Netflix's historical fantasy 'The East Palace' hits No. 1 in 17 countries, seven years after 'Kingdom'

Netflix's original Korean historical fantasy series 'The East Palace' has captured the attention of global audiences, marking the streaming giant's first major original period drama success since 'Kingdom' premiered seven years ago.

According to global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol on July 23, Netflix's 'The East Palace' earned 554 points, placing No. 2 on the platform's global TV show rankings. It overtook SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Agent Kim Reactivated,' which dropped to No. 3 with 442 points after previously maintaining a spot near the top. 'Agent Kim Reactivated' ranked No. 1 in seven countries.

Meanwhile, 'The East Palace' reached No. 1 in 17 countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, demonstrating particularly strong popularity across Asia. The series also entered the Top 10 in 83 countries worldwide. The drama has also performed well domestically. In Good Data Corporation's FUNdex rankings for the third week of July, released on July 22, 'The East Palace' climbed to No. 1 in overall buzz, surpassing several established hit series.

'The East Palace' follows Gu Cheon (played by Nam Joo Hyuk), a man capable of crossing between the worlds of the living and the dead, and Saeng Gang (Roh Yoon Seo), a palace maid hiding a secret, as they investigate the curse haunting the Eastern Palace under the king's orders. Cho Seung Woo stars as the king. The eight-episode series was released in full on July 17.

The story begins after the royal family's crown princes mysteriously die one after another. Rumors spread that the palace has once again fallen under the curse of a pond ghost seeking the royal bloodline. Even the skeptical king eventually summons Gu Cheon when the supernatural incidents spiral out of control.

The title 'The East Palace' carries a dual meaning, referring both to the residence of the crown prince and to the place where the royal family's hidden sins have accumulated. Genre-wise, the series combines historical drama with occult horror and dark fantasy action. Rather than simply featuring ghosts in a historical setting, it centers its action on journeys between the worlds of humans and spirits. It is also Netflix's first original Korean historical series since the zombie thriller 'Kingdom' debuted about seven years ago.

The screenplay was written by Kwon So Ra and Seo Jae Won, the writers behind 'The Guest' and 'Bulgasal: Immortal Souls,' bringing their experience in supernatural storytelling to the show's richly built mythology. The cast also generated considerable buzz. Nam Joo Hyuk makes his acting comeback following military service, Roh Yoon Seo takes on her first historical drama, and Cho Seung Woo returns to television for the first time in three years. Viewers have praised the series for its distinctly Korean storytelling, visually striking world-building, action sequences spanning the spirit realm, the cast's performances, and the memorable ghost creature Kkeomeoksal.

Much of 'The East Palace's' success has been credited to its standout supporting cast, whose performances deepen the drama's emotional weight. Kwak Dong Yeon appears as the crown prince whose tragic fate sets the story in motion. Although his screen time is relatively brief, his restrained performance and chilling presence leave a lasting impact.

As the story unfolds, the crown prince is revealed to be far more than a simple victim, becoming closely tied to the royal family's long-hidden secrets. His shocking return as a vengeful evil spirit near the end of Episode 4 became one of the series' standout moments. Relying more on his expressions, gaze, and dramatic special effects makeup than dialogue, Kwak delivers a transformation that dramatically shifts the tone of the series. Jang Young Nam portrays the Queen Dowager, a woman obsessed with preserving royal authority. Through restrained dialogue and commanding screen presence, she maintains the drama's tension until the finale, portraying a character consumed by madness as she relentlessly attempts to overthrow the king despite being attacked by vengeful spirits.

Hong Su Ju plays the Pond Ghost (Court Lady Seung Eun), a palace maid who is unjustly killed by the Queen Dowager before returning as a spirit seeking revenge by murdering crown princes. She recently attracted additional attention after sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the set on social media, revealing a graceful appearance that sharply contrasts with her terrifying ghostly transformation in the series. The supporting lineup is further strengthened by performances from Tae In Ho, Hwang Young Hee, Hong Seo Joon, and Lee Hong Nae, all of whom contribute to the drama's immersive storytelling.

One of the biggest breakout stars of the series is the tiny ghost companion Kkeomeoksal, who faithfully follows Gu Cheon throughout his journey. Despite its doll-like, adorable appearance, Kkeomeoksal survives by attaching itself to humans and feeding on their life energy. Throughout the series, it repeatedly tries to steal Gu Cheon's energy. While it waddles around like a toy in the human world, it transforms into a much larger creature with sharp fangs in the spirit realm. The character serves as comic relief amid the series' dark occult atmosphere.

Its charming movements and playful sounds have won over viewers, with many comparing Kkeomeoksal to Groot from 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' Fans have even nicknamed it the "Joseon Groot." Online reactions have included comments such as, "It's so adorable," "I kept watching just for Kkeomeoksal," and "I'd definitely buy the merchandise if they release any." Fan-made images featuring the character have also spread widely across online communities. The character itself is inspired by Korean oral folklore. According to legend, Kkeomeoksal repeatedly says, "I am Kkeomeoksal," while following people. The name is believed to combine "kkeomeok," meaning pitch-black darkness, with "sal," referring to a living being. The production team explained that they adapted the folktale while searching for a lovable ghost companion for Gu Cheon.

Director Choi Jung Gyu noted that Kkeomeoksal resembles a relatively modern ghost story more than an ancient mythical creature. He admitted that bringing the character to life was challenging because, unlike the other spirits, Kkeomeoksal directly interacts with the main characters, possesses significant powers, and can transform its appearance. Ultimately, the team chose to give it the texture of a clay doll while incorporating traditional Korean visual elements throughout its design. Regarding the overwhelming demand for merchandise, the director said product plans are not his decision but expressed hope that viewers' enthusiasm could eventually lead to official merchandise being produced. With its standout supporting cast, breakout characters like Kkeomeoksal, strong performances from Nam Joo Hyuk, Roh Yoon Seo, and Cho Seung Woo, and visually rich storytelling, 'The East Palace' continues to gain momentum as audiences watch to see just how far its global success can go.