One actor has seemingly stood out… badly.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
Netflix’s latest K-Drama, The East Palace, is quickly becoming one of the platform’s biggest hits, reaching the top of the charts despite some early discussions about the acting.
| Netflix
Released on July 17, the historical fantasy drama reached No.1 on Netflix Korea’s TOP10 Series chart just one day after its premiere. It has continued to hold the top spot for three consecutive days, even surpassing SBS K-Drama Kim Bu Jang, which has recently been recording viewership ratings above 23%.
Starring Cho Seung Woo and Nam Joo Hyuk, The East Palace has also gained attention outside of South Korea. According to FlixPatrol rankings, the series entered the Top 10 in 81 countries and regions, ranking among Netflix’s most-watched TV shows worldwide.
Cho Seung Woo, Roh Yoon Seo, and Nam Joo Hyuk | Netflix
The show’s success comes despite netizens sharing mixed opinions about Nam Joo Hyuk’s acting style. Some viewers criticized his lighter speaking tone compared to the more traditional historical acting styles of Cho Seung Woo and Jang Young Nam.
Nam Joo Hyuk later addressed the criticism, explaining that his approach to playing Gu Cheon was intentional.
If Gu Cheon had used a heavier tone like the other characters, I don’t think it would have matched ‘The East Palace.’ I imagined what it would be like for someone who doesn’t belong in the palace to enter and live there, so I tried to deliver his lines in a more realistic way.
— Nam Joo Hyuk
Nam Joo Hyuk as Gu Cheon. | Netflix
He also shared that he was willing to accept both positive and negative feedback about his performance.
Despite the divided reactions, the show has continued to attract viewers with its unique combination of historical storytelling, fantasy, and Korean folklore.