Shadows in the Palace

The story unfolds during the Joseon era, a period defined by strict hierarchy, Confucian norms, and ritual life at court. With no heir for a time, factions maneuver over adoption, succession, and the control of the throne. The era’s rigid rules magnify the consequences of truth and deception.

Set inside a royal palace of the Joseon era, a closed world where courtiers and gungnyeo govern daily life. The architecture, rituals, and strict etiquette shape a social order that privileges birthright and loyalty. The palace corridors become the stage for secrets, plots, and brutal outcomes.

👑 Power

Shadows in the Palace reveals a ruthless power play behind ceremonial rituals. An advisor's scheme manipulates birth, inheritance, and the line of succession to secure the crown for a chosen prince. The murder of Wol-ryung and the surveillance of the king's nightly visits reveal how information becomes a weapon. The film shows a closed ecosystem where loyalty is transactional and the throne is the sole prize.

🤫 Secrecy

Secrecy governs every corridor of the palace, where even trusted maids carry forbidden knowledge. The autopsy reveals a hidden birth and forbidden relationships that could topple the order. The ghost of Wol-ryung haunts the palace, enforcing truths previously buried. Secrecy drives tragedy as deception spreads and the innocent suffer.

🧭 Agency

The palace's women navigate strict codes of celibacy and submission, forming a subtle network of resistance. Hee-bin and Chun-ryung demonstrate agency within a suffocating system, probing for truth and power. Their choices reveal both resilience and risk as the status quo fights to keep control. The story suggests that female solidarity can challenge, but not easily overturn, entrenched authority.