The East Palace: Cast, Plot, How Many Episodes and Where to Watch

The East Palace arrived on Netflix on July 17, 2026, and it landed with more anticipation than almost any Korean release this summer — partly for its eerie cursed-palace premise, and partly because it marks Nam Joo-hyuk's return to acting after completing his mandatory military service.

Here is everything you need to know before pressing play.

How many episodes does The East Palace have?

The East Palace is a limited series with 8 episodes, and unlike most weekly K-drama rollouts, Netflix released the entire season at once on July 17, 2026. You can binge the full story today — no waiting between episodes.

What is The East Palace about?

The series is set in a supernatural version of a Joseon-era royal court. The crown prince is found dead in the palace pond, and whispers spread that the killer is no human: thirty years earlier, a pond spirit is said to have cursed the palace and vowed to end the royal bloodline.

With the court in a panic, the king quietly summons Gu-cheon, a hired slayer of ghosts who can cross between the human world and the realm of spirits, known as the Realm of Gwi. He is paired with Saeng-gang, a court lady hiding a dangerous secret — she can hear the dead. Together they dig into the palace's hauntings and uncover truths the royal family buried long ago.

The East Palace cast and characters

Nam Joo-hyuk as Gu-cheon — the arrogant, formidable spirit slayer at the story's center. It is a sharp turn from the romance and coming-of-age roles Nam is best known for in Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Start-Up, and his first project since finishing military service.

Roh Yoon-seo as Saeng-gang — the observant court lady whose ability to communicate with spirits pulls her into the investigation.

Cho Seung-woo as the King — the monarch who secretly brings the unlikely pair together to break the palace's curse.

Who made The East Palace?

The series is directed by Choi Jung-kyu, whose credits include The Devil Judge and Children of Nobody. The scripts come from Kwon So-ra and Seo Jea-won, the writing team behind Korean occult favorites Bulgasal: Immortal Souls and The Guest — a pedigree that explains the show's confident blend of palace intrigue and supernatural horror.

Where to watch The East Palace

The East Palace streams exclusively on Netflix worldwide. All eight episodes are available now with subtitles and dubbing options in multiple languages; a standard Netflix subscription is required.

Is it worth watching?

If you enjoyed Netflix's darker Korean genre swings like Gyeongseong Creature or the occult tension of The Guest, this sits squarely in that lane — historical setting, restless spirits, and a mystery built on royal secrets. And with the whole season out at once, it is one of the easier commitments of the summer slate.