Netflix’s new original fantasy series is the ultimate summer sensation for fans of Stranger Things and KPop Demon Hunters. Stranger Things has long been Netflix’s flagship sci-fi fantasy series, cleverly combining science fiction themes with terrifying creatures and demons inspired by great fantasy franchises like Dungeons & Dragons. It’ll be tough for Netflix to fill the void left behind by Stranger Things; the animated spinoff series doesn’t quite scratch the same itch.
Of course, Stranger Things is far from being Netflix’s only global fantasy phenomenon. The wholly deserved yet unexpected success of KPop Demon Hunters changed everything for the streamer, offering the perfect blend of K-drama storytelling, catchy K-pop anthems, and incredible fantasy worldbuilding. The way the movie entwined Rumi, Mira, and Zoey’s duty as demon hunters, Rumi’s personal struggle with her demonic heritage, and their public careers as pop stars was inspired.
Korean shows and movies have exploded in worldwide popularity in recent years, aided by Netflix and other streamers’ global reach as they began platforming and licensing more international, big-name productions. Over the years, Netflix has invested in producing its own original K-drama content as well; one of its most recent shows, The East Palace, is a prime example, cleverly balancing historical royal drama, demonic fantasy horror, parallel dimensions, and Korean folklore in a way that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of both Stranger Things and KPop Demon Hunters.
The East Palace Has Quietly Become Netflix’s Best Show Of The Summer
The East Palace follows Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a ghost slayer hired by the reigning king to destroy the spirits targeting the palace and the line of succession. Gu-cheon is no ordinary ghost slayer, though; he’s uniquely capable of crossing over into the Realm of Gwi — In Korean, the root word Gwi means “ghost or malevolent spirit” — a mirror dimension home to the most terrifying and murderous spirits, including the Pond Spirit, which seems to be targeting the King’s royal bloodline.
Much to his chagrin, Gu-cheon is forcibly teamed up with Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady who, conveniently, can hear the dead — and has a secret of her own. While the show includes traditional K-drama storytelling tropes, its most vengeful spirits are just as terrifying in appearance as Vecna and the Mind Flayer in Stranger Things (they even share some slimy, vine-like attributes). Still, The East Palace takes on a distinctly dark, R-rated, and violent tone all its own.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, The East Palace has become one of Netflix’s most successful and acclaimed shows this summer, a steady presence on the streamer’s global chart since its debut on July 17. Even now, at the time of writing, it still holds the No. 10 spot, just below Ransom Canyon, Korean paranormal comedy Spooky in Love, and Brazilian crime drama Wrath.
The show also boasts an incredibly rare 100% critics’ approval score on Rotten Tomatoes (as well as an impressive 89% audience score), with reviewers highlighting the show’s stunning visuals — the sequences that take place within the Realm of Gwi, especially, are hauntingly beautiful — the compelling, push-and-pull dynamic between Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang, and the story’s unique, character-driven twists.
Perhaps most importantly, Netflix has billed The East Palace as a limited series, meaning it’s unlikely to, and doesn’t need to, return for a second season. The eight-episode series is an entirely self-contained story with a conclusive ending. This works in the show’s favor. Pacing-wise, The East Palace was made to be binged, as it drops viewers straight into the action without ever resorting to unnecessary, dragging exposition. It’s gory, violent, terrific fun, and best of all, fans will never need to worry about any potentially devastating cliffhangers.
No One Does Period Horror Better Than K-Dramas
While epic (paranormal) fantasy shows have become much more popular in recent years, historical speculative horror is still a somewhat niche category. K-dramas have completely dominated this subgenre, with shows like Kingdom, Gyeongseong Creature, and now The East Palace all producing wonderfully compelling shows with excellent paranormal horror plots and intriguing period settings.
Those familiar with K-dramas will no doubt have noticed that all three of those examples are Netflix Originals. Kingdom is a zombie-filled, three-season apocalyptic horror series set at the beginning of the 17th century. It was one of Netflix’s first original K-dramas in 2019 and currently boasts an incredible 98% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Gyeongseong Creature, a World War II-era sci-fi body horror series, premiered in 2024 and holds an impressive 92% RT score.
The East Palace is simply the latest in a long line of genre K-drama successes for Netflix. Crucially, these series aren’t just enjoyable for K-drama fans. They can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good horror, fantasy, or period drama. That’s the beauty of great storytelling.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Choi Jung-kyu
- Writers
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Kwon So-ra, Seo Jae-won
Cast
