Interview: Nam Joo-hyuk on ‘The East Palace,’ Action Scenes and What’s Next

※ This interview with 〈The East Palace〉 star Nam Joo-hyuk continues from Part 1.

You made Gu-cheon look noticeably different in the real world and in the realm of spirits. How did you approach the styling differences?

In the real world he wears a traditional topknot hairstyle and the garments of a geomancer. To put it simply, I styled the real-world Gu-cheon to appear more studious and the realm-of-spirits Gu-cheon for a more athletic, performance-oriented look (laughs). Because the spirit realm involves much more physical movement, we went with a looser look there. In the real world, I completed his appearance so he looks like someone planning tactics and conducting an investigation.

Many viewers said the highlight action scene in episode 8 evoked the anime 〈InuYasha〉. When shaping Gu-cheon in the realm of spirits, did you use any particular references?

I play PlayStation games. Those games include what they call “movie cuts” — short cinematic sequences inside the game. These days, actors sometimes perform those cinematic sequences themselves. I’ve always enjoyed games for those movie-cut moments. Growing up playing genre games and watching those sequences helped me imagine movement and attitude for action scenes. Although 〈The East Palace〉 is a different genre, my experience with titles like God of War, Call of Duty, The Last of Us, and Elden Ring helped when performing action in The East Palace’s realm of spirits.

Given how much you enjoy games and movie cuts, did shooting 〈The East Palace〉 feel like being a game's protagonist—were you excited?

Just as I used to feel those movie cuts were like short films, the production itself felt like a game to me. Of course there was a lot of CG, but on set the realm of spirits was physically realized more than 80 percent. It genuinely felt like stepping into that world. Only details like weather were CG; everything else was completed on set by the art department. From an actor’s perspective, you could truly say we acted inside the realm itself, even down to the color palette.

Along with the mise-en-scène of the realm set, the chemistry between Gu-cheon and Kkeomeoksari has become a hot topic. To act opposite a formless being, what did you do on set?

That creature was a bit of a wild card (laughs). We had a life-size prop on set, but because the prop couldn’t move during takes it had to be removed when the camera rolled. So during rehearsals I focused on watching only the prop. If you keep looking at it you get an afterimage, and because I had to act with this creature I stared at it for a long time. I also imagined how my own movements and reactions would make Kkeomeoksari come across as cuter and more charming, and I discussed those ideas with the director as we rehearsed.

I’m curious about the chemistry between Gu-cheon and Saenggang. Viewers are debating fiercely whether their relationship is romantic or not. How do you define their relationship?

There was no romance written into our script from the start (laughs). Because the story is about two different people meeting and solving a single incident together, the first priority was to build camaraderie. After that, I wanted to leave enough cues for viewers to develop whatever feelings they wanted. Watching the range of audience reactions after the show aired made me really happy — it meant we achieved the direction we hoped for.

You worked with veteran actors like Cho Seung Woo and Jang Young Nam. What was it like to share the set with those seniors?

I think I spent more time reacting to ghosts, Gu-mae, Saenggang, the elements like water and fire, and the spaces themselves (laughs). Honestly, the number of scenes I had directly opposite Cho Seung-woo and Jang Young-nam wasn’t even ten. That made me want to do more scenes with them — more detailed, emotionally varied moments. I envied the other actors who got those chances.

The series features Gu-cheon action sequences in every episode from 1 through 8. After seeing the finished product, which action sequence satisfied you the most?

Honestly, I liked every scene from episode 1 through 8, so I could name a different favorite each time I’m asked. If I had to pick today, I like the opening moment in episode 1 when Gu-cheon enters the pond and the journey into the realm of spirits begins. I also enjoyed the Byeolgam action scene in episode 3 — that was the first action scene I filmed. We shot it with special equipment, a robot arm called Trinity, which felt fresh and new. For that sequence, the CG was used only for background elements; the rest was filmed practically on set.

I want to ask about the ending. In the finale Gu-cheon returns bound in chains after charging in to fight the Prime Gu-mae. How did he come back alive? Is this hinting at season 2?

I’ve wondered that myself (laughs). He definitely jumps back into the realm thinking he’d rather test himself in a fight than simply become an evil spirit. I was told he fought the Prime Gu-mae together with Kkeomeoksari but failed, then escaped somehow to survive. It’s also possible he struck another kind of bargain with the Prime Gu-mae. If there were a season 2, it would be fun if the sequence first showed how Gu-cheon, Kkeomeoksari and the Prime Gu-mae fought and managed to escape.

〈The East Palace〉 is your comeback after military service and opens Nam Joo Hyuk’s work in his 30s. After leaving behind the ‘youth star’ label of your 20s, how do you want to be remembered as an actor in your 30s?

In my 20s my long-held goal was to be the actor people think of when they think “youth.” In my 30s I want to be known for a wider range of genres and appearances. Gu-cheon in 〈The East Palace〉 is the first character marking a new starting point in my 30s. For those who have followed my work, I hope seeing that former 'youth star' throwing himself into action and trying different things will convince them I can grow into an actor with many possibilities. I’ll approach future work with that mindset, so I hope people stay curious about what comes next.

So what is Nam Joo Hyuk’s next project?

I’m currently filming director Yoo Soo Min’s project, 〈Code〉. I’m not sure how much I should reveal, but I firmly believe you’ll see another side of Nam Joo-hyuk. Rather than being an actor who stays in a safe lane, I want to be someone who tries many genres — that’s another goal of mine — so you probably won’t see the familiar image you’re used to for a while (laughs).