Kim Ji Hun Shares Insights Into His Character In "The Haunted Palace," Role Preparation, Working With Yook Sungjae, And More

Apr 09, 2025

Kim Ji Hun 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 a mythical creature that spends a millennium in water and is able to transform into a dragon upon acquiring a yeouiju (magical jewel).

Kim Ji Hun stars as King Yi Jeong, who must confront the Eight Feet Tall spirit that seeks revenge on the royal family. He teams up with his loyal servant, Yoon Gap (BTOB’s Yook Sungjae), and Yeo Ri (WJSN’s Kim Ji Yeon), whom he brings along. Together, they fight to protect their kingdom in an epic battle against the demon.

Kim Ji Hun explained why he chose the project as his first historical drama in 15 years, saying, “I have a lot of trust in Director Yoon Sung Sik because we worked together on ‘Tower of Babel.’ I was also eager to return to a historical drama and was particularly excited to try the role of a king.”

As anticipation grows for his portrayal of Yi Jeong, Kim Ji Hun shared, “A righteous king who genuinely cares for his people could easily seem predictable and boring. However, Yi Jeong spans a wide range of genres from comedy to action to romance, which I believe makes him a more diverse and multidimensional character than any role I’ve played before.”

Kim Ji Hun put a lot of effort into bringing the character to life, saying, “It’s my first time playing a king since my debut, so I was a little worried. But I’ve received a lot of positive feedback about how well I fit the role, which makes me happy. The main thing I focused on was the tone and voice of my lines. While I wanted to maintain a dignified, serious presence, I worked hard to avoid the typical historical drama feel, dedicating myself to acting practice and vocal training.”

He also mentioned, “I couldn’t overlook any aspect of Yi Jeong’s character, from his lonely yet steadfast nature as a wise king to his powerlessness against the overwhelming fear of the Eight Feet Tall spirit and his roles as a father and husband. I carefully analyzed the script and practiced extensively.”

Kim Ji Hun previewed intense action scenes, adding, “There’s a key action scene in the later part of the drama, and I gave it everything I had, pushing both my emotions and physical strength to the limit. It was as if I had suffered an internal injury, and I couldn’t recover for over a month. My muscles were sore all over my body.”

He also discussed his collaboration with Yook Sungjae and Kim Ji Yeon, who play the Imugi and shaman, respectively, forming a unique partnership with him as the king. Kim Ji Hun said, “The chemistry between the two actors is so strong that just watching them was a joy.”

Kim Ji Hun highlighted his dynamic with Yook Sungjae, who plays a character that challenges social hierarchy. He said, “Sungjae has great comedic timing and is able to take any advice I give and make it his own in his performance.”

He added, “As the story unfolds, a bromance develops between me and actor Yook Sungjae that goes beyond social status. During rehearsals, we freely exchanged spontaneous ideas, creating chemistry that wasn’t in the script. I hope you look forward to the ruler-servant bromance.”

Finally, when asked about the drama’s key points, Kim Ji Hun said, “It blends the seriousness of a traditional historical drama with unexpected moments of comedy. From the romance between Yoon Gap and Yeo Ri to the eerie exorcism story and thrilling action, we’ve worked hard to make it entertaining with a mix of emotions and genres. I hope viewers enjoy it. Also, following the emotional journey of the king I portray will add to the fun.”