The Haunted Palace- Episodes 13-14

Past Sins, Ghostly Plans, and a Body Swap Twist! 👻💔

Things are heating up (literally and emotionally) in Episode 13 of The Haunted Palace, and this time, we’re diving 100 years back into a royal disaster.

We open with a chilling flashback: King Yeon-jong on the run during a military crisis, hiding out in Yongdam Village—except, plot twist, he doesn’t. Instead, he sends a decoy, refuses to evacuate the villagers, and lets the entire town get wiped out. Oof. Escort Officer Cheon Geum-hwi begs to save them, but he’s tied to a tree and left behind. Brutal.

Back in the present, King Lee Sung is wrecked with guilt over his ancestor’s choices. And Cheon? Yep, he's our 8-foot ghost, now a vessel of vengeance carrying the wrath of every murdered villager. Gangcheori isn’t exactly sympathetic—he reminds us the survivors turned twisted, feeding his loathing for humanity.

Meanwhile, the ghost makes a move on the Crown Prince, but thanks to the trusty ghostbane stone, he’s safe (for now). Ga-seop steps up with some well-timed wisdom and comfort.

Elsewhere, Yeo-ri catches a glimpse of Yoon Gap’s soul, and Gangcheori starts sensing something’s off. But our girl’s got other worries: what happens to her lovable Imugi if Yoon Gap returns? Cue bittersweet flirting, Yeo-ri being shy, and Gangcheori cracking jokes, all under the watchful eyes of Yoon Gap and a very nosy In-seon.

Also? The caragana plant suddenly blooms! Flashback reveals it’s packed with water energy, and it might be just what Gangcheori needs to stop the fire ghost as his powers dwindle.

At the palace, the King is dealing with more emotional baggage. He mourns Minister Kim (even if the man betrayed him), then attends a powerful ritual for the one-legged ghost. Choi Won-u finally apologizes, and poof—the ghost finds peace. Justice and closure? We love to see it.

But the calm doesn’t last. Pung-san’s at it again, sinking his claws into Minister Ahn with promises of power. Meanwhile, Yoon Gap’s growing more bitter by the minute, watching Gangcheori take over every piece of his old life—from his mother’s affection to the King’s trust. Pung-san’s plan? Let that bitterness fester.

Determined to end this, the King tracks down Cheon’s old ID tag and decides to apologize directly to the ghost at a ritual on his death anniversary. Yeo-ri offers to lead it, but Gangcheori refuses to sit it out—despite the danger.

Even the Queen Mother gets some closure (well, a half-truth). Yeo-ri lies that Yeong-in can be saved with prayer, and honestly? Sometimes hope is the best medicine. The kid ghost gets his moment too, thanks to Yeo-ri’s compassion. Cue more ghost tears.

But just as everything feels like it’s falling into place… Pung-san strikes again. Minister Ahn lures Gangcheori to dinner, drugs him, and bam—he’s out. The next thing we know, Yoon Gap wakes up in his own body, Mrs. Yoon is overjoyed, and Yeo-ri is left confused and panicked. Where is Gangcheori?!

🔥 Cliffhanger status: ACTIVATED. Bring on Episode 14!

Goodbye Gap, Hello Tears, and One Devastating Twist 😭💥

Just when we thought The Haunted Palace couldn’t hurt us more—Episode 14 said, “Hold my ghostbane stone.” This hour had everything: heartbreak, body swaps, ghost wars, slow-burn romance, and a final scene that left us SCREAMING.

We kick off with Yoon Gap back in action—Mrs. Yoon is overjoyed, but Yeo-ri’s cautious. Even as he apologizes for deceiving her, she’s distant, flinching when he reaches out. And when he returns Gangcheori’s bracelet? Ouch. The feels.

At the palace, everyone’s happy to see “Yoon Gap” again—but the ghostbane stone says otherwise. It burns him, and our dream team quickly realizes that something is off. Meanwhile, Pung-san, ever the creepy lurker, eavesdrops through Gap’s soul and learns the stone is their only true defense.

Cue palace politics: anti-slavery reforms are back on the table, and the King feels re-energized—though he admits he still misses Gangcheori’s chaotic wisdom. Even Head Eunuch Kim is feeling the loss. (Same, honestly.)

Then comes the real twist: Gangcheori’s not gone—he’s trapped in Yoon Gap’s body TOO! The two souls are locked in a messy internal tug-of-war, and Pung-san is doing everything he can to manipulate Gap’s insecurities. He tries to get him to destroy the ghostbane stone with “special alcohol,” but Gap resists. Barely.

Eventually, Gangcheori regains control, and the truth is laid bare—Yoon Gap is dead, and it’s time to let him go. What follows is pure heartbreak: Mrs. Yoon sobs as she learns the truth, the palace holds a solemn ritual, and Yoon Gap’s final goodbye is both beautiful and gut-wrenching. He asks Gangcheori to take care of Yeo-ri and his mother, and you know Gangcheori’s gonna keep that promise. 🥺

Meanwhile, scheming never sleeps—Pung-san offers Minister Ahn more power if he’ll help destroy the ghostbane stones. This man does not quit.

And for some emotional whiplash? Gangcheori and Yeo-ri go full rom-com for a hot minute with the classic "only one room at the inn" setup. Flirting, awkward tension, and a maybe-proposition from our flustered Imugi? YES PLEASE. But just when things get spicy, Mrs. Yoon crashes the party. Classic.

Fast forward to D-Day: the 100th death anniversary ritual. Yeo-ri’s haunted by her grandmother’s warning—if the reaper method fails, the shaman could die. 😰 Meanwhile, the caragana plant blooms (symbolism alert!), and Gangcheori drinks its tea, fully prepared to sacrifice himself. DON’T YOU DARE, SHOW.

And then… disaster.

The ghost possesses an assassin, wrecks the guards, shrugs off Gangcheori, and SMILES at the King before—NO NO NO—STABBING THE QUEEN IN THE STOMACH. 😱

That’s how they end the episode. That’s the cliffhanger. Someone hold me.

Episode 14 = pure emotional carnage, with a side of swoony tenderness and a dagger through our collective hearts. Onward to Episode 15... if we survive. 💔👑🔥

DramaZen's Opinion

Okay, The Haunted Palace just hit us with a DOUBLE DOSE of everything we love and fear—episodes 13 and 14 were packed with emotions, epic ghost drama, swoony Imugi moments, and one absolutely heart-stopping cliffhanger. 😭🔥

First, can we talk about Yoon Gap? His tragic arc had me tearing up. From soul tug-of-war to sacrificing his chance at revenge, he broke our hearts with that goodbye. Gangcheori mourning his brother Bibi and promising to care for Yeo-ri and Mrs. Yoon? Devastatingly sweet. 💔

Then, we get our favorite drama trope—one bed, one room, full of awkward flirting and almost-kisses. Gangcheori being shy and adorable?? GIVE ME TEN MORE EPISODES OF THAT.

But of course, this show never lets us stay soft for long. Just when things feel hopeful, the ghost goes full villain, possesses a body, and… stabs the Queen. WHAT. HOW DARE YOU.

Episodes 13 & 14 gave us everything: royal regrets, blooming caragana (yes, the flower matters!!), sacrificial teas, betrayal, and that final twist. If you’re not screaming, crying, and rewatching Gangcheori’s pouty smile, are you even watching The Haunted Palace?! 😭👑✨

Bring on Episode 15—we’re emotionally unwell and READY.