Earlier this week, Dorkaholics attended a press conference for Gyeongseong Creature, an upcoming Korean series on Netflix by director and writer Chung Dong-yoon.
Q. What made you take on this project?
Chung Dong-yoon: I had met with writer Kang Eun-kyung a few times to discuss the story. The storyline and the characters in the draft of the screenplay she sent me later were very intriguing, down to the sub-stories of diverse people. I was drawn to these characters who made me feel like I was experiencing that era.
Q. What were your areas of focus in directing this series?
Chung Dong-yoon: The most important aspect was making things seem very real. Yes, there is a creature but I wanted it to be more than an oversimplified sci-fi figure. The backdrop, too, had to be real to draw viewers in and get our message across. The protagonists had to look real in running away from the creature or fighting it, so I avoided giving them unreasonable, unbelievable powers. The creature also received painstaking attention. I was constantly asking, “Would this movement have more of an impact?” or “Would this appear more realistic?”
Q. What were your main considerations for the various spaces presented in the series?
Chung Dong-yoon: All historical periods have two sides to them. Even during the toughest times, people find happiness and laughter in little things. So for the Bonjeong district and the House of Golden Treasure, I tried to convey the little moments of joy and kindness in people’s lives. Those were difficult times, but I wanted to show that they were living their lives to the fullest, even indulging in some luxuries. To contrast that, I wanted to highlight the other side of frightening, atrocious events taking place. That’s why Ongseong Hospital appears so dark and ominous as opposed to the bright and light Bonjeong district and the House of Golden Treasure.
Q. What was the idea behind the concept of “between” in the series?
Chung Dong-yoon: “Between” is such a fitting word for our chosen setting of the spring of 1945. There were many gray areas and two sides to everything, requiring everyone to question which direction they should be headed. Writer Kang Eun-kyung instilled this theme in the characters, and I tried to show it to the best of my ability.
Q. How does it feel to showcase Gyeongseong Creature worldwide to viewers in 190 countries?
Chung Dong-yoon: This project was everything I had hoped for and more so I gave it my best. I feel like I exhausted my full brain power so I have no regrets. This story was the first of its kind for not just me but for writer Kang Eun-kyung and the staff, and I’m so grateful that I got to share that experience with the most amazing actors and staff members. I’m so curious about what viewers here and abroad will make of our story. I can’t wait to see their responses.
Catch Gyeongseong Creature on Netflix starting Friday, December 22, 2023.
