"I Had to Act Without Thinking like I Feel Embarrassed" Yook Sung-jae Returns to Fantasy with 'The Haunted Palace'

Actor Yook Sung-jae from 'The Haunted Palace' has boldly declared his ambitions as an undefeated fantasy actor in a recent interview.

Set to premiere on Friday, the 18th, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Gwigung' (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. She encounters a dragon spirit, Kang Cheol, trapped in the body of her first love, Yoon Gap, as they face off against a vengeful spirit haunting the royal family. Directed by Yoon Sung-sik, known for 'Mr. Queen' and 'The King's Face,' and written by Yoon Soo-jung, the drama promises a fresh and dynamic cast including Yook Sung-jae (as Yoon Gap/Kang Cheol), Kim Ji-yeon (as Yeori), and Kim Ji-hoon (as Lee Jung), drawing significant attention.

Yook Sung-jae takes on the dual role of Yoon Gap, Yeori's first love, and the dragon spirit Kang Cheol. He will showcase a range of charms, from a kind and intelligent nobleman to a mischievous yet endearing spirit, navigating both the spiritual and human realms.

Ahead of the 'The Haunted Palace' premiere, Yook Sung-jae shared, "I've always wanted to try a historical drama, and my fans have been eager to see me in one. When I read the script, I was drawn to the character of Kang Cheol and the fantasy elements I love, which is why I chose this project for my return after three years."

Discussing his dual role, Yook Sung-jae explained, "Yoon Gap is a righteous and smart scholar, while Kang Cheol is a divine being who has lived for over a thousand years, making them complete opposites." He added, "I particularly remember a humorous scene where Kang Cheol tastes human food for the first time. The way the dragon spirit experiences human emotions and pains for the first time will be captivating."

Yook Sung-jae has previously starred in hit fantasy dramas like 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' and 'Mystic Pop-up Bar,' earning him nicknames like 'Fantasy Undefeated' and 'Possession Specialist.' Following the release of 'The Haunted Palace's' first teaser, online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments like "Yook Sung-jae is already nailing it."

Yook Sung-jae shared his tips for acting in the fantasy genre, saying, "You can't be embarrassed. You have to act shamelessly, especially in scenes requiring CGI, like shooting energy blasts into thin air or creating whirlwinds with your hands." He also mentioned, "In 'The Haunted Palace,' there are many scenes involving wire work, like jumping off roofs, due to the dragon spirit character," raising expectations for his performance.

Regarding his chemistry with co-star Kim Ji-yeon, Yook Sung-jae said, "At first, I was worried it might be awkward since we're the same age, but it turned out to be great. We were already friends, so we could talk comfortably and support each other, making the filming process smoother." This has heightened interest in their unique love-hate romance between a dragon spirit and a shaman.

About working with Kim Ji-hoon, Yook Sung-jae commented, "Ji-hoon is not only great at his own role but also pays attention to the details of the entire drama, which I learned a lot from. There will be many exciting scenes, like Yoon Gap, the most loyal scholar, suddenly becoming rebellious and confronting the king as Kang Cheol."

Finally, Yook Sung-jae addressed the buzz around the dragon spirit's visual in the teaser poster, saying, "The effects were added to enhance the character's dramatic explanation, and I'm grateful for the love it's received." He added, "Watching Kang Cheol adapt to the human body and develop relationships with humans will be an interesting point to watch."

Additionally, he introduced 'The Haunted Palace's' key points, saying, "Besides the love-hate romance between Yoon Gap/Kang Cheol and Yeori, the process of exorcising vengeful spirits and their backstories will also be fascinating to watch," building anticipation for the upcoming premiere.

'The Haunted Palace' is set to air as the successor to 'Buried Hearts' on Friday, the 18th, at 9:50 PM.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)