Dark Fantasy K-Drama “The East Palace” Becomes Global Netflix Hit

Released on July 17th, The East Palace is currently ranking among Netflix's Top Ten list in over 60 countries across the globe and sits with a perfect critic score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, a rare and difficult feat for any television series. The show has racked up more than 8 million views in its most recent tracking week, nearly doubling its numbers from the week of its premiere. So, what is it about this new K-drama that has audiences so captivated?

The East Palace is an eight-episode supernatural period drama set in an alternate Joseon dynasty world. The story follows Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-Hyuk), a ghost hunter hired by the king to break a curse plaguing the royal bloodline. He is joined by Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a princess with a secretive past and the ability to communicate with the dead. It has all the hallmarks of a great Netflix fantasy show: fantastical creatures, unsolved mysteries, palace intrigue, and stunning VFX. 

Critics and audiences have compared the show's horror elements and grimdark worldbuilding to other smash hit fantasy series such as Game of Thrones and perhaps most comparably, The Witcher, for their fast-paced action sequences and impressive monster effects. However, The East Palace is deeply rooted in Korean mythology and folklore, adding to its unique flavor of fantasy.

Although the show was billed as a limited series and written for a short but action-packed run of just eight episodes, fans and critics alike are already calling for a second season. At the time of writing, The East Palace is the second most-watched non-English show on Netflix's platform, and its popularity around the world certainly speaks to the demand for an expansion of the story. As the show rises in popularity on the streaming platform and on social media, it enters the playing field of K-drama streaming phenomenon.