This review may contain spoilers
Stellar Cast, Uneven Execution
The Haunted Palace kicks off with a solid premise and a great cast, but it stumbles with pacing and character development. The Eight-Feet Spirit storyline drags on and ends up overshadowing the leads, Gang Cheol and Yeo Ri, whose arcs feel undercooked. Gang Cheol constantly losing makes his character feel stuck, while Yeo Ri’s potential as a spirit banisher isn’t explored enough.
The drama could’ve benefited from fewer episodes to tighten the pacing and focus more on the leads’ growth. What keeps it going, though, is the amazing cast. Yook Sung Jae absolutely nails his dual role with depth and great chemistry, while Kim Ji Hoon is gripping as King Yi Seong, showing his descent with raw emotion. Cha Chung Hwa and Kim In Kwon add some much-needed humor and heart to balance out the heavier scenes.
The happy ending, with Gang Cheol and Yeo Ri forming a family, is satisfying, but it’s a bit disappointing not to see Kim Young Kwang return as Gang Cheol in the final moments. Flaws aside, The Haunted Palace manages to deliver emotional highs and standout performances. With fewer episodes and tighter storytelling, it could’ve been truly unforgettable.
The drama could’ve benefited from fewer episodes to tighten the pacing and focus more on the leads’ growth. What keeps it going, though, is the amazing cast. Yook Sung Jae absolutely nails his dual role with depth and great chemistry, while Kim Ji Hoon is gripping as King Yi Seong, showing his descent with raw emotion. Cha Chung Hwa and Kim In Kwon add some much-needed humor and heart to balance out the heavier scenes.
The happy ending, with Gang Cheol and Yeo Ri forming a family, is satisfying, but it’s a bit disappointing not to see Kim Young Kwang return as Gang Cheol in the final moments. Flaws aside, The Haunted Palace manages to deliver emotional highs and standout performances. With fewer episodes and tighter storytelling, it could’ve been truly unforgettable.
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