Kdramanpop

The newly released Netflix original drama Donggung is drawing explosive attention from viewers worldwide as a full-fledged occult genre piece set against the most secretive and closed-off backdrop imaginable: the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. While the occult genre, rampant with ghosts and shamanic rituals, is commonly found in Western media, the reason this work feels exceptionally special is that it heavily incorporates an unrivaled sentiment and mise-en-scène that could only be conceived within the unique culture and painful history of Korea. Completely diverging from Western evil spirits or exorcisms, this work, deeply steeped in an Oriental worldview and shamanistic beliefs, boasts an inherent originality that can never be imitated or produced by other countries. Immediately upon its release, this differentiated charm captivated both domestic and international critics and audiences, heightening expectations of whether the Korean-style occult can once again exert a powerful r...