TV
'The Haunted Palace' Concludes with Record-Breaking Finale and Global Acclaim
The final episode of 'The Haunted Palace' achieved its highest ratings yet, with a peak of 12.3%, a national average of 11.0%, and a metropolitan area rating of 10.1%, securing the top spot in its time slot and among all Saturday mini-series.
Additionally, the 2049 demographic rating reached 2.7%, making it the number one Saturday mini-series, and cementing its status as a hot topic. (According to Nielsen Korea)
The final episode, aired on the night of the 7th at 9:50 PM, directed by Yoon Sung-sik and written by Yoon Soo-jung, featured a climactic showdown between Kang Chul (played by Yook Sung-jae) and Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon) against Lee Jung (played by Kim Ji-hoon), who was possessed by the evil spirit Palcheok-gwi (played by Seo Do-young).
In a dramatic turn, Yeori risked her life to summon the 'Hwadeokchasa' (a grim reaper for fiery ghosts), while Kang Chul consumed the petals of the Gol Damcho flower to save Yeori, using up all his luminous beads.
Ultimately, the Palcheok-gwi was exorcised from Lee Jung's body, and with Yeori's ritual and Lee Jung's sincere apology, the deep-seated grudge was resolved, allowing the spirits to return to their original forms and cross the river of the afterlife, leaving viewers deeply moved.
In a surprising twist, Kang Chul, thought to have vanished, awoke and chose to live a mortal life with Yeori, foregoing his ascension as a dragon. The series concluded with the couple living happily with their children, leaving a pleasant aftertaste for the audience.
'The Haunted Palace,' SBS's unique fantasy historical drama of 2025, stood out amidst fierce competition, consistently receiving strong viewer support and continuing SBS's streak of successful Friday-Saturday dramas.
The drama explored a unique romance between an Imoogi possessing a human body and a shaman whose first love was taken by the creature, showcasing the power of fresh storytelling.
With the protagonist being a divine Imoogi, the series offered a rich narrative and diverse characters, providing an engaging viewing experience.
Kang Chul's journey of discovering human emotions for the first time brought humor, while the intertwined fates of the Imoogi and the shaman created a heartwarming love story.
The battle against the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi, who harbored a deep grudge against the royal family, added thrilling tension to the sweet and dangerous romance, captivating viewers.
From his newborn-like innocence upon first experiencing human emotions to the charismatic deity who understands the ways of the world, and finally to the passionate man in love with a human woman, Yook Sung-jae showcased his timeless charm, earning the title of 'fantasy genius.'
Kim Ji-yeon played 'Yeori,' a shaman who rejects her fate and lives as an eyeglass artisan, receiving praise for her deepened acting skills.
As a healer who soothes the grudges and souls of vengeful spirits, Kim Ji-yeon broke the stereotype of traditional shaman characters, creating a new archetype.
Kim Ji-hoon, as King 'Lee Jung,' who faces the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi, displayed a multifaceted charm, from the charisma of a benevolent king to the devotion of a loving husband, and a humorous bromance with Yook Sung-jae. In the latter part of the series, he revealed a decadent sexiness after being possessed by Palcheok-gwi, earning acclaim for his 'life character' performance.
The cast, including Kim Sang-ho (Pungsan), Ahn Nae-sang (Choi Won-woo), Gil Hae-yeon (Neopdeok), Kim In-kwon (Kim Eung-soon), Cha Chung-hwa (Young-geum), Son Byung-ho (Kim Bong-in), Han Soo-yeon (Queen Dowager), Han So-eun (Queen Park), Shin Seul-gi (Choi In-seon), Seo Do-young (Palcheok-gwi/Cheon Geum-hwi), Lee Won-jong (Monk Gaseop), and Jo Han-gyeol (Bibi), delivered stellar performances, enriching 'The Haunted Palace.'
'The Haunted Palace' captivated viewers with its unique perspective on ghostly narratives, differentiating itself from traditional occult genres.
The series featured traditional Korean ghosts like 'Palcheok-gwi,' 'Oedari-gwi,' 'Susalgwi,' and 'Yagwang-gwi,' offering a fresh take by portraying these spirits as beings with human-like emotions, rather than mere objects of fear, infusing them with humanism.
The exorcism process was not depicted as a simple battle between good and evil but focused on the stories and grievances of the spirits before their deaths, creating a healing narrative and establishing a new grammar for occult dramas.
The success of 'The Haunted Palace,' rich in traditional Korean culture and sentiment, extended beyond Korea to international audiences.
In its first week, it topped the TV series category in five Asian countries, including South Korea, on Netflix (according to FlixPatrol, April 22, 2025), signaling its global success.
On the global OTT platform Rakuten Viki, it achieved an impressive rating of 9.7, dominating the top spot in 89 countries, including the US, UK, France, and Australia, by the third week of airing.
On Asia's largest regional OTT platform Viu, it ranked first in Hong Kong and Thailand and maintained a top-three position in five major Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia (from May 12 to 18), solidifying its status as a global hit.
The series received praise from international media. Pierce Conran, a journalist for Hong Kong's leading publication South China Morning Post, lauded the drama for its "intriguing blend of genres and perfectly combined dense plot," crediting director Yoon Sung-sik's experience in historical dramas for its seamless execution.
Leisurebyte, an overseas film and entertainment media outlet, praised the series for "bringing laughter and warmth amidst the banter between the ancient Imoogi and humans," and for delivering "perfect entertainment despite the chaotic plot involving body swaps and ghostly appearances," elevating the global status of K-fantasy.
Meanwhile, SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace' concluded its 16-episode run on the 7th, telling the story of shaman Yeori, who rejects her fate as a medium, and the Imoogi Kang Chul, trapped in the body of Yeori's first love Yoon Gap, as they face the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi, leading to a tangled fantasy romance.
