Leading up to the premiere of the upcoming Korean series on Netflix, Gyeongseong Creature, Dorkaholics attended a press conference with Park Seo-jun, one of the leads as the entrepreneur Jang Tae-sang.
Q. What made you accept the role?
Park Seo-jun: Gyeongseong and that historical period fascinated me, and the story was very compelling. My character, as well as all the other characters, was so intriguing. The creature element added intensity and suspense, and I thought, “that’s a great story for a series.” So I decided to accept the role.
Q. Tell us about Tae-sang. What were some things you did to get into character?
Park Seo-jun: When you consider Jang Tae-sang’s wealth, business and influence, he is certainly a self-made man of a scale that’s rare in those times. That period is marked by so much lack and struggle for survival, and in that context, he is a man who lives by his own rules, a man of strong will and upright character. But in some scenes, he shows that he has the flexibility to adapt to diverse situations, and that’s what makes him so appealing as the story’s protagonist. And I tried to make him witty. As the master of the House of Golden Treasure, he is well recognized everywhere he goes, looking impeccable at all times. When I first learned of the role, I began researching the period clothing for that time. I thought the confidence he exudes can be shown through his appearance, like his perfectly groomed hair and 3-piece suits with wide trousers and exaggerated shoulders.
Q. What was it like being on set? Any memorable spaces?
Park Seo-jun: The hard work put in by both director Chung Dong-yoon and art director Choi Ki-ho could be seen as soon as I walked on set. Some spaces were beautiful, some mysterious, some eerie and some downright bone chilling, especially without any lighting. It’s really helpful for actors to feel the space as realistically as possible, and I applaud how they went beyond our imagination in creating the period feel. The Bonjeong district was amazing. When walking there, I felt at times like I was truly living in that era. It was as if the spirit of those times lingered on.
Q. What was it like working with Han So-hee?
Park Seo-jun: I watched My Name and thought she was an actor with so much passion for her work and competence to match. I wanted to work with her in the future, and that opportunity presented itself sooner rather than later. And as I expected, she always gave her very best and her work was inspiring. I think we had great synergy that resulted in many great scenes together.
Q. What was it like working with director Chung Dong-yoon and writer Kang Eun-kyung?
Park Seo-jun: I worked with director Chung Dong-yoon for Hot Stove League, so I was ecstatic about working with him again. He’s the first director I became close enough to call each other by brotherly terms of endearment. We’d talk candidly while eating together, and I could tell he trusted me. When he showed me a presentation of what he was preparing for this project during the casting phase, I thought, “I can put my trust in someone who does this much preparation beforehand. I’d be able to focus more on my acting while we film.” And as expected, it was amazing working with him. There was never a dull or uninspiring moment throughout this project. As for writer Kang Eun-kyung, she needs neither introduction nor explanation. Her work speaks for itself, and of course when I read the screenplay, it was nothing short of perfection. Her words drew me in, and I was moved to feel everything from pain to humor. I thought, “The only thing needed from me is doing my part, and how can I do an excellent job of that?” I thought about how I could deliver each line in the way that does justice to her writing.
Q. How does it feel to showcase Gyeongseong Creature worldwide to viewers in 190 countries?
Park Seo-jun: I’m filled half with excitement and half with anticipation for showing what we worked on through Netflix. The series is filled with fascinating images that recreate what life was like in our country during that time. The series is about people living through those times, with the added suspense of the creature theme and the courage of young people overcoming difficulties. To bring this amazing story to life, all of us gave our heart and soul for months on end, and we have no regrets. I’m absolutely confident that viewers will revel in the fruits of our labor and hope they enjoy it to the full extent in the comfort of their homes.
Catch Gyeongseong Creature on Netflix starting Friday, December 22, 2023.
