I am always happy when Korean actor Kim Ji Hoon is announced as a cast member for an upcoming drama.
Come on, he’s a cutie and, unlike some actors with beautiful faces, he can actually act.
This week then my happiness is set as, along with Yook Sung Jae (aka Sungjae) and Bona, Kim Ji Hoon has been announced as part of the official main cast of the upcoming historical fantasy drama Return to the Palace. (aka The Haunted Palace).
What is the Return to the Palace plot?
According to Asian Wiki, the Return to the Palace plot (titled 귀궁 in Korean) goes something like this:
Yoon Gab is a government officer who works in the palace. He has a good reputation and has a handsome appearance. One day, Yoon Gab’s body becomes possessed by an Imoogi creature. Soon afterwards, people begin to talk about him as if he has lost his mind.
The Imoogi that has possessed Yoon Gab is related to Yeo Ri, whose first love is Yoon Gab. Yeo Ri is the only granddaughter of a famous shaman, and Yeo Ri herself has a divine gift, but she refuses to accept her fate as a medium of spirit. She instead works as a glasses craftswoman.
The Imoogi needs Yeo Ri’s body to ascend to Heaven, but Yeo Ri won’t allow it. After Yoon Gab becomes possessed, Yeo Ri enters the palace, which is filled with powerful female ghosts and evil spirits.
Meanwhile, King Lee Sung is a reformist monarch who dreams of a strong Joseon nation. Weird and terrible incidents continue to take place within the palace. These are related to the powerful female ghosts who hold a grudge against the royal family.
To get rid of the ghosts, Yoon Gab, Yeo Ri, and King Lee Sung search for the secret of the female ghosts.
Yook Sung Jae (The Golden Spoon) is playing protagonist Yoon Gab, while Bona (Joseon Attorney) is taking the part of Yeo Ri, and with King Lee Sung played by Kim Ji Hoon (Love to Hate You).
Kim Young Kwang (Evilive) is said to be making a cameo appearance.
RELATED: Watch Kim Ji Hoon and Teo Yoo’s kiss scene in Love to Hate You — it’s very funny
Return to the Palace is being directed by Yun Seong Sik (Mr. Queen), and was written by Yoon Soo Jung (Cheer Up!).
There is no word yet on when filming will begin, but we will keep you updated here at Leo Sigh as soon as we find out.
Return to the Palace is a 16-episode SBS drama, which currently has a premiere date of January 6th, 2025.