The Haunted Palace Episode 12 Delivers Shocking Twist as Yoon Gap’s Spirit Escapes the Eight-footed Ghost

The mystery deepens in episode 12 of SBS’s blockbuster weekend drama The Haunted Palace as the spirit of Yoon Gap (played by Yook Sung-jae) is shockingly expelled from the body of the Eight-footed Ghost. The intense storyline, filled with jaw-dropping twists, continues to captivate audiences across Korea.

In this gripping episode, Kang Cheol (Yook Sung-jae), Yeori (Kim Ji-yeon), and Lee Jung (Kim Ji-hoon) uncover the Gwangam Anthology, a 100-year-old war document revealing the hidden identity and origins of the Eight-footed Ghost. The ending scene, featuring the ghost releasing Yoon Gap’s spirit, left viewers stunned and eager for more.

The episode soared in the ratings with a national average of 9.7%, peaking at 10.6%. Among the 2049 demographic, it held a strong 2.5%, ranking #1 across all miniseries aired last week. The drama firmly maintains its hit status.

Meanwhile, Kang Cheol is devastated by the self-sacrifice of his serpent brother Bibi (Jo Han-gyeol), falling into deep emotional turmoil and refusing to eat. His sorrow draws concern from Yeong-geum (Cha Cheong-hwa), Lee Jung, and Court Eunuch Eung-soon (Kim In-kwon). As tension rises, sinister developments unravel behind the scenes.

Kim Bong-in (Son Byung-ho), whose scheming has long remained hidden, lashes out with chilling honesty, affirming the Eight-footed Ghost’s divine status. However, Queen Dowager (Han Soo-yeon) reveals that it was Bong-in who once endorsed Pungsan (Kim Sang-ho), challenging Lee Jung’s unwavering loyalty to his grandfather. When Officer Seo Jae-il (Han Min) witnesses Seo-won (Han Seung-bin), Pungsan’s servant, colluding with Bong-in’s bodyguard, the final truth shatters Lee Jung’s trust.

Lee Jung confronts Bong-in in the royal chamber, where the elder shamelessly justifies his crimes. But this was a trap — high officials hidden nearby overhear the full confession. Crushed by betrayal, Lee Jung sentences his grandfather and bursts into tears.

As Bong-in escapes exile and orders Pungsan to destroy every drop of royal blood, a shocking twist sees Pungsan — now possessed by the Eight-footed Ghost — killing Bong-in on the spot.

Kang Cheol, Yeori, and Lee Jung travel to Yongdam Valley, seeking clues from Choi Won-woo (Ahn Nae-sang), descendant of Minister Choi Gil-sang. Though he denies the existence of any such book, suspicions deepen. Eun-soon stumbles across old records of King Yeonjong seeking refuge in Yongdam a century ago, elevating the mystery.

Then chaos erupts as Choi In-seon (Shin Seul-ki), daughter of Won-woo, becomes possessed by the One-legged Ghost (Lee Tae-gum). The family’s dark history resurfaces — five years ago, a bookseller who stole heirlooms like the Gwangam Anthology was killed by Won-woo in a desperate cover-up.

As Kang Cheol thwarts Won-woo’s attempt to destroy the anthology, he declares, “Everything is written in this book — how the Eight-footed Ghost came to be.” He hands it to Lee Jung, ramping up suspense to new heights.

The episode ends with the ghost vomiting out Yoon Gap’s soul. Scenes cross-cut between the respectful worship of the ghost by Pungsan, Yoon Gap’s confusion, and the spirit’s solemn expression. What sinister plan lies ahead?

Now that Yoon Gap’s soul is free, what fate awaits the body shared with Kang Cheol? Will the truth of Korea’s royal lineage revealed in the Gwangam Anthology alter the destiny of the kingdom?

The Haunted Palace airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 PM KST on SBS.