From its first broadcast, the trending drama SBS 'Haunted Palace' has swept ratings and OTT rankings, with Yoo Seung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon leading the box office success through their divine synergy.
SBS weekend drama 'Haunted Palace' (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik) is a physical confrontation fantasy where the shaman Yeori, who refuses her fate as a medium, and the Imugi, Kang Cheol, who is trapped in the body of Yeori's first love, Yoon Gap, face off against the vengeful Baal spirit with a grudge against the royal family. This intriguing story about the Imugi and the shaman, combined with the actors' divine character play, a compelling court mystery, and the chilling presence of K-creatures, has sparked a heated response from the very first broadcast.
As proof of this hot topic, 'Haunted Palace' recorded a top rating of 10.7%, a metropolitan area rating of 9.2%, and a nationwide rating of 9.2% from its first broadcast, not only breaking the record for the highest viewership for a first broadcast of an SBS drama in 2025 but also dominating the weekly ratings for mini-series and ranking first in the TV series category in five Asian countries, including South Korea, on Netflix (Flix Patrol, Apr. 22, 2025), effectively launching a global hit. Moreover, the integrated content ranking for the fourth week of April, published by the OTT content aggregation platform KinoLights, has proudly placed it first, showing explosive growth in breaking its own records continuously.
At the center of this hot topic are undoubtedly the performances of the lead characters Yoo Seung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon. Yoo Seung-jae plays Yoon Gap, the first love of Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon), who is possessed by the evil spirit Imugi 'Kang Cheol' (played by Yoo Seung-jae), successfully performing dual roles and reaffirming his titles of 'Fantasy Unbeatable' and 'Possession Specialist.' When portraying Yoon Gap, he expresses the excitement of a kind first love, and after being possessed by the Imugi, displays a unique cunning and playfulness, showcasing a charming twist between the arrogant evil spirit who disregards human norms and the naive Imugi, who encounters human emotions for the first time. In particular, the scene where he discovers human taste and indulges in overeating maximizes the innocent charm of the Imugi and received positive reviews. Furthermore, the 'Guardian Spirit Mode' he displays whenever Yeori is in danger significantly heightens the anticipation for the romance they will depict in the future.
Meanwhile, Kim Ji-yeon, who has powerful spiritual energy but refuses her fate as a shaman and lives as an eyeglass craftsman, has once again broken through to a career-defining role. Making her first foray into fantasy through 'Haunted Palace,' Kim Ji-yeon showcased her mystical charm and strong charisma as the medium 'Yeori,' soothing the spirits while facing terrifying creatures, earning praise for the 'rediscovery of Kim Ji-yeon.' Moreover, she brought a vivid breath of life into the character by seamlessly portraying a proactive individual who boldly stands her ground even before the evil spirit Kang Cheol and carves her own path.
On the other hand, the acting chemistry between Yoo Seung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, who made headlines as close friends before the broadcast, is creating a pleasant synergy in the 'hate-friend romance' they are shaping. The natural chemistry between the two actors immerses viewers in the 13-year narrative of Kang Cheol and Yeori, while their seamless ensemble brings joy as they effortlessly navigate between laughter, tension, excitement, and mystery. In fact, director Yoon Sung-sik mentioned in an interview that 'the comedy and sweet romance between Yoo Seung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon are the secret weapons of 'Haunted Palace,' while actor Kim Ji-hoon (as Lee Jung) also noted, 'Seeing their chemistry was gratifying,' confirming their 'perfect chemistry.' As the drama progresses, attention is drawn to how Yoo Seung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, at the center of the explosive hit with their divine synergy from the start, will continue to shine.
[Photo] Provided by SBS
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