The Haunted Palace Episode 14 recap begins with Yoon Gap waking up in his body, greeted by a delighted Mrs. Yoon and a wary Yeo-ri. On their way to work, Gap apologizes for deceiving Yeo-ri. She accepts, though she flinches when he reaches out, and he solemnly returns Gangcheori’s bracelet. The palace welcomes Gap’s return with open arms—King Lee Sung even embraces him. But the moment turns ominous when the ghostbane stone burns Gap, revealing that it’s reacting to a corpse.

Pung-san, still lurking via Gap’s lingering soul, realizes that the ghostbane stone is the only thing blocking his plan. Meanwhile, the King resumes work on the anti-slave reforms. Though Gap appears enthusiastic, the King and Head Eunuch Kim miss Gangcheori’s unique presence. Gap notices and senses the growing emptiness left behind.

Suddenly, Gap is struck with pain. Pung-san, under the guise of helping, tries to manipulate him into destroying the ghostbane stone by pouring liquor over it. If he succeeds, Pung-san assures, the body will permanently be his. But Gap, loyal to the end, resists.

Elsewhere, Yeo-ri and Ga-seop search for Gangcheori. She prays for his return, heartbroken by his absence. Meanwhile, Gangcheori awakens inside Yoon Gap’s body too. A fierce internal struggle begins as the two souls battle for control. Pung-san fuels the conflict by amplifying Gap’s feelings of loss—his body, his mother, and Yeo-ri—all stolen by Gangcheori.

The next morning, Yeo-ri sees a vision of Gap reaching for the ghostbane stone and rushes after him. At the palace, Gap nearly goes through with the plan but stops just in time. He throws the liquor and slips, allowing Gangcheori to reclaim the body. Gap runs off, and Yeo-ri and Gangcheori find him distraught. Gangcheori reassures him, reminding Gap that he ultimately made the right choice. Overwhelmed with guilt and fear of becoming a monster, Gap begs to be released into the afterlife.

Back home, Mrs. Yoon realizes Gangcheori has returned and is devastated to learn that her son has died. The shamans perform a farewell ritual. Gap bids a final, silent goodbye to both his mother and Yeo-ri. Even King Lee Sung grieves, holding a separate ritual at the palace. Gangcheori reflects on Gap’s love for Yeo-ri—unspoken, because Gap knew she could never return his feelings. Moved by Gap’s selflessness, Gangcheori promises to care for both Yeo-ri and Mrs. Yoon.

With Gap gone, Pung-san targets Minister Ahn again, tempting him with the title of Chief State Councillor in exchange for destroying the ghostbane stones.

Meanwhile, Gangcheori and Yeo-ri leave Mrs. Yoon behind to mourn. At a tavern, they share a room—the only one left. The classic “only-one-bed” trope unfolds with shy glances and teasing. Yeo-ri remains focused on the upcoming ritual to resolve the ghost’s suffering and protect the villagers. She playfully mocks Gangcheori, who jokingly flirts—until Mrs. Yoon bursts in, searching for them all night and dragging them home.

As the ghost’s 100th death anniversary approaches, the inner circle prepares. Assassin Jung, secretly aligned with Minister Kwak, infiltrates the security team. The King entrusts his ghostbane stone to his pregnant Queen.

Yeo-ri remembers her grandmother’s warning: if the reaper ritual fails, a shaman could die. The blooming of the caragana flower—a symbol of water energy—suggests the time for sacrifice is near. Gangcheori drinks the tea, ready for what’s to come.

The ritual begins. The ghost possesses Assassin Jung and effortlessly overpowers the guards and Gangcheori. In a final, devastating moment, he stabs the pregnant Queen, ending The Haunted Palace Episode 14 with a brutal cliffhanger. For more recap, do check out the link below.

Alternatively, watch the full series here: