Netflix is diving deeper into Korean folklore with The East Palace, a new fantasy thriller that blends Joseon-era history, palace politics, supernatural horror, and Korean shamanism into one ambitious series.

Premiering on July 17, the eight-episode drama stars Nam Joo Hyuk, Roh Yoon Seo, and Cho Seung Woo in a story where ghosts, curses, and royal secrets collide.

The East Palace follows Gu Cheon (Nam Joo Hyuk), a mysterious man gifted with the ability to cross into the world of spirits, and Saeng Kang (Roh Yoon Seo), a palace maid hiding secrets of her own.

Summoned by the king, portrayed by Cho Seung Woo, the pair must investigate a terrifying curse haunting the Crown Prince’s residence after a series of mysterious royal deaths. The killings mirror a tragedy that occurred 30 years earlier, when the palace was consumed by rumors of a deadly “pond ghost’s curse.”

As the reigning monarch struggles against whispers that he owes his throne to supernatural forces, he recruits Gu Cheon to uncover the truth while secretly assigning Saeng Kang to keep an eye on him. What begins as an investigation soon turns into a dangerous journey across the boundary between the living and the dead.

One of the series’ defining features is its incorporation of traditional Korean shamanism (K-shamanism) into its supernatural mythology. Rather than relying solely on Western occult traditions, The East Palace draws inspiration from Korean folk beliefs, weaving exorcism rituals, shamans, spirits, and indigenous legends into the story. The result is an occult world that feels distinctly Korean while remaining accessible to global audiences.

The series has been compared to Stranger Things for its shifting narrative between the human world and a supernatural realm inhabited by eerie creatures. Its richly imagined spirit world and cinematic creature designs further enhance the fantasy elements.

At the same time, the Joseon setting inevitably invites comparisons to Netflix’s hit zombie series Kingdom. Just as Kingdom introduced international audiences to Korea’s historical settings through horror, The Eastern Palace uses the royal court, traditional costumes, and palace architecture as the backdrop for an entirely different supernatural tale.

Beyond ghosts and monsters, the drama also explores the Korean concept of han—a deep sense of unresolved grief, resentment, or sorrow.

In the series, spirits consumed by lingering resentment transform into vengeful ghosts capable of harming the living. The writers also incorporate various gwimae supernatural beings drawn from Korean folktales and oral traditions. According to writers Kwon So Ra and Seo Jae Won, the production selected mythical creatures from Korean folklore whose unique abilities best supported the story, while adapting certain legends to fit the drama’s narrative.

The East Palace marks Nam Joo Hyuk’s first drama since completing his mandatory military service. He returns in the role of Gu Cheon, a ghost hunter who moves between the worlds of the living and the dead with remarkable ease.

Joining him are Roh Yoon Seo, who portrays the resourceful palace maid Saeng Kang, and veteran actor Cho Seung Woo, whose portrayal of a king burdened by fear and political uncertainty adds emotional weight to the royal intrigue.

With its combination of supernatural action, palace conspiracy, Korean mythology, and historical fantasy, The Eastern Palace aims to offer both domestic and international viewers a fresh take on the occult genre one deeply rooted in Korea’s own cultural traditions.

Sources: Daum | 문화일보