Donggung: A South Korean Fantasy Mystery Series

Donggung (Korean: 동궁), also known by its literal translation Palace of Crown Prince or English title The East Palace, is an upcoming South Korean fantasy mystery television series directed by Choi Jung-Kyu and written by Kwon So-Ra and Seo Jae-Won. Distributed via Netflix, the production features an eight-episode run set against the backdrop of a mysterious royal court plagued by supernatural occurrences.

Promotional still for the series Donggung — Promotional graphic for Donggung.

Premise and Narrative Synopsis

The narrative centers upon inexplicable, paranormal incidents taking place within the royal palace. Seeking to uncover a deep-seated curse resting inside the Crown Prince's living quarters, the King (played by Cho Seung-Woo) secretly summons two individuals possessing unique abilities: Gu-Cheon (Nam Joo-Hyuk) and Court Lady Saeng-Gang (Roh Yoon-Seo).

Gu-Cheon possesses the rare ability to traverse the world of ghosts and wields a specialized sword capable of destroying spirits. Conversely, Court Lady Saeng-Gang was born with the ability to hear the voices and sounds of ghosts. Although she regards her perception as a lifelong curse, she joins forces with Gu-Cheon to investigate the dark secrets concealed within the palace walls.

Production and Development

The series is directed by Choi Jung-Kyu, with scripts penned by the writing duo Kwon So-Ra and Seo Jae-Won. The project is structured as an eight-episode streaming series released on the Netflix platform.

Production attention surrounded the casting of lead actor Nam Joo-Hyuk, marking his first acting role following the completion of his mandatory 18-month military enlistment on September 19, 2024.

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

Nam Joo-Hyuk as Gu-Cheon, a swordsman capable of interacting with and defeating ghosts.
Roh Yoon-Seo as Court Lady Saeng-Gang, a palace attendant who can hear spirits.
Cho Seung-Woo as the King, who initiates the secret investigation into the palace curse.