A new, mature fantasy series has quickly become a hit on Netflix worldwide. Since its release, the show – which blends medieval legends with exciting action and impressive visuals – has consistently ranked among the platform’s top 10 most-watched programs, attracting viewers who enjoy a variety of genres across many different countries.
The biggest downside to this show is simply that it’s too short. As a limited series of only eight episodes, totaling around 400 minutes, The East Palace consistently leaves viewers wanting more. It uniquely blends martial arts action with fantastical mythology, doing so better than any other K-drama available right now.
Very few dark fantasy shows can claim to be excellent from start to finish, but The East Palace is certainly one of them. Created by Korean genre specialists Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, it depicts a fictionalized version of the medieval Joseon dynasty, in which malignant spirits threaten the residence of the Crown Prince.
After reaching Netflix on July 17, the show has proven to be an unqualified triumph, taking its rightful place among the streamer’s best fantasy binge-watches. However, there’s also a growing clamor for The East Palace to continue. Although its self-contained story is designed to be told across a handful of episodes, the series surely warrants extending into a second season.
Netflix’s The East Palace Has Been A Huge Global Streaming Success
A spectacular Netflix debut for writers Kwon and Seo, The East Palace reached number 2 in the streamer’s chart for non-English language series just days after its release. Even more impressively, it has peaked at number 4 on Netflix’s global TV chart overall, alongside shows in English.
The series quickly became popular, racking up 4.9 million views in its first two days. This put it among the platform’s most-watched shows, trailing only Little House on the Prairie, I Will Find You, and Elite Force in terms of initial viewership. Notably, it outperformed more publicized shows with larger budgets, such as Will Ferrell’s The Hawk.
Even if The East Palace’s Netflix success hasn’t included a run in the United States top 10 for TV shows so far, its status as a worldwide hit is already secure. The series doing so well reflects a recent surge in the popularity of historical martial arts releases on the small screen, from Shōgun to Last Samurai Standing.
This new Netflix series stands out from the recent wave of samurai shows. For one, it’s a Korean production rooted in Korean folklore, not a Japanese one. And unlike most shows in the genre, it heavily incorporates fantasy, telling a story about dark forces and supernatural problems within a royal family.
The East Palace Deserves To Continue For Another Season
After nearly two weeks on Netflix, The East Palace still has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving it’s a well-made show with a compelling story and stunning visuals. The series also features fantastic performances from its lead actors, Nam Joo-hyuk and Roh Yoon-seo, who both bring a lot of charm to their roles.
This series expertly combines exciting action with fascinating elements of Korean folklore, featuring ghosts and spirits seeking revenge. It feels as visually impressive as the best fantasy shows available, and what makes it even more remarkable is that it’s a completely original story – not based on any existing books or legends. This makes it a truly exceptional and brilliant piece of fantasy entertainment.
It would be truly disappointing if Netflix doesn’t continue The East Palace beyond the eight episodes currently available. This 2026 fantasy series is definitely worth renewing, even if that wasn’t the original plan. While many K-dramas are short-lived, The East Palace feels like a show that could remain popular for a long time.
2026-07-29 20:18