From Underdog to Prime-Time King! This K-Drama Hits 9.7% Ratings Nationwide

SBS’s Friday-Saturday fantasy drama 'The Haunted Palace' has taken over weekend prime time with a surge in tension and mystery.

In Episode 12, which aired on May 24, viewers watched as Kang Cheol (played by Yook Sung-jae), Yeori (Kim Ji-yeon), and Lee Jeong (Kim Ji-hoon) got their hands on the mysterious 'Gwangam Collection'—a book containing the truth behind the vengeful Palcheokgwi spirit and records of a war from a century ago. The trio inches closer to uncovering the terrifying origins of the royal family’s haunting curse.

The episode ended on a jaw-dropping note, as the Palcheokgwi was shown expelling the spirit of Yoon Gap (also played by Yook Sung-jae), escalating the suspense and making it impossible to predict what’s next.

Thanks to its intense plot and twists, 'The Haunted Palace' hit impressive ratings—10.6% peak viewership, 9.7% nationwide, 9.1% in Seoul’s metropolitan area, and 2.5% in the 2049 demographic. It not only topped its time slot but also ranked No. 1 among all miniseries aired that week.

'The Haunted Palace' is a fantasy romance drama about a reluctant shaman named Yeori and a mythical serpent, Kang Cheol, who is trapped in the body of Yeori’s first love, Yoon Gap. Together, they face off against the ancient spirit Palcheokgwi, who harbors a deep grudge against the royal family—leading to a chaotic entanglement of bodies and souls.

The drama stars Yook Sung-jae, Kim Ji-yeon, Kim Ji-hoon, Kim Sang-ho, Ahn Nae-sang, Kil Hae-yeon, Kim In-kwon, Cha Jung-hwa, Son Byung-ho, Han Soo-yeon, Han So-eun, and Shin Seul-ki.

With just four episodes left, fans are eager to see how this 16-episode drama will conclude. Character charts and cast details can be found on the drama’s official website. 'The Haunted Palace' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST on SBS.

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