Cover Nam Joo-hyuk is back! The actor stars alongside Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo in Netflix’s supernatural period K-drama ‘The East Palace’ (Photo: IMDb)
Nam Joo-hyuk is back! The actor stars alongside Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo in Netflix’s supernatural period K-drama ‘The East Palace’ (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
Meet the cast of Netflix’s ‘The East Palace’, from Nam Joo-hyuk and Roh Yoon-seo to Cho Seung-woo, and discover where you’ve seen them before
With supernatural mysteries, palace intrigue and a star-studded cast led by Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo, Netflix’s The East Palace is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated K-dramas. Premiering on July 17, the Joseon-era fantasy sageuk follows a ghost hunter, a court lady who can communicate with spirits and a king determined to save his kingdom from a deadly supernatural curse.
Whether you are tuning in for Nam Joo-hyuk’s long-awaited post-military comeback, Roh Yoon-seo’s first sageuk or another commanding performance from Cho Seung-woo, here is everything you need to know about the cast of The East Palace and the roles and K-dramas that made them some of Korea’s most celebrated actors.
In case you missed it: Alternative history: 12 K-dramas that asked ‘what if...’
Nam Joo-hyuk as Gu-cheon
Above After completing his mandatory military service, Nam Joo-hyuk makes his K-drama comeback in Netflix’s ‘The East Palace’
In Netflix’s The East Palace, Nam Joo-hyuk’s first K-drama after finishing his mandatory military service, the actor stars as Gu-cheon, a ghost hunter who can travel between the real world and the spirit world, known as the Realm of Gwi. Gu-cheon is summoned by the king (Cho Seung-woo) to help rid the East Palace of vengeful spirits wreaking havoc within its walls. Together with Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), who can hear and communicate with the dead, the two uncover the deadly curse haunting the palace.
Nam Joo-hyuk first rose to prominence through youth dramas before establishing himself as a Hallyu star with a string of celebrated performances across romance, coming-of-age and fantasy series. While projects like Who Are You: School 2015 and Cheese in the Trap initially thrust him into the spotlight, it was his star-making portrayal of the sweet, lovestruck swimmer Jung Joon-hyung in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo that made him a household name.
He later showcased incredible emotional depth and versatility as the earnest entrepreneur Nam Do-san in Start-Up and as the tragic, younger iteration of Lee Joon-ha in the melodrama The Light in Your Eyes. Most recently, his masterful turn as the resilient journalist Baek Yi-jin in the global phenomenon Twenty Five Twenty One earned him widespread critical acclaim.
With The East Palace, Nam Joo-hyuk steps into one of his darkest and most fantasy-driven roles yet, combining palace intrigue, Korean mythology and psychological conflict in what is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s biggest K-drama releases of the year.
See more: The ultimate Seo In-guk K-drama watchlist: 10 series fans shouldn’t miss
Roh Yoon-seo as Saeng-gang
Above Roh Yoon-seo stars as Saeng-gang in her first sageuk K-drama, opposite Nam Joo-hyuk and Cho Seung-woo (Photo: IMDb)
Roh Yoon-seo stars as Saeng-gang in her first sageuk K-drama, opposite Nam Joo-hyuk and Cho Seung-woo (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
Despite having only a handful of acting credits to her name, Roh Yoon-seo has quickly risen through the ranks as one of the brightest stars of the MZ generation and the latest wave of Hallyu leading ladies. In The East Palace, Roh Yoon-seo plays Saeng-gang, a court lady cursed with the extraordinary ability to hear spirits. Alongside Nam Joo-hyuk’s Gu-cheon, she is recruited by the king to investigate the terrifying supernatural events unfolding within the royal palace—and to secretly keep an eye on him.
Roh Yoon-seo made a memorable television debut in Our Blues, alongside an ensemble cast of big-name stars that includes Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a, Han Ji-min, Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jung-eun, Cha Seung-won and Uhm Jung-hwa. For her role as the thoughtful and academically gifted Nam Hae-e in Crash Course in Romance, the young actress won Best New Actress at the 2023 BaekSang Arts Awards. Since then, she has continued to impress audiences with nuanced performances in Black Knight and The Frog, showcasing a maturity and emotional depth well beyond her years.
The East Palace marks Roh’s first historical drama and one of her most ambitious roles to date. As Saeng-gang, she takes centre stage in a mystery steeped in Korean folklore, palace intrigue and restless spirits.
See more: The K-drama actresses who defined every generation of Hallyu, from Choi Ji-woo to Go Youn-jung
Cho Seung-woo as The King
Above As the King of Joseon, Cho Seung-woo must confront the sinister forces haunting Netflix’s ‘The East Palace’ (Photo: IMDb)
As the King of Joseon, Cho Seung-woo must confront the sinister forces haunting Netflix’s ‘The East Palace’ (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
Veteran actor Cho Seung-woo takes on the role of the King of Joseon, whose rule is thrown into turmoil when vengeful spirits begin terrorising the East Palace. Desperate to protect both his family and his people, the King summons the ghost hunter Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk) and enlists the help of court lady Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo) to uncover the truth behind the palace's deadly curse.
Widely regarded as one of South Korea’s finest actors, Cho Seung-woo has built a distinguished career spanning film, television and musical theatre. Renowned for his performances in films such as Inside Men, The Classic and Marathon, he is also one of K-drama’s most respected leading men. He captivated audiences as the brilliant but emotionally reserved prosecutor Hwang Si-mok in the hit thriller Stranger, a role he reprised in its hit sequel, before showcasing his warmth and quiet charisma as the compassionate divorce lawyer Shin Sung-han in Divorce Attorney Shin.
In Netflix’s The East Palace, viewers can once again expect a powerful performance from Cho Seung-woo. From the trailer alone, it is clear that the actor’s trademark gravitas anchors the series, lending weight and authority to the sageuk K-drama’s supernatural mystery.
From a beloved leading man to one of K-drama’s fastest-rising stars and a Hallyu OG, the cast of The East Palace brings together a formidable mix of talent. With Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo leading Netflix’s supernatural sageuk, The East Palace is poised to be a must-watch addition to this year’s K-drama line-up.
Topics
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
