'Donggung' tells the story of Gu-cheon (played by Nam Joo-hyuk), who possesses the unique ability to traverse the world of ghosts, and Saeng-gang (played by Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady with a secret. The two are summoned by the King (played by Cho Seung-woo) to unravel a bloody curse haunting the Donggung (Crown Prince's palace). With its unique worldview that shifts between the real world and the world of ghosts, a solid narrative, and the anticipated synergy of a star-studded cast, the series is already generating high expectations from viewers worldwide.
The stills released on June 22 capture the beautiful yet eerie atmosphere of the palace, sparking curiosity about the mysterious events that will unfold there.
The first image that catches the eye is the King holding Prince Yeongan (played by Cho Dan) in his arms. While his face shows a fleeting moment of desperation and fear, he exudes an overwhelming and chilling sense of authority in the scene where he forces Gu-cheon to his knees. Curiosity is mounting over why the cold-headed King, who never believed in curses or ghosts, has summoned the 'ghost hunter' Gu-cheon to the palace, and what narrative binds the two together.
Following the King's orders, Gu-cheon joins forces with the court lady Saeng-gang to begin a full-scale investigation into the brutal curse and mystery surrounding the palace. A striking shot of Gu-cheon walking into a pond with a rope around his neck, alongside Saeng-gang firmly drawing a bowstring, immediately grabs the viewer's attention.
In particular, Gu-cheon in the 'world of ghosts' displays a sharp gaze and a chilling aura, unlike his presence in the real world, heightening the tension of the series to its peak. The energy swirling around him in red and the eerie atmosphere amplify curiosity about the 'world of ghosts,' a mysterious space-time he can traverse at will.
Also captured is a still of Saeng-gang, who is focused on a mysterious sound coming from the air. As a character with the special ability to hear the voices of ghosts, expectations are high for how she will act as a bridge between the real world and the world of ghosts.
The bizarre black vines tightly wrapping around the King's bedchamber, and the sight of Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang standing side by side at the pond to cross into the world of ghosts, hint at the beginning of an ominous event. Attention is focused on the true nature of the curse that has taken over the palace and the desperate struggle of the characters as they approach the abyss of its secrets.
Following the teaser trailer, the Netflix series 'Donggung' has unveiled these visually stunning stills, signaling a global hit. It will be released simultaneously worldwide on Netflix on Friday, July 17.
[Photo courtesy of Netflix]
Reported by Kang Sun-ae
(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Sun-ae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.