‘Gyeongseong Creature’ a ‘genre mash-up, visual feast,’ says Park Seo-jun

Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Han So-hee and Park Seo-jun in a still from ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/12/19/gcreature.jpg"/><figcaption>Han So-hee and Park Seo-jun in a still from ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ <em>Photo courtesy of Netflix</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — For South Korean actor Park Seo-jun, the much-awaited series “Gyeongseong Creature” offers an intriguing story that brings together different genres and a visual treat that audiences can enjoy.</p><p>Set in 1945 during Japan’s colonization of South Korea, the 10-episode show follows a wealthy pawnshop owner and sleuth who infiltrate a hospital in Gyeongseong (a former name of the capital Seoul) and confront a creature “born from human greed.”</p><p>During an online press conference held Tuesday, Park highlighted how the show brings together the creature (monster) and historical drama genres.</p><p>“It’s a creature genre but it’s also about two young people who are living in a turbulent era. So I think that it’s a very complex mash-up of different genres and it’s going to be a visual feast for you,” Park said through an interpreter.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/07/23/watch-monster-mystery-in-gyeongseong-creature-trailer">WATCH: Park Seo-jun, Han So-hee entangled in monster mystery in &#x27;Gyeongseong Creature&#x27; trailer</a></li></ul><p>In the series, Park plays Jang Tae-sang, the wealthy owner of the House of Golden Treasure pawnshop. He becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding Ongseong Hospital after meeting Yoon Chae-ok (played by Han So-hee), a specialist in finding missing people.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4c1kvLYu6ls?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>Explaining how the show came about, director Jung Dong-yoon said he wanted a story set in the colonial period and added the monster element to attract international audiences.</p><p>“When I talked to writer Kang [Eun-kyung] about the show, I said that I wanted to talk about this era, the Gyeongseong era, I’m very intrigued with this era. And when I was talking with her, I said, ‘Let&#x27;s make this into a story that&#x27;s not just about us but a story where people around the world can all enjoy,’” he recounted.</p><p>“If it’s a creature genre, I can talk about our history but also creatures, which can be more intriguing to a lot of global fans. So that’s why I wanted to mash up the two genres together. This is my first time trying to mash up two different genres so this is a challenge for myself too,” said Jung, who previously directed the acclaimed series “Hot Stove League.”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Park Seo-jun in ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/12/19/seojun.jpg"/><figcaption>Park Seo-jun in ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ <em>Photo courtesy of Netflix</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Park said it was a “no-brainer” for him to accept the project, considering the story, director, writer and his fellow cast members.</p><p>“When I was in ‘Itaewon Class,’ director Jung’s work was also airing, ‘Hot Stove League,’ so I wanted to meet with him. And we have So-hee playing Chae-ok in the show so it’s just a no-brainer for me because it’s just going to be really fun,” Park said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/13/23/meet-the-cast-of-netflixs-gyeongseong-creature">Meet the cast of Netflix&#x27;s Korean series &#x27;Gyeongseong Creature&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>Similarly, Han said she accepted the project for the opportunity to work with Jung and Park. “I [also] thought a creature genre will be of immense help for me as an actress going forward,” she said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Han So-hee in ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/12/19/sohee.jpg"/><figcaption>Han So-hee in ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ <em>Photo courtesy of Netflix</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Han shared that she also sustained an injury while filming action scenes for the show.</p><p>“When you’re on set and you begin shooting the scenes, everyone goes at it 100 percent but one thing I felt that I didn’t think of prior was discerning what I’m capable of and what I’m not able to do,” said Han, who previously starred in the action-revenge series “My Name.”</p><p>“There&#x27;s always emotional expressions along with the action too so sometimes trying to do both of those leads to minor injuries, but don’t worry about me,” she said reassuringly.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/11/21/han-so-hee-praised-by-my-name-director-costars">Why ‘My Name’ director, costars praised Han So-hee</a></li></ul><div><strong>Impressive set</strong></div><p>Veteran actress Kim Hae-sook, who plays Tae-sang’s butler, praised the elaborate production design.</p><p>“When I first set foot in the House of Golden Treasure, I was really impressed... because I&#x27;ve been in a lot of period dramas but this one was different, I&#x27;ve never seen a set like this,” said Kim, whose other notable dramas include “Under the Queen&#x27;s Umbrella” and “Strong Girl Nam-soon.”</p><p>“So when the shooting was over, I heard that they were going to take it down, I was really mad because I didn’t want it to be taken down… Every little prop in the scene was just perfect. It was jaw-dropping. It was just so grandiose and it really was like I was in 1945,” she said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Kim Hae-sook, Han So-hee, Cho Han-cheul and Park Seo-jun in a scene from ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/12/19/still.jpg"/><figcaption>Kim Hae-sook, Han So-hee, Cho Han-cheul and Park Seo-jun in a scene from ‘Gyeongseong Creature.’ <em>Photo courtesy of Netflix</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Director Jung said “Gyeongseong Creature” was challenging for him due to the visual effects. “It’s my first show with so much VFX (visual effects) work. I didn’t expect that I’d come across such a show but it was a good challenge for me and I wanted to pull it off well,” he said.</p><p>He added that the production team also wanted to create a monster “that’s never before seen,” even providing it with a detailed backstory. </p><p>“We thought of how it all begins with a parasite inside your body and how the creature is born, what process it goes through in order to become a creature, what kind of abilities it has and how it looks. All the history needs to be in place in order to persuade people... Our creature is one of a kind, it’s something that we created ourselves originally,” he said.</p><p>“Gyeongseong Creature” will release its first seven episodes on Netflix on December 22, while the final three parts are scheduled to drop on January 5, 2024.</p><p>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents">Hallyu Corner</a> microsite.</p>

For Park Seo-jun, 'Gyeongseong Creature' offers an intriguing story that brings together different genres and a visual treat that audiences can enjoy.

‘Gyeongseong Creature’ a ‘genre mash-up, visual feast,’ says Park Seo-jun | ABS-CBN

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‘Gyeongseong Creature’ a ‘genre mash-up, visual feast,’ says Park Seo-jun

‘Gyeongseong Creature’ a ‘genre mash-up, visual feast,’ says Park Seo-jun

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 19, 2023 03:03 PM PHT

|

Updated Dec 19, 2023 05:33 PM PHT

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K-content

K-drama

Gyeongseong Creature

Netflix

Park Seo-jun

Han So-hee

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