SBS 'Haunted Palace' seamlessly weaves together diverse genre charms such as historical drama, romantic comedy, occult, and fantasy action, capturing attention with a unique appeal amid the ongoing healing drama trend in April's home theater.
The SBS fantasy historical drama 'Haunted Palace' (written by Yoon Soo-jung/directed by Yoon Sung-sik), which has gained spotlight as a unique offering in 2025, depicts the shaman Yeo-ri, who rejects the fate of a spirit medium, and the dragon spirit Kang-cheol, who is trapped in the body of her first love Yoon-gab, facing the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi, holding resentment toward the royal family, leading to a tangled struggle for body and soul in this fantasy romantic comedy.
'Haunted Palace,' with a maximum viewership rating of 10.7% based on Nielsen Korea from its first broadcast, recorded 9.2% in the metropolitan area and 9.2% nationwide. Not only did it break the first broadcast rating record for SBS dramas in 2025, but it also dominated the mini-series viewership rankings for the week and secured the top spot in the TV series sector across five Asian countries, including South Korea, on Netflix (FlixPatrol, Apr. 22, 2025), signaling a successful debut. Additionally, it proudly claimed the number one position in the integrated content ranking announced by the content aggregation platform Kino Lights for the fourth week of April, continuously setting new records for popularity.
One of the factors contributing to the popularity of 'Haunted Palace' is its 'genre diversity.' 'Haunted Palace' delivers consistent and engaging entertainment with the imagination of fantasy, the liveliness of romantic comedy, the spookiness of the occult, and the thrill of exorcism action, standing out in a home theater primarily filled with warm and heartwarming healing dramas.
At the heart of 'Haunted Palace' lies a fresh and fascinating theme: the story of the dragon spirit (played by Yook Sung-jae) and the shaman (played by Kim Ji-yeon). The narrative begins as the dragon spirit Kang-cheol, trapped in the body of Yeo-ri's first love Yoon-gab, intertwines with Yeo-ri, captivating viewers with allure reminiscent of traditional folktales. Additionally, the court intrigue surrounding the strong reformist ruler Lee Jeong (played by Kim Ji-hoon) truly embodies the essence of historical dramas.
Moreover, the unprecedented setting of 'body-swapping romance' creates a delightful romance unique to 'Haunted Palace.' Yeo-ri’s story, facing the one she loved most, who is trapped in the body of the person she loathes, Kang-cheol, transcends existing 'hate-relationship romances.' Furthermore, the sight of Kang-cheol, who gains human form and emotions after a millennium, experiencing unprecedented romantic feelings for Yeo-ri adds a playful and adorable twist.
The comic elements artfully infused throughout the work also stand out. The dragon spirit Kang-cheol, accidentally trapped in a human body, experiences human cravings and desires for the first time, with episodes that humorously disregard earthly hierarchies. Particularly, Kang-cheol's explosive hunger, after experiencing taste for the first time, leaves viewers in stitches.
Notably, the appearances of Korean traditional ghosts such as Palcheok-gwi, Oedari-gwi, and Susal-gwi can be considered the highlights of 'Haunted Palace.' Director Yoon Sung-sik's aim for realistic portrayal brings the unique characteristics of K-spirits to life, incorporating occult elements in a fresh and popular manner that piques interest. As the anticipated clash with the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi unfolds, further expectation rises for spectacular action and mysterious shamanic rituals, enhancing the allure of the 'exorcism action drama.'
With such a seamless array of visual treats, 'Haunted Palace' has already created a sensation from the start, and it remains to be seen what genre delights will captivate viewers as the narrative unfolds.
Meanwhile, SBS's 'Haunted Palace' will broadcast its third episode on the 25th (Friday) at 9:55 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by SBS 'Haunted Palace.'
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