Set to premiere on Friday, the 18th, SBS's new 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 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, Palcheokgui, leading to a tangled mess of bodies and souls. Directed by Yoon Sung-sik, known for 'Mr. Queen' and 'You Are the Best!', and written by Yoon Soo-jung, who penned 'The King's Face' and 'Cheer Up!', 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.
Kim Ji-yeon plays Yeori, the only granddaughter of a famous shaman, who possesses extraordinary spiritual abilities but chooses to live as an artisan specializing in eyeglasses, rejecting her shamanic destiny. She is set to engage in an unprecedented body-swapping romance with the dragon spirit Kang Cheol, who possesses the body of her first love, Yoon Gap.
Kim Ji-yeon expressed her excitement, saying, "The script was incredibly engaging. The concept of 'dragon spirit and shaman' was unique and fresh, and the aspect of dealing with spirits from our culture was fascinating. As a fan of the fantasy genre, I was eager to take on this project, and I am grateful to start my first fantasy role with such a great script." She shared her thoughts on being part of 'The Haunted Palace'.
Regarding her preparation for the character of shaman Yeori, she said, "Even though it's a fantasy genre, I wanted to portray the shaman character realistically." She added, "I consulted with real shamans, had many conversations with them, watched rituals, and learned chants and dances. I practiced diligently to read the chants naturally, especially for the exorcism scenes," raising expectations for her acting transformation.
Kim Ji-yeon also highlighted the unique charm of 'The Haunted Palace', setting it apart from other exorcism-themed dramas. She noted, "'The Haunted Palace' leans much more into the fantasy aspect, so viewers will find it fresh and entertaining." She hinted, "The ritual scenes incorporate elements of Korean dance, making them more mystical and visually stunning."
Furthermore, she mentioned, "The spirits in the show aren't just scary; each has its own story, which adds another layer of interest to 'The Haunted Palace'. The special effects makeup team worked hard, and their efforts have resulted in visually impactful scenes, which I'm excited for viewers to see." This statement heightened interest in the K-fantasy world that 'The Haunted Palace' will present.
The most anticipated aspect is the tangled romance between the dragon spirit Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon. Kim Ji-yeon shared, "Since Yook Sung-jae and I have been friends for a long time, filming was comfortable. We exchanged a lot of ideas, which made the process enjoyable." She added, "Yoon Gap and Kang Cheol may share the same face, but they are completely different characters, so I was careful not to confuse their emotional lines. At the same time, I tried to convey the tender feelings of seeing the face and body of someone you love, even if the soul is different. I approached 'Yoon Gap and Yeori' as a traditional melodrama and 'Kang Cheol and Yeori' as a romantic comedy." She hinted that filming the scenes with Kang Cheol and Yeori was more relaxed and fun, raising expectations for the chemistry between the dragon spirit Yook Sung-jae and shaman Kim Ji-yeon.
Regarding her co-star Kim Ji-hoon, who plays a member of the exorcism team facing off against Palcheokgui, she said, "He was a reliable senior on set. He offered many passionate suggestions and delivered intense performances, from which I learned a lot and received great help." She added, "The characters of Kang Cheol, Yeori, and Lee Jung each have distinct personalities, making the scenes we filmed together even more enjoyable," promising a brilliant team dynamic.
In conclusion, she highlighted, "Pay attention to the poignant stories of the spirits, the love triangle between Yoon Gap, Yeori, and Kang Cheol, and the thrilling battles against the formidable Palcheokgui." She urged viewers to enjoy 'The Haunted Palace', which everyone worked hard to create, and asked for their support, raising anticipation for the show's premiere.
'The Haunted Palace' is set to air as the successor to 'Buried Hearts', premiering on Friday, the 18th, at 9:50 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)