Four Reasons to Watch Netflix’s “The East Palace”

Netflix’s new Korean drama The East Palace blends traditional historical drama, supernatural mystery, exorcism and fantasy action. All eight episodes will be released simultaneously on the 17th.

The series stars Nam Joo-hyuk as Gu-cheon, a reluctant ghost slayer who can cross between the worlds of the living and the dead; Roh Yoon-seo as Saeng-gang, a palace maid who can hear the voices of spirits; and Cho Seung-woo as a secretive king driven to desperation by a deadly royal curse.

Set inside a palace shrouded in darkness, the story begins when several crown princes die under mysterious circumstances. Rumors spread that the “Pond Ghost’s Curse,” believed to be targeting the royal bloodline, has returned. The king initially dismisses the claims, but when his last surviving heir, Prince Yeongan, suddenly collapses, he secretly summons Gu-cheon to investigate.

Saeng-gang is assigned to monitor and assist him. Although the pair initially distrust each other, they are forced to work together as they uncover a sinister conspiracy hidden deep within the East Palace.

1. Nam Joo-hyuk’s Post-Military Comeback

The East Palace marks Nam Joo-hyuk’s first project since completing military service in 2024 and his first drama since Vigilante. Departing from the youthful image he displayed in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, he takes on a physically demanding role combining historical drama, exorcism and action.

Gu-cheon is tricked into entering the palace and repeatedly attempts to escape, only to be threatened by the king. In return for successfully eliminating the spirits and saving the prince, however, he is promised his freedom and the fulfilment of any wish.

2. A Ghost-Hunting Partnership Across Two Worlds

Roh Yoon-seo makes her historical-drama debut as Saeng-gang. As Gu-cheon enters the dangerous spirit realm, Saeng-gang remains in the human world and communicates with him from afar. Their unusual method of fighting ghosts simultaneously across two dimensions gives the drama a distinctive twist, and their progression from bickering strangers to indispensable partners is also expected to be a major highlight.

3. Cho Seung-woo’s Troubled King

Cho Seung-woo plays a king who appears powerful but is gradually consumed by fear, loneliness and anxiety as the royal curse closes in.

Rather than portraying him as a conventionally commanding monarch, Cho focuses on the character’s inner conflict between the supernatural threat within the palace and the political dangers outside it. His restrained, low-pitched delivery in the trailer creates an especially menacing presence.

The supporting cast includes Kwak Dong-yeon, Jang Young-nam, Tae In-ho, Hwang Young-hee, Hong Seo-jun and Lee Hong-nae, adding further depth to the palace’s supernatural incidents and political struggles.

4. Korean Folklore Meets Striking Fantasy Visuals

The series is directed by Choi Jung-gyu of The Devil Judge and written by Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won of The Guest.

The production team has created visually distinct human and spirit worlds through different cinematography, music and physical rules—including gravity that behaves differently in the supernatural realm.

Its creatures are inspired by Korean mythology and folk legends rather than conventional monsters. These include a being with two heads and four eyes, the pitch-black “Kkeomeoksari,” and a detailed hierarchy of vengeful and malevolent spirits brought to life through VFX.

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