to No. 3 with 442 points after previously holding a top position. ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ did manage to rank No. 1 in seven countries.
Global Domination: ‘The East Palace’ Takes Over Charts
Meanwhile, ‘The East Palace’ surged to No. 1 in a remarkable 17 countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, highlighting its phenomenal popularity across Asia. The series also entered the Top 10 in an astounding 83 countries worldwide. Domestically, the drama has also performed exceptionally well, with Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex rankings for the third week of July (released July 22) showing ‘The East Palace’ climbing to No. 1 in overall buzz, surpassing several established hit series.
Unraveling the Mystery: Plot & Genre Deep Dive
A captivating blend of occult horror and historical drama, ‘The East Palace’ takes viewers on a thrilling journey. Seven years after ‘Kingdom’ redefined the genre, this new series follows Gu Cheon (played by Nam Joo Hyuk), a man with the unique ability to cross between the worlds of the living and the dead, and Saeng Gang (Roh Yoon Seo), a mysterious palace maid. Together, they investigate a sinister curse haunting the Eastern Palace under the king’s orders. Star actor Cho Seung Woo anchors the cast as the formidable king. The entire eight-episode series was released in full on July 17.
The compelling story unfolds after a series of royal family crown princes mysteriously die, one after another. Whispers spread that the palace has once again fallen under the curse of a pond ghost seeking to claim the royal bloodline. Even the initially skeptical king is forced to summon Gu Cheon when the supernatural incidents spiral terrifyingly out of control. The title ‘The East Palace’ itself holds a dual meaning, referring both to the traditional residence of the crown prince and metaphorically, to the place where the royal family’s hidden sins and dark secrets have accumulated. Genre-wise, the series masterfully combines historical drama with occult horror and dark fantasy action. It’s not just about ghosts in a historical setting; its action truly centers on thrilling journeys between the worlds of humans and spirits. This marks Netflix’s first original Korean historical series in this vein since the groundbreaking zombie thriller ‘Kingdom’ debuted about seven years ago.
Star Power & Creative Vision
The creative minds behind the show are screenwriters Kwon So Ra and Seo Jae Won, renowned for their work on supernatural hits like ‘The Guest’ and ‘Bulgasal: Immortal Souls.’ Their expertise in crafting intricate mythologies is evident in ‘The East Palace’s’ richly built world. The star-studded cast also generated considerable buzz even before its release. Nam Joo Hyuk makes a highly anticipated acting comeback following his military service, Roh Yoon Seo takes on her challenging first historical drama role, and Cho Seung Woo makes a welcome return to television for the first time in three years. Viewers have consistently praised the series for its distinctly Korean storytelling, stunning visually striking world-building, intense action sequences that span the spirit realm, the cast’s powerful performances, and, of course, the memorable ghost creature Kkeomeoksal.
The Unforgettable Supporting Cast
Much of ‘The East Palace’s’ immense success has also been credited to its standout supporting cast, whose layered performances significantly deepen the drama’s emotional weight and complexity. Kwak Dong Yeon delivers a powerful performance as the crown prince whose tragic fate tragically sets the entire story in motion. Although his screen time is relatively brief, his restrained acting and chilling presence leave an absolutely lasting impact.
As the story dramatically unfolds, the crown prince is revealed to be far more than a simple victim, becoming intimately tied to the royal family’s long-hidden secrets. His shocking return as a vengeful evil spirit near the end of Episode 4 became one of the series’ most talked-about and standout moments. Relying more on his intense expressions, piercing gaze, and dramatic special effects makeup than dialogue, Kwak delivers a stunning transformation that dramatically shifts the entire tone of the series. Jang Young Nam brilliantly portrays the Queen Dowager, a formidable woman obsessed with preserving royal authority at all costs. Through restrained yet commanding dialogue and an imposing screen presence, she maintains the drama’s high tension until the finale, portraying a character consumed by madness as she relentlessly attempts to overthrow the king despite being attacked by vengeful spirits.
Hong Su Ju plays the haunting Pond Ghost (Court Lady Seung Eun), a palace maid who is unjustly killed by the Queen Dowager before returning as a terrifying spirit seeking revenge by murdering crown princes. She recently attracted additional attention after sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the set on social media, revealing a graceful and beautiful appearance that sharply contrasts with her terrifying ghostly transformation in the series. The supporting lineup is further strengthened by impactful performances from Tae In Ho, Hwang Young Hee, Hong Seo Joon, and Lee Hong Nae, all of whom contribute to the drama’s immersive and compelling storytelling.
Meet Kkeomeoksal: Joseon’s Adorable Ghost Companion
One of the biggest breakout stars of the series, stealing hearts and screens, is the tiny ghost companion Kkeomeoksal, who faithfully follows Gu Cheon throughout his perilous journey. Despite its doll-like, undeniably adorable appearance, Kkeomeoksal survives by attaching itself to unsuspecting humans and feeding on their life energy. Throughout the series, it hilariously and repeatedly tries to steal Gu Cheon’s energy. While it waddles around like a playful toy in the human world, it transforms into a much larger, more menacing creature with sharp fangs in the spirit realm, expertly serving as much-needed comic relief amid the series’ dark occult atmosphere.
Its charming movements and playful sounds have completely won over viewers, with many adorably comparing Kkeomeoksal to the beloved Groot from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ Fans have affectionately nicknamed it the “Joseon Groot.” Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, including comments such as, “It’s so adorable,” “I kept watching just for Kkeomeoksal,” and “I’d definitely buy the merchandise if they release any.” Fan-made images featuring the character have also spread widely across online communities, showcasing its immense popularity. The character itself is deeply inspired by Korean oral folklore. According to legend, Kkeomeoksal repeatedly says, “I am Kkeomeoksal,” while following people. The name is believed to combine “kkeomeok,” meaning pitch-black darkness, with “sal,” referring to a living being. The production team ingeniously explained that they adapted this intriguing folktale while searching for a lovable yet mysterious ghost companion for Gu Cheon.
Director Choi Jung Gyu noted that Kkeomeoksal resembles a relatively modern ghost story more than an ancient mythical creature. He admitted that bringing the character to life was quite challenging because, unlike the other spirits, Kkeomeoksal directly interacts with the main characters, possesses significant powers, and can dramatically transform its appearance. Ultimately, the team chose to give it the unique texture of a clay doll while meticulously incorporating traditional Korean visual elements throughout its intricate design. Regarding the overwhelming demand for merchandise, the director candidly stated that product plans are not his decision but expressed sincere hope that viewers’ palpable enthusiasm could eventually lead to official merchandise being produced.
The Future is Bright for ‘The East Palace’
With its standout supporting cast, breakout characters like the beloved Kkeomeoksal, strong lead performances from Nam Joo Hyuk, Roh Yoon Seo, and Cho Seung Woo, and visually rich, compelling storytelling, ‘The East Palace’ continues to gain incredible momentum as audiences worldwide eagerly watch to see just how far its global success can go. This K-drama is truly a historical fantasy for the ages!
