‘The Haunted Palace’ earns global praise for turning Korean ghosts into relatable characters
A scene from "The Haunted Palace" / Captured from SBS
SBS’ weekend fantasy romance “The Haunted Palace” is gaining popularity both in Korea and overseas, reaffirming the global appeal of the K-occult drama. Director Yoon Sung-sik has shared his thoughts on the series’ international success.
“The Haunted Palace” tells the story of Yeo-ri, a shaman who rejects her fate as a spirit medium, and Gangcheoli, an imugi (mythical serpent) trapped in the body of Yeo-ri’s first love, Yoon Gap. As they confront the vengeful eight-foot ghost haunting the royal family, their bodies and souls become entangled. With its unique storyline, spectacular plot twists, and fantasy charm, the drama — led by Yook Sung-jae (as Gangcheoli/Yoon Gap), Kim Ji-yeon (Yeo-ri) and Kim Ji-hoon (Lee Jeong) — has become a fan favorite on weekend television.
The drama is the only one among its competitors to surpass the critical double-digit ratings mark. It has topped its time slot and ranked first among all weekly miniseries in terms of viewership for every episode so far. It also leads in the coveted 2049 demographic, which gauges a show’s popularity among younger viewers, a key indicator of market impact according to Nielsen Korea.
The show’s momentum continues overseas. According to Asia’s leading regional streaming platform, Viu, “The Haunted Palace” ranked No. 1 for two consecutive weeks in Hong Kong and Thailand between May 12 and May 18 and placed in the top three across five major Southeast Asian markets, including Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. On global streaming site Rakuten Viki, the drama boasts over 4,000 reviews and a remarkable 9.7 rating as of June 2, reflecting its wide international appeal.
At the heart of the drama’s success lies its distinctive take on the K-occult genre. Blending elements of fantasy, historical drama, romantic comedy and the supernatural, the show has a fresh approach to traditional storytelling.
Scenes from "The Haunted Palace" / Captured from SBS
Inspired by Korean folk tales, “The Haunted Palace” portrays ghosts not as mere objects of horror but as emotional beings. The series shifts away from simple exorcism narratives, offering healing stories that delve into the deep-seated, unresolved sorrow and resentment carried by each spirit.
This reinterpretation has captivated viewers. Each supernatural figure carries a poignant backstory that has sparked public interest.
Yoon said, “I believe the drama resonated widely because it wasn’t confined to just the occult genre. It’s a hybrid that mixes romantic comedy with human drama. ‘The Haunted Palace’ delivers suspense that makes your palms sweat, endearing humor that lifts your lips, and emotional warmth that touches your heart — all through a story that flows with rhythm.”
He added, “It’s refreshing how the ghosts are approached not with fear and caution but with empathy and compassion. This helped break preconceptions about the occult genre and made it feel new.”
On its global reception, Yoon explained, “From the planning stages, we aimed to create something that would resonate universally. While the drama features distinctly Korean ghosts drawn from indigenous folklore, it appeals to a shared human sentiment ... In Asia, each country has different indigenous beliefs, but many share Buddhist and Taoist roots. Within this broader East Asian worldview, Korea’s unique stories and emotions have touched global audiences with their exotic yet relatable charm.”
With only two episodes remaining, “The Haunted Palace” is heading into its dramatic climax. The final chapters are expected to show the ultimate battle as Gangcheoli, Yeo-ri, and Lee Jeong attempt to defeat their most powerful enemy.
Episode 15 of SBS’s “The Haunted Palace” airs at 9:50 p.m. on June 6.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.