Netflix's 'The East Palace' Rockets to No. 1 in 17 Countries, Echoing 'Kingdom' Seven Years Later

Netflix's historical fantasy drama 'The East Palace' has claimed the No. 1 spot on the platform's non-English TV chart in 17 countries, marking one of the biggest global breakthroughs for a Korean series since the zombie period drama 'Kingdom' premiered seven years ago.

The show, led by Jo Seung Woo, Kwak Dong Yeon, Nam Joo Hyuk and Roh Yoon Seo, blends royal-court intrigue with supernatural elements, a genre mix that has repeatedly proven popular with international audiences drawn to Korea's period productions. Its rapid climb to the top of Netflix's charts across multiple regions suggests the appetite for Korean historical and fantasy storytelling remains as strong as ever.

Cast member Kwak Dong Yeon, whose character required an unsettling makeup transformation for the series, recently spoke about the reaction the show has received since its release, noting his surprise at how far the story has traveled. His comments came as fans and critics alike highlighted the drama's atmospheric visuals and eerie tone as key draws for viewers abroad.

'Kingdom,' which debuted on Netflix in 2019, is widely credited with proving that Korean historical dramas could travel far beyond domestic audiences, paving the way for a wave of period productions that mix traditional settings with horror and fantasy elements. 'The East Palace' now joins that lineage, arriving at a moment when Korean content continues to dominate non-English programming charts worldwide.

The milestone also lands in a competitive stretch for Korean dramas on Netflix, with another title, 'Spooky in Love,' recently debuting at No. 2 on the platform's global chart. Together, the two releases underscore how consistently Korean series are converting into breakout international hits, reinforcing the country's position as one of the most reliable sources of hit content for global streaming platforms.

Neither Netflix nor the production team has announced whether 'The East Palace' will receive a second season, but the show's chart performance places it among the most closely watched Korean titles of the year, with industry observers expecting its momentum to continue in the coming weeks.