In the Haunted Palace episode 12, it picks up with a heartbreaking moment. Kang Chul is seen underwater, holding onto memories of Bibi. He’s overwhelmed with grief. He mutters that when spirits die, they vanish without leaving anything behind. It’s clear he’s not ready to let go. He cries, unable to accept Bibi’s death. Yeori holds him in a tight hug, telling him it’s okay to hate her. She believes it’s her fault.
Their sorrow doesn’t last in peace. The guards soon capture both of them. They’re accused of sneaking into the Bureau late at night. Lord Kim Bong questions them, suspicious of their motives. But the king interrupts and says he sent them there to catch the shaman. After the others leave, Yeori confides in the king. She tells him she saw the shaman in the shrine and that Lord Kim is helping the shaman. The king doubts her. He thinks she’s wrong about Lord Kim.
At the same time, Lord Kim confronts the shaman. He’s surprised Yeori and Kang Chul are still alive. The shaman warns him—an evil spirit has taken the pear. And it’s no ordinary spirit. It’s become something more, something close to a deity.
Dowager’s Confession
Back at the palace, a monk brings a statue of Haechi to the queen and young prince. It’s meant to stop the growing fire energy. Meanwhile, the queen dowager opens up. She explains the shaman was recommended by the prince’s nanny. But later, she learned Lord Kim had forced the nanny to suggest the shaman. She admits it was she who told the shaman about the queen’s pregnancy, not realizing she was being used.
The king finally decides to confront Lord Kim. He shows him his late father’s quiver and asks why he betrayed him. Lord Kim defends himself. He says the king refused to follow his advice and failed to be the noble king he imagined. He then mocks the king, saying no one will believe he worked with an evil spirit. But Lord Kim doesn’t realize others are listening. The noblemen and subjects hear everything. The king gives the harshest punishment allowed by law.
Kang Chul surprises Yeori by agreeing to visit a nearby village.
Old Crimes, & Restless Spirits
During Lord Kim’s punishment, chaos breaks out. A group of robbers attacks the guards, trying to free him. Kim Bong escapes and runs straight to the shaman. He threatens to kill the king. But the 8-foot spirit enters his body and kills him. Kim Bong is no longer needed.
The journey continues. Yeori, the king, and Kang Chul arrive in Yongdam. This village holds many connections. It’s where Yeori and Yoon Gab were born. It’s also the place where Kang Chul failed to ascend. The same village where the 8-foot spirit first appeared.
They visit Lord Choi Won’s house. He acts strangely and keeps a close eye on Yeori. Later, he tries to make others leave in secret. Through conversation, they learn an old tale. A century ago, during wartime, King Yeonjong the Great fled to this village. The current king wants to read what his great-great-grandfather wrote during that time.
Suddenly, Lord Choi’s daughter, In-seon, gets possessed again by the one-legged spirit. She lashes out but is stopped. Yeori asks the staff if they did something to anger the spirit. They admit they held a ritual for their ancestors. But instead of peace, it woke up a vengeful spirit.
Village of Secrets
Lord Choi finally admits a dark truth. He killed book broker Jang Eon Soo five years ago. The man had stolen books from a royal treasure. Lord Choi wanted to scare him, but things went too far. Yeori uses her shaman skills and frees In-seon from the spirit. But it fights back, choking Yeori. Kang Chul saves her and chases the spirit.
Before being trapped, the spirit says something strange. He wants the hidden book, full of family secrets, to be revealed. He tells them it’s hidden where he died. Yeori asks Lord Choi if he knows that place. A flashback shows Jang Eon Soo blackmailing Lord Choi with the book. Lord Choi tricked him and killed him.
Now, Lord Choi returns to that same spot, a shed where he hid the book. He plans to burn it. But Kang Chul finds him. The king arrives as well. They all see the book.
Back at the shrine, the shaman is chanting. The 8-foot spirit removes Yoon Gab’s soul. In the preview, Yeori sees the soul and is confused why the spirit let it go. Yoon Gab is more bitter now, having lost everything. The spirit storms the prince’s chambers. Kang Chul is attacked and seen in pain.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
