The East Palace climbs to No. 2 as 'Joseon Groot' steals hearts

Netflix's The East Palace hits No. 2 on the global non-English TV chart in three days, with Kkeomeoksari and Roh Yoon-seo drawing buzz.

Jul 28, 2026 · Updated on Jul 28, 2026

The Netflix original series rose to No. 1 in South Korea's TOP 10 series list immediately upon release. Within just three days of its release, it claimed No. 2 in the global non-English TV category, recording 4.9 million views (the value of viewing time divided by the total running time of the work). It reached the top in Korea and Thailand, and successfully entered the TOP 10 in 27 countries worldwide. With a production budget of approximately 40 billion won, this work is the only Asian production included in the '2026 Global Lineup' announced by Netflix earlier this year.

Actress Noh Yoon-seo Cast as Saeng-gang in Netflix Series 'Donggung'

This historical fantasy, set in an Oriental-style fictional world, depicts the process of tracking a curse surrounding the royal family. The central axis consists of Saeng-gang (played by Roh Yoon-seo), a shaman who hears the voices of ghosts, and Gu-cheon (played by Nam Joo Hyuk), an exorcist who cuts down and kills ghosts. As crown princes within the palace die off, rumors spread that the culprit of the incidents is the curse of the 'Pond Ghost.' Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang set out to break the curse after finding a clue in the phrase, "A snake's skin killed the dragon's offspring." The King (played by Cho Seung-woo) summons these two to the palace to solve the mystery together.

The Success of Netflix's 'The East Palace' Recording No. 2 Globally

American news magazine Time cited the work's worldview as a core element. In particular, the small ghost companion 'Kkeomeoksari' that follows Gu-cheon is gaining huge popularity among viewers. As a being created by the accumulation of bad energy, Kkeomeoksari reveals a small and cute charm amidst a dark occult atmosphere.

In online communities, Kkeomeoksari is being compared to the character 'Groot' from the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, earning nicknames like 'Joseon Groot,' 'Oriental Groot,' and 'Pet Ghost.' Fans have requested the release of dolls or merchandise, saying, "If it comes out as a key ring, I want to hang it on my bag." In the drama, Kkeomeoksari grows its body by eating vengeful spirits or leans on Gu-cheon after losing its yang energy due to an attack. The Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post mentioned the magnificent sets, costumes, and the acting of veteran actors. It is characterized by the design of various supernatural beings and visual effects that exquisitely implement the world of ghosts that Gu-cheon travels through.

'Joseon Groot' Kkeomeoksari and Splendid Visual Effects

Actor Roh Yoon-seo, who challenged herself with her first historical drama, took on the role of Saeng-gang, an inspector palace maid who hears the voices of ghosts. Roh Yoon-seo stated, "I read the script as if I were reading a web novel. The story itself was fun, and the character Saeng-gang was also charming." Saeng-gang is an active character who moves toward her goals despite the temporal constraints of the Joseon era. Roh Yoon-seo revealed that she had many discussions with the director on how to express Saeng-gang, given the setting that she is an Ongju (princess).

Saeng-gang shows a tenacity that does not back down even in the face of danger. Roh Yoon-seo shared, "At first, since everything was a first, there was pressure and some regrettable parts, but as it went on, I became more synchronized with Saeng-gang, so the historical drama tone and emotional immersion became much better." In the drama, Saeng-gang showcases action using bows and swords, as well as a performance where she wipes her face with blood on her hands.

Underwater filming conducted in 2 meters of water was Saeng-gang's first challenge. Roh Yoon-seo proceeded with filming after removing her respirator. She explained the situation at the time, saying, "I don't dislike water, but it was scary when I went deep. When I took everything off and became free, it was so scary." Regarding the popularity of the work, Roh Yoon-seo said, "Since it was a work being released after such a long time, I was excited and nervous. When it was released, I turned on Netflix and watched it alone in the living room, and I was so thrilled. I am also grateful that people seem to like it a lot." She added that if "Season 2 is produced, it would be an honor and a thankful thing."