Shocking buzz: Nam Joo-hyuk makes a powerful return as a sly, scene-stealing lead in Netflix’sThe East Palace, which instantly shot to No. 1 on Netflix’s 'Top 10 Series in Korea' and sparked loud calls for Season 2.
Premiered on the 17th, The East Palace follows Gucheon (played by Nam Joo-hyuk), who can cross between the world of spirits and the human realm, and Saenggang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady harboring a dangerous secret. Under orders from the king (Cho Seung-woo), they pursue the dark truth behind a deadly curse haunting the East Palace.
On screen, Nam Joo-hyuk commands the center of the story as Gucheon, a loner drawn into the palace’s curse by royal decree. Drifting between two worlds, Gucheon bears a crushing solitude—yet Nam layers the role with cheeky wit and free-spirited swagger, while delicately revealing the scars he rarely shows, crafting a fully three-dimensional character.
The dynamics swirling around Nam’s character also stand out. The slow-burn shift from wary strangers to reluctant partners between Gucheon and Saenggang pulls viewers deeper into the plot. Nam’s precise, emotionally charged acting stacks each moment with credibility. His taut face-offs with the king ratchet up the tension, and his fearless defiance—once forbidden within the court—paired with an unwavering gaze, chills the entire drama.
After the premiere, viewers raved: "His complex emotional acting is incredible," "We need Season 2, please," and "The character is delightfully roguish."
Meanwhile, The East Palace debuted to massive attention, topping Netflix’s 'Top 10 Series in Korea' the moment it dropped, and is now streaming in full.