I'm in Love
I'd been eagerly awaiting this particular drama, and it didn't disappoint me. Compared to the latest releases about love, school, and revenge, this drama was a breath of fresh air. The cast is amazing, and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish. It perfectly blends mystery and humor.The little evil spirit just stole my heart. I feel a maternal instinct toward him (sooorry), and I just wanted to hug him so badly ššš Also, a huge shoutout for the soundtrack
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Really slow moving ...
I did watch the entire series, but at times it was very difficult to stay with it. It's basically watching the female protagonist's diary play out on screen. As she makes each entry on a new relationship, that's another episode! She shows herself to have a real problem with what a relationship is all about. Finding the right person seems an impossible task, and when she does find the right man ... she cheats on him like crazy.Hana Sugisaki must have gained weight during this production ... her character never stops eating. I mean, if you like watching someone eat, this series is for you. Practically every scene involved her eating a meal with someone or by herself. Breakfast at home, lunch at cafes, dinner at restaurants, a late meal at a bar with drinks. It's just non stop eating, and not the kind of stuff where the food is in front of her, but mouthful after mouthful in between dialogue. It either makes you hungry or makes you nauseous.
Nevertheless ... there were some interesting points during the series, so I found myself wanting to continue to watch, just to see how it all played out. In the end it kind of finishes up the way you expected it to, no real surprises. I wouldn't give it high marks, but the acting is very real and genuine, so definitely thumbs up to the actors.
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Todoroki and Odajima stole the show
I don't know how to feel about this one.I didn't really like the plot. It's a bit messy to me. There were many new characters introduced in this movie, whom I didn't really have many feelings about. Since they didn't have backstories that are deep enough for me to feel anything yet.
The main characters' stories also felt weaker than the previous movie. I also think it's probably the weakest one throughout the High&Low universe. I feel like this is not the High&Low that I am familiar with anymore. Most of the fights seem so meaningless now, except for the ones in the second half and the final battle. I feel like they just kept fighting for nothing. I also feel like this is not really a story about friendship and brotherhood, but it's more like a BL movie disguised as a movie about friendship. I don't dislike it, though. I pretty enjoyed it, to be honest. It's just not really the High&Low bonding I was used to.
The fight scenes were still done pretty well, even though they felt a bit more unrealistic compared to the previous movies. I loved the High&Low's iconic theme music and the movie's new soundtrack songs too.
There are actually a few supporting characters that stole the show for me. They are Todoroki and Odajima, and Sachio's brief appearance at the end, who were already introduced before. Todoroki and Odajima were already badass dudes when they were alone. Who can imagine they would become close friends? And that's so perfect! They were such a powerful duo.
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It gets there eventually
The good:There are many good moments littered throughout the series. Humour, sadness, interesting events.
It was nice to see Quebec City, a place Iāve been to many times, be featured so prominently. The old town is really a magical place in all seasons.
The casting was good. It did take me a little time to warm up to the ML but he won me over in the end.
Visual effects were definitely good enough. No real complaints. Some of the more practical effects were good - not everything has to be CGI.
The bad:
The real let down for me is the soundtrack. I am not usually so conscious of the soundtrack in a show. Iām sure itās having its intended effect but itās felt rather than noticed. However some of the songs repeated throughout the show were grating.
It was hard getting past how much of an unpleasant person our ML was for the whole first half of the show. You have to be messed up after that life but thatās a long time to have matured but seemingly not do it. It somewhat saves the age difference issue since ML and FL both acted like children together.
The pacing in the middle section was pretty slow for me.
Overall I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others who like supernatural stories.
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when a Palace built on Forgotten Sins Unravels.....
TL;DR VersionThe East Palace is an addictive, binge-worthy drama that succeeds because of two things: its strong performances and engaging storyline. Despite its supernatural elements, this is not a horror drama. Instead, it blends Joseon-era mystery, suspense, fantasy, and action into an entertaining ride. I rated it 8/10 because, while it is an excellent drama, a 10/10 for me means a flawless masterpiece. Compared to the many dramas and films I have watched, it has a few areas where it falls slightly short. Here are my thoughts:
š“ WHAT I LIKED:
ā„ (1) THE CAST & ACTING: The biggest strength of this drama is undoubtedly its cast. Both the main and supporting actors deliver memorable performances, and many viewers will recognise them from their previous works.
ā Nam Joo Hyuk [ML] makes his return after military service, and he completely delivers. He handles every emotion convincingly ā from action and comedy to pain, anger, and love. His performance carries the drama, and he proves once again why he is such a compelling lead.
ā Roh Yoon Seo [FL] was a pleasant surprise. I had previously seen her in 20th Century Girl, where she had limited screen time, but here she truly shines. Her character is not a typical damsel in distress. She stands alongside the male lead, contributing equally as they face the dangers together.
ā Cho Seung Woo as the King was excellent. Having seen him in Stranger, I already knew his ability, but he plays this flawed character brilliantly. You may dislike him, but you cannot completely hate him ā and that complexity makes his performance fascinating.
ā Kwak Dong Yeon [Crown Prince] continues to prove why he is one of the most versatile actors of his generation. As the Crown Prince, he is intimidating, manipulative, and captivating. My only complaint is that I wanted more of his characterās background and motivations because he had the potential to become an even more memorable antagonist.
ā Jang Young Nam was another standout. Whether she plays good or evil, she always leaves an impression. Her portrayal of the Queen Dowager perfectly captures the ambition and ruthlessness of a Joseon power player. Also, her iconic way of screaming might be the easiest way to recognise her in any drama now.
ā„ (2) STORYTELLING:
I was already interested in watching this because I enjoy Joseon palace mysteries, and Nam Joo Hyukās return made it even more exciting. My only concern was whether the horror elements would make it difficult to watch. Thankfully, that was not the case. This is more of a supernatural action thriller with some horror-inspired visuals rather than an actual horror drama. There are no unnecessary jump scares, and it never becomes uncomfortable to watch.
What I appreciated most was that the drama respected its mystery. The loose ends were explained, characters received meaningful background, and the story took time to build its world before diving deeper into the main conflict. Some twists were predictable because I have watched many similar stories, but that did not reduce my enjoyment. A suspense drama succeeds when it makes you immediately press play on the next episode ā and The East Palace achieves that. It is exciting, well-paced overall, and keeps the audience invested until the end.
ā„ (3) ROMANCE/CHEMISTRY: This was one of my favourite aspects of the drama. Many dramas force romance into the story even when it does not naturally belong. Sometimes unnecessary romantic scenes can actually weaken the impact of a plot because they feel added only to please viewers. That was not the case here.
The romance in The East Palace is subtle, emotional, and not spoken out loud - it was simply there, and beautiful. The connection between the leads comes through their actions, sacrifices, expressions, and quiet moments rather than unnecessary scenes. The hugs, hand-holding, trust, and willingness to protect each other felt far more meaningful than a hundred dramatic kisses would have been. For a story set in this time period, this approach worked perfectly. Nam Joo Hyuk and Roh Yoon Seo created a beautiful bond, and their chemistry was one of the dramaās biggest strengths.
ā„ (4) BGM: The music was beautiful - especially during action sequence, mystery unraveling scenes and the credits. I liked how it was a fusion of traditional music and at times metal rock? I am not knowledgeable to categorize it well, but whatever it was it helped keep the excitement, making you bob-your head or tap-your fingers and added that auditory sensation needed for a drama of such scale and genre to bring it to life.
š“ WHAT I DISLIKED:
ā„ (1) Somewhat OPEN-ENDING: This is a Netflix problem - My biggest issue is with the final āchain-draggingā element. I appreciate when mystery dramas close their stories properly and answer all important questions. Thankfully, this drama does that. However, adding something that hints at another season feels unnecessary. One reason I fell in love with Korean dramas was that many of them told complete stories without endlessly expanding them. I hope this does not become another series stretched simply because it is successful. I felt this story was finite but then the last minute ending scene made me go "Oh No! Not Another One" & hence the minus points cause it dimmed the overall viewing experience.
ā„ (2) PACE of FINALE EP: The finale was slightly disappointing compared to the episodes before it. The earlier episodes had me completely engaged, watching every little detail. However, the final episode felt slower, and some scenes reduced the overall impact. Instead of ending with the excitement I expected, the pacing made the conclusion feel less powerful than it could have been.
ā„ (3) LOW REWATCH VALUE: This is both the strength and weakness of suspense dramas. Once you know the twists and reveals, the excitement naturally decreases. Unless a drama has exceptional performances, unforgettable music, or moments worth revisiting, I usually do not return to thrillers. For me, The East Palace is a fantastic first-time experience, but it is not a drama I would personally rewatch. I will remember it positively, but the mystery works best when experienced for the first time.
ā„ (4) VFX & FINAL SHOWDOWN: I know this drama is from Netflix and will be marketed well, it is already doing rounds on social media. The visual effects are good - no doubt. I just had an issue on how it is executed. Like I can see that the visuals are great, there are some cool action moves - but a lot of it was lost cause of the gimmicks. I am not sure how to explain it - but it was not sharp - there are times when we simply zoom into faces and swords - but it did not make me jump in my seat in excitement. I have seen my fare share of good VFX especially with sword-fighting action, so this one did not make my eyes go wide with wonder. Continuation of Ep 8 pacing woes - the finale showdown could have been better, imo. The fights earlier in the show were massive and interesting, the last one should be even better - but it was not in comparison.
š“ OVERALL:
The East Palace is a drama I would definitely recommend for a one-time watch. Its biggest strengths are the acting, story, atmosphere, and especially the chemistry between the leads. It is one of the more entertaining dramas of 2026 and delivers exactly what a good suspense drama should: curiosity, excitement, and the urge to continue watching. It may not reach masterpiece status for me, but it is still a very good drama that deserves attention. If you enjoy Joseon mysteries with fantasy, action, and political power-play, this should absolutely be on your list.
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Very good-looking main leads
I only watched about halfway through. The story felt quite flat and boring, and the acting was just so-so.Iām still hoping their next project will be better, more challenging, and not rely solely on the visuals.
This is only my personal and honest opinion. Iām not trying to bring down the lead actors or leave a negative comment. Iām simply sharing how I felt about the project without any bias against them.
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hello???? stop scrolling and go and watch this and thank me later !
Hello??? Why did nobody tell me about this before? The way this movie got me hooked! Like, I need a 100-episode drama about this! I don't wanna give any spoilers because I think you need to go into this blindly and just savour it all. Let me just tell you: if you love Thriller, amazing choreographed fighting scenes that leave you shook! ( literally) and with your jaw on the floor, then this is the one!Was this review helpful to you?
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Best ever!!!
Love love love this short drama... so much emotions and so much meaning.Best part: NO NC scenes!!!!! So tired of all the explicit scenes in other dramas. This is so refreshing! All the actors carried this through soooooo well. The screen writers and director really did such a great job with this drama.
I still think about this series when i feel that people want to talk about religion and LGBTQ+.
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This will make you so hungry !
When I first started this drama, I didn't think I would love it this much.In the first few minutes of the episode, the whole game concept made me feel like I would lose interest very quickly, but boy, I was wrong.
The drama was so engaging, and the characters so wholesome, from Yun Dong Hyeon, Park Jae Yeong, Hwang Seok Ho to Kang Seong Jae. You might think this drama is all about game-based cooking, but it's so much more; it does include important topics like loss, finding one's dream, standing up for the right things, and high-ranking military bribery. I mean, it's a lot. A mixture of comedy, drama and emotional scenes,
Of course, the main star of this drama is the amazing recipes. 10/10 I want to try them all! Not even kidding! They looked so delicious, and seeing the process of creation was so incredibly interesting. I won't be surprised if people start recreating these recipes. Honestly, I think they should open a restaurant that includes all the dishes because I am still dreaming about those rice balls they made.
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AlmondProgress's chemistry is so cute; they portrayed high schoolers who are all lovey-dovey really well. During their moments, I found myself blushing and squealing right along with them. Bald Progress, you will always have a special place in my heart:)
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I wish I could escape like her
One Million Yen Girl feels like a poetic escape. It captures the longing we all experience at some point in our lives. The desire to leave everything behind, move far away, and restart our lives. We all have felt this way at least once when things get difficult, when it seems like nobody understands us and we don't belong in the place we've spent our whole lives. In those moments, it can feel like we have nothing left and that the old version of ourselves is long gone, leaving only the option to start over where nobody knows us.Sometimes escaping is easier than facing our demons, and this movie encapsulates that struggle. When Suzuko moves away and embarks on her bold journey from one place to another, it feels like a victory. However, as time passes, it becomes evident how long and challenging that journey truly is. When difficulties arise, the first thought that comes to mind is often to run away. It's hard to deal with shame and difficult situations, and isolating oneself can feel like the easier option, but how long can one actually carry on like that?
That's precisely what the movie portrays. When she first moves to the coastal city, it seems like she has found a place to be happy. But when those around her start taking an interest in her and want to know more about her or when she moves to the mountains and they all expect her to be the "peach girl", Suzuko realizes that she cannot escape from herself. She can move to a new city and a new place, but the burden she carries is something she cannot leave behind.
For me, this movie was poetic and, in a way, felt like a small victory when she found love. Yet, like her, we were also deceived into thinking that was the ultimate solution, and maybe we were fooled twice.
One aspect of this movie I found very eye-opening is the reason behind her wanting to earn one million yen. Renting accommodation in Japan is a very pricey affair, with landlords demanding key money and other non-refundable fees, a deposit and sometimes several months' rent in advance. It's like the price of freedom is that one million yen-
I knew I would love this film from the first frame; the nostalgic feeling of blue and green tones along with the melancholic atmosphere in every shot spoke deeply to my soul. The backdrop of the Japanese countryside and coastal beach area feels so healing; it embodies the dream many of us have to move to a city far away and attempt to restart our lives.
I love the actress; she is so delicate and intriguing to watch. This is definitely one of those movies you donāt want to miss if you love Japan.
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Most people hate it but i've re-watched this many times
I liked it overall; it wasn't the worst! It was very short, and I wish it had gotten a full-length series to show its true potential, just like Love Mechanics did. I feel if it had longer episodes, it would probably be better to show more content or more episodes!! 4 episodes are not enough!! I don't get the hate, really, but in my opinion, really good. Currently re-watching!Was this review helpful to you?
Stranger Things, but Make It Korean
If you're a fan of Stranger Things, then this drama is definitely worth checking out. As someone who's a huge Stranger Things fan, I enjoyed this series a lot. There are quite a few similarities from the mysterious alternate world that gives off Upside Down vibes to a terrifying supernatural force that reminded me of Vecna... except make it Korean, and honestly, much more powerful. (Sorry, Vecna, but you'd probably have a hard time surviving the East Palace.) It also helps that this was written by the same writer behind one of my all-time favorite k dramas "The Guest" so my expectations were already high.First of all, welcome back, Nam Joo Hyuk. I've been a fan of his since School 2015, so seeing him return after his military service was such a nice surprise. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better comeback project. His chemistry with Roh Yoon Seo was incredible. Even though this drama is labeled as having no romance, it's hard to ignore the feelings between their characters. The way they constantly risk their lives to protect each other speaks louder than words, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.
It also feels like this series was written with another season in mind because I genuinely need more of this duo working together. Their teamwork and dynamic were one of the highlights of the show, and I don't think their story is over yet.
The main characters sacrificed so much for the king, and honestly, I spent half the series yelling at my screen, telling them to stop risking their lives for him. You really can't trust anyone inside the palace. Every time I thought I knew who was pulling the strings, another twist proved me wrong. The truth behind what was really happening in the palace completely caught me off guard.
And can we talk about the real MVP? Ggeomeoksali. Who's that? Well... you'll have to watch the drama to find out. Let's just Ggeomeoksali always save the day.
One thing I really appreciated was the pacing. There wasn't a single episode that felt like filler. This is easily one of my favorite K-dramas of the year. I'm a huge fan of supernatural mystery thrillers, and this drama delivered everything I wanted. If the creators decide to make another season, I'll be one of the first people waiting to watch it.
If you enjoy series like Stranger Things, The Guest, or supernatural thrillers with strong character dynamics and constant plot twists, I highly recommend giving this one a chance. It's an exciting ride from beginning to end, and I sincerely hope we get more k dramas like this in the future.
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I saw people hating the scene where Jim finds out Li Ming is gay and says something like, "We're poor, and now you're gay? Pick a struggle," calling Jim a hypocrite. Personally, I disagree. I think it's because Jim has lived through it himself and knows firsthand how much harder it makes your life. That's why he said it; I mean, LGBT lives aren't always sunshine and rainbows.
Wen and Alanās past relationship was also shown in great detail, letting us really feel the passion they used to have. Usually, romance series barely explore the history with exes, making the audience think it's just easy to move on.
A small matter that deeply bothered meāit's not super important and didn't ruin the characters' chemistry, but Heart being mute when he wasn't born deaf makes no sense. People can't just lose their ability to speak simply because they became deaf three years ago.
Regardless, the chemistry was on point, and the visuals matched perfectly. It's a great series, totally recommended, and the actors delivered amazing performances here.
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