The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace' (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik) is a fantasy romantic comedy about Yeori, a shaman who rejects her fate as a medium, and Gangcheol, a serpent spirit trapped in the body of Yeori's first love, Yoon-gap, as they confront a vengeful eight-foot-tall ghost entangling their bodies and souls.
Since its premiere on the 18th, 'The Haunted Palace' has shattered records with the highest viewership ratings for an SBS drama's first broadcast in 2025, according to Nielsen Korea, peaking at 10.7% nationwide, 9.2% in the metropolitan area, and 9.2% across the country. It not only topped the mini-series ratings for the week but also dominated the TV series category in South Korea and five other Asian countries on Netflix (FlixPatrol, April 22). Additionally, it claimed the top spot in the integrated content ranking for the fourth week of April, as announced by the OTT content search platform KinoLights, continuously breaking its own viewership records.
The popularity of 'The Haunted Palace' is attributed to its 'genre diversity.' Wrapped in the guise of a historical drama, it encompasses the imagination of fantasy, the light-heartedness of romantic comedy, the chills of occult, and the exhilarating action of exorcism, offering seamless entertainment in each episode. This stands out as a unique charm in the realm of comforting and quaint home dramas.
At the heart of 'The Haunted Palace' lies the fresh and enchanting story of a serpent spirit (played by Yook Sung-jae) and a shaman (played by Kim Ji-yeon). The tale of Yeori, who defies her destiny as a medium, and Gangcheol, trapped in the body of her first love, captures the audience with its charm reminiscent of traditional folklore. Moreover, the court intrigue centered around the strong reformist monarch Lee Jung (played by Kim Ji-hoon) perfectly captures the essence of historical dramas.
Furthermore, the unprecedented setting of a 'body-snatching romance' creates a delightful romance unique to 'The Haunted Palace.' The story of Yeori facing Gangcheol, the most hated being trapped in the body of Yoon-gap, her most beloved person, transcends the typical 'love-hate romance.' Additionally, the sight of Gangcheol, experiencing human emotions and physicality for the first time in a thousand years and developing unprecedented feelings for Yeori, adds a layer of whimsical and adorable humor.
The comedic elements sprinkled throughout the show also stand out. Episodes featuring Gangcheol, who inadvertently finds himself trapped in a human body, experiencing human desires and emotions for the first time, and disregarding the social hierarchy of the human world, bring laughter. Especially, Gangcheol's explosive indulgence in his newfound sense of taste, after a thousand years, is guaranteed to have viewers in stitches.
Particularly, the appearance of traditional Korean ghosts like the eight-foot-tall ghost, one-legged ghost, and arrow ghost, is considered the highlight of 'The Haunted Palace.' Director Yoon Sung-sik's aim for realistic portrayal brings to life the unique colors of these K-ghosts, infusing fresh and mainstream appeal into the occult elements. With the anticipated confrontation with the deeply vengeful 'eight-foot-tall ghost,' viewers can expect the addition of spectacular action and the mystical rites of exorcism to the mix, heightening the excitement.
With its rich visual feast and compelling narrative, 'The Haunted Palace' has sparked a whirlwind of success from the start. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen what other genre delights will captivate the audience.
'The Haunted Palace' will air its third episode on the 25th (Friday) at 9:55 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)