Yook Sungjae Talks About His Character In “The Haunted Palace,” Working With Kim Ji Yeon And Kim Ji Hun, And Drama's Key Points

Apr 03, 2025

BTOB’s Yook Sungjae has shared his thoughts on his upcoming drama “The Haunted Palace”!

“The Haunted Palace” is a fantasy historical romantic comedy that delves into the tale of the Eight Feet Tall spirit that bears a grudge against the king, a female shaman who opposes it, and an Imugi. In Korean folklore, an Imugi is an imaginary creature that spends a millennium in water and is able to transform into a dragon upon acquiring a yeouiju (magical jewel).

Yook Sungjae plays Yoon Gap, a royal archivist and Yeo Ri’s first love who becomes possessed by Gang Cheol Yi, an evil spirit known as an Imugi. He takes on a dual role, seamlessly switching between a kind and intelligent nobleman and a villainous spirit who is difficult to fully despise, moving between the human and divine realms.

Ahead of the premiere, Yook Sungjae expressed his excitement, saying, “I’ve always wanted to act in a historical drama, and my fans have been eager to see me in one. I chose this project because when I read the script, I was not only drawn to Gang Cheol Yi’s character but also the fantasy elements in the story, which I love.” His decision to make the drama his comeback project after three years has sparked significant attention.

Yook Sungjae shared his thoughts on playing dual roles, explaining, “Yoon Gap is an upright and intelligent archivist, while Gang Cheol Yi is a divine being who has lived for over a thousand years. They are complete opposites,” building anticipation for his performance.

He added, “One scene that stands out is when Gang Cheol Yi tastes human food for the first time and is completely shocked. The drama will vividly capture how the Imugi experiences human emotions and suffering for the first time,” sparking curiosity.

Yook Sungjae also shared his tips for acting in the fantasy genre, saying, “You can’t be embarrassed when acting in the fantasy genre. Many scenes require CGI, like shooting energy blasts into thin air or creating a whirlwind in your hand. You have to act shamelessly.”

He further noted, “Since my character in ‘The Haunted Palace’ is an Imugi, there were a lot of wire scenes, like running across rooftops or jumping from heights.”

Yook Sungjae talked about his chemistry with co-star WJSN’s Kim Ji Yeon (Bona), saying, “At first, I worried, ‘Wouldn’t it be awkward since we’re the same age?’ But it turned out great. We already had a friendly relationship, so we were able to talk easily and support each other to give our best performances. That made filming much smoother.”

The actor also shared his experience working with Kim Ji Hun, saying, “Ji Hun hyung is not only a talented actor but also has great attention to detail about the overall story. I learned a lot from him. There will be many exciting scenes, like when Yoon Gap, once the most loyal royal archivist, suddenly becomes Gang Cheol Yi, rebellious and disrespectful toward the king, and confronts him.”

Finally, Yook Sungjae spoke about the buzz around the Imugi visual in the teaser poster, saying, “It was an effect added to make the character more dramatic, and I’m thankful for all the love it’s received.” He also shared, “The emotional changes in Gang Cheol Yi as he adjusts to his human form and develops relationships with people will be an interesting point for viewers.” His comments have heightened anticipation for his role as the Imugi.

He also shared some key viewing points, saying, “The show is not just about the romance between Yoon Gap/Gang Cheol Yi and Yeo Ri but also about the process of appeasing vengeful spirits and the stories behind them. That will be another interesting aspect to watch.”