Netflix has confirmed that its upcoming fantasy K-drama 'The East Palace' will premiere in 2026. The series stars Nam Joo Hyuk, Roh Yoon Seo, and Cho Seung Woo in a tale of ghosts and royal intrigue. Filming wrapped in late July 2025 after starting in December 2024.
The East Palace is a South Korean Netflix Original fantasy drama directed by Choi Jung Gyu, known for The Devil Judge, and written by Seo Jae Won and Kwon So Ra. The plot follows Gu-cheon, a ghost slayer who can traverse the world of ghosts, and Saeng-gang, a court lady with a secret, as they team up at the king's summons to uncover the cursed palace's secrets and eliminate supernatural threats.
Nam Joo Hyuk portrays Gu Cheon, drawing on his experience from Netflix K-dramas like Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Start-Up, and The School Nurse Files, as well as Disney+'s Vigilante in 2023. Roh Yoon Seo plays Saeng Gang, marking her second lead role after Our Blues in 2022; she has appeared in supporting parts in Netflix's Black Knight and Crash Course in Romance, and guest roles in The Frog and Love Next Door. Cho Seung Woo takes the role of the King, building on his Netflix credits including Divorce Attorney Shin, Sisyphus: The Myth, Stranger, and Life.
Jang Young Nam joins as the sole confirmed supporting cast member, with her role undisclosed; she recently featured in Our Unwritten Seoul and Netflix's Love Next Door.
Production began in December 2024, later than the initially planned October start, and extended beyond the projected June 2025 end, wrapping in late July 2025. Netflix announced the 2026 release as part of its upcoming slate, though a specific premiere date remains unconfirmed.
As described by Netflix, the series offers 'a thrilling tale crafted by these genre masters and brought to life by a stellar cast.'