[Interview] Director Choi Jung-kyu: "Working with Cho Seung-woo was a dream... Jang Young-nam's performance left me in awe"

Director Choi Jung-kyu addressed "The East Palace" Similarity Comparisons to "Exhuma"

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Director Choi Jung-kyu has responded to comparisons between Netflix's original series "The East Palace" and the hit occult film "Exhuma".

Choi Jung-kyu, who directed the Netflix original series "The East Palace" (written by Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won), met with iMBC Entertainment at a café in Seoul's Jongno District to discuss the series.

"The East Palace" tells the story of Goo Cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a man with the ability to cross between the human and spirit worlds, and Saeng Gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a palace maid hiding a secret. Summoned by the King (Cho Seung-woo), they investigate the mysterious curse haunting "The East Palace". The series brings together writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, known for "Entourage", "The Guest", and "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls", with director Choi Jung-kyu, who previously helmed "The Devil Judge".

While Nam Joo-hyuk and Roh Yoon-seo lead the series, Choi Jung-kyu emphasized that the performances of Cho Seung-woo and Jang Young-nam were equally indispensable. As the King and the Queen Dowager, the two deliver an intense acting duel that immediately immerses viewers in the world of "The East Palace".

Asked about working with the veteran actors, Choi Jung-kyu said, "Working with Cho Seung-woo had always been a dream of mine, so I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity. The King is a character whose atmosphere can change dramatically depending on the interpretation, so I gave it a great deal of thought. Fortunately, Cho Seung-woo always comes thoroughly prepared with incredible attention to detail, which allowed me to trust him completely throughout filming".

He continued, "Jang Young-nam constantly surprised me with her performance. I honestly wondered if anyone could portray the Queen Dowager better than she could. There were times when I even felt sorry because we often filmed emotionally explosive scenes back-to-back. Despite the physically demanding schedule, she delivered performances with such intensity that it felt as though fire was burning in her eyes. It was both inspiring and exciting to watch".

Choi Jung-kyu also praised the series' two leads.

"From our very first meeting, Nam Joo-hyuk showed an exceptional level of passion and understanding for the character", he said. "Rather than focusing on discussions about the character itself during meetings, I tend to pay attention to an actor's attitude toward the role. His sincerity really stood out. And visually, he's simply perfect for the part. Even in a fleeting glance, you can see Goo Cheon's burden and determination reflected in his eyes".

Speaking about Roh Yoon-seo, Choi Jung-kyu described her as "an actress with a refreshingly honest and straightforward charm".

"What impressed me most was her fearlessness in taking on any challenge", he explained. "There were many physically and mentally demanding moments during filming, but her attitude was always, 'Let's just do it'. That bold mindset left a lasting impression".

Choi Jung-kyu also addressed one of the most talked-about scenes in the series. Some viewers noted that the moment in which Roh Yoon-seo's character smears her own blood across her forehead before encountering a ghost for the first time closely resembled a memorable scene featuring Kim Go-eun in "Exhuma".

"I personally loved "Exhuma"", Choi Jung-kyu admitted. "I remember thinking that certain ritualistic actions performed by shamans represented a kind of catharsis. However, while filming "The East Palace", I genuinely wasn't thinking about "Exhuma" at all. We were simply searching for the strongest visual impact possible, and that scene was the result of that creative process. I'm grateful that Roh Yoon-seo executed it so brilliantly".

"The East Palace" premiered on Netflix on July 17.