The East Palace

I wasn't expecting The East Palace to be THIS good

I finished this drama in just 2 days because I seriously couldn't stop watching. I only started it because this is Nam Joohyuk's comeback drama after military service. His last drama was back in 2023, and finally seeing him back in 2026 already made me excited. Turns out I got way more than I expected.

I honestly thought I was just going to enjoy it because of the cast, but this drama ended up being so much better than I imagined. I knew it was directed by the same director as Bulgasal, but I still wasn't expecting it to be this good. The whole evil spirit hunting inside the palace was done so well, every episode kept the tension high and I could never predict what would happen next. The cinematography was absolutely insane too. It honestly reminded me of Sweet Home, but somehow even more beautiful.

What I loved the most was how the story kept tricking me. I was so convinced the Queen Dowager was the real villain because of everything surrounding the pond spirit. Then they dropped another twist with the King and the Crown Prince and I genuinely didn't see that coming at all. Every time I thought I had figured things out, the drama proved me wrong.

In the middle of all that darkness, Ggeomoksali ended up being one of my favorite characters. Even though he survives by absorbing Yang energy from humans, he was honestly so adorable. Seeing him always sticking close to Gucheon added just enough cute moments without ruining the serious atmosphere.

I also spent the whole drama preparing myself for a sad ending because this kind of story usually ends that way. Instead, they gave us an open ending that clearly leans toward a happy one. Watching Gucheon and Saeng Gang begin their journey together to break the ancient chain connecting Gucheon with Gwimae actually left me smiling instead of heartbroken.

Now the only thing I'm upset about is the fact that it's only 8 episodes. This world and these characters deserve so much more. I really hope they give us a season 2 because I'm already missing this drama. And shout out to Nam Joohyuk for such a great comeback. Waiting three years was completely worth it, and I honestly couldn't have asked for a better drama to welcome him back.

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Not Exactly Horror, But…..

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

Although this was more supernatural than horror, this was an amazing series. However, I could be little bias because I love this type of theme. This had an incredible script! It successfully grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The script also did a wonderful job linking everything together throughout the series. Even the ending was perfect! The whole cast was phenomenal. They did a fantastic job with their roles. This is also one of those rare times when a series uses it’s screentime wisely and pace everything perfectly with the number of episodes it had. This had visually stunning cinematography. They also did an amazing job with the special effects, CGI, and FX make-up.

Random Note:

Again, this is not really a horror series which means there is not much gore.

I got a little confused towards the end, but I thing that was due to the English subtitles and not the actual script.




******Potential Spoiler Alert******

I like how the ending is ambiguous. Not only was it awesome, they manage to make it perfect as a series ending while keeping the door open for possible more seasons. I would love to see different instalments of this world!

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A great weekend binge watch

TLDR: Great acting across the board, a thematically-focused story with surprising twists and genuine emotional depth, plus some genuinely creepy ghouls and cool action sequences.

WHAT WORKED:
- Nam Joo Hyuk was compelling as the lost fatalist who finally finds something outside himself to live for. He felt genuinely powerful in the fighting scenes (his 6'2" frame doesn't hurt) but also hit all the right notes in the more quiet, emotional scenes, without ever over-doing it.
- Roh Yoon Seo in many ways was the emotional grounding of the story. Despite the character being more withdrawn most of the time, she never loses the passionate humanity that makes her seem like she always a match about to spark. Really good performance.
- NJH and RYS together have great chemistry, even though little of it is overtly romantic. Their bond is the emotional backbone of the story and their performances together are strong enough to carry the weight.
- All of the side characters brought depth and nuance to their characters-- Jang Young Nam (queen dowager), Cho Seung Woo (king), Kwak Dong Yeon (crown prince), and Lee Hong Nae (the Shaman) were the standouts.
- The story was intriguing and quite thematically tight, packed with compelling emotional depth. It explored the themes of guilt, resentment, and forgiveness in a real way, and none of the characters were fully good or bad, each had their shades of grey.



WHAT DIDN'T WORK:
- The CGI was too ambitious at times. There were some really cool/creepy ghouls and characters, but some of the bigger action sequences or monsters just seemed kinda amateur to the point where it wasn't creepy or scary it was just cringe.
- Some of the magic/occult stuff was convoluted. There wasn't always consistent rules for how things worked, and while it didn't derail the things in a significant way there were times I was taken out of the story by the logic just not really making sense or being clearly explained.
- The first couple eps could have done a better job introducing Gu Cheon and showing us his internal emotional state. We are told a lot about him but not really shown it so it was hard to connect to him fully at first. This isn't the case in the last 5-6 episodes and esp the last three, though.

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A Beautiful World I Couldn't Enter

It’s a pity that I couldn’t watch The East of Palace until the end. I pushed myself to keep watching until the middle of episode 6 because of its beautiful, dark cinematography and the positive comments I had heard about it.

I also found it interesting that the spirits were haunting the palace because of resentments from the past, which made me reflect that the real ghosts that haunt us in life are the feelings of guilt, anger, and bitterness we carry inside.

Despite that, I couldn’t immerse myself in the fantasy, perhaps because of my limited knowledge of the elements of shamanism or because the narrative doesn’t provide enough context to help viewers understand them. I wasn’t attached to the characters either. I don’t think they were developed enough for me to form an emotional connection with them. But, of course, this is just my perspective, and you may disagree with me.

I have to point out that Ggeomeoksali is adorable despite being an energy-sucking spirit, and it’s a pity I didn’t get to see more of it on screen.

Even though it wasn't my cup of tea, I can understand why so many viewers enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it just wasn't the right drama for me. Perhaps I simply wasn't in the right mood for this kind of story.

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when a Palace built on Forgotten Sins Unravels.....

TL;DR Version
The East Palace is an addictive, binge-worthy drama that succeeds because of two things: its strong performances and engaging storyline. Despite its supernatural elements, this is not a horror drama. Instead, it blends Joseon-era mystery, suspense, fantasy, and action into an entertaining ride. I rated it 8/10 because, while it is an excellent drama, a 10/10 for me means a flawless masterpiece. Compared to the many dramas and films I have watched, it has a few areas where it falls slightly short. Here are my thoughts:

🞴 WHAT I LIKED:
➥ (1) THE CAST & ACTING: The biggest strength of this drama is undoubtedly its cast. Both the main and supporting actors deliver memorable performances, and many viewers will recognise them from their previous works.

● Nam Joo Hyuk [ML] makes his return after military service, and he completely delivers. He handles every emotion convincingly — from action and comedy to pain, anger, and love. His performance carries the drama, and he proves once again why he is such a compelling lead.
● Roh Yoon Seo [FL] was a pleasant surprise. I had previously seen her in 20th Century Girl, where she had limited screen time, but here she truly shines. Her character is not a typical damsel in distress. She stands alongside the male lead, contributing equally as they face the dangers together.
● Cho Seung Woo as the King was excellent. Having seen him in Stranger, I already knew his ability, but he plays this flawed character brilliantly. You may dislike him, but you cannot completely hate him — and that complexity makes his performance fascinating.
● Kwak Dong Yeon [Crown Prince] continues to prove why he is one of the most versatile actors of his generation. As the Crown Prince, he is intimidating, manipulative, and captivating. My only complaint is that I wanted more of his character’s background and motivations because he had the potential to become an even more memorable antagonist.
● Jang Young Nam was another standout. Whether she plays good or evil, she always leaves an impression. Her portrayal of the Queen Dowager perfectly captures the ambition and ruthlessness of a Joseon power player. Also, her iconic way of screaming might be the easiest way to recognise her in any drama now.

➥ (2) STORYTELLING:
I was already interested in watching this because I enjoy Joseon palace mysteries, and Nam Joo Hyuk’s return made it even more exciting. My only concern was whether the horror elements would make it difficult to watch. Thankfully, that was not the case. This is more of a supernatural action thriller with some horror-inspired visuals rather than an actual horror drama. There are no unnecessary jump scares, and it never becomes uncomfortable to watch.

What I appreciated most was that the drama respected its mystery. The loose ends were explained, characters received meaningful background, and the story took time to build its world before diving deeper into the main conflict. Some twists were predictable because I have watched many similar stories, but that did not reduce my enjoyment. A suspense drama succeeds when it makes you immediately press play on the next episode — and The East Palace achieves that. It is exciting, well-paced overall, and keeps the audience invested until the end.

➥ (3) ROMANCE/CHEMISTRY: This was one of my favourite aspects of the drama. Many dramas force romance into the story even when it does not naturally belong. Sometimes unnecessary romantic scenes can actually weaken the impact of a plot because they feel added only to please viewers. That was not the case here.

The romance in The East Palace is subtle, emotional, and not spoken out loud - it was simply there, and beautiful. The connection between the leads comes through their actions, sacrifices, expressions, and quiet moments rather than unnecessary scenes. The hugs, hand-holding, trust, and willingness to protect each other felt far more meaningful than a hundred dramatic kisses would have been. For a story set in this time period, this approach worked perfectly. Nam Joo Hyuk and Roh Yoon Seo created a beautiful bond, and their chemistry was one of the drama’s biggest strengths.

➥ (4) BGM: The music was beautiful - especially during action sequence, mystery unraveling scenes and the credits. I liked how it was a fusion of traditional music and at times metal rock? I am not knowledgeable to categorize it well, but whatever it was it helped keep the excitement, making you bob-your head or tap-your fingers and added that auditory sensation needed for a drama of such scale and genre to bring it to life.

🞴 WHAT I DISLIKED:
➥ (1) Somewhat OPEN-ENDING: This is a Netflix problem - My biggest issue is with the final “chain-dragging” element. I appreciate when mystery dramas close their stories properly and answer all important questions. Thankfully, this drama does that. However, adding something that hints at another season feels unnecessary. One reason I fell in love with Korean dramas was that many of them told complete stories without endlessly expanding them. I hope this does not become another series stretched simply because it is successful. I felt this story was finite but then the last minute ending scene made me go "Oh No! Not Another One" & hence the minus points cause it dimmed the overall viewing experience.

➥ (2) PACE of FINALE EP: The finale was slightly disappointing compared to the episodes before it. The earlier episodes had me completely engaged, watching every little detail. However, the final episode felt slower, and some scenes reduced the overall impact. Instead of ending with the excitement I expected, the pacing made the conclusion feel less powerful than it could have been.

➥ (3) LOW REWATCH VALUE: This is both the strength and weakness of suspense dramas. Once you know the twists and reveals, the excitement naturally decreases. Unless a drama has exceptional performances, unforgettable music, or moments worth revisiting, I usually do not return to thrillers. For me, The East Palace is a fantastic first-time experience, but it is not a drama I would personally rewatch. I will remember it positively, but the mystery works best when experienced for the first time.

➥ (4) VFX & FINAL SHOWDOWN: I know this drama is from Netflix and will be marketed well, it is already doing rounds on social media. The visual effects are good - no doubt. I just had an issue on how it is executed. Like I can see that the visuals are great, there are some cool action moves - but a lot of it was lost cause of the gimmicks. I am not sure how to explain it - but it was not sharp - there are times when we simply zoom into faces and swords - but it did not make me jump in my seat in excitement. I have seen my fare share of good VFX especially with sword-fighting action, so this one did not make my eyes go wide with wonder. Continuation of Ep 8 pacing woes - the finale showdown could have been better, imo. The fights earlier in the show were massive and interesting, the last one should be even better - but it was not in comparison.

🞴 OVERALL:
The East Palace is a drama I would definitely recommend for a one-time watch. Its biggest strengths are the acting, story, atmosphere, and especially the chemistry between the leads. It is one of the more entertaining dramas of 2026 and delivers exactly what a good suspense drama should: curiosity, excitement, and the urge to continue watching. It may not reach masterpiece status for me, but it is still a very good drama that deserves attention. If you enjoy Joseon mysteries with fantasy, action, and political power-play, this should absolutely be on your list.

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One of my favorite kdrama this year!

This is the first time in a while that I’ve binge-watched a drama without getting bored. I think it’s because most of the cast haven’t been in a drama for quite some time, so I was really looking forward to their comeback, especially Roh Yoonseo. I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, and she was amazing in this. Her performance was exceptional. The same goes for Nam Joohyuk. It’s been three years since his last drama, so it was really nice to see him back.

I loved everything about this drama. The story was interesting, the visual effects were really good, and I especially loved the cute little creature. I wasn’t expecting it at all because I don’t remember seeing it in the trailers or maybe I just missed it.

I’m really hoping this gets a season 2 because it feels like the story could continue. Overall, I really enjoyed it. I liked how the characters were so determined to gain power that they didn’t care what they had to do to get it. The acting was excellent, and the soundtrack was so good, especially during the battle scenes. I had a great time watching this!

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What you get when you combine Stranger Things with Korean mythology with a side of royal intrigues? Well, East Palace would be the resulting piece.

The drama took the theme of Korean mythology and gave it a fresh spin in form of Gucheon, who gains the ability to travel between the world of the living and the world of Gwi when his shaman mother committed suicide, taking him with her. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal despite his mother's death. And we also have Saeng-gang, an abandoned princess who was banished from the palace because she had the ability to listen to the voices of the dead. When the crown princes of the kingdom kept dying of mysterious causes, the king summoned Gucheon and Saeng-gang to investigate and eliminate the root of the problem but in doing so, the two end up uncovering the king's darkest secrets.

You can tell if a drama has a good story if it manage to capture your attention from the first episode. East Palace was able the deliver a good balance of mystery and horror that kept you wanting to find out what comes next. And the two mains had a very good dynamic that grew from reluctant cooperation into trusted companionship. And to complete it, the ost served a healthy serving of heavy metal as Gucheon and Saeng-gang work together to defeat evil spirits that threatens their lives.

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Fresh and unique genre with stunning visuals

The first parts were kind of slow to me i would say it become really really fun from ep4.5/5 ish. Loved Ep5 and Ep6 so much i would say the highlight of this show to me.

Storywise, it is good for me but i didn't really like how the plot twists were too overdone to the point it kind of deducted points from me abit. I loved the grandma plot twist so much. The arc for the crown prince was the main plot of this drama right? But i feel like the reason for his anger was too weak considering how he was cursing and killing everyone . He was THAT angry because his father killed him and because he wanted to be a king? What about the other princes that was killed by him, why weren't they THAT angry too? It was questionable for me. I feel like the other people in the story were more wronged than him, hence they should be the bigger villain, no? The story felt like it was spinning at one point i was so confused i had to pause a couple of times. Were they doing too much, idk tbh. But, i really loved, saenggang and gucheon's backstory which were key plot points to the story. The story for the other spirits were also very fun.

Acting wise, it's mixed for me. The king and the queen dowager absolutely killed it with their performance. The creepy vibe that Jang Youngnam carried along with her acting was phenomenal. But for the leads, gucheon and saenggang, i find their acting in the early episodes abit weak and unconvinving but luckily midway through they became pretty good.

Chemistry wise, although there were barely any romance, i feel like they were the strong points of this drama that made me stay. I really loved gucheon and saenggang's dependency on each other. I loved that they were willing to risk their lives for each other , it was kind of romantic haha.

Cinematography was stunning, and absolutely gorgeous. They managed to bring that creepy and haunting aura so well to the screen. I also enjoyed the CG very very well.

Maybe, cause i'm a sucker for well done sageuks, despite the negatives i still find this show good enough to rank 9.5. A good enough plot, engaging story, strong acting, a hard to not ignore chemistry, mindblowing visuals both from the cast and also the cinematography, strong scoring. I also loved the spirit storytelling, the shamanism and all. Most of all ggeomeoksalli the cute creature. A solid drama.

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family-friendly

tbh this is a great binge watch series you could even watch with your family and friends. It's a solid 9 (still gonna rate it 10 tho)



Also that small creature is soo cute and da real mvp.



If someone is wondering if this is a romance, well they definitely feel something for each other, but there are no kiss scenes or adult scenes.




For me this series is just purely them trying to save each other the entire time. (not a bad aspect I am pointing here)




Does this need a season 2? Not really. Would I watch it if there was a second season? Definitely yes!



Bonus: seeing the actors Lee Hong Nae from The Legend of Kitchen Soldier and Kwak Dong Yeon from Vincenzo and Big Mouth literally made my day, Like I was soo happy to see them- especially for Dong Yeon as it has been a long time since I have seen him in a drama.

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