Okay, be honest, how many Kdramas are sitting half-watched in your “Continue Watching” tab right now? If you’re like me, it’s… too many. But every once in a while, a show comes along that grabs you by the collar and says, “Cancel your weekend plans.” That show right now? The Haunted Palace kdrama.
This Kdrama Isn’t Just Good. It’s Possessed.
No, seriously. The Haunted Palace isn’t just pulling in big Kdrama ratings, it’s devouring the competition. On May 23, it hit an insane 8.7% nationwide. For those of us who don’t crunch TV stats for fun, that basically means: everyone is watching it.
Meanwhile, A Head Coach’s Turnover debuted in the same time slot with a soft 1.6%. Ouch. You’ve got supernatural folklore battling a sports bromance, and clearly, ghosts are winning.
Romance, Spirits, and… an Imoogi?!
The plot is wild in the best way. Yook Sung-Jae plays Yun Gap, a government officer possessed by an Imoogi, aka a scary serpent spirit that clearly didn’t come to play. Then there’s Kim Ji Yeon (Bona), who’s basically trying to dodge her fate as a shaman’s granddaughter.
You’ve got spooky palace vibes, cursed souls, dramatic eye contact, and just enough romance to keep you emotionally invested. Think Goblin meets Hotel Del Luna, but with more scales and shaman bells.
Let’s Talk About Those Visuals
Look, if you’re going to do a fantasy drama, you better bring it visually, and The Haunted Palace understood the assignment. From mist-covered mountains to glowing spirit realms, it’s cinematic AF.
The CGI is actually good (no floating ghost PNGs here), and the palace looks like a Pinterest board come to life. Also, can we talk about the costumes? If I don’t get a hanbok-inspired Halloween outfit out of this, I’m suing.
It’s Not Just Big in Korea
Word on the street (aka Netflix) is that The Haunted Palace is topping charts not just in Korea, but across Southeast Asia too. When a show starts trending in five languages, you know it’s not just a local obsession, it’s a Kdrama world tour.
So if you’ve been wondering whether to jump on the bandwagon, friend, the bandwagon is already speeding down the highway. Get on it before someone spoils Episode 7 (which, by the way, peaked at a jaw-dropping 10.9% in ratings).
Final Thoughts: Watch It Before Your Group Chat Spoils It
Real talk: this show is perfect for anyone who’s into fantasy, romance, drama, and occasional ghost-related trauma. Whether you’re a seasoned Kdrama addict or just dipping your toe into the world of hanboks and heartbreak, The Haunted Palace is the one to watch right now.
So grab your snacks, cancel your “just one episode” lie, and dive in.
Trust me, you’ll be texting your bestie dramatic theories by Episode 3.
P.S. Don’t gatekeep. Share this with your drama-loving crew. Let them get haunted too.