[Dispatch=Reporter Lee A-jin] "We've captured thrilling horror and spectacular action!" (Nam Joo-hyuk)

Actors Nam Joo-hyuk, Noh Yun-seo, and Cho Seung-woo have come together for an occult historical drama. Nam Joo-hyuk and Noh Yun-seo set out to find the ghost that is disturbing the palace. Cho Seung-woo becomes the king and issues orders to protect the palace.

Their method of tracking the ghost is special. Noh Yun-seo finds traces through her sense of hearing the ghost's voice. Nam Joo-hyuk enters the realm of ghosts and directly confronts them.

The action is as intense as their abilities. To survive in the burning realm of ghosts, they throw themselves into battle, and struggle to avoid being possessed by ghosts. The series promises to deliver thrills to beat the midsummer heat.

The Netflix original series 'Donggyeong' held a production presentation on the 8th at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Director Choi Jung-gyu, Nam Joo-hyuk, Noh Yun-seo, and Cho Seung-woo attended.

'Donggyeong' is a dark fantasy genre. It depicts the story of a man with a special ability and a palace maid harboring secrets uncovering a curse that dwells in the palace. The two are summoned by the king and chase after a pond ghost targeting the king's bloodline.

Nam Joo-hyuk plays Gu-cheon, a man. Gu-cheon has the ability to move between the realm of ghosts and the real world. After losing his mother in childhood, he has lived with a closed heart. He is wary of people and awkward at expressing emotions.

This is his first work after discharge. Nam Joo-hyuk said, "When I read the script, the mysterious events inside the palace unfolded like flowing water in my mind. I was fired up with the desire to complete the character Gu-cheon by burning myself out," revealing the reason for choosing the work.

He indeed did not spare his body. He entered the water even in the dead of winter and during hot summer. Nam Joo-hyuk recalled, "It wasn't easy to go in willingly during the dead of winter. Still, I didn't give up and went in for the completeness of the scene."

He also showcases intense period drama action. Nam Joo-hyuk said, "I prepared carefully by attending action school," and added, "In particular, the action scenes with 13 palace maids stand out in my memory. You will be able to see action scenes you have never seen before."

Noh Yun-seo took on the role of palace maid Saengang. She is a person who can hear ghosts' voices. While monitoring Gu-cheon under the king's orders, she also helps with his work. When Gu-cheon crosses over to the realm of ghosts, she lends her strength in the real world.

Noh Yun-seo challenged the occult genre for the first time. "It was interesting because there were many stories that stimulated imagination," she said. "I also liked Saengang's proactive and enterprising personality. I really wanted to act it out," she revealed.

She is also tackling historical drama for the first time. She said, "It was difficult at first to implement the facial expressions and vocal tone suitable for historical drama," but added, "I researched in detail the refined vocalization and posture befitting a palace maid."

Cho Seung-woo takes on the role of the king. He said, "I was impressed that only the word 'king' was written in the script without a character name," and shared, "I chose the work because I felt that multiple genres—occult, action, and fantasy—blended remarkably well together."

He focused on expressing anguish. He said, "The king is a solitary figure," and emphasized, "Even in a situation where his last remaining youngest son is at risk of being lost, he must attend to all affairs inside and outside the palace. I tried to express that complex state of mind."

A viewpoint to watch is the reluctant romance between Gu-cheon and Saengang. At first, the two do not understand each other's upbringing and personalities. However, as they uncover the curse together, they gradually grow closer.

Noh Yun-seo pointed out, "Without each other, dangerous moments continue to unfold," and said, "In that process, they keenly feel the necessity of each other. It would be nice to keep curiosity about how their relationship will end."

The world-building direction is also worth noting. Director Choi wanted to clearly contrast the realm of ghosts and the real world. "We shot the same location separately in winter and summer. We built two sets even for the same space," he explained.

Care was also put into ghost design. Director Choi said, "Various types of ghosts and ghost creatures appear," and added, "While preserving the characteristics of existing folklore, we considered designs that could appeal universally."

The actors cited the ghost creature 'Kkeomuk-sal-i' as the most memorable. Noh Yun-seo laughed and said, "Unlike other ghost creatures, it's cute and has a twist appeal. I boldly predict it will become a beloved mascot worldwide."

Finally, Cho Seung-woo said, "There's a pond in the work," and shared, "It looks calm to the eye, but the eye of a typhoon is hidden inside. You will be able to feel tremendous thrills."

Noh Yun-seo added, "It was an honor to work not only with Cho Seung-woo and Nam Joo-hyuk seniors but also with senior actors renowned for their acting," and said, "I hope you'll look forward to the actors' fine performances."

Nam Joo-hyuk said, "After seeing the trailer, some people reacted that they might not be able to watch because it was so scary," and urged, "Since it's a convincing horror, you don't need to worry too much. After that, spectacular things unfold, so please watch till the end."

<Photo=Reporter Lee Ho-jun>