Netflix’s original Korean historical fantasy series The East Palace has captured global attention, marking the streaming platform’s first major original period drama success since Kingdom premiered seven years ago.
The eight-episode dark fantasy thriller was released in full on July 17, combining Joseon-era historical drama with occult horror and action.
According to global OTT ranking platform FlixPatrol on July 23, The East Palace earned 554 points, securing the No. 2 spot on Netflix’s global TV show rankings.
The series surpassed SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated, which dropped to No. 3 with 442 points.
Also, The East Palace claimed the No. 1 ranking in 17 countries- including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia- demonstrating strong popularity across Asia while entering the Top 10 in 83 countries worldwide.
Domestically, Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex rankings for the third week of July placed the series at No. 1 in overall buzz.
Storyline, Cast Performance, and Global Impact
The story follows Gu Cheon (played by Nam Joo Hyuk), a man capable of crossing between the realm of the living and the dead, and Saeng Gang (Roh Yoon Seo), a palace maid hiding a secret.
Under the orders of the King (Cho Seung Woo), the duo investigates a dark curse haunting the Eastern Palace after the royal family’s crown princes mysteriously die one after another.
Rumors circulate that a pond ghost seeking royal blood has cursed the palace, prompting the skeptical king to enlist supernatural help when events spiral out of control.
The title The East Palace carries a dual meaning, referring both to the crown prince’s residence and the place where the royal family’s hidden sins have accumulated.
The series features screenwriting by Kwon So Ra and Seo Jae Won (The Guest, Bulgasal: Immortal Souls) and has garnered praise for its cast chemistry and world-building.
Nam Joo Hyuk makes his acting return following his military service, Roh Yoon Seo stars in her first historical drama, and Cho Seung Woo makes his television comeback after three years.
Critical and viewer acclaim has also focused on the supporting cast:
- Kwak Dong Yeon plays the crown prince whose tragic death initiates the mystery. His character later returns as a vengeful evil spirit near the end of Episode 4, providing a major plot twist.
- Jang Young Nam portrays the Queen Dowager, whose obsession with preserving power leads to madness as she faces vengeful spirits.
- Hong Su Ju plays the Pond Ghost (Court Lady Seung Eun), a maid unjustly killed by the Queen Dowager who returns to seek retribution against the royal line.
“Joseon Groot” Kkeomeoksal and Behind-the-Scenes Production
An unexpected breakout star of the series is Kkeomeoksal, a small ghost companion that accompanies Gu Cheon.
Derived from Korean oral folklore, the name combines kkeomeok (pitch-black darkness) and sal (a living being).
In the human realm, Kkeomeoksal appears as a small, doll-like creature that waddles around and feeds on life energy, providing lighthearted comic relief.
However, when entering the spirit realm, it transforms into a formidable creature with sharp fangs.
Viewers have warmly embraced the character’s charming movements, nicknaming it the “Joseon Groot” due to its resemblance in appeal to Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.
The breakout popular reception triggered online commentary praising its design, with fans requesting official merchandise.
Director Choi Jung Gyu explained the visual development process behind the creature:
“They adapted the folktale while searching for a lovable ghost companion for Gu Cheon.”
He added that bringing Kkeomeoksal to life presented unique technical challenges: “unlike the other spirits, Kkeomeoksal directly interacts with the main characters, possesses significant powers, and can transform its appearance.”
To overcome this, the production team chose to give the character the texture of a clay doll while incorporating traditional Korean visual elements throughout its design.
Regarding potential official merchandise, Director Choi expressed hope that viewer enthusiasm would lead to product development.
