2 Supernatural K-Dramas to Watch This July 2026
2 Supernatural K-Dramas to Watch This July 2026
July is shaping up to be a great month for fans of Korean dramas with a supernatural twist. Two highly anticipated series are arriving just one day apart, and both center on characters who can see or battle ghosts. One leans into dark historical fantasy, the other into romantic comedy — so whichever mood you are in, July has you covered.
Here is a closer look at both, and why they are worth adding to your watchlist now.
1. The East Palace — A Haunted Palace and a Ghost-Slaying Swordsman
Release date: July 17, 2026 · Where to watch: Netflix (worldwide)
The East Palace (Korean title: Donggung) is a dark historical fantasy set in a royal palace haunted by restless spirits. The king summons two unlikely partners to clear his home of the dark forces inside it: Gu-cheon, a swordsman who can move between the world of the living and the dead and cut down ghosts with his blade, and Saeng-gang, a court lady who hides a secret of her own and can hear the voices of the dead. Together they begin to uncover long-buried palace secrets bound up with a dangerous curse.
If you loved the mix of Joseon-era setting and supernatural horror in shows like Kingdom or Alchemy of Souls, this one is squarely in that tradition.
The cast:
- Nam Joo-hyuk as Gu-cheon — this is his first acting role since completing his military service, making the series a major comeback moment for him. You may know him from Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Start-Up.
- Roh Yoon-seo as Saeng-gang — previously seen in Crash Course in Romance and 20th Century Girl.
- Cho Seung-woo as the King — the acclaimed actor from Stranger.
Behind the camera, the series comes from the director of The Devil Judge and writers known for Bulgasal: Immortal Souls, so the supernatural pedigree runs deep. It is an eight-episode series and will stream worldwide on Netflix.
2. Spooky in Love — A Ghost-Seeing Heiress Meets a Fearful Prosecutor
Release date: July 18, 2026 · Where to watch: tvN and TVING (Korea); international streaming to be confirmed
One day after The East Palace, a very different supernatural story arrives. Spooky in Love (Korean title: Ossakhan Yeonae) is an occult romantic comedy about Cheon Yeo-ri, the heiress of a top conglomerate and CEO of a luxury hotel. From the outside she seems to have everything, but she hides a secret: she can see ghosts, and the spirits of those who died unjustly haunt her every night. Anyone whose hand touches hers can suddenly see them too.
Her life collides with Ma Kang-wook, a passionate prosecutor whose greatest fear happens to be ghosts. The two form a chaotic partnership, teaming up to solve mysterious cases while a deeper bond slowly develops between them. Expect a blend of romance, mystery, and supernatural chills with a comedic edge.
The cast:
- Park Eun-bin as Cheon Yeo-ri — one of Korea's most popular actresses, known for Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Castaway Diva, and The King's Affection.
- Yang Se-jong as Ma Kang-wook — previously seen in Doona and Temperature of Love.
- Ong Seong-wu as Kang Min-hwan, a hotel CEO whose warm manner hides a more calculating side.
The series is based on the 2011 Korean film Spellbound and runs for twelve episodes, airing every Saturday and Sunday on tvN through late August. In Korea it streams on TVING; the international streaming platform has not been officially confirmed yet, so check your local listings closer to release.
Which One Should You Watch?
It comes down to your mood. If you want atmospheric, eerie historical fantasy with action and palace intrigue, The East Palace is the pick. If you prefer something lighter that mixes scares with romance and humor, Spooky in Love is the one. The good news is both land within a single day of each other, so you can keep an eye on both.
Quick Comparison
- The East Palace — July 17 · Netflix (worldwide) · 8 episodes · Dark historical fantasy
- Spooky in Love — July 18 · tvN & TVING (Korea) · 12 episodes · Occult romantic comedy
Which of these are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments, and check back as we cover each series after its premiere.
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