Humans getting love advice from ghosts?: ‘The Haunted Palace’ delivers unmatched chemistry
A scene from "The Haunted Palace" / Courtesy of SBS
SBS’ Friday-Saturday drama “The Haunted Palace (Gwigung)” is captivating audiences with the relationships between its human and supernatural characters, earning it the reputation of a “chemistry powerhouse.”
Airing its 11th episode on Friday, “The Haunted Palace” follows the story of Yeo-ri, a shaman who refuses her fate as a spirit medium, and Kang Cheol, an imugi (mythical serpent) trapped in the body of Yeo-ri’s first love, Yoon Gap. Together, they face off against a vengeful eight-foot ghost. The fantasy rom-com revolves around possession, identity entanglement and a quest for truth.
According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 9 hit a peak rating of 11.4 percent, with national viewership at 10.7 percent and the Seoul capital area at 10.0 percent, breaking the double-digit barrier. The show also led the "2049" demographic (viewers aged 20 to 49) with a 3.1 percent share, ranking first among all programs that day.
Episode 10 further heightened anticipation with the blossoming romance between Kang Cheol (Yook Sung-jae) and Yeo-ri (Kim Ji-yeon). The unique narrative, bolstered by solid character dynamics and impressive chemistry, has become a major talking point among viewers.
Kang Cheol and Yeo-ri began as a love-hate relationship fueled by misunderstandings, but their bond has deepened into romantic tension. Their multidimensional relationship as master and apprentice, ghost-hunters and budding lovers adds layers to the storyline. Complicating matters is the fact that Kang Cheol is possessing the body of Yeo-ri’s first love, leaving viewers wondering how long the possession will last.
Scenes from "The Haunted Palace" / Courtesy of SBS
Another standout pairing is the unconventional bromance between Kang Cheol and King Lee Jeong (Kim Ji-hoon), blurring the lines of hierarchy. The sharp banter between an arrogant spirit advisor and a disarmed monarch injects humor into every episode.
The show also features lively side dynamics. Court servant Kim Eung-soon (Kim In-kwon), nicknamed "Grilled Abalone," has a bickering rivalry with Kang Cheol that adds a comedic touch.
A “pseudo-family” vibe also develops between Kang Cheol and Yoon Gap’s mother, Yeong-geum (Cha Chung-hwa). As Kang Cheol slowly learns about family and love through Yeong-geum, the series gains emotional depth.
Kang Cheol also shares a strong brotherly bond with fellow imugi Bibi (Jo Han-gyeol), helping him hunt aristocrats to assist him become a dragon. This sibling relationship offers a stark contrast to human familial ties and adds fresh flavor to the narrative.
Meanwhile, Yeo-i finds herself confiding in the spirit Ok-im (Song Soo-i) about her love troubles, forming an unlikely friendship. Kang Cheol is also trained by the wise monk Gaseop (Lee Won-jong), with an amusing mentor-student rapport that adds to the show’s quirky charm.
Viewers are responding enthusiastically: “Pure-hearted imugi x shaman is a perfect combo,” “The king and Kang Cheol’s slow bromance is hilarious,” “It’s touching how Kang Cheol is becoming like a real son to Yoon Gap’s mom,” and “Only in ‘The Haunted Palace’ can you see someone getting love advice from a ghost!”
With its refreshing mix of humans, spirits and supernatural entities, “The Haunted Palace” continues to offer surprising synergy and unpredictable charm.
The next episode of SBS “The Haunted Palace” airs Friday at 10 p.m.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.