It is a period-mystery series that will explore the shadowy spirit Realm of Gwi and the royal palace.
On Wednesday, July 1, streaming giant Netflix unveiled the main trailer and posters for the new Korean series entitled The East Palace, which is top-billed by Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo.
Set to premiere on July 17, the platform said that “The East Palace follows a spirit-catcher, a court lady and a king bound together by a bloodstained curse that has haunted the palace for 30 years.“
The story is centered around Gu-cheon, portrayed by Nam, who has the ability to move between both the real world the spirit realm.
He would later be tasked by the king (Cho Seung-woo) to be with the court lady Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), who then has the ability to hear the voices of spirits
Together, the two travel between life and death under the king’s secret orders, but will later uncover the source of a deadly curse that has taken root in the East Palace that reaches deep into the royal family’s past.
The series is helmed by director Choi Jung-kyu, who is behind The Devil Judge and Children of Nobody, while it is written by the team of Kwon So-ra and Seo Jea-won who are the minds behind Bulgasal: Immortal Souls and The Guest.
In his statement, Choi shared how he came up with the casting for the supernatural series.
He told, “From the first time I saw Nam Joo-hyuk, I was convinced he was the one who would choose to step into the Realm of Gwi and face his destiny.”
The director added that he felt that is a story that “he had to lead,” noting how he saw the actor both possessing a “huge passion for acting and a strong sense of responsibility.”
Meanwhile, on Roh Yoon-seo, he shared, “Whenever I watched her previous work, I felt she always found her way through. I was sure her natural charm and strengths aligned perfectly with the role of Saeng-gang.”
Choi said that while working with her, he came to realize she is a “truly bold actress” and was moved by “how she carved a path forward with raw, straightforward and authentic performance.”
As for Cho Seung-woo, whom he already previously worked with in The King’s Doctor, Choi told, “Ever since we worked together long ago, I dreamed of collaborating with Cho Seung-woo again, and The East Palace fulfilled that dream.“
He shared that the seasoned actor was able to examine every tiny detail in building his character. “[A]nd once the camera rolls, that preparation transforms into immensely powerful acting. Witnessing that transformation gave me enormous catharsis.”