Watch The East Palace: A quick binge-worthy #kdrama that will make you unable to press pause
Saturday, 26 September 2026
A man (Nam Joo Hyuk) who can walk in the spirit world and a court lady (Roh Yoon Seo) who hears the dead are sent by the king to the East Palace, where they try to uncover its dark secrets.
From the first episode of The East Palace, you're drawn into a world of palace politics, mystery, stunning visuals, and compelling characters(Jang Young Nam, Hwang Young Hee, Cho Seung Woo and Kwak Dong Yeon) . The plot twists are so good they might have you yelling at your screen.
By episode 5, I was still just as hooked.
Every episode ends on a cliffhanger, so you might find yourself watching late into the night as Netflix automatically plays the next one.
I liked that the romance wasn’t the main focus. The leads had a connection, but the story didn’t revolve around it.
The ending also didn’t feel rushed.
This show is definitely worth adding to your weekend binge-watch list. It’s not super deep, but it has great visuals, solid storytelling, and enough twists to keep you entertained the whole time.
You can watch it on Netflix!
For me, this was an epic, engrossing first watch when it was first released, but sadly not a good rewatch.
In season 1, the story takes place in Daeho, a fictional country where young mages try to escape the twisted fates brought on by the forbidden 'alchemy of souls,' a spell that swaps souls between bodies. Naksu, an elite assassin, ends up trapped in the weak body of Mu Deok (Jung So Min) , a servant to the Jang Family. Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook), the young master, hides a dark secret about his birth and turns to Naksu for help to change his fate.
In season 2, Jang Uk comes back from the dead, and three years later, the mages’ story starts again. Jang Uk now hunts soul-shifters, and a young woman (Go Youn Jung) who is trapped in her own home asks him to help her gain her freedom....
The cast worked really well together. Off-screen, they seemed to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, which made their on-screen chemistry even better. I loved the costumes, hairstyles, and the world-building, as well as the storytelling, plot twists, intense looks, and humour. The show made me laugh, cry, swoon, and feel anxious, only to laugh again.
This was my first time seeing Jo Jae-yoon, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Whenever he’s in a drama, I know I’ll be entertained.
The ending of season one was heartbreaking, and I still haven’t recovered from it.
In season 2, episode 1, there’s a fun Easter egg: Lee Chae Min appears as an extra, along with one of my favourites from 100 Days My Prince, Lee Jun Hyeok.
The main lead has great chemistry with both female leads, which really shows his talent.
I still don’t understand why the Queen became friends with the man who trapped her in a broken body and watched her real body get destroyed.
I really wanted to see the real Naksu in season 2, but instead we got a damsel in distress, even though she was supposed to be a powerful assassin and a reincarnation of one founders of the Daeho
Overall, the experienced actors did a great job carrying the story and making it believable in both seasons.
I don’t think this is a show to binge-watch. On a second viewing, some episodes felt really slow and didn’t have much story. This pacing works well the first time because it builds tension, but it’s less effective during a rewatch.
For a first watch, it is a 10 out of 10 score from me
If you haven't already watched this, please head over to Netflix and do so immediately.
Summer’s longer days and sunshine always have an effect on me.
They make me feel kinder.
The world seems like a better place.
I find myself feeling more hopeful about the future.
Even when things feel overwhelmingly discouraging.
I start to believe in myself and what I’m capable of.
Everything around me looks beautiful.
On my daily walks, I take in my surroundings and can’t help but marvel at everything.
I start to believe that everything is working out for the greater good.
Do you feel this way in the summer too?
Watch Crash Course in Romance - Filled with warmth, mystery and meaning - one of my fave #kdramas ever
Sunday, 9 August 2026
Yooooooooooo the storytelling in the first few episodes really won me over. The niece, the daughter, the brother—each character drew me in. This show is another favorite golden comfort re-watch for me. Pull out a full tissue box and place it nearby.
After retiring as a national athlete, Nam Haeng Seon (Jeon Do Yeon) runs a small side dish shop. She’s a caring 'mother' doing her best to help her 'daughter', Nam Hae Yi (Roh Yoon Seo) enter a famous math instructor’s class, to improve her grades and ensure her chances of getting into a top university. Nam Haeng Seon's upbeat attitude and energy catch the eye of Choi Chi Yeol (Jung Kyung Ho), the well-known "Trillion Won Man." Even though he’s successful, Choi Chi Yeol has become distant and irritable. As they face challenges in both their personal and work lives, they have to face their flaws and learn to rely on each other. Can their love help them get through the obstacles ahead?
The storytelling here is really strong. I love when different storylines come together and actually make sense. I enjoyed every episode and how the characters and plots were woven together. The mother-and-sons story with Jang Young Nam, Lee Chae Min, and Kim Tae Jung was outstanding—did they win any awards? They deserved to. Whenever Kim Sun Young appears, I know she’ll make me laugh and bring her character to life. She really shows how far parents will go to help their children succeed, even when their own lives are falling apart.
The main theme of chosen family and the power of small acts of kindness from strangers is truly heartwarming. Seeing the characters played by Jeon Do Yeo, Oh Eui Shik, Roh Yoon Seo, and Lee Bong Ry care for and support each other is what makes the show so special.
The lead couple’s love story stands out because they aren’t the typical young K-drama pair. They’re mature, know themselves well, and have faced their share of hardships. The great soundtrack adds even more to their story.
The murder mystery involving Shin Jae Ha made the show unique. Was it perfect? Not really, but for me, it did its job. Toward the end, it lost some logic and momentum, but I still appreciated that they included it.
The show gave us a complete, unrushed ending that wrapped up the whole story. It definitely deserves a round of applause!
If you haven’t guessed already, I highly recommend this show. Give it a watch—you won’t regret it.
Since we’re here, here’s a quick review of Pro Bono.
I liked the cases in Pro Bono—there’s no romance, just colleagues working hard to help others. The intense ending, the father-daughter relationship, and the dynamic between the CEO and their team all make it a fascinating show. I highly recommend it if you’re a Jung Kyung Ho fan.
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