The East Palace

exhuma contains a very similar tone to the east palace but without the grand fight sequences. the film takes place in the modern day and leans heavily into shamanism & korean folklore elements but still contains gripping suspense and an engaging mystery plotline

If you enjoyed The East Palace, Revenant has a similar vibe. It has the same eerie supernatural atmosphere, Korean folklore, and ghost-centered mystery, but it's set in modern-day Korea instead of a historical palace. It's darker and more psychological, with a slow-burn story.

Similarities:
- Supernatural
- Period dramas
- South Korean dramas
- Survival
- King is involved
- Protecting the royal lineage

Differences:
- Kingdom inolves zombies
- The East Palace involves spirits

They are very similar: ML who can transform into a spirit and traverse the spectral realm. They are resolving supernatural disturbances in the human world

If you loved Alchemy of Souls, The East Palace gives off a similar fantasy vibe while telling its own unique story.

The drama blends palace intrigue, mystery, and supernatural elements into an engaging narrative. While it doesn't have the same complex magic system or action-packed fights as Alchemy of Souls, it stands out with its emotional storytelling, beautiful cinematography, and strong performances. The costumes, palace setting, and gradual unraveling of secrets create an immersive atmosphere.

The pacing is slower than Alchemy of Souls, especially in the beginning, but it rewards patient viewers with solid world-building and meaningful character development. If you're expecting non-stop action, you may find it less intense, but if you enjoy fantasy, mystery, and palace politics, it's definitely worth watching.

Both have similar vibes and production quality,
both are exciting with twists and turns
both have a very interesting male lead with secrets and hidden identity

Both involve the characters slipping between the real world and the spirit world, battling evil ghosts and a curse.

gannibal is a modern-day japanese folk horror with a very similar tone to the east palace starring a police officer mc moving to a small town led by a cult. it is much more psychological and "realistic" than the east palace as well as more slow burn, but just as enjoyable

19th floor is a modern-day cdrama that is much more tame, mellow, and more slower paced than the east palace, but includes elements of horror, especially in the first half, and folklore

both dramas contain grand cgi and fight sequences

both dramas are driven by engaging plots & mystery

- ML able to see things others cannot
- Quirky tortured hero ML
- Exorcist-type ML that banishes evil/spirits from the world
- ML gradually being corrupted by the forces he battles
- Lots and lots and lots of whump
- Interesting team dynamics
- Themes of morality, humanity, and death

"The Sealer" is kinda like a contemporary "The East Palace" from a slightly different lens

-FL in TDHR has the ability to see entities that others cant see while FL in TEP can hear but not see. In TDHR, these entities are demons but in TEP, there are spirits. Both FL hides this ability as her family and others around her says its bad omen and unwanted. For their loved ones, the FLs are willing to do anything nomatter how dangerous. Stubborn personality and intelligent.
-Both ML in TDHR and TEP also has this ability but with the power and knowledge to vanquish, seal, and communicate to them. MLs in both dramas have a tragic past. They are being watched at all times and always have to be careful. Have an arrogant personality and caring heart.
-In both dramas, the ML and FL partner together to solve problems caused by the entities and later, they bond and get closer, and that allow them to empathize with each other. They save each other many times with the help of their ability as well.
-There is romance in both dramas although in TEP, it is underdeveloped and limited skinships.
-In both dramas, there is a realm where these invisible entities hide and stay. But there are instances that the entities can bother and do harm to the living although this realm are forbidden and hidden for the living. In both dramas, this realm is inevitably visited by both ML and FL as the plot progresses.
-In both dramas, amidst the eerie and scary world, although rare there are still kind, good and can be both scary and very adorable entities. They help the leads with their problems and investigation.

Bot of these dramas are within the same genre - fantasy, historical, supernatural. Both of the female leads are princess that lives outside of the palace but involve with the unfortunate situation in the palace. Both of these female leads has supernatural gift that was passed down generation after generation. Certain characters use black magic via a shaman to solve/create problems within the palace such as being possessed by bad spirits or demons.

The East Palace and Spooky in Love share many of the same core themes despite having very different settings and tones. Both dramas center on protagonists with supernatural abilities who become involved in solving ghost-related mysteries while gradually building a strong emotional bond. Each series blends multiple genres—including mystery, romance, supernatural fantasy, humor, and suspense—rather than relying solely on horror, with ghost investigations serving as the driving force behind the story. However, their biggest difference lies in their atmosphere. The East Palace is a darker historical fantasy set in the Joseon era, focusing on royal palace curses, political intrigue, and a haunting spirit realm, while Spooky in Love takes place in the modern day and presents its supernatural elements through a lighter, more romantic and comedic lens. Even so, viewers who enjoy the mix of ghost cases, compelling lead chemistry, and emotionally driven supernatural storytelling in one series are likely to appreciate the other as well.

Both are horror/thriller dramas where theres loads of action taking place. Both have elements of the supernatural. They give the same vibes in a way with ofc differences in how the story takes it and the overall settings, but the atmosphere is similar which is why i'm recommending them as similar.
Major Differences:
- One is spirits in the Gwi realm and the other is monstrous beings hunting humans in the real world.
- One is historical the other is apocalyptic.
- Palace setting and apartment complex setting.

The East Palace and Oh My Ghost both blend supernatural elements with romance, but they approach those themes in different ways. In both dramas, ghosts are not simply there to frighten people—they have unfinished business, hidden stories, and emotional connections that drive the plot. Each series features protagonists who can interact with the spirit world, leading them to uncover mysteries while gradually developing a romantic relationship. Both also balance eerie supernatural moments with humor, heartfelt character development, and emotional storytelling rather than relying on horror alone. However, the biggest difference is their setting and tone. The East Palace is a dark historical fantasy set in the Joseon era, revolving around a cursed royal palace, palace intrigue, and dangerous spirits tied to the royal family’s past. In contrast, Oh My Ghost is a modern romantic comedy in which the supernatural is used to explore personal growth, romance, and comedy through ghost possession and everyday life. While The East Palace leans heavily into mystery, folklore, and suspense, Oh My Ghost places greater emphasis on romance and lighthearted moments, making the two dramas similar in premise but distinct in execution.