Singer and actor Yook Sung-jae expressed his feelings about the end of 'The Haunted Palace.'

Yook Sung-jae showcased his talent by playing dual roles as Eun-gab, the royal inspector possessed by the evil spirit Imugi Gang-cheol, in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace,' which ended on the 7th. He received acclaim for his varied acting spectrum, from comedic performances to deep emotional nuances.

'The Haunted Palace' is a fantasy romance comedy where Yeori, a shaman who rejects the fate of a medium, and her first love Eun-gab, who is trapped in the body of Imugi Gang-cheol, confront Pal-cheok-gwi, who harbors a grudge against the royal family, leading to a tangled battle of body and soul.

Before its airing, it maintained the highest viewership ratings in its timeslot for every episode and ranked first among mini-series aired that week (according to Nielsen Korea), creating a 'The Haunted Palace' craze in households. Additionally, it ranked first in 89 countries, including major nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, achieving global success.

Yook Sung-jae, who gained the title of 'a specialist in possession' after excelling in previous fantasy works such as 'Goblin,' 'Gold Spoon,' and 'Double Trouble,' showcased his strong charm once again in 'The Haunted Palace.' Through a Q&A session, he shared his thoughts on the end of the drama, filming behind the scenes, and his sincere thoughts on acting.

Next is Yook Sung-jae's Q&A.



Q. The drama 'The Haunted Palace' has ended. Please share your thoughts.

I’m really sad, and I still can’t believe it’s over. 'The Haunted Palace' held significant meaning for me, and through this work, I gained confidence in my acting and a mindset to be more proactive. I sincerely thank everyone who loved 'The Haunted Palace'.

Q. You received praise for transitioning between 'Imugi' Gang-cheol and 'human' Eun-gab in a possessed dual role. Were there any difficult aspects or highlights?

While the pressure of having to portray dual roles without special effects was daunting, I approached each scene as a big mission, and I think I was able to overcome my limits. I felt increasingly intrigued by the subtle acting involved, expressing different facial expressions, tones of voice, and endings, and I felt proud when I saw the completed product.

Q. 'The Haunted Palace' surpassed a viewership rating of 10% and maintained the number one spot for nine consecutive weeks. Did you anticipate its success, and what were the reactions around you?

I’m really grateful for the huge interest since the first episode. Many more people recognized me, and personally, I felt there were many shortcomings, but I still sincerely thank everyone for viewing it positively.

Q. What was the atmosphere like on set? Was there a memorable episode?

The director and the staff all had an extraordinary affection for their characters. Thanks to that, Gang-cheol's charm could shine through more, and during scenes I shared most often with actress Kim Ji-yeon and actor Kim Ji-hoon, they helped us look more appealing. I think we could carry on until the end because everyone poured their love into 'The Haunted Palace'.

Q. This was your first historical drama challenge. Did you experience any changes or growth as an actor through this piece?

I think the fear of the genre has disappeared. Because it's a work that combines many genres, I've been able to experience various forms of acting, and in the process, I felt the fun in each genre. I think I've gained the confidence that I can perform in such genres in the future.

Q. How was the chemistry with the actors you acted with?

Actress Kim Ji-yeon was incredibly detailed in her script analysis. She addressed every aspect I missed, and I was impressed by her focus right up to the last shot. Actor Kim Ji-hoon appeared to have a great love for the drama and character. He provided a lot of feedback for the relationship with the other roles, creating an environment where we could immerse ourselves in the drama together.

Q. Are there any acting genres or roles you would like to challenge in the future?

I want to try everything. After experiencing fantasy genres, I now think it would be nice to act as an ordinary country youth or in a monochrome human drama that portrays everyday characters.

Q. Lastly, please say a word to the viewers and fans who loved 'The Haunted Palace'.

Thank you so much for loving our drama 'The Haunted Palace'. To everyone who watched 'The Haunted Palace', I hope you are always filled with happiness, and I will have Gang-cheol and Yeori take care of any bad things! Evil spirits, go away!

Yook Sung-jae, on the 7th and 8th, released concept photos filled with boyish charm for his mini album 'All About Blue' in his official SNS. 'All About Blue' will be released on the 19th at 6 p.m. on various online music sites. Following that, he will hold a solo fan concert 'THE BLUE JOURNEY' on the 21st and 22nd to meet with fans.

[Photo] provided by I Will Media.

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