Yuk Sung Jae says he overcame his fear of different genres through 'The Haunted Palace'

Singer/actor Yuk Sung Jae shared his thoughts on 'The Haunted Palace' as the drama came to an end.

On June 9, an interview with the actor was released by his agency IWill Media. The latest interview captured Yuk Sung Jae thoughts on the SBS  Friday-Saturday drama 'The Haunted Palace.'  

In the series, he showcased his acting skills playing a dual role as government inspector Yoon Gap, who becomes possessed by the vengeful spirit of the serpent god Imugi, Kang Chul. Yuk Sung Jae expressed his gratitude to viewers and fans who had supported the show throughout its run.

'The Haunted Palace' is a fantasy romantic comedy that follows Yeori (played by Kim Ji Yeon), a shaman who rejects her fate, and her first love Yoon Gap, who becomes possessed by the spirit Kang Chul. Together, they encounter a vengeful spirit haunting the royal family, resulting in a tangled mess of body and soul. The 16-episode series concluded on June 7.

The drama maintained the No. 1 spot in its timeslot for every episode and topped the weekly miniseries ratings (according to Nielsen Korea). It also enjoyed global success, ranking No. 1 in 89 countries, including the U.S., U.K., and France. The finale recorded a strong nationwide rating of 11.0% (Nielsen Korea, paid households).

Yuk Sung Jae earned praise for his dual portrayal of Yoon Gap and Kang Chul, skillfully balancing comedic and emotional acting. He commented, “It still doesn’t feel real that it’s over. I’m truly grateful to everyone who supported us.”

Full interview with Yuk Sung Jae:

Q: How do you feel now that 'The Haunted Palace' has ended?

"It’s such a shame. It still doesn’t feel like it’s really over. The Haunted Palace means a lot to me. It gave me confidence in acting and a mindset to take on roles more proactively. I’m deeply thankful to everyone who loved the show."

Q: You received praise for playing two characters: Imugi Kang Chul and the human Yoon Gap. What were the challenges or rewards?

"Playing two roles without any special effects was definitely a burden, but I approached it like tackling a big mission, one scene at a time. It helped me push past my own limits. I found it especially rewarding to dive deep into subtle changes in tone, expression, and speech patterns. Seeing the final product made me feel really proud."

Q: The drama was a hit, achieving over 10% viewership and ranking No. 1 for nine consecutive weeks. Did you expect such success? What were the reactions like around you?

"We received so much attention from the very first episode, which I’m incredibly thankful for. More people recognize me now, and while I do feel there were things I could’ve done better, I’m truly grateful for all the kind support."

Q: What was the atmosphere like on set? Any memorable episodes?

"The director and staff had such a deep affection for the characters. That helped bring out Kang Chul’s charm. Kim Ji Yeon and Kim Ji Hoon, whom I worked closely with, also helped each other shine. Everyone poured so much love into The Haunted Palace, which gave us the strength to see it through to the end."

Q: This was your first historical drama. Did you experience any growth or changes as an actor?

"I think I’ve lost my fear of different genres. Since this drama combined many genres, I got to explore a variety of acting styles and really enjoyed it. It gave me the confidence to think, 'I can take on other roles like this in the future'.”

Q: How was your chemistry with the other actors?

"Kim Ji Yeon is incredibly detailed in her script analysis. She would catch things I missed and stayed focused until the very last scene, which left a big impression. Kim Ji Hoon had so much love for the drama and his character. He gave a lot of feedback and helped us immerse ourselves in the scenes. He felt like a truly seasoned actor."

Q: Any roles or genres you want to try next?

"I want to try a little bit of everything. After doing fantasy, I’d now like to try more grounded roles, maybe a simple countryside guy or a character in a monochrome human drama with a slice-of-life feel."

Q: Lastly, a message to the fans and viewers who loved The Haunted Palace.

"Thank you so much for giving our drama so much love. I hope everyone who watched The Haunted Palace is filled with happiness going forward, and if anything bad happens, just leave it to Kang Chul and Yeori to get rid of it. Begone, evil spirits!"

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