The East Palace Becomes No 1 In 17 Countries - 5 Reasons That Make This Korean Horror Netflix's Latest Global Sensation

Netflix

has discovered its next Korean historical phenomenon in The East Palace. The show has climbed to the top of the OTT's global charts, reaching No 1 in 17 countries and the Top 10 in 83 markets, making it one of the platform's biggest Korean releases this year. The East Palace is also the most talked-about drama in South Korea, according to global streaming rankings, surpassing a few established television hits. Seven years after Kingdom changed the way we think about period storytelling with zombies, this is the streaming platform's latest global hit. Starring Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, Cho Seung-woo and Kwak Dong-yeon, this eight-episode historical fantasy mixes palace politics, supernatural horror and Korean folklore.

Netflix global rankings

The East Palace continues to gain momentum with audiences across the globe, rising to No. 2 on the platform's global TV rankings, according to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol on July 23. Korean fantasy drama scored 554 points, beating SBS's Agent Kim Reactivated, which fell to third place with 442 points after previously having one of the top spots on the chart. Agent Kim Reactivated is a drop but still No 1 in seven countries.

The East Palace has been particularly strong across Asia, hitting No 1 in 17 markets including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Beyond Asia, the series has also hit the Top 10 TV rankings on Netflix in 83 countries, showcasing its expanding global appeal.The drama has become a hot topic in South Korea as well. According to the FUNdex rankings from Good Data Corporation for the third week of July, released on July 22, the East Palace topped the overall buzz rankings that week, beating out several of the nation’s most popular television shows.

The East Palace - Haunting mystery and royal politics

The East Palace is a Joseon-era drama about Gu Cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a mysterious man who can see ghosts and spirits and jump back and forth between the worlds of the living and the dead. Mystery deaths begin to take place in the royal family, and he is summoned by the King. Cho Seung Woo plays the king who turns desperate and must face supernatural forces that he once dismissed.Rumour had it the Eastern Palace had been cursed by a vengeful pond ghost bent on destroying the royal bloodline. Together with Gu Cheon, who works with Saeng Gang, a palace maid, they discover dark secrets hidden under generations of royal power.

Netflix's largest Korean historical fantasy since Kingdom

Netflix has made several Korean originals over the past several years, but The East Palace is its first major original historical fantasy series since the debut of Kingdom in 2019. The series is a melting pot of not just ghosts or horror, but occult mythology, action sequences through the spirit realm and emotional family drama, all rolled into one.

Supporting standout cast

Besides the leads, the supporting performances in the series have also been praised. Kwak Dong-yeon surprises big as the Crown Prince, whose tragic fate turns out to be the key to the hidden history of the palace. As Queen Dowager, Jang Young-nam demands attention, whose obsession with protecting royal authority slowly descends into madness.Meanwhile, Hong Su-ju plays the scary pond ghost, a palace maid who was murdered and has come back to haunt the royal family for their injustice over the centuries.

Kkeomeoksal - the breakout star

However, the surprise star of the show is Kkeomeoksal. This isn't even human, but the most beloved character on the show. The tiny ghost companion who follows Gu Cheon throughout the series has become an internet sensation due to its cute appearance and mischievous personality. The creature feeds on human life energy, but his playful antics provide some comic relief in the show's darker supernatural moments.Fans have taken to calling the character "Joseon Groot," after Marvel's Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.

Reasons to watch The East Palace

Incase you're still not convinced about whether to watch the show or not, here are 5 reasons to watch The East Palace.1. Mix of genres: The show combines historical drama, occult horror, fantasy and action instead of focusing on one genre.2. Notable performances: Nam Joo-hyuk's post-military comeback, Roh Yoon-seo's first historical role, and Cho Seung-woo's commanding performance anchor the story.3. Rich Korean mythology: The drama taps into Korean folklore and supernatural legends instead of borrowing familiar fantasy tropes.4. Gorgeous visuals: From spooky interiors of palaces to elaborate sequences of the spirit world, the production creates a visually immersive fantasy world.5. Memorable supporting cast: The tragic Crown Prince, the terrifying pond ghost and fan-favourite Kkeomeoksal- the supporting cast leaves a lasting impression.The East Palace has quickly become one of Netflix's biggest Korean originals of the year, thanks to its strong performances, ambitious world-building, and engaging supernatural mystery.