K-drama Riding the Wave of ‘Buried Hearts’ Breaks 10% Ratings and Explodes in Popularity

Following the success of 'Buried Hearts', SBS’s new Friday-Saturday series 'The Haunted Palace' is making waves after just two episodes. Starring Yook Sung-Jae and Kim Ji-yeon, the drama dives into a unique K-fantasy world of spirits and mythical creatures.

On April 19, the second episode aired and delivered a gripping mix of suspense and humor. Viewers watched as Kang Cheol, an ancient imugi (mythical serpent), struggled to adjust to human life after possessing the body of Yoon Gap for the first time in a thousand years. Meanwhile, Yeori found herself battling spirits in the palace, including a fierce encounter with a soul-stealing demon disguised as a ghostly voice.

According to Nielsen Korea, the episode achieved an impressive 8.4% viewership in the Seoul metro area and 8.3% nationwide, peaking at 10.3%. It topped its time slot for the second week in a row, showing strong momentum even against tough weekend competition.

The story picks up after Yeori and Kang Cheol fall off a cliff and awaken in the royal palace. Yeori initially suspects Kang Cheol harmed Yoon Gap, but soon realizes Yoon Gap was stabbed and seriously wounded. Kang Cheol, quickly recovering, becomes mesmerized by human senses—especially the taste of rice porridge, shouting, “How ecstatic this human tongue is!” in a moment that made viewers laugh.

Later, when Kang Cheol hears the eerie cries of a ghost called the Palcheok-gwi, he tries to leave the palace to protect Yeori. But Yeori, lured by a voice she believes to be Yoon Gap's spirit, walks straight into danger and is attacked by the ghostly Ok-im. Kang Cheol jumps into a well to save her despite his injuries, but Yeori, focused on recovering Yoon Gap’s spirit, believes he only acted for his own gain.

As the mystery deepens, Yeori starts to question inconsistencies—like why Lee Jeong, a royal figure, insists he doesn’t need a new aeché (a sacred vessel), even though Yoon Gap requested one. It's revealed that the egg of this new vessel is not made of ordinary glass but of a rare mineral, Gyeong-gwi stone, stirring more tension inside the palace.

Meanwhile, Kang Cheol remains trapped inside Yoon Gap’s body, causing rumors to swirl among the palace maids that “Yoon the Scribe has lost his mind.” Yeori is furious, unable to reconcile seeing her beloved’s face now possessed by someone she despises, calling it a "nightmare."

In the final scenes, Yeori summons Ok-im through a ritual to uncover the spirit’s whereabouts. Ok-im delivers a chilling message—that Yoon Gap’s soul has already been consumed by the Palcheok-gwi, and encountering it would mean certain death. At the same time, Kang Cheol senses a dark energy rising and declares, “It’s here… the Palcheok-gwi.”

Elsewhere in the palace, Prince Lee Gwang suffers a seizure as the bloodied form of the Palcheok-gwi briefly overlaps with his face, hinting that this sinister force is behind everything.

Episode 2 skillfully blended comedic moments with rising supernatural tension. Yook Sung-Jae brought depth to Kang Cheol, showing his awkward fascination with human life, his fierce protective instincts, and emotional clashes with Yeori. With the main storylines now fully in motion, expectations for Yook’s performance continue to grow.

In the final moments, Yeori retrieves the injured Ok-im from the well and demands to know Yoon Gap’s location, promising to help her soul move on. But when the shaman Pungsan’s chants echo nearby, Ok-im panics and tries to hide again. Yeori blocks her and insists, “Not until you tell me where he is.”

Ok-im warns, “Even if I knew, you couldn’t meet him. If you do, you’ll die too.” Yeori asks what she means, and Ok-im reveals, “He’s already been consumed… by the Palcheok-gwi.”

Fans are already hooked. Comments poured in saying, “Yook Sung-Jae never misses with his drama choices,” “He and Bona have insane visuals together,” and “I can’t wait for next week!” Many praised the chemistry and acting of the lead trio, Kang Cheol, Yeori, and the King.

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