The Haunted Palace- (Final) Episodes 15-16

Possession, Betrayal, and a Battle Brewing

Episode 15 of The Haunted Palace wastes no time ramping up the chaos. The possessed Assassin Jung is arrested, but not before the 8-foot ghost delivers a final blow—he devours the Queen’s unborn child. While the palace scrambles to understand how this happened, Yeo-ri and the others discover the ghostbane stones have been deactivated. The culprit? Eunuch Song, who confesses under pressure that his family is being held hostage by Pung-san. Despite the tearful explanation, he’s arrested.

The Queen dies after comforting her husband and son, and grief washes over the palace. Yeo-ri blames herself and makes a fateful decision: she’ll summon the fire reaper, even if it costs her life.

Meanwhile, Minister Ahn, unaware that Royal Guard Seo is listening, spills enough details for both himself and Pung-san to be arrested. The shaman remains eerily calm under torture, grinning even as the King orders his execution. Gangcheori and the Queen Mother both confront him, but he only mocks them. Though order seems restored, the King begins to crumble under the weight of loss and guilt.

At the Yoon household, things are still tense, but there’s a quiet turning point when Gangcheori sees Mrs. Yoon wearing the hairpin he gave her. She apologizes for being slow to accept him, and he tells her she’s a good mother. It’s a subtle, moving moment in an otherwise heavy episode.

Yeo-ri learns more about the caragana tea and the grim truth that it’s meant to help Gangcheori use his pearl to destroy the ghost—something she’s not ready to face. She watches him comfort the Crown Prince, another reminder of how much he’s changed.

The ghost isn’t done. He invades the King’s dreams, taking him back to the moment of the Yongdam massacre. In a haunting flashback, we learn Escort Officer Cheon Geum-hwi tried to save the village, but was too late. His baby son—the same child who once saw Gangcheori ascend—is killed beside him. As Cheon dies, he vows vengeance against the royal bloodline.

Now, that vow lives on in the ghost, who tells King Lee Sung that he’ll make him suffer for sins committed long before his reign. The King tries to argue that he’s tried to make amends, but the ghost isn’t interested in reform—he wants revenge.

Needing a reprieve, Gangcheori takes Yeo-ri on a date through the city. They joke, argue, and make wishes—until they’re interrupted by the chaos of Pung-san’s public execution. Just as it begins, the execution is halted, and suddenly a royal arrest warrant is issued for Gangcheori and Yeo-ri. They’re saved by Royal Guard Seo, who breaks the terrible news: the King is possessed.

Back at the palace, the Queen Mother confronts the King. He’s changed—cruel, detached, and surrounded by the very people he once condemned: Pung-san, Eunuch Song, and Assassin Jung. The ghost’s stench is all the confirmation she needs.

Yeo-ri and Gangcheori seek shelter with Choi Won-u, but he doesn’t believe their story. Thankfully, In-seon does and secretly lets them stay. Meanwhile, Seo rushes to protect the Crown Prince, who narrowly escapes an attack and flees to Choi’s with the Queen Mother’s pin as proof.

But they’re not safe for long. The King, now fully under the ghost’s control, arrives with his troops. Choi tries to stall him, but the ghost recognizes Choi as the descendant of the man who signaled the Yongdam slaughter. The threat is clear—step aside or die.

Outside, soldiers find the prince, and a fight breaks out. Seo holds them off while Yeo-ri escapes with the young heir. Just as it seems the odds are impossible, Gangcheori arrives to face the possessed King in a long-awaited showdown.

Final Battles, Heartfelt Goodbyes, and One Lightning-Powered Legacy

The grand finale of The Haunted Palace opens with an explosive confrontation: Gangcheori clashes with the possessed King, managing to weaken him using talismans before retreating. The group regroups in a safe house, where the Crown Prince voices his fears. Gangcheori, ever the guardian, promises to save the King himself—sending alarm bells off in Yeo-ri, who knows what that promise really means.

Hoping for one peaceful day together before facing the inevitable, Yeo-ri sends Gangcheori to fetch Mrs. Yoon. But it’s a distraction—Yeo-ri slips away to face the ghost alone. Mrs. Yoon, heartbroken, begs Gangcheori to come back safely.

Inside the palace, a plan is already underway. Head Eunuch Kim and Royal Guard Seo help Yeo-ri sneak in. With the guards subdued, Yeo-ri confronts the possessed King—but she’s not alone. She’s channeling the fire reaper. What follows is a fierce, supernatural duel. The ghost, still fueled by rage, refuses to cross over. When Pung-san lends his strength, he overpowers the reaper.

As the ghost prepares to strike the final blow, Gangcheori bursts in. What follows is a brutal, emotional face-off. We finally learn the ghost’s true grudge: years ago, Cheon Geum-hwi begged the heavens for help during the massacre, but Gangcheori, focused on his own ascension, ignored him.

Now, Gangcheori pays the price. The ghost leaves him broken and Yeo-ri nearly dead. But in one final act of redemption, Gangcheori unleashes the full power of his pearl, apologizing for his failure and vowing to save the dead. The ghost vanishes. The King wakes. Yeo-ri stirs. But Gangcheori does not.

In the aftermath, Yeo-ri performs a ritual for the slain villagers. Their spirits appear, led by Cheon, who has finally returned to his original form. The King humbles himself, accepting the sins of his ancestors. Cheon, bitter at how much pain could’ve been avoided with a simple apology, finally lets go. The villagers pass on.

As grief hangs in the air, Ga-seop declares Gangcheori’s purpose fulfilled: he was meant to save the nation. Mrs. Yoon lashes out at the heavens for taking her son—again. Yeo-ri is devastated. Even the King mourns the loss of his one true confidant.

But just when all hope seems lost, Gangcheori wakes up. In a rush of joy, he embraces Yeo-ri and Mrs. Yoon. Later, he reveals to the King that he met the Heavenly Sovereign, who gave him a choice: ascend or return. Naturally, he chose Earth—though he teases that it was only for Yeo-ri.

The aftermath ripples through the palace. With the ghost gone, the Queen’s soul is freed. She visits the King one last time. Neop-deok embraces Yeo-ri, reminding her to stay strong before crossing over.

As for Pung-san, he tries to flee with Se-won. But karma arrives in the form of a lightning strike—Gangcheori’s curse fulfilled. Se-won is arrested. Pung-san is dead.

Choi Won-u is named Chief State Councillor and begins working on the long-awaited anti-slavery reforms alongside the King and Crown Prince. The Queen Mother makes peace with Ok-im, and while the drowned ghost refuses to leave (she’s attached to Yeo-ri), the rest of the palace begins healing.

Yeo-ri’s optician shop thrives. She crafts sunglasses for the King and Won-u, and even gives In-seon a love talisman before revealing her engagement to Gangcheori. In-seon tries to hide her jealousy but leaves with a hint of closure.

Gangcheori and the King fall back into their usual banter, debating policies and bickering about who works harder for the people.

Years pass. Yeo-ri and Gangcheori now have a daughter, Ga-won—who, naturally, has inherited his lightning powers. Chaos reigns in their home, but Mrs. Yoon remains the only person both father and daughter will listen to.

As the episode wraps, Head Eunuch Kim delivers a new supernatural case. Gangcheori demands payment. Kim only agrees for Ga-won’s sake. Before they can keep arguing, Yeo-ri and Mrs. Yoon shut them down. Yeo-ri heads out with Gangcheori, ready for the next mystery, the next ghost, and whatever wild twist fate throws next.

The Haunted Palace ends not with peace, but with purpose—and a family strong enough to face any haunting to come.

DramaZen's Opinion

What. A. Finale.

Episodes 15 and 16 of The Haunted Palace absolutely wrecked me—in the best way possible. The ghost vs. Gangcheori showdown? Brutal, emotional, epic. Yeo-ri channeling the fire reaper? Goosebumps. And don’t even get me started on that heartbreaking moment when Gangcheori sacrificed himself with the pearl. I was ready to riot… until he woke up and hugged Yeo-ri and Mrs. Yoon. The relief was unreal.

The pacing? Perfect. The stakes? Sky-high. The payoff? So satisfying. We got justice, redemption, emotional closure, and one last supernatural twist. Gangcheori choosing Earth over Heaven for Yeo-ri was the romantic cherry on top.

And that flash-forward with baby Ga-won shooting lightning and yelling at her dad? Iconic. Full circle. I need a spin-off immediately.

From ghosts to grim reapers to political reform, The Haunted Palace stuck the landing with heart, humor, and soul. What a journey. What a cast. What a ride.