Netflix's original Korean historical fantasy series The East Palace continues to dominate the streaming charts, holding the No. 1 spot on Netflix Korea for three consecutive days despite ongoing debate surrounding Nam Joo Hyuk's acting performance.

Released on July 17, the palace occult drama climbed to the top of Netflix Korea’s Top 10 series chart within just one day and has remained there ever since, outperforming even one of Korea’s highest-rated television dramas.

As of July 20, The East Palace remained the most-watched series on Netflix Korea. It was followed by SBS drama Agent Kim Reactivated, which recently achieved a new personal best nationwide television rating of 23.1%. Other titles in Netflix Korea’s Top 10 include Apartment, Spellbound, Better Late Than Single, and Teach You a Lesson.

Despite the strong TV ratings enjoyed by So Ji Sub’s Agent Kim Reactivated, The East Palace has maintained its lead on the streaming platform.

The series has also performed strongly overseas. According to FlixPatrol, The East Palace ranked No. 4 among Netflix TV series worldwide on its third day after release and entered the Top 10 in 81 countries and regions.

The drama reached No. 1 in: South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It also ranked among the Top 10 across several major Asian markets, including: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam. The series additionally gained popularity in Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Part of the drama’s appeal has been credited to its acclaimed production team. The screenplay was written by the writer behind The Guest and Bulgasal: Immortal Souls, while the series is directed by the filmmaker known for The Devil Judge and Children of Nobody.

Another breakout element has been the mysterious creature nicknamed “Kkeomeoksari,” whose unique design has inspired fan art and internet memes since the show’s release. Director Choi Jung Gyu explained: “Kkeomeoksari was the most difficult character to bring to life. We based its colors on darkness and shadows while giving it the texture of a doll made from stone and earth to reflect traditional Korean aesthetics.”

Speaking with reporters on July 21, Nam addressed the criticism directly. “If Gu Cheon had spoken with the same heavy tone as the other characters, I don’t think he would have fit this story,” he explained. The actor said he intentionally chose a more natural delivery because his character is someone who doesn’t truly belong inside the royal palace. “I know opinions are divided. Just as before, I’m grateful for both the praise and the criticism.”

While the drama has enjoyed strong ratings, Nam Joo Hyuk’s performance as Gu Cheon has sparked mixed reactions. Some viewers compared his more casual speech style to the traditional historical drama performances of veteran actors Cho Seung Woo and Jang Young Nam.

The series also marks Cho Seung Woo’s return to television after a three-year hiatus. Ahead of the premiere, the veteran actor confidently described the project as one he “had no reason to turn down.” His return has become one of the drama’s biggest talking points, alongside the performances of Jang Young Nam and the supporting cast.

Although some viewers have noted similarities to other fantasy series, many have praised The East Palace for its fresh combination of Korean folklore, supernatural horror, and historical drama. Online reactions include comments such as:

  • I never expected occult and historical drama to work this well.
  • The world-building based on Korean legends feels refreshing.
  • The cinematography and CGI exceeded my expectations.
  • The performances are outstanding.
  • I already can’t wait for Season 2.

The East Palace follows Gu Cheon (Nam Joo Hyuk), a man capable of crossing between the worlds of the living and the dead, and Saeng Kang, a palace inspector who can hear the voices of spirits.

Summoned by King Lee Yeon (Cho Seung Woo), the pair investigate a mysterious curse haunting the Eastern Palace after a series of unexplained deaths among royal princes. As rumors spread that an ancient pond spirit has returned, the king is forced to confront the terrifying truth behind the supernatural events threatening the royal family.

The eight-episode Netflix original also stars Jang Young Nam, Kwak Dong Yeon, Tae In Ho, Hwang Young Hee, Hong Seo Joon, and Lee Hong Nae. As Netflix’s first original Korean historical drama since the Kingdom series nearly six years ago, The East Palace is now aiming to extend its success beyond Korea and become one of the platform’s next global hits.

Sources: Naver