Netflix’s latest South Korean dark fantasy series is a huge success. It’s currently the second most popular TV show on Netflix worldwide, attracting a large audience, according to FlixPatrol.
The East Palace is a popular dark fantasy series that launched in 17 countries on July 22nd. While it briefly reached the Top 10 in the U.S. on July 21st – landing at number 10 before quickly dropping out – it became the most popular title in Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and several other countries.
What Is The East Palace About?
Set in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), The East Palace is a dark fantasy series. It centers on Gu-cheon, played by Nam Joo-hyuk, a skilled warrior who can become a ghost to fight demons. He teams up with Saeng-gang, portrayed by Roh Yoon-seo, a palace lady with the ability to speak to spirits.
After the crown prince mysteriously drowns, whispers begin about a vengeful spirit living in the pond where he died. The king, fearing supernatural forces, hires Gu-cheon to exorcise the ghosts plaguing the palace. Gu-cheon teams up with Saeng-gang to uncover the truth behind the hauntings and the hidden secrets of the East Palace.
The show’s dark fantasy aspects draw heavily from Korean folklore, featuring a variety of unique spirits. These include the gwi-mae, known for their dangerous energy, and the won-gwi, which are vengeful ghosts. There are also the ggeomeoksali, spirits that steal life force. Gu-cheon is especially vulnerable to the ggeomeoksali because he naturally has very little life force of his own.
The East Palace Received Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews
The new series The East Palace launched on July 17th with eight episodes. Currently, it boasts a perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, although this is based on only 7 reviews. Viewers also seem to enjoy it, giving it a 90% audience score.
As a huge K-drama fan, I was completely hooked by The East Palace right from the start. ScreenRant said it best – I found myself practically inhaling the first four episodes! And things didn’t let up; around the halfway mark, the show really kicked into high gear with some genuinely surprising twists. Collider agreed, calling that point a total rocket launch for its mix of political intrigue, supernatural elements, and royal family drama. It’s one of those dramas where you just have to know what happens next.
Reviewers generally praised The East Palace, with Decider highlighting its captivating plot, beautiful visuals, and detailed world-building, all of which draw viewers in from the start. RogerEbert.com called it a fun and enjoyable K-drama that successfully blends genres and features exciting action.
The East Palace is streaming on Netflix.
2026-07-23 02:06