This K-Drama Just Cracked 10%—Now It’s Dominating the Charts

SBS's The Haunted Palace has finally crossed into double-digit territory, hitting a nationwide rating of 10.7%, with a 10.0% average in the Seoul metro area and a peak of 11.4%—marking a new all-time high for the series.

There’s a Korean drama that just broke the 10% barrier—and it’s The Haunted Palace (Korean title: Gwigung). With its latest episode, the SBS Friday-Saturday drama not only reached a new personal best in viewership but also outperformed all programs in its Friday time slot.

According to Nielsen Korea, Episode 9, which aired on the 17th, earned a 10.7% nationwide rating, 10.0% in Seoul, and peaked at 11.4%. Among the key 2049 demographic, it scored 3.1%, placing first across all Friday programming.

Viewers are Raving About the Show:

🗨 “Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon’s acting is insane.”

🗨 “The cinematography and OST? Pure art.”

🗨 “Best-produced drama on air right now.”

🗨 “Each episode feels like a movie.”

🗨 “Already dreading the finale!”

Plot Summary:

The Haunted Palace is a fantasy romance set in the Joseon era, centered on Yeori (Kim Ji-yeon), a shaman who rejects her fate, and Kang Cheol (Yook Sung-jae), an ancient serpent spirit trapped in the body of her first love, Yoon Gap. The two become entangled with royal vengeful spirits known as the Palcheok-Gwi, unleashing a battle for both body and soul.

Episode 9 Recap:

Shocking truths emerged. Yeori’s grandmother, Neopdeok (Kil Hae-yeon), believed to have been killed by Kang Cheol, was actually murdered by the former king—possessed by a Palcheok-Gwi—while trying to exorcise the spirit. The pacing intensified with this revelation, keeping viewers on edge.

Elsewhere, Pungsan (Kim Sang-ho) revealed to Kim Bong-in (Son Byung-ho) that Yeori is Neopdeok’s granddaughter, and that the serpent spirit is residing in Yoon Gap’s body. Bong-in, who once tried to destroy the royal family by using evil spirits, is shocked by the blood ties and begins to plot again.

Yeori, disillusioned by the royal family’s secrets and her grandmother’s hidden death, breaks down in tears after confronting Kang Cheol. He explains: “You were just 13. If you had tried to save her back then… what could’ve happened?”

Meanwhile, Bibi (Jo Han-gyeol) is torn between loyalty and worry. He knows Kang Cheol’s power is weakening the longer he stays in a human body, risking his chance to ascend. But Bibi honors Kang Cheol’s request to stay by Yeori’s side. As Yeori bonds with Ok-im (Song Soo-ui), a ghostly figure known as the Water Arrow Spirit, Bibi realizes Yeori’s feelings for Kang Cheol run deeper than she admits.

At the same time, Bong-in uncovers the connection between Kang Cheol and Yeori, and begins plotting their downfall. He conspires with Minister Gwak Sang-chung (Yoon Seung) to separate them and block political reforms by Yi Jeong (Kim Ji-hoon), who seeks to promote Choi Won-woo (Ahn Nae-sang).

Bong-in tries to derail the appointment with help from the Queen Dowager (Han Soo-yeon), who references a dangerous book, Gwangam Anthology, leaving Choi shaken. Meanwhile, Yeong-geum (Cha Chung-hwa) is kidnapped by Gwak’s assassins.

While Yeori sets off on a delivery errand, she’s ambushed. Kang Cheol, upon learning of Yeong-geum’s kidnapping, is torn but chooses to act. He rejects In-seon’s (Shin Seul-ki) advances and goes to save Yeong-geum. Kang Cheol defeats Gwak’s men but loses strength to Gwak’s talisman. At the last second, Bibi arrives to rescue him. Yeori is saved thanks to Yi Jeong and royal guards.

That night, Yeori and Kang Cheol finally reunite—wounded, exhausted, and vulnerable. When Kang Cheol reaches out, Yeori pulls away but breaks down emotionally: “Do you know what hurts the most? That even now, I’m relieved you weren’t the one who killed her. I’m so drawn to you, and I’m not ashamed of it anymore. That scares me.”

Without a word, Kang Cheol wipes her tears and kisses her. The two finally confirm their feelings, leaving viewers deeply moved.

Episode 10 of The Haunted Palace airs on May 17 at 9:55 PM KST on SBS.

Viewership Ratings (Nielsen Korea, Nationwide):

Ep. 1: 9.2%

Ep. 2: 8.3%

Ep. 3: 9.3%

Ep. 4: 9.2%

Ep. 5: 8.8%

Ep. 6: 8.8%

Ep. 7: 9.8%

Ep. 8: 9.8%

Ep. 9: 10.7%

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