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The East Palace Rises to No. 1 in 17 Countries on Netflix

Rapid global viewership and strong early reviews suggest Netflix’s investment in big-budget Korean genre drama is reaching wide international audiences.

Overview

  • The eight-episode series, which premiered on July 17, has climbed Netflix’s charts and was reported by FlixPatrol on July 23 to be No. 2 globally and No. 1 in 17 countries.
  • Critics have given the show an early boost with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic score based on nine reviews while audience ratings sit around 91–92 percent.
  • The East Palace blends Joseon-era palace politics, Korean folklore and occult horror and stars Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo in leading roles.
  • A small supporting spirit called Kkeomeoksal has become a viral fan favorite, driving online buzz that complements nearly 33 million hours of early viewership reported by outlets.
  • Reviewers praise the show’s cinematography, worldbuilding and action even as some note midseason pacing and an open ending that leave room for a follow-up and for Netflix to build on its Korean slate.