‘The Haunted Palace’ brings occult, romance together in genre-bending fantasy hit
A scene from "The Haunted Palace" / Courtesy of SBS
SBS’s new fantasy period drama “The Haunted Palace” is drawing major attention in April’s lineup of feel-good dramas, standing out with a fresh mix of historical fiction, romantic comedy, fantasy action and occult storytelling.
Billed as SBS’s only fantasy historical drama of 2025, “The Haunted Palace” follows Yeo-ri, a shaman who rejects her fate as a medium, and Gang Cheol, an ancient serpent spirit trapped in the body of Yeo-ri’s first love, Yoon Gap. As they confront the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi, their bodies and souls become entangled in an unusual battle for physical control — anchoring the show’s unique blend of body-swapping romance and supernatural conflict.
Premiering to strong numbers, “The Haunted Palace” recorded a peak nationwide viewership of 10.7 percent, with 9.2 percent in both the capital area and nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea. It not only claimed the highest premiere rating of any SBS drama in 2025 but also topped the week’s miniseries ratings and ranked number one in the TV series category across five Asian countries on Netflix as of Tuesday, according to FlixPatrol.
It also took first place in the fourth-week April rankings on KinoLights, a comprehensive streaming content search platform, further cementing its breakout status.
Scenes from "The Haunted Palace" / Courtesy of SBS
Much of the drama’s appeal lies in its genre diversity. Cloaked in a traditional period drama format, the show incorporates fantasy imagination, romantic comedy lightness, occult spookiness and exhilarating exorcist action, delivering a packed and unpredictable narrative. This variety sets it apart in a television landscape currently dominated by gentle dramas.
At its heart, “The Haunted Palace” offers a fresh and compelling premise: the tale of a shaman and a spirit locked in a human body. With Yeo-ri unwilling to accept her spiritual fate and Gang Cheol experiencing human emotions for the first time, the drama evokes the charm of Korean folktales while offering unexpected twists. Supporting storylines — such as palace intrigue involving the reformist monarch Lee Jeong (played by Kim Ji-hoon) — ground the show firmly in the historical drama tradition.
Adding to the show’s uniqueness is its novel “body battle romance” setup. Yeo-ri, confronting her most hated enemy in the body of her most beloved person, redefines the “enemies-to-lovers” trope. Meanwhile, Gang Cheol, encountering human sensations for the first time in a millennium, develops an awkward crush on Yeo-ri — bringing a mix of comedy and tenderness.
A scene from "The Haunted Palace" / Courtesy of SBS
Comic elements are scattered throughout the show. As Gang Cheol adapts to his human form and refuses to adhere to earthly social norms, his experiences — particularly his exaggerated reaction to tasting food for the first time — deliver laugh-out-loud moments.
Crucially, “The Haunted Palace” features vividly imagined Korean ghosts like Palcheok-gwi (eight-foot ghost), Oedari-gwi (one-legged ghost), and Susal-gwi (drowned ghost). Director Yoon Sung-sik’s commitment to a realistic portrayal enhances their eerie charm and infuses the occult genre with uniquely Korean sensibilities.
With the looming showdown against Palcheok-gwi and a mysterious heavenly ritual on the horizon, “The Haunted Palace” promises even more action and supernatural spectacle in its upcoming episodes.
As the story deepens, all eyes are on “The Haunted Palace” to see how it will continue to blend its many genres to keep viewers hooked.
“The Haunted Palace” airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:55 p.m. on SBS, with the third episode scheduled to premiere on Friday.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.