It opened with a rating of 9.2%.

Information about the movie The Haunted Palace (The Sorcerer and the Evil God)

The drama The Haunted Palace will air from April 18, 2025 to June 7, 2025. It will be broadcast regularly every Friday and Saturday night on SBS, offering viewers a delightful blend of historical moments, humor, and romance.

Original name: 귀궁 (Gui Gong).

Other names: Haunted Palace, Demon Palace, Return to the Palace, Gwigung.

Director: Yoon Sung Shik.

Script by: Yoon Soo Jung.

Genre: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy.

Country: South Korea.

Number of episodes: 16.

Original channel: SBS.

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes.

Content rating: 15+ - Suitable for teenagers aged 15 and older.

Review of the movie The Haunted Palace (The Sorcerer and the Evil God)

The Haunted Palace, a South Korean historical drama directed by the talented Yoon Sung Sik, quickly became a sensation from its very first episode, achieving an impressive 9.2% rating and breaking the miniseries record for 2025. Harmoniously blending elements of mystery, romance, humor, and action, the series not only captivates viewers with its magnificent settings but also wins hearts with its unique love story between the sorceress Yeo Ri and the evil spirit Kang Cheol Yi, residing in Yoon Gap's body. With a talented cast and a deeply moving script, The Haunted Palace promises to be an unforgettable emotional journey.

The "human-lover" relationship is creatively constructed.

Review of the movie *The Haunted Palace 1* — The "human-lover" relationship is creatively constructed.

The biggest highlight of *The Haunted Palace* is the complex relationship between the shaman Yeo Ri (Kim Ji Yeon) and the evil spirit Kang Cheol Yi (Yook Sung Jae). More than just a romantic love story, this relationship is built on a foundation of resentment, destiny, and supernatural mysteries.

Yeo Ri, a talented but reclusive sorceress, is drawn into a conflict with Kang Cheol Yi, an evil spirit who failed in his attempt to transform into a dragon and is now seeking revenge. The intertwining of past and present pain makes the two characters both enemies and kindred spirits. Kim Ji Yeon's performance portrays a strong yet deeply introspective Yeo Ri, while Yook Sung Jae excels in embodying both the gentle royal censor Yoon Gap and the scheming villain Kang Cheol Yi.

A good blend of fantasy elements with a historical setting.

Review of the movie *The Haunted Palace 2* — A good blend of fantasy elements with a historical setting.

The film makes the most of the gloomy Joseon palace setting, combined with eerie scenes, creating a haunting atmosphere. From vengeful spirits to dramatic magic sequences, *The Haunted Palace* successfully builds a supernatural world that is both visually stunning and terrifying.

Director Yoon Sung Sik, who previously made a name for himself with "The Queen," once again demonstrates his ability to balance humor and drama. Despite moments of intense suspense, the film also features humorous scenes that relieve pressure, creating a balanced pace.

A diverse and outstanding cast.

Review of the movie *The Haunted Palace 3* — A diverse and outstanding cast.

Besides Yook Sung Jae and Kim Ji Yeon, the drama also features Kim Ji Hoon as King Lee Seong – an intelligent character with a reformist vision. This is an interesting turning point for the actor, who usually plays villainous roles.

However, a minor drawback of the film lies in some plot points that are somewhat familiar to the "demon-sorcerer" genre, lacking a truly groundbreaking element compared to previous works on the same theme. Nevertheless, the character development and acting somewhat compensate for this.

Review of the first two episodes of The Haunted Palace

Haunted Palace opened impressively with ratings of 9.2% and 9.5%, delivering a mysterious historical drama that blends humor, romance, and drama. Episode 1 introduces Yeo Ri (Bona), a reluctant shaman, and Kang Cheol Yi (Yook Sung-jae), the evil god Imoogi possessing the body of Yoon Gap, the man Yeo Ri secretly loves, after his assassination. The fast pace, the magnificent yet gloomy palace setting, and the twist at the end create a strong appeal. Episode 2 balances humor (Kang Cheol Yi exploring human senses) and emotion, revealing Kang Cheol Yi's complex inner world. The chemistry between Bona and Yook Sung-jae is explosive, and Yook Sung-jae's performance in his dual role is a highlight. However, the role of King Lee Seong (Kim Ji-hoon) is not fully explored, and some mysterious details remain ambiguous. The film promises a dramatic and worthwhile journey for fans of historical and romantic dramas.

Overall review of the movie The Haunted Palace (The Sorcerer and the Evil God) - 8/10

Review of the movie *The Haunted Palace 4* — Overall review of the movie *The Haunted Palace* (The Sorcerer and the Evil God) - 8/10

Haunted Palace is a promising historical fantasy drama that perfectly blends horror, romance, and humor. Directed by Yoon Sung Sik, featuring impressive performances from Bona, Yook Sung Jae, and Kim Ji Hoon, and boasting a captivating storyline, the series has made a strong start and promises to continue its explosive run in subsequent episodes. While there are still areas for improvement, particularly in developing character relationships and clarifying the supernatural elements, Haunted Palace remains a must-watch for fans of Korean historical dramas.

If you're looking for a film that's both terrifying and touching, with moments of laughter and a dramatic love story, add *The Haunted Palace* to your must-see list. The film is not just an adventure into the supernatural world, but also a journey of discovering love, courage, and sacrifice.