The Haunted Palace Episode 4: A Thrilling Battle of Spirits and Unexpected Emotions

## The Epic Confrontation: Gangcheol vs. The Eight-legged Spirit

Episode 4 of 'The Haunted Palace' (귀궁) picks up with a breathtaking confrontation that had viewers on the edge of their seats. King Lee Jeong, now fully possessed by the eight-legged spirit (팔척귀), challenges Gangcheol (played by Yook Sung-jae) to a brutal duel. The possessed king displays terrifying strength, unnerving even his own men who exchange wary glances, sensing something is terribly wrong with their ruler.

During this intense battle, Gangcheol struggles against the king's enhanced supernatural power. The spirit seems unusually powerful, almost as if someone is aiding it from behind the scenes. We soon discover that the Queen Dowager's appointed shaman, the sinister Pungsan (played by Kim Sang-ho), has been secretly empowering the spirit with dark prayers and rituals.

In a desperate moment, Gangcheol taps into his hidden dragon powers and manages to forcibly expel the spirit from the King's body. Seizing this opportunity, Yeo-ri (played by Kim Ji-yeon) uses her spiritual abilities to seal the spirit's influence, successfully driving it out. The sequence is masterfully choreographed, showcasing both the physical and supernatural elements of the confrontation in a way that feels both terrifying and visually stunning.

## Unexpected Feelings: The Dragon's Human Heart

One of the most captivating moments in this episode comes when Yeo-ri tends to Gangcheol's wounds in an empty storage room. The scene reveals a significant shift in their relationship dynamics. Yeo-ri, who once considered Gangcheol her mortal enemy, now shows genuine concern as she carefully bandages his injuries.

What truly captures viewers' attention is Gangcheol's reaction to Yeo-ri's care. As she wraps bandages around his chest, he freezes completely, unable to look away from her face as she concentrates on her task. For the first time, this thousand-year-old dragon spirit experiences a racing heartbeat and unfamiliar emotions that he cannot control. His expression perfectly conveys his surprise and confusion at these new human feelings.

This intimate moment creates a delicious tension between the characters. Gangcheol, who has spent centuries despising humans, now finds himself experiencing very human emotions of attraction and vulnerability. The scene brilliantly balances supernatural elements with relatable emotional development, giving viewers a heart-fluttering moment amid the drama's darker themes.

## The Palace Intrigue Deepens

While Gangcheol and Yeo-ri navigate their evolving relationship, palace intrigue continues to unfold in increasingly dangerous ways. The King, now freed from possession, seeks answers about the supernatural threats endangering his family and kingdom. When confronted, Gangcheol makes the shocking revelation that Yoon-gap is long dead and that he is merely borrowing his body.

Meanwhile, Young-in, the Queen Dowager's son, spirals further into darkness. After being visited by the vengeful spirit of a maid he murdered, Young-in is locked away. When confronted by his mother, he confesses his horrific deeds. Disgusted and ashamed, the Queen Dowager slaps him, finally seeing the monster her ambitions have created.

The episode builds tension masterfully as Young-in, consumed by guilt and fear, gets drunk and attacks the murdered maid's grieving father. This reckless behavior draws the attention of darker forces lurking in the palace. By the episode's end, viewers witness a terrifying scene as the eight-legged spirit's massive hand reaches for Young-in's neck, setting up a shocking cliffhanger that left audiences gasping.

## The Journey Beyond the Palace

Following their confrontation with the eight-legged spirit, Gangcheol and Yeo-ri find themselves forced to leave the palace. During their journey, they share a rare moment of peace by a campfire, where their relationship continues to evolve in unexpected ways.

In a touching revelation, Gangcheol teases Yeo-ri by telling her that not a single tiger ever attacked her during her forest treks because he was always secretly protecting her. This confession offers a new perspective on their history, showing that despite his claimed hatred for humans, Gangcheol has been silently watching over Yeo-ri for years.

Their quiet moment is interrupted when Gangcheol discovers his treasured pumpkin taffy is missing. Following the sound of footsteps, he finds an old man eating it. Just as tensions rise, they encounter a mysterious Shaman who leads to another fierce battle. Weakened from his previous fight, Gangcheol is nearly defeated until Yeo-ri steps in to save him, further cementing their growing bond and mutual protection.

## Meeting the Monk: Revelations and New Allies

After the confrontation, Gangcheol awakens in a strange house, which turns out to be the home of Monk Ga-sub, Yeo-ri's former master. This meeting proves pivotal as Yeo-ri explains Gangcheol's situation to the monk, asking if he has any of her grandmother's spiritual items that might help them against the eight-legged spirit.

The monk reveals that he buried these powerful artifacts for safekeeping on a nearby mountain, offering a potential new weapon in their supernatural battle. This development introduces new allies and resources that will be crucial in the fights to come.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Young-in's mind completely fractures as he watches in horror while a horde of centipedes crawls toward him. In the episode's final moments, the maid's spirit retreats in terror, leaving Young-in to fall under the possession of the eight-legged spirit. This shocking development raises the stakes dramatically, as the malevolent entity now has a new host within the royal family.

## Viewer Reactions: A Ratings Success

Episode 4 of 'The Haunted Palace' was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from viewers, achieving impressive ratings of 10.5% nationwide, 8.8% in the metropolitan area, and 9.2% across the country. The episode secured the #1 position in its time slot for the second consecutive week and dominated the Saturday mini-series competition.

Online communities and social media platforms buzzed with excitement following the broadcast. Viewers praised the fast-paced storytelling, spectacular action sequences, and the developing romance between Gangcheol and Yeo-ri. Comments like "Why is it so entertaining? Time flies by," "The action is killer. I'm getting goosebumps watching," and "Gangcheol is such a cheat character. So reliable" flooded discussion boards.

Many viewers also expressed delight at the budding romance, with comments such as "The subtle pink atmosphere between Gangcheol and Yeo-ri is so interesting" and "Gangcheol is completely like a guardian angel. Love his tsundere personality." The cliffhanger ending prompted many to express their impatience for the next episode with comments like "How can I wait until next week?"

## Cultural Context: Supernatural Elements in Korean Drama

For international viewers, 'The Haunted Palace' offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional Korean supernatural beliefs and folklore. The concept of the Imugwi (이무기) - a dragon that failed to ascend to heaven - is deeply rooted in Korean mythology. These creatures are often portrayed as powerful but incomplete beings, striving to fulfill their destiny.

Similarly, the role of shamans (무당) in Korean culture is prominently featured through Yeo-ri's character. Historically, shamans served as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds, performing rituals to communicate with spirits, heal the sick, and exorcise malevolent entities.

The drama also incorporates the concept of 'spirit possession' (빙의), which has long been part of Korean spiritual beliefs. The possession of the King and Young-in by the eight-legged spirit draws on these traditional concepts while adapting them for modern dramatic storytelling.

These elements aren't merely supernatural window dressing but are integrated into the narrative in ways that explore themes of power, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between the human and spirit worlds that resonate with both Korean traditions and universal storytelling.

## Looking Ahead: What to Expect

As 'The Haunted Palace' continues its 16-episode run (scheduled to conclude on June 7, 2025, if there are no preemptions), Episode 4 has set the stage for increasingly complex supernatural conflicts and emotional developments.

The possession of Young-in by the eight-legged spirit creates a dangerous new threat within the palace walls. Meanwhile, Gangcheol's growing human emotions and his deepening connection with Yeo-ri promise to explore the theme of redemption for this ancient being who once despised humanity.

The revelation about Monk Ga-sub possessing spiritual artifacts suggests upcoming episodes will feature new supernatural tools and abilities in the battle against the eight-legged spirit. Additionally, the growing romantic tension between Gangcheol and Yeo-ri, complicated by Yoon-gap's lingering presence, promises to deliver both emotional depth and romantic intrigue as the series progresses.

With its perfect blend of horror, romance, action, and historical drama, 'The Haunted Palace' continues to captivate audiences and establish itself as one of the standout Korean dramas of 2025.