SBS Drama 'The Haunted Palace' Breaks Viewership Records as Tensions Rise

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace' sees Yook Sung-jae's character confront the possessed King, played by Kim Ji-hoon, with a sword. The show has achieved its highest viewership rating yet, reaching 9.3%. Following the success of 'Treasure Island' starring Park Hyung-sik, SBS continues to lead the weekend drama ratings.

The episode aired on the 25th showcased Yook Sung-jae's character, Kang Chul, who is possessed by a dragon spirit, facing off against the giant spirit Paecheok-gwi alongside Kim Ji-yeon's character, Yeori. The episode peaked at a 10.4% viewership, with national ratings at 9.3% and metropolitan ratings at 9.0%, setting a new record for the series.

Yeori prayed fervently within the palace to find the spirit of Yoon Gap, which disturbed Paecheok-gwi, allowing Yoon Gap's spirit to reappear. Despite witnessing Yoon Gap's spirit being dragged away by Paecheok-gwi, Yeori was helpless against Kang Chul's intervention.

The episode also revealed the ambitions surrounding Paecheok-gwi. Blind fortune teller Pung-san, played by Kim Sang-ho, conspired with the Queen Dowager, portrayed by Han Soo-yeon, to possess the Crown Prince with Paecheok-gwi to protect her son, Prince Young-in, played by Kim Sun-bin. Pung-san sensed something amiss with Paecheok-gwi's behavior, adding tension to the plot.

Yeori was devastated by the revelations. Kang Chul accused her of being deceived by Yoon Gap, who brought her to the palace to exorcise Paecheok-gwi. Despite Kang Chul's claims, Yeori refused to believe him, and Kang Chul watched her struggle with sympathy.

Determined, Yeori returned to the palace, seeking the help of Ok-im, played by Song Soo-i, to save Yoon Gap's spirit in exchange for resolving Ok-im's grievances. Yeori discovered that Prince Young-in was responsible for Ok-im's unjust death and summoned Ok-im to scare him, easing her resentment. Grateful, Ok-im revealed the location of the Crown Prince's undergarment, a key to the plot. Yeori warned Ok-im against harming humans again, lest she become a malevolent spirit.

Kang Chul, worried about Yeori's safety, searched for her, fearing she might approach Paecheok-gwi. Upon finding her, he was relieved, displaying affection when Yeori checked his body for injuries. Unaware of Kang Chul's feelings, Yeori cleverly handed him over to the royal attendant, played by Kim In-kwon, to distract him.

The King, suspecting Minister Gwak Sang-chung, played by Yoon Seung, of orchestrating an attack on Yoon Gap, confronted him with Kang Chul. However, Kang Chul feigned ignorance, preventing the King from capturing Gwak Sang-chung. The King tested Kang Chul by discussing a political reform plan, but Kang Chul dismissed it, challenging the King. This encounter led Kang Chul to realize that Paecheok-gwi's grudge stemmed from the King's ancestors. The King, intrigued by Kang Chul's behavior, began to monitor him closely.

Meanwhile, Yeori secretly performed a ritual to summon Paecheok-gwi using the Crown Prince's undergarment and a spirit-repelling stone from the King's glasses. Her plan was to retrieve Yoon Gap's spirit, using herself as bait. Kang Chul, sensing something was wrong, rushed to find her. Simultaneously, Paecheok-gwi, possessing the Crown Prince, was drawn to Yeori's ritual. Yeori attempted to trap Paecheok-gwi but failed, leading to a confrontation where Kang Chul saved her.

As the King and guards arrived, tensions escalated with swords drawn at Kang Chul and Yeori. In the ensuing chaos, Yeori began an exorcism using the spirit-repelling stone, while Kang Chul protected her from arrows. The Crown Prince expelled Paecheok-gwi, but in a shocking twist, the spirit possessed the King. The episode ended with Kang Chul and the possessed King facing off with swords, leaving viewers eager for the next installment.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr