Set to premiere on April 18th, the new SBS 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 and a dragon spirit named Kang Chul trapped in the body of Yeori's first love, Yoon Gap. Together, they face off against a vengeful spirit haunting the royal family. Director Yoon Sung-sik, known for 'Mr. Queen,' 'You Are the Best!,' 'Bridal Mask,' and 'Dae Jo-yeong,' teams up with writer Yoon Soo-jung, who penned 'The King's Face' and 'Cheer Up!' The fresh casting of Yook Sung-jae (as Yoon Gap/Kang Cheol), Kim Ji-yeon (as Yeori), and Kim Ji-hoon (as Lee Jung) promises an exciting synergy.
Director Yoon Sung-sik explained his decision to direct the series, saying, "The Haunted Palace' is a fantasy rom-com set in a fictional era with mythical creatures like dragons. I was drawn to its fresh genre and rich storyline." He added, "Every time I release a project, there's a fear of how it will be received, but with such talented actors and the best crew, my expectations are high."
Yoon Sung-sik emphasized his approach to directing, stating, "I aimed to create a drama that viewers can easily enjoy without feeling overwhelmed or scared. By balancing romance and comedy and highlighting the humanity in even the scariest spirits, we crafted a relatable story." He also mentioned focusing on maximizing the show's diverse appeal, from exorcism fantasy action to bromance.
The director expressed his affection for the cast, particularly Yook Sung-jae, who plays the dual role of Yoon Gap and the dragon spirit Kang Chul. "It's a challenging character that requires portraying both human and divine traits. Yook Sung-jae has the visual and acting skills to bring this colorful character to life, and working with him confirmed his talent," Yoon Sung-sik said, raising curiosity about Yook's performance.
Regarding Kim Ji-yeon, who plays Yeori, Yoon Sung-sik commented, "Yeori is a character with deep inner pain but also possesses the strength of a shaman. She needs to handle both the exorcism fantasy and rom-com genres. Kim Ji-yeon embodies both Eastern beauty and charisma, and she excelled in the role of a strong-willed shaman. Her chemistry with Kang Chul in their love-hate romance was particularly satisfying, making her a rising star in romantic comedies."
On the chemistry between Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, Yoon Sung-sik noted, "The two actors are longtime friends, which allowed them to share ideas freely and create a natural on-screen chemistry. Their love-hate comedy and sweet romance are the secret weapons of 'The Haunted Palace,' promising to captivate viewers."
As for casting Kim Ji-hoon as King Lee Jung, who faces the vengeful spirit, Yoon Sung-sik explained, "Lee Jung is a character who hides his pain while fighting for his people and confronting threats to the royal family with determination. Kim Ji-hoon's blend of gentleness, charisma, and occasional devilish charm perfectly matches the character."
The director also praised the strong supporting cast, including Kim Sang-ho (as Pung-san), Ahn Nae-sang (as Choi Won-woo), Kil Hae-yeon (as Neop-deok), Kim In-kwon (as Kim Eung-soon), Cha Chung-hwa (as Young-geum), and Son Byung-ho (as Kim Bong-in). "Each character has a unique genre color, and the actors understood and expressed my vision perfectly. I hope viewers enjoy the diverse character performances by these seasoned actors," Yoon Sung-sik said.
With curiosity building about how the mythical creatures, including the dragon, will be portrayed, Yoon Sung-sik stated, "Naturalness was our top priority. We avoided excessive VFX and focused on practical effects. Through thorough research, simulations, concept design, and pre-testing, we created unique creatures with high-quality CG, special makeup, and effects."
He added, "The fantasy setting required complex action scenes. We aimed for realistic action rather than exaggerated, cartoonish sequences. Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-hoon, in particular, filmed many action scenes, and both showed remarkable talent, handling most of the challenging stunts themselves."
In conclusion, Yoon Sung-sik emphasized, "'The Haunted Palace' is a multi-genre drama with diverse charmsl. It's not too difficult, heavy, or scary, making it enjoyable for the whole family and all generations," heightening anticipation for the upcoming premiere.
'The Haunted Palace' is set to air its first episode on Friday, April 18th, at 9:50 PM, following the conclusion of 'Buried Hearts.'
Reporter Kang Sun-ae sakang@sbs.co.kr
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)