Netflix’s ‘The East Palace’ Receives Perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score

Netflix’s new Korean horror drama The East Palace is rapidly emerging as one of the year’s biggest surprises. Just two days post-release, the series has captured significant viewer attention, with many fans hailing it as one of the best K-dramas of 2026.

This fantasy horror series is crafted by writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, known for their work on shows like The Guest and Bulgasal: Immortal Souls. Directed by Choi Jung-kyu, it features a talented cast including Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, and Cho Seung-woo in leading roles.

Set in a fictional rendition of Korea’s Joseon era, The East Palace intertwines historical drama with supernatural horror. The narrative revolves around a royal family plagued by a mysterious curse for three decades, leading to the untimely deaths of several crown princes under bizarre circumstances, leaving the kingdom anxious for the fate of the last remaining heir.

In a bid to uncover the truth, King Ju-sang, portrayed by Cho Seung-woo, seeks the help of Gu-cheon, a ghost hunter played by Nam Joo-hyuk. Gu-cheon possesses the rare ability to see spirits and is tasked with investigating the strange deaths surrounding the royal family.

He is joined by Saeng-gang, played by Roh Yoon-seo, a princess who was exiled from the palace as a child due to her ability to hear ghosts. Although she returns at the king’s request, she has her own agenda: to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death and seek revenge.

Initially, Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang find it challenging to collaborate, but their dynamic evolves as they confront both human adversaries and perilous supernatural entities. Together, they must unravel the true story behind the royal curse before it leads to the kingdom’s downfall.

A significant factor in the series’ appeal is its distinctive take on Korean mythology. The creators have drawn from traditional Korean shamanism and folklore to construct the show’s supernatural landscape.

The series showcases various types of spirits, including “gwi-shin,” which are ghosts from Korean legends. It also features entities like “gwi-mae,” spirits born from unresolved regrets, and “ak-gwi,” malevolent spirits that grow stronger by taking lives.

Director Choi Jung-kyu shared that the team aimed for the creatures to resonate with Korean folklore while still being original to the show. “When we created these creatures, we wanted viewers to immediately understand what kind of being they were. They are based on folklore, but we adapted them to fit the world of our series,” he explained.

The production has garnered acclaim for its visuals. Filmed in Yeoncheon, South Korea, the series features meticulously crafted sets, costumes, and effects that create a striking contrast between the human realm and the ghostly Gwi Empire. Choi noted that the team preferred practical sets over relying solely on computer-generated effects.

As the series progresses, the mystery surrounding the curse becomes increasingly intricate. It ultimately reveals that the curse stems not from a ghost, but from years of human avarice, betrayal, and crimes within the royal family.

Roh Yoon-seo mentioned to Netflix that the truth is particularly painful for her character, as the individual behind many of her hardships is someone she once trusted deeply. “The grandmother was the only person Saeng-gang could rely on. When she discovers that she was responsible for everything, it is difficult to even imagine how she felt,” the actress shared.

Fans have lauded the emotional narrative, horror elements, and performances on social media. Many viewers are calling The East Palace one of the strongest K-dramas of the year thus far.

Critics have also responded favorably. As per Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently boasts a perfect 100% audience approval score, alongside a 7.7 rating on IMDb. With its blend of history, mythology, mystery, and horror, The East Palace is swiftly establishing itself as one of Netflix’s latest global sensations.

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