All in all, the first half of The East Palace is a stupendous bout of supernatural fun, but no viewer will be fully content until they've devoured every second of Netflix's newest K-drama.

The East Palace has enough intrigue, stunning cinematography, and committed worldbuilding to hook viewers on the first episode and immerse you in its twisting tale.

The momentum driving its intriguing start doesn't waver, but the mix of bloodthirsty scheming, supernatural horror, and royal family drama truly kicks off like a rocket launch at the halfway point.

Ultimately, “The East Palace,” in all its genre‑bending, demon‑slaying glory, does a fine job as a fun genre K‑drama. If something like “KPop Demon Hunters” was your gateway to Korean folklore and mythology, this makes for a solid follow‑up to expand your palette on the creatures rooted in the culture.