Set to premiere in April, SBS' new Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace' (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik) is a fantasy romantic comedy about a shaman named Yeori, who rejects her fate as a medium, and Imugi Kang Cheol, who becomes trapped in the body of Yeori's first love, Yoon Gap. The two encounter a vengeful spirit, Palcheokgwi, leading to a tangled mess of body and soul. Directed by Yoon Sung-sik, known for dramas like 'Mr. Queen,' 'You Are the Best!,' 'Bridal Mask,' and 'Dae Jo-yeong,' and written by Yoon Soo-jung, who penned 'The King's Face' and 'Cheer Up!,' the drama features a fresh and talented cast including Yook Sung-jae (as Yoon Gap/Kang Cheol), Kim Ji-yeon (as Yeori), and Kim Ji-hoon (as Lee Sung), raising expectations.
On the 21st, the 'The Haunted Palace' team released the first teaser, sparking interest with the twisted love story between the mischievous spirit Kang Cheol and the shaman Yeori.
The teaser video highlights the unfortunate Imugi Kang Cheol, who failed to become a dragon despite a thousand years of training, and the innocent maiden Yeori, who harbors feelings for the charming Yoon Gap. Just as Yeori is captivated by Yoon Gap's warm smile, Kang Cheol, possessing Yoon Gap's body, suddenly disrupts the mood by saying, "I'm not that guy!" Kang Cheol, now in Yoon Gap's body, engages in bizarre antics, such as devouring food ravenously and leaping over palace walls, leading to rumors of Yoon Gap's insanity and causing laughter.
Though he appears as a handsome scholar, Kang Cheol's true nature is that of a self-centered spirit, disrupting the human world's hierarchy, eliciting laughter. He engages in audacious behavior, such as picking his ear in front of the king and getting into a mutual collar-grabbing confrontation with him. In response, Yeori, acting as the Imugi tamer, covers Kang Cheol's mouth and bows her head alongside him in front of the angry king, adding to the humor.
Amidst this chaotic relationship, an unexpected romantic tension arises between Kang Cheol and Yeori, piquing interest. Kang Cheol, observing Yeori, muses, "Is it because I'm seeing her with human eyes? I keep looking at her, and I kind of want to devour her," feeling a strange appetite for the first time in a thousand years. Meanwhile, Yeori, feeling her heart flutter at Kang Cheol's face, admits, "I'm confused. It's because I'm mixing him up with Yoon Gap," expressing her bewilderment. As their bodies and souls become entangled, curiosity about how their romance will unfold in 'The Haunted Palace' is heightened.
The first teaser showcases the captivating character performances of Yook Sung-jae, Kim Ji-yeon, and Kim Ji-hoon. Yook Sung-jae impresses with his dual role as the mischievous spirit Imugi and the tender first love Yoon Gap, while Kim Ji-yeon captivates with her strong yet gentle charm and perfect chemistry with Yook Sung-jae. Additionally, Kim Ji-hoon, despite his brief appearance, shines with an irreplaceable presence, raising anticipation for their performances in the full broadcast.
With the release of the first teaser, 'The Haunted Palace' has sparked curiosity and is set to premiere in April, following the currently airing 'Buried Hearts.'
Reporter Kang Sun-ae sakang@sbs.co.kr
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)