The SBS drama The Haunted Palace has captured viewers’ attention with strong ratings and a unique storyline. Starring Yook Sung Jae and Bona, the show premiered on April 18, 2025, and quickly topped Netflix charts. Its consistent 8-9% nationwide ratings show its widespread appeal.
The drama follows Yoon Gap (Yook Sung Jae), a palace officer possessed by an imugi, a mythical serpent. Yeo Ri (Bona), a shamanโs granddaughter who rejects her destiny, joins him to face vengeful spirits haunting the royal family. Their chemistry and the blend of fantasy, horror, and romance keep audiences hooked.
Viewers praise the storyline for its originality and fun. Many call it the dramaโs strongest feature, with comments like, โThe story is extremely fascinating and fun.โ The experienced writer, Yoon Soo Jung, receives widespread acclaim for crafting a compelling narrative.
โGive the writer an award. The writer is doing the best job,โ a netizen shared.
The showโs success also stems from weak competition. Rival dramas in the same time slot, like Crushology 101, struggle with 0-1% ratings, giving The Haunted Palace an edge. Fantasy-horror themes resonate strongly, especially with older viewers.
โMy mom watches it all the time,โ one viewer noted.
Yook Sung Jae and Bona, both idol-turned-actors, deliver performances that surprise many. Fans highlight their natural chemistry, built on a 16-year friendship. At the press conference on April 17, 2025, their playful banter went viral, boosting anticipation.
โThe chemistry between these two is no joke,โ a fan commented.
However, some critique the acting and directing. A few viewers find Bonaโs intense scenes inconsistent, while others call the direction โclumsyโ or โlacking.โ Despite this, the gripping story keeps them watching.
โThe leadsโ acting is underwhelming, but the story is interesting,โ one viewer said.
The dramaโs visual effects and cinematography also draw praise. Fans describe the CGI as โflawlessโ and the ghosts as โsurreally real.โ The historical setting adds depth, making it stand out from typical K-dramas.
Episode 6, aired on May 3, 2025, scored an 8.8% rating, showing steady performance. With 16 episodes planned, the series continues to dominate its time slot. It streams on Viki and Netflix, reaching global audiences.
The showโs appeal lies in its mix of spooky thrills and light comedy. Viewers enjoy its stress-free vibe, with one saying, โEven with the ghosts, itโs not scaryโitโs easy to binge.โ This balance attracts a wide audience, from young fans to older viewers.
Kim Ji Hoon, playing King Lee Sung, adds gravitas to the cast. His role as a reformist monarch facing palace mysteries complements the leadsโ dynamic. Supporting actors like Kim Sang Ho and Kil Hae Yeon enhance the storytelling.
Social media buzz reflects the dramaโs popularity. Posts on X highlight its โsuperbโ storytelling and โamazingโ cast, with fans urging others to tune in. The show ranks high in drama buzz, with Yook Sung Jae and Bona trending as top casting keywords.
The Haunted Palace benefits from strong production. Director Yoon Sung Shik, known for Mr. Queen, brings polish to the series. The showโs ability to blend genres keeps it fresh and engaging.
Viewers also note its broad appeal. Historical dramas typically draw solid ratings, and this oneโs supernatural twist adds intrigue. Fans describe it as โthe best sageuk drama in 2025 so far.โ
K-Netizens also reacted to the massive popularity of the drama.
Reactions include:
“The competing shows are at like 0% or 1% ratings…”
“This is one of the dramas Iโm really enjoying these daysโmust have a solid base of regular viewers.”
“I like historical dramas and fantasy, so Iโve been watching it.”
“The acting is actually really good;; but I think itโs judged more harshly because theyโre an idol-turned-actor.”
“Itโs seriously so good. I thought the acting was decent too.”
“The acting is solid and the script is fun, but the directing is always a bit lacking.”
“The leadsโ acting is underwhelming, but the story is interesting. Itโs kind of clumsy, but I keep watching it, lol.”
“Historical dramas usually have good solid base ratings.”
“The female leadโs acting is inconsistentโsometimes itโs okay, but when she has to act intense scenes, sheโs really bad ใ ใ ”
“Crazy fun!!!! Best thing since ‘The Devil Judge.’ Iโm rewatching it over and over again, lol.”
“The actors in this drama may not be amazing, but theyโre not bad enough to be distracting. Itโs the directing thatโs really terrible. It feels unfair to criticize the acting when the direction is this bad. The storyโs good though.”
“Itโs so fun. The concept is great and the acting is decent too.”
“Seems to be a historical drama aimed at older viewers. Based on the posts, its ratings are better than other weekend dramas.”
“My mom watches this too.”
“The directing is a bit disappointing, but the story keeps me watching.”
“Itโs super fun!!! Considering both male and female leads are idols, theyโre doing pretty well… Sungjae is too cute.”
“The story must be good, at least.”
“Give the writer an award. The writer is doing the best job, lol.”
“My mom watches it all the time, lol. Every time I walk into the living room, sheโs watching this.”
“My mom really likes it, lol.”
“The story is fun, but thereโs something kind of off about it. Even with the ghosts, itโs not scaryโitโs the kind of drama you can watch without stress.”
“Judging by the comments, the directing must be seriously bad. Now Iโm curious what itโs like.”
“The directing isnโt great, but itโs still fun, lol. Feels like a drama from ten years ago, but entertaining.”
“The directing is a bit weak, but itโs easy to binge and time flies while watching.”
“The storyโs really interesting and fun.”
The dramaโs success shows no signs of slowing. Its consistent ratings and global streaming popularity cement its place as a 2025 hit. Fans eagerly await each episode, drawn by its captivating plot and dynamic leads.
CREDITS: theqoo
