
The Haunted Palace – K-drama Episode 13 Recap & Review
Episode 13
Episode 13 of The Haunted Palace begins with a 100-year-old flashback. The enemies are getting close and King Yeon-jong makes a run for it. With nowhere to hide, Escort Officer Cheon Geum-hwi suggests his hometown, Yongdam Village. Unfortunately, on the way over, the enemies find out their location.
King Yeon-jong decides to send a decoy to Yongdam so the enemies don't find his new safehouse. Cheon asks for time to evacuate the villagers but the King refuses as it would give away the ruse. With Choi Gil-song's signal, an officer ties Cheon to a tree and they all leave. The enemies slaughter everyone in Yongdam while searching for the King.
At present, King Lee Sung is ashamed by his ancestor's cowardice and selfishness. Yeo-ri feels Cheon's guilt as he blames himself for the massacre. But he is not alone. As the 8-foot ghost, he has absorbed the grudge of all the murdered villagers. Gangcheori reveals that the villagers who survived turned bitter and vile. It is why he believes all mortals are loathsome beings.
Meanwhile, the 8-foot ghost attacks the Crown Prince. However, the ghostbane stone keeps him away and Ga-seop comforts the prince.
Back in the village, Yeo-ri spots Yoon Gap's soul. Gangcheori realises the ghost is scheming something but Yeo-ri has other problems. She wonders what will happen to Gangcheori after Yoon Gap takes back his body. Gangcheori is playful with her and Yoon Gap watches them from afar.
In-seon is curious about them too and Yeo-ri flexes their relationship. Gangcheori teases her but he is surprised by the caragana plant suddenly blooming. A flashback shows Ga-seop explaining that caragana flowers have water energy which can help Gangcheori defeat the ghost. It seems to be a necessity as the Imugi's powers are getting weaker and weaker.
Elsewhere, the King learns of Kim Bong-in's death and is upset. Paired with the shame of his ancestor's doing, he mopes. However, he does attend the one-legged ghost's ritual. Choi Won-u hesitates but ends up profusely apologising to the ghost which helps him cross over to the afterlife. As for the punishment, the King fines Choi and orders 50 lashings.
While the retinue returns to the capital, Pung-san targets Minister Ahn, Kwak's peer and the one who had introduced the talismans. The blind shaman wins him over by promising to make him Chief State Councillor.
Yoon Gap continues to watch as Mrs. Yoon dotes over Gangcheori. He is also upset when it is Gangcheori who cheers up a sulking King Lee Sung with some tough love. Gap is hurt that Gangcheori has taken everything important to him. We finally learn that Pung-san hopes Gap's bitterness will fester into an evil grudge.
Onto the showdown prep, the King procures an identification tablet for Cheon Geum-hwi. Inspired by the one-legged ghost's resolution, he hopes to share his regret and apologise to the 8-foot ghost which should allow it to cross over to the afterlife. Yeo-ri agrees to hold a ritual 10 days later, on Cheon's 100th death anniversary. She does try to exclude Gangcheori out of concern but he refuses.
Meanwhile, the Queen Mother tries to find closure. She is heartbroken when Yeo-ri reveals that Prince Yeong-in has been devoured by the 8-foot ghost. However, Yeo-ri lies that praying with his precious belongings shall set him free.
The kid ghost calls her out but she points out the tenacity of a mother's prayer. The kid misses his mother and Yeo-ri helps him cross over as well.
Pung-san's next phase is put into motion as Lord Ahn invites Gangcheori for a meal. The Imugi realises it is a trap but it is too late as he faints. He is taken home and he seems to be burning up. At the end of The Haunted Palace Episode 13, Yoon Gap wakes up in his own body. Mrs. Yoon is delighted to see that he is back to his old self. But Yeo-ri is worried by Gangcheori's disappearance.
The Episode Review
As the penultimate week, this K-drama is off to an exciting start. The Haunted Palace Episode 13 unravels all the remaining mysteries such as what happened in Yongdam Village and why the ghost is targeting one particular royal bloodline.
Yoon Gap finally returns but is leaning towards the misguided villain role rather than the hero we all thought he would be. Gangcheori and Yeo-ri's romance is still pretty sweet even though the focus is largely on wrapping up the ghost conflict.
And while it is quite sad how Yoon Gap feels replaced, the moments between Gangcheori and the King, Yeo-ri and Mrs. Yoon were quite heartwarming. It highlights just how much Gangcheori has changed from the beginning of the show. And finally, a shoutout to Sung-jae for portraying two distinct characters so well that we could identify Yoon Gap the moment he woke up in his body.
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