SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace' (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik) is a fantasy romantic comedy that intertwines the fate of a shaman, Yeori, who refuses her destiny as a medium, and Gangcheol-i, a serpent deity trapped in the body of Yeori's first love, Yoon-gap, as they confront a vengeful eight-foot-tall ghost entangling their bodies and souls.
Dubbed as the 'Drama Kingdom', SBS's unique fantasy historical drama 'The Haunted Palace' garnered attention even before its premiere, surpassing the first episode ratings of both 'Love Scout' and 'Buried Hearts'. With a national viewership rating of 9.3% (provided by Nielsen Korea) in its second week, 'The Haunted Palace' has outshined formidable competitors, maintaining its position as the top mini-series drama for two consecutive weeks, solidifying its status as a confirmed hit.
The intriguing premise of a serpent deity and a shaman, the actors' inspired character portrayals, the stimulating royal court mysteries, and the spine-chilling episodes of K-spirits have been expertly blended into a fast-paced narrative, receiving high praise.
Following the success of key players 'Love Scout's Lee Jun-hyuk and 'Buried Hearts' Park Hyung-sik, the spotlight on Yook Sung-jae in 'The Haunted Palace' is equally intense. In 'The Haunted Palace', Yook Sung-jae plays dual roles: Yoon-gap, Yeori's (played by Kim Ji-yeon) first love and a loyal subject favored by the king (played by Kim Ji-hoon), and the malevolent serpent deity, Gangcheol-i, possessing Yoon-gap's body. Yook's nuanced portrayal of both a half-human, half-deity character has been met with critical acclaim. Particularly, his ability to effortlessly switch between the deity's arrogance and the serpent's bewildered human experiences showcases why he is hailed as an 'unbeatable fantasy actor'.
Moreover, as Gangcheol-i begins to feel a romantic flutter for Yeori in the fourth episode, his unwitting attachment and protective instincts towards her have sparked discussions about Yook Sung-jae's 'pure-hearted male lead' charm. With Yook Sung-jae's explosive performance as the millennia-old serpent deity, the upward trajectory of 'The Haunted Palace' in continuing SBS's undefeated Friday-Saturday saga is keenly watched.
Distinguished by its unique K-spirit fantasy rom-com appeal, 'The Haunted Palace' continues to generate buzz. The fifth episode is scheduled to air on May 2nd (Friday) at 9:55 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)