[Interview] Roh Yoon-seo, "My First Historial, It Was New and Interesting"

"When I first read the script, my first thought was, 'Can I really pull this off?'" actress Roh Yoon-seo (26) said. "Most of my previous projects were grounded in reality, so a historical drama felt unfamiliar and fascinating. But when I watched the finished series, it turned out even better than I had imagined, and I found myself watching it in admiration".

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Roh Yoon-seo shared her thoughts on taking on her first historical drama during an interview held at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd, discussing Netflix's series "The East Palace".

"The East Palace" is an occult historical fantasy that follows Goo Cheon, who has the ability to cross between the human and spirit worlds, and Saeng Gang, a court lady with a hidden secret. Summoned by the king, they investigate a curse haunting "The East Palace".

Upon its release on the 17th, the series immediately climbed to No. 1 on Netflix Korea's "Top 10 TV Series Today". Within just three days, it also ranked No. 2 globally in Netflix's Non-English TV category, capturing the attention of audiences around the world.

Reflecting on the release, Roh Yoon-seo said, "I was both excited and nervous. It's been a while since I had a project, so I was really looking forward to it. So many scenes relied on CGI, so I was especially curious about how viewers would react. I'm grateful that so many people seem to be enjoying it".

Roh Yoon-seo plays Saeng Gang, a princess (ongju) who disguises herself as a court lady to enter the palace. Acting under the king's orders, she is tasked with both assisting and keeping an eye on Goo Cheon.

Gifted with the ability to hear ghosts, Saeng Gang ventures into life-and-death situations alongside Goo Cheon as they uncover the truth behind the curse placed upon the royal family. As she learns the secrets surrounding the curse, she demonstrates unwavering resolve, standing up even to the king and the queen dowager when necessary.

Describing her character, Roh Yoon-seo said, "Even though she's a princess, she's someone who throws herself wholeheartedly toward her goal. I wanted to portray both the elegance and the steadfast dignity that come with her royal status".

"The East Palace" marks Roh Yoon-seo's first venture into historical drama. She admitted that the project was particularly challenging because it combined a fictional historical setting with elements of occult fantasy and action.

"Since it was my first historical drama, I saw it as a challenge, but by the time filming wrapped, I had really enjoyed it", she said. "Through this project, I learned how to react to things that don't physically exist, like ghosts, and how to perform against CGI. I'd definitely like to do it again".

Roh Yoon-seo received praise for personally performing action scenes, including archery and underwater filming, and for carrying much of the drama through her interactions with various characters. However, some viewers commented that her delivery of the traditional historical-drama style of speech felt somewhat awkward.

"I knew it was a challenging role, so I definitely felt pressure", she admitted. "I've been paying close attention to people's reactions. Every actor has things they wish they could have done better, and since it was my first historical drama, I also had my own regrets".

She continued, "I'm thankful even for the critical feedback. It helped me recognize things I hadn't noticed myself. I'm grateful that so many people watched the series closely, and I see those comments as areas where I need to continue improving".

Roh Yoon-seo credited her senior cast members for helping her grow into the role as filming progressed.

"As the story went on, I became more immersed in Saeng Gang, which made it easier to connect emotionally with her", she said. "Acting alongside my senior colleagues helped me focus on the emotions and the circumstances of each scene, and I received a lot of valuable advice".

She also expressed her gratitude toward the veteran actors she worked with.

Speaking about Cho Seung-woo, who played her father, she said, "At first he felt a bit intimidating, but he made me feel incredibly comfortable. I was able to live as Saeng Gang because I drew so much energy from him. Watching him build a scene made me realize just how deeply an actor can think about every moment".

Regarding Jang Young-nam, who played the Queen Dowager and opposed Saeng Gang, Roh Yoon-seo said, "Watching her perform right in front of me was truly cathartic. I was amazed by the way she built her character, even down to details like the shape of her mouth after suffering a stroke".

About her co-star Nam Joo-hyuk, she said, "He's an experienced actor, so I always felt reassured. Whenever we discussed our scenes, we were completely in sync, and that made filming together very comfortable".

Discussing the relationship between Goo Cheon and Saeng Gang, she said, "As they go through these events together, they develop a deep bond and become willing to risk everything to save one another. Rather than trying to define it with a single word, I focused on portraying how deeply they care for each other. Whether it's comradeship or romance is something I'd rather leave to the viewers".

Since making her debut in the 2022 drama "Our Blues", Roh Yoon-seo has steadily risen with projects including "Crash Course in Romance" and the film "Hear Me: Our Summer". With "The East Palace", she has firmly established herself as a leading actress.

"I hope I can keep being called a 'rising' star", she said with a smile. "I'm grateful that people describe me that way. Honestly, it still feels surreal that I've been part of these projects. I still feel like an art student, and I'm thankful for every opportunity".

She added, "I don't see it as pressure. I want to keep enjoying the process. While my sense of responsibility has grown, I think I'd lose confidence if I became too focused on living up to expectations. So I keep reminding myself to simply do my best with the role I've been given".

Looking ahead, Roh Yoon-seo said, "I learned sign language for "Hear Me: Our Summer", and I learned historical acting through "The East Palace". I really enjoy the process of learning new skills and experiencing new things. I'd also love to take on a full-fledged action role someday. There are still so many types of characters I haven't played yet, and I'd like to try them all".

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"The East Palace" is directed by Choi Jung-kyu, written by Kwon So-ra, Seo Jae-won, and features Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, Cho Seung-woo, Jang Young-nam, Park Su-yeon, Lee Hwan-I. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2026/07/17, Fri on Netflix.