The Haunted Palace Episode 5: Royal Intrigue, Deadly Spirits, and Blossoming Romance

The Haunted Palace Episode 5: A Turning Point in the Supernatural Battle

The fifth episode of SBS's fantasy historical drama 'The Haunted Palace' (귀궁) marks a significant turning point in the series, transforming what began as a palace intrigue with supernatural elements into a full-fledged exorcism tale. Aired on May 2, 2025, the episode achieved impressive ratings with a nationwide average of 8.8% and a peak of 9.4% according to Nielsen Korea, maintaining its position as the #1 drama in its time slot.

Episode 5 centers around the evolving relationship between Gangcheol (played by Yook Sung-jae) and Yeo-ri (Kim Ji-yeon), as they officially establish their bond as 'body guardian' and 'disciple' – a pivotal development that deepens both their supernatural connection and emotional relationship. This shift represents more than just a partnership against evil; it symbolizes their intertwined fates and growing dependence on each other.

The episode opens with a shocking discovery that throws the palace into turmoil: Prince Young-in (Kim Sun-bin) has been found dead without any external injuries. The distinctive foul odor emanating from his body immediately alerts the royal family to the involvement of the dreaded 'eight-legged spirit' (팔척귀), confirming Yeo-ri's previous warnings that many had dismissed.

The Death of Prince Young-in and Palace Turmoil

The mysterious death of Prince Young-in creates immediate chaos within the palace walls. His body, discovered in the early dawn hours, bears no visible wounds yet emits the unmistakable stench that King Lee Jeong (Kim Ji-hoon) and others recognize from previous possessions by the eight-legged spirit. This supernatural signature confirms what Yeo-ri had been warning about – the malevolent entity has returned and is growing stronger.

The Queen Dowager (Han Soo-yeon), devastated by the loss of her son, becomes unhinged with grief and rage. The episode reveals that she had been working with the shaman Pungsan (Kim Sang-ho) to protect Young-in, even participating in dark rituals. Now, with her son dead despite these efforts, she directs her fury at Pungsan, blaming him for failing to protect her beloved son.

This death heightens the political tensions within the palace, as various factions begin to position themselves in response to the supernatural threat. The King, though initially skeptical of Yeo-ri's abilities, now finds himself increasingly dependent on her insights as conventional power proves useless against this otherworldly enemy. The palace officials, however, remain suspicious of Yeo-ri's identity as a shaman, creating a climate of distrust even as the supernatural danger escalates.

The Ritual: Gangcheol and Yeo-ri's Sacred Bond

One of the most significant developments in Episode 5 is the formal ritual that binds Gangcheol and Yeo-ri as body guardian (몸주신) and disciple. This ceremony represents far more than a mere partnership – it establishes a spiritual contract that connects their fates.

During the ritual, Yeo-ri offers a lantern she personally crafted as a sacrifice, symbolizing her dedication and trust. In return, Gangcheol presents her with a jade ring, sealing their bond. This exchange of meaningful objects represents their mutual commitment to fighting the eight-legged spirit and protecting each other.

The ritual scene is beautifully shot, emphasizing the mystical nature of their connection while hinting at the deeper emotional currents developing between them. Viewers on various online communities praised this sequence, with comments noting the 'intense chemistry' between the leads and the 'perfect balance of supernatural elements and romance.'

What makes this bond particularly poignant is that Gangcheol has made this commitment knowing a devastating truth that he keeps from Yeo-ri: according to Monk Ga-sub, defeating the eight-legged spirit permanently will require him to sacrifice all his pearl energy – essentially giving up his chance to ascend as a dragon and potentially facing his own destruction.

The Search for a Solution: Gangcheol's Secret Sacrifice

While Yeo-ri focuses on finding ways to exorcise the eight-legged spirit and free her first love Yoon-gap's soul, Gangcheol embarks on his own quest for answers. His journey leads him to Monk Ga-sub, who reveals the devastating truth: to completely destroy the malevolent spirit, Gangcheol must sacrifice all of his pearl energy – the very essence that gives him life and the potential to eventually transform into a dragon.

This revelation creates profound internal conflict for Gangcheol. The choice before him is existential – he must decide between self-preservation and protecting Yeo-ri. After deep contemplation, he makes the decision to become Yeo-ri's body guardian without revealing the ultimate price he may have to pay.

This selfless decision marks a significant evolution in Gangcheol's character, showing his growth from a spirit primarily concerned with his own ascension to one willing to sacrifice everything for someone else. The episode skillfully portrays his inner turmoil through subtle expressions and quiet moments of reflection, allowing viewers to witness his transformation without explicit exposition.

Yook Sung-jae's performance in these scenes has drawn particular praise from viewers, with many commenting on his ability to convey complex emotions through nuanced facial expressions and body language. His portrayal of an otherworldly being gradually embracing human emotions adds depth to what could otherwise be a straightforward fantasy narrative.

Palace Politics and Supernatural Threats

As the supernatural threat grows, so do the political machinations within the palace. The episode expertly weaves together the supernatural elements with court intrigue, showing how the presence of the eight-legged spirit exacerbates existing tensions and power struggles.

The Queen Dowager's alliance with Pungsan is revealed to be part of a larger conspiracy. She had been working with him to protect her son Prince Young-in, even participating in dark rituals that went against the kingdom's official stance on shamanism. With Young-in's death, this alliance fractures, exposing the fragility of court alliances.

Meanwhile, King Lee Jeong finds himself in an increasingly precarious position. Though initially skeptical of Yeo-ri's warnings, the death of Prince Young-in forces him to acknowledge the supernatural threat. However, openly embracing Yeo-ri's assistance would mean admitting the legitimacy of shamanic practices, potentially undermining his authority with traditionalists in the court.

The episode also hints at deeper conspiracies involving Pungsan, who appears to be serving a mysterious master referred to only as 'Lord Master.' This shadowy figure's identity and true objectives remain concealed, adding another layer of mystery to the unfolding drama. Pungsan's manipulations extend to spreading fabricated rumors about Yeo-ri, attempting to turn public opinion against her as her influence grows.

The Failed Exorcism and Cliffhanger Ending

The episode builds to a climactic attempt to exorcise the eight-legged spirit. Gangcheol, now officially Yeo-ri's body guardian, takes up his crescent blade (언월도) to confront the malevolent entity. The exorcism sequence is visually stunning, combining traditional Korean shamanic elements with fantasy action.

Despite their efforts, the ritual ultimately fails to completely destroy the spirit. The episode ends with a chilling scene suggesting that the spirit is being summoned again by an unknown practitioner of dark magic, setting up the conflicts for the next episode.

This cliffhanger ending left viewers on the edge of their seats, with many expressing their anticipation for Episode 6 on social media and community forums. Comments like 'I couldn't breathe during the last 15 minutes' and 'My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest' reflect the intense viewer engagement with the show's suspenseful storytelling.

The failed exorcism also establishes higher stakes for the protagonists, as it becomes clear that conventional methods will not be sufficient to defeat this enemy. This raises questions about what sacrifices will ultimately be required – particularly whether Gangcheol will indeed have to give up his pearl energy as Monk Ga-sub suggested.

Viewer Reactions and Cultural Impact

Episode 5 of 'The Haunted Palace' generated significant buzz across various online platforms. Korean viewers on communities like DCInside, Nate Pann, and Instiz responded enthusiastically to the episode's blend of supernatural elements, palace intrigue, and romantic development.

Many comments praised the chemistry between Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, with viewers noting that their relationship has evolved beyond the initial antagonism to something more complex and compelling. One popular comment described them as the 'Gangcheol-Yeori couple whose story is deliciously developing on both sides.'

The episode's production values also received widespread acclaim. Viewers appreciated the atmospheric cinematography that enhanced the supernatural elements without relying on excessive CGI. The traditional Korean settings and costumes were highlighted as particularly authentic and visually striking.

Some viewers did express concerns about the pace of the storyline, wondering if the eight-legged spirit plot might be resolved too quickly. However, the introduction of new mysteries, including the identity of Pungsan's master and the threat to the pregnant Queen's unborn child (hinted at in Episode 6 previews), reassured audiences that the narrative has plenty of complexity still to explore.

The drama's success reflects the continuing popularity of fantasy historical dramas in Korea, particularly those that incorporate elements of traditional Korean folklore and shamanism. 'The Haunted Palace' stands out in this genre by focusing specifically on the rarely-explored mythology of the 'eight-legged spirit' and the imugi (lesser dragon) lore.

Looking Ahead: What Episode 6 Promises

The preview for Episode 6 suggests that the stakes will continue to rise, with new supernatural threats emerging. According to early reports, the next episode achieved even higher ratings, with a peak viewership of 10.3%, indicating growing audience interest.

Episode 6 appears to introduce a new threat targeting the pregnant Queen (Han So-eun) and her unborn child. This development expands the scope of danger beyond the immediate protagonists to include the future of the royal lineage itself.

The preview also hints at Gangcheol beginning to acknowledge his feelings for Yeo-ri, adding romantic tension to their already complex relationship as body guardian and disciple. This emotional development promises to complicate their supernatural battle, as personal feelings become entangled with their mission.

Additionally, the introduction of another supernatural entity – possibly another imugi or vengeful spirit – suggests that the world-building of the series is expanding beyond the initial threat of the eight-legged spirit. This broadening of the supernatural landscape creates opportunities for more complex storytelling and character development in future episodes.

With its blend of historical drama, supernatural elements, romance, and palace intrigue, 'The Haunted Palace' continues to captivate audiences by offering something beyond the typical K-drama formula. Episode 5 marks a turning point that promises even more intense developments as the series progresses toward its 16-episode conclusion.