This is the official poster for the Netflix TV series “The East Palace,” streaming on Netflix. (OSV News photo by Netflix)
NEW YORK (OSV News) — “Korean gothic” might best sum up the atmosphere of the drama series “The East Palace.” All eight roughly hour-long episodes of the program’s first season are currently streaming on Netflix.
Directed by Choi Jung-kyu, the show is set in a fictionalized version of its home country’s Joseon era. Since that period lasted from the late 14th to the early 20th century, the background may be anything from medieval to early modern to almost contemporary.
Whatever the date, this is a world in which reason, as represented by Confucianism, barely holds its own against Asian mysticism and the occult. Thus, when a curse seems to have attached itself to his family, the nation’s unnamed king (Cho Seung-woo) initially insists that there’s a concrete explanation but quickly seeks a supernatural solution instead.
This takes the unlikely form of Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a spiritually gifted but surly young man who lives a directionless life on the grounds of a monastery. Kidnapped and compelled to assist his sovereign or face capital punishment, grouchy Gu-cheon reluctantly cooperates.
To assist, and keep an eye on, Gu-cheon, the monarch summons his estranged daughter, Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), who has preternatural abilities of her own. A stickler for good manners, courtly Saeng-gang takes a dim view of her new acquaintance.
Gu-cheon, for his part, becomes easily exasperated at having to explain to Saeng-gang matters that seem obvious to him. Thanks to Saeng-gang’s comparative ignorance of such things, we get an oral primer on Korean mythology — or, more precisely, demonology.
The friction between the two principals, meanwhile, helps to drive the story, though the tension gradually lessens as they get to know and appreciate each other. Both, we discover, are outsiders who had troubled childhoods. Viewers can guess, early on, where this trend of increasing cordiality may be headed.
‘The East Palace’ is not suitable for children
The series is a visual feast, with the structure of the title and its grounds providing one lush environment after another. Based on the first two installments screened for review, however, disturbing images — together with the abundance of nonscriptural concepts — make “The East Palace” unsuitable for kids.
Older teens and adults, on the other hand, will find that the dialogue, dubbed into English, only occasionally gives way to mild cursing and some vulgar vocabulary. While there are many dustups, moreover, the mayhem is almost entirely bloodless.
With dynastic complications and Machiavellian plots hovering in the background, the storyline blends high-stakes politics with its metaphysical struggles. Conveyedc treat for mature TV fans
John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on X @JohnMulderig1.
