Bloody Throne that Haunts.
Kang Chul was a serpent diety who was thrown back down to earth during his ascension to the heaven to become a Dragon because a human baby saw his ascension. Due to this, he loathed humankind and created mayhem in the world, cited in legends as an evil diety. Fast forward 100 years later, come Yeo Ri, granddaughter of a powerful shaman who inherited her grandmother’s shamanism talents. Kang Chul caught sight of her and went to pester her, as becoming the guardian spirit of a great shaman would help him ascend to heaven. When Yeo Ri then told her grandmom about him during one of her purging rituals, the townspeople began to label her as the jinx who had attracted an evil diety, hence she was blamed for her loved ones dying around her and any misfortunes that befell the town. Left to fend for herself at a young age after her grandmother was killed during a ritual which she was convinced orchestrated by Kang Chul, she came to resent the diety in her entirety. 13 years later, Yeo Ri now makes a living as spectacle maker, while far in the capital the royal family got riddled with spirit possession. Royal Scribe Yoon Gap, the only friend and first love of Yeo Ri, remembered about her and thus went to fetch her in pretense of becoming the king’s glasses maker. On the way to the capital, Yoon Gap was killed and Kang Chul decided to possess the body so he could latch on Yeo Ri. When Yeo Ri realized Yoon Gap had been possessed by Kang Chul, a fight ensued and both fell down a cliff, but fate had a better plan for them as both ended up in the palace upon rescue. And there starts their journey around palace conspiracy and intrigue which would unfold the real reason behind the possession of the king’s son.I am not really a fan of Khorror cuz i find all the jumping and dancing ritual very disturbing and ridiculous, but because I’ve read so many positive review about it, so here I am. I can’t say I hate this show, but can’t really say I love it either. The storyline is okay, but somehow I really dont like this Kang Chul guy. I liked Yoon Gap, but Kang Chul really gets on my nerves even though both had the same face. Although I like his banter with the king, i really am not crazy about his personality as a whole. Something about his bearing just irks me. And i can’t feel the spark between him and Yeo Ri when they ‘supposedly’ realized that they liked each other. Urghh. The idea just didnt come through. I basically fast forwarded all their romantic scenes after that.
Yeo Ri is typically straightfoward, naive girl who longed for companion after years of being alone, so she jumped right up when Yoon Gap invited her to the capital. She was determined to save Yoon Gap’s soul and would stop at nothing to ensure the people she care about is safe. She lacked proper planning and strategy though, it’s like she bulldozed her way through disregarding possible risks that couldve improved the outcomes had she mitigated it. Urgh since i got here right after watching cunning and scheming FLs in Blossom, Queen Woo, Prisoner of Beauty and Qingchuan’s Veil of Vengeance, i really felt Yeo Ri lacks so much and wouldnt have survived the palace intrigues had not for the serpent diety next to her.
I really love the king and the queen though, and was looking forward to see their romantic scenes more than main leads’. The king and queen’s chemistry is so striking, i can really feel how deep their love for each other is. The King is probably the star of the show for me, he is righteous, selfless, down to earth and good, a far cry from the usual selfish, domineering and power hungry king/emperor on screen. And with the queen being so kind, gentle and demure, and strikingly beautiful, they made a perfect pair. I love it when they came up on screen. And I teared up when the queen fell victim to the eight-legged spirit, and then when the king sincerely seek for forgiveness from the vengeful spirits for what his ancestors had done 100 years before. The actor playing the king is so dang good, he could really pull off playing two different characters. I could feel his remorse as a king who uncovered the family’s skeleton, and i could also feel his resentment and fury when he was possessed by the spirit. And he is so dang handsome too 😭 hey why am i talking about this side couple more than the main leads? 😆😂 i failed to feel anything when mishaps happen to the main couple, thats how ‘meh’ i feel their relationship is.
I can say that I only stayed to the end because of the royal couple and the mystery behind eight-legged spirit. Take out these two, i wouldve dropped this so fast.
Was this review helpful to you?
After finishing this, I actually enjoyed the ride this drama gave me BUT I agree with some of the other reviews here - the first half was really good, but then it slowed down as it headed to a close. And weirdly enough, while the pacing was slow in the latter half, it wasn't because there wasn't anything happening - it was almost like they suddenly ran out of time to close the threads for some topics so they just addressed it quickly in favor of the other storylines. BUT they cut off too much of the other stories, so the pacing of the remaining storyline became quite slow in comparison.
I would definitely rewatch a chunk of this series again. The first half and a little bit of the second half probably. I was excited to see it streaming on a plane ride and I took advantage of it. Haha!
Was this review helpful to you?
A perfect 16-episode-show
The Haunted Palace has become one of my favorite 2025 K-dramas so far. They have it all: story, acting, music, cinematography—everything is being handled very well.I love the plot overall. How it doesn't shift the focus from the start that their purpose is the 8-ft.-tall ghost, how the characters came and blended together so well with their past history—it's so well-written, and I like how they didn't really drag it out. This drama is perfect as a 16-episode show.
The story also skillfully incorporates a subplot of ghosts, giving them a purpose and significant impact on the main plot. The only subplot that left me feeling a bit "eh" is Bibi's arc. Maybe because it didn't really give me a big impression, as it became forgettable after a few moments.
The casting nailed their characters. My favorites were definitely Sungjae. He suits this kind of character a lot and didn't make the comedic scenes become too cringey. And of course, Jihoon as the king left a strong mark that I don't think this drama will be the same without him.
There might be a little plot armor towards the ending, but since it gives a good happy ending, I'll leave it as it is. And I want to give credit for the OST; those were really some good ones. :)
Was this review helpful to you?
Fun Historical Fantasy
If you’re looking for something that’s high on the comedy, physical and situational, featuring shamanism and Korean folklore, with a bit of martial arts, and dashes of adorable romance, then this drama is for you. Yook Sung Jae is fabulous in this piece and his chemistry with Bo Na is adorable. Bo Na also carries her role well. The banter between the two is both hilarious and adorable, and their characters’ evolving dynamic is a pleasure to watch. Well-paced, this piece is fun with just enough stakes to keep things interesting. Would definitely recommend.Was this review helpful to you?
Kim Ji-hoon is truly spectacular as King Lee Seong, bringing a powerful presence and delivering an outstanding performance. I also really liked the chemistry between Yook Sung-jae and Bona. Yook Sung-jae, in particular, deserves high praise for his incredible portrayal of two distinct characters; he genuinely made me laugh out loud!
The plot is beautifully crafted, weaving a compelling tale of betrayal and revenge. Highly recommend!
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama was Sungjae's first Sageuk... and a dual role, at that. As much as Sungjae was no stranger to taking a role inside a supernatural drama, this was the first time he played a character set in the Joseon period... and he did it quite well. You can really tell apart whenever he was playing Yoon Gap and wjen he was Gangcheori.
Bona did a great job portraying Yeori, which was quite unlike her role as a princess in Joseon Attorney. It was quite an interesting take, to have a character be gifted with supernatural ability but ended up staying away from that fate due to an incident in the past, while inevitably having to accept it in the end.
I've watched Kim Jihoon in other dramas before, most recently being Jang Bori, and I never thought I'd be able to see him taking a role as a Joseon King. Until now, that is. And I gotta say that I'm overjoyed seeing him being a king.
Overall the drama was pretty enjoyable. While the plot may move too fast or too slow in some parts, it still manage to hold itself together.
Was this review helpful to you?
EXCITING PLOT & SATISFYING ENDING
I blindly picked this drama out of boredom. I had little expectations but to my amazement I found it worth watching.The story was well written in my opinion. I love the comedic bits too. I was laughing, screaming into my pillow, and stupidly kicking / punching the air all throughout this drama.
There are the thrilling parts as well, where I was excited but at the same time worried about what's to come next. It was quite interesting, and the little bits of mysteries as well.
It does have pretty sad scenes, I got emotional at some parts because it was either too sweet or it was too sad. There was no intense or irrelevant plots, everything stayed on one track from start to end.
The romance is one that will have you laughing out loud and get all excited. Its not very lovey dovey or cheesy, it was cute.
There was also comradery and friendship displayed in this drama, one that would probably get you to shed a few tears because of how good it is. There was no major betrayals (with the good characters, the villains were villains from start to end lol) or love triangles.
The ending is what worried me the most but I was so satisfied with it. It has a very happy ending, I was able to see everyone living happily after all the chaos which in my opinion is very comforting especially after all theyve been through.
This review is MY PERSONAL OPINION.
Was this review helpful to you?
Came for the Imoogi, Stayed for the Emperor, and Left Very Happy
I'm gonna be real, "The Haunted Palace" aired at a time when I was waist-deep in a drama slump. But even that couldn't stop Yook Sungjae's performance from reaching my heart.From the very first episode, he had me absolutely hooked. His skill in portraying both Young Master Yun Gap and the dragon-turned-Imoogi Gang Cheol was something most actors can't pull off, especially in episodes 13 or 14 (I can't remember), where the two fight for control over the same body. That entire sequence was mesmerizing. The rapid switches between characters weren't just clear—they were instinctively recognizable through his mannerisms and subtle shifts in personality. There is no need for dialogue to know who was in control. While he's often labeled an "idol actor," it's time people started recognizing the serious skill he brings to every role. I'm eager to see what project he takes on next.
I also want to highlight Kim Ji Hoon, because wow. Twenty years in the industry, and it shows. His portrayal of the Emperor—father, husband, and ruler—was layered and emotionally grounded. The role demanded a lot, especially as the story unfolded and he learned more about his family's history, and he absolutely carried it. I've watched a ton of historical dramas across different countries, and hands down, he wins the award for "Emperor Who Is ACTUALLY a Father to His People."
As for Bo Na, this was my first time seeing her act, and I'd say she wasn't great or awful. She held her own between Yook and Kim, which is saying something. Her performance may not have stood out in a big way, but it also wasn't distracting or bad enough to pull you out of the story. And honestly? That in itself is a gift.
Even with the emotional disconnect from my slump, this is the first drama I've finished in months, which says a lot. It held my attention, pulled me through, and reminded me why I love watching dramas in the first place.
As a longtime fan of Yook Sungjae, I'm incredibly proud of how far he's come, from his early days in supporting roles to his leading performances, which showcase his range, depth, and profound understanding of his characters. Watching his growth has been such a rewarding journey.
If you're into beautiful cinematography, skilled acting, and storytelling that feels both fresh and familiar, give "The Haunted Palace" a spot on your watchlist. You won't regret it.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Dragons and Compassion for wronged Spirits
Eastern dragon lore is really underutilized as far as supernatural entities in fantasy stories go, so it's cool to see when it happens. I really like how Yeo Ri has multiple skills, shaman, optician, glasses maker to make ends meet. Her relationship with Gang Cheol is interesting. From both the way he and his brother Bibi behaves, they are forces of nature who just so happen to have enough moral overlap to be targeting elder humans with evil in their hearts to consume, but otherwise don't have or need to be exactly understanding of humans and their needs. Yeo Ri is one of the rare people who can see Gang Cheol in his deity spirit form and both he and his brother are quite childish in their interactions. Gang Cheol grows and matures once he's in Yoon Gap's body and actually learns to care about others through growing relationships with them, only then and also learning the truth about his intentions does Yeo Ri finally see him in new light. I like how the Eight Feet Spirit confronted him about how he's a deity but he focused on ascension rather than intervening in the slaughter of the village below that night. It's technically true and he made the sacrifice to heal the trapped spirits and he himself is freed from Yoon Gap's body that he was trapped in, but of course gets to make the choice to live out the days of being Yeo Ri's guardian spirit and husband.I feel sorry for Yoon Gap, he was tempted by evil, but still overcame it, having to leave the short life he had with everyone who loved him, his mom, the King, and Yeo Ri who really did initially like him back to be continued by Gang Cheol instead. It was so tragic that he became a foreign spirit in his own revitalized corpse. It was cool to see the distinct differences in the relationships with the same people that Gang Cheol has. The King found an equal that he can be a bit silly around in Gang Cheol who does not have to be held to the same etiquette as regular humans. It's so funny when the King cannot hold back his annoyance when he sees Gang Cheol doing the full etiquette while undercover that he actually knows how. It was nice to see the King legitimately love his queen and told the doctor to prioritize saving her over the fetus. Sadly she passes away. Her character is one thing the show could have done better to give more characterization to so that her death would have more emotional impact on the audience. All she got to do was cry or stare lovingly at her husband and son. The head eunuch is a wonderful scene stealer. He's always annoyed at Gang Cheol's lack of decorum, but he so thoughtfully gives the best sweets in the palace for him and tells Gang Cheol the story of his own loss of his sibling to comfort Gang Cheol who grieves for Bibi. Gang Cheol's relationship with Yoon Gap's mom is also sweet, adopting him as another son after Yoon Gap moves on as a spirit, becoming grandmother to his and Yeo Ri's daughter.
There's a scene where Gang Cheol buys Yeo Ri a fur head cover and it's the most distracting, fake looking polyester product ever, totally looking bad over the otherwise very solid costuming and props that surrounds it. The weakest storyline of the show is the Queen Dowager. She's totally complicit in enabling the evil shaman for the explicit reason of coveting the throne for her rapist son. The show spent way too long on her grief and sorrow when he gets sacrificed by the shaman for his spirit to be consumed by the Eight Feet Spirit. I don't care about the rapist and his scheming mother, I rather the screen time to be given for the Queen consort to get some more personality or the murdered palace maiden in the well who really enjoys a friendship with Yeo Ri to the point she doesn't want to move yet at the end of the story. There seems to be a rise of shamanism dramas and films. The core of the use of it is compassion in finding the source of the "evil" spirit's pain and to alleviate it so they can be at peace and leave the humans that they deemed to have wronged them alone. The dramas often take a more optimistic justice served against the living perpetrators than the films do. I hope to see more dragon stories too, there is a well of possibilities and interesting narratives there to be explored.
Was this review helpful to you?
Intriguing, but it could be better
An intriguing plot, navigating the historical and fantasy-horror genres, delivered by two wonderful actors.PLOT: The FL, a glasses maker, descendant from a shaman, has been followed/protected by a dragon (ML) for 13 years. She watched him during its ascension, which prevented him from ascending to the Heavens. Her first love, an archivist at the Court, takes her to the capital and is killed during the journey. The dragon takes the archivist's body to accompany the FL and help her fight the evil spirits that infest the Court and want to destroy the royal line.
+++ Great CL with great chemistry: Kim Ji Yeon (FL) and Yook Sung Jae (ღ′◡‵) as the mischievous dragon. Kim Ji Hun gives a phenomenal performance as the king, and his bromance with the imugi is one of the storylines that keeps the viewer in front of the screen.
+++ Effective direction, fast pace, quality CGI, excellent OSTs.
### Some twists are excessive or poorly executed: Bibi's death, for example; the ultra-moralizing side of the FL is annoying at times.
### Lengthy final third: the series would have been better with 10-12 episodes.
=> A compelling series at the beginning, but it falters towards the end. I won't watch it again despite the talent of Yook Sung Jae and Kim Ji Hun.
*********************************************************
Plot intrigant, navigant entre l'historique et le fantastique-horreur, served by 2 wonderful actors
PLOT: La FL, lunettière descendante de shamane, est suivie/protégée par un dragon (ML) depuis 13 ans. Elle l'a regardé pdt son ascension, ce qui l'a empêché de s'élever. Son first love, archiviste à al Cour, l'emmène à la capitale et est tué pdt le voyage. Le dragon prend le corps de l'archiviste pr accompagner la FL et l'aider à lutter contre les evil spirits qui infestent la Cour et veulent anéantir la lignée royale.
+++ Super CL avec une great chemistry : Kim Ji Yeon (FL) et Yook Sung Jae (ღ′◡‵) en dragon malicieux. Kim Ji Hun fait une prestation phénoménale en roi et sa bromance avec l'imugi est une des storylines qui motive le spectateur à rester devant son écran.
+++ Réalis° efficace, rythme soutenu, CGI de qualité, excellents OSTs.
### Certains twists sont excessifs ou mal amenés : mort de Bibi, par exemple ; le côté ultra moralisateur de la FL est agaçant par moments.
### Longueurs dans le dernier tiers : la série aurait été meilleure sur 10-12 épisodes.
=> Série accrocheuse au début, mais qui baisse sur la fin. Je ne la regarderai pas à nouveau malgré le talent de Yook Sung Jae et de Kim Ji Hun .
Was this review helpful to you?
Great Story
Captivating from episode 1 all the way through to the finale. An engaging and masterfully crafted story with heartfelt acting. The innocence and decency that I love K drama for is also well maintained in this drama. I absolutely enjoyed it and recommend it for lovers of mystical themed historical kdrama.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Didn't Love it, but Liked it.
SPOILERSI watched it for Yook Sung Jae. He tickled me in 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' aka 'Goblin' with his wisecracks and smart aleck expressions and he's as cute and funny doing that here as well. He played two characters in 'Goblin' and he's still pulling two roles in this drama. Effortlessly.
I didn't love the series, but I did like it. The storyline was creative enough for me. Little bit draggy here and there, but pretty engaging for a casual watch. Just let the plot lead the way and wait it out if a character gets too emo or has one too many lines complaining (*points finger at Kim Ji Hoon aka the King). Wore me down a bit.
The pace was alright, as was the editing. The assortment of ghosts and their back stories made things interesting and there were touching moments. Romance-wise I'd say they lost me - only a little sweet chemistry between the leads, but it was too predictable and when they eventually got together, it was just ho-hum to me.
Not much in the costume, special effects or music dept. The direction seems more focused on the script and pretty dependant on getting a lot of people 'possessed' every few episodes. If you plan to watch it with someone and are reading this despite the spoiler tag, you can start betting on who's next on the possession list. It'll be Fun.
I enjoyed the humour. Although, I'm guessing, it was not meant to be part of the comedy, but I couldn't stop myself from LOL each time Kim Sang Ho (Pung San) shot out his high-pitched girly voice. Damn, he was a burst of fireworks whistles!
I would have rated this series higher if not for the delays of long, unnecessary lingering looks and the many, many lines of grumbling '...that evil spirit...' dialogue (*rolls eyes and points finger at Kim Ji Hoon again).
Pardon me for not neatly splitting the pros and cons; I decided it's okay to jumble it up as to whatever came to mind.
That's it for this drama. My second review. Thanks for reading it all the way to here :)
Was this review helpful to you?
