‘The Haunted Palace’: A Supernatural Love Awakens as Dark Spirits Threaten the Royal Bloodline

Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS)’s fantasy-romance series The Haunted Palace (귀궁) continues to dominate weekend viewership in Korea, as episode 6 brings dramatic twists and emotional revelations. Garnering nationwide ratings of 8.8% and a peak of 10.3%, the series remains the top Saturday miniseries for three consecutive weeks.

The episode sees 강철이 (played by 육성재), 여리 (김지연), and 왕 이정 (김지훈) combating the formidable 팔척귀. Though they manage to drive it out temporarily using sacred items like 언월도 and 경귀석, the spirit’s overwhelming power forces them to stay alert.

A new threat emerges as 판수 풍산 (김상호), weakened and desperate, targets the unborn child of 중전 (한소은) to revive 팔척귀. The chilling plot unfolds as 풍산 discovers that 여리 is a 술사 capable of confronting the spirit.

Meanwhile, the sinister 도성 witnesses the arrival of another 이무기—비비 (조한결)—강철이’s younger sibling who preys on greedy aristocrats. To escape his human shell, 비비 tempts 강철이 to kill 윤갑’s body that he inhabits. But 강철이, now protective of 여리, resists the manipulation, denying 비비 and instead confronting his unfamiliar feelings.

What begins as confusion morphs into an awakening. 강철이 ponders, “Why does my heart race when I’m near her?” Unmoved by other humans like 인선 (신슬기), 강철이 finally realizes his emotions for 여리 stem from genuine human affection.

Suspense intensifies when 여리 discovers dark omens in the royal quarters—an unmarked skull and a hidden 부적 suggesting a continued threat to the 태아. Utilizing 명두, she summons the terrifying 수귀 막돌 (김준원), setting off a chase and violent confrontation near the palace river.

In the climax, 막돌 launches a devastating attack, and a vulnerable 여리 is drenched in sinister 물. As 강철이 helplessly watches, viewers are left on a tense cliffhanger.

SBS’s The Haunted Palace (귀궁) airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:55 PM KST, offering a gripping mix of exorcism, romance, and royal intrigue as 여리 and 강철이 battle spirits of the past—and perhaps even their own hearts.