The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace' has risen as an unprecedented 'chemistry hotspot' showcasing the chemistry of characters that traverse between humans and spirits.
'The Haunted Palace' (written by Yoon Soo-jung/directed by Yoon Sung-sik) is a fantasy romantic comedy about a shaman named Yeori, who rejects the fate of a medium, and a dragon named Kang-chul, trapped in the body of Yeori's first love, Yoon-gap, as they encounter a vengeful spirit intent on revenge against the royal family, causing both body and soul to become intricately tangled. Based on episode 9, the highest ratings were 11.4% nationally, 10.7%, and 10.0% in the metropolitan area, breaking through the double-digit ratings milestone and setting a new record for itself. Notably, the 2049 ratings, a key indicator of channel competitiveness and popularity, recorded 3.1%, ranking first among all programs broadcast on the same day, showcasing the show's strong potential for success. (Nielsen Korea)
Especially in episode 10, as Kang-chul (played by Yook Sung-jae) and Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon) elevate the excitement with their full-fledged mutual romance, 'The Haunted Palace's' solid character play and diverse chemistry are heating up audience reactions.
The relationship between the dragon Kang-chul and shaman Yeori, which starts from misunderstandings and slowly seeps into love, is captivating the audience with a pink narrative. Particularly, the multidimensional relationship of the 'Kang-yeol couple,' who shift between being the body owner and disciple, comrades chasing the vengeful spirit, and young lovers, adds a unique quality to their romance. Moreover, Kang-chul is spiritually intertwined with Yeori's first love, Yoon-gap (played by Yook Sung-jae), and the uncertainty of how long this spiritual possession will last creates excitement, tension, and curiosity.
The chemistry between Kang-chul and King Lee Jung (played by Kim Ji-hoon) portrays a novel bromance never seen before. The interaction between the domineering dragon subject and the king, who gradually bonds with him, tickles the audience's funny bone with each episode. Additionally, the bickering chemistry between the court official Kim Eung-soon (played by Kim In-kwon), who was nicknamed 'Abalone Grilled,' and Kang-chul further amplifies the show's entertainment.
'Similar family chemistry' also blossoms everywhere, with the 'mother-son chemistry' between Kang-chul and Yoon-gap's mother, Yeong-geum (played by Cha Cheong-hwa), delivering both laughter and emotion. Especially, the portrayal of Kang-chul, who is clumsy with human emotions, gradually learning about family and love through Yeong-geum adds depth to the narrative. Furthermore, Kang-chul shows a strong brotherly bond with his younger brother, the dragon Bibi (played by Jo Han-gyeol), as Kang-chul helps him with 'noble hunting' for Bibi's ascension. This showcases a unique brotherly chemistry in the divine realm, different from the human world, providing the audience with fresh enjoyment.
Additionally, in 'The Haunted Palace,' Yeori, a human, discusses her romantic concerns with the spirit Osul-gwi (played by Song Su-yi) to build friendship, while the experienced monk Gaseup (played by Lee Won-jong) trains Kang-chul, unexpectedly forming a food chain that adds humorous touches to the drama.
As a result, viewers express heated reactions such as, "Why is the chemistry so good here regardless of age?", "Pure love between dragon and shaman is delicious," "King and Kang-chul invading each other is so funny," "Kang-chul gradually fulfilling son duties to his mom is touching," "Please have more of the abalone grilled banter," and "Becoming friends with a ghost is so unique." 'The Haunted Palace,' delivering fresh enjoyment with combinations of dragons, humans, and spirits never seen before, is anticipated to create even more synergy.
Meanwhile, the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace,' which has captivated viewers with its diverse chemistry and whirlwind developments, will air episode 11 on the night of the 23rd (Friday) at 10 p.m.
[Photo] SBS 'The Haunted Palace'
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