Released on July 17, The East Palace follows Gucheon (Nam Joo Hyuk), a man with the ability to travel between the human and spirit worlds, and Saenggang (Roh Yoon Seo), a palace maid hiding a secret. Together, they are summoned by the king, played by Cho Seung Woo, to uncover the mysterious curse haunting the East Palace.
Built around an original fantasy universe, The East Palace has attracted attention for its ambitious scale and unique blend of Korean occult elements. Although opinions remain divided over its storytelling and directing, the series quickly climbed to No. 1 on Netflix Korea’s Top 10 TV rankings after its release, demonstrating strong public interest.
Among the show’s most debated aspects, however, is Roh Yoon Seo’s performance. She takes on the role of Saenggang, a royal inspector and palace maid who possesses the rare ability to hear the voices of spirits, making her one of the drama’s central characters.
As this marks her first leading role in a historical drama, many viewers felt she struggled to capture the distinctive speech patterns and rhythm associated with the genre. Critics argued that her line delivery often resembled that of a modern drama, making it difficult for audiences to fully immerse themselves in the historical setting.
Saenggang is portrayed as someone who grew up inside the royal palace, a background that naturally calls for the refined manner of speaking and atmosphere expected of traditional historical dramas. However, some viewers felt Roh’s interpretation lacked the authenticity needed to make the character fully convincing.
Her facial expressions have also drawn criticism, with some audiences noting that they showed limited variation throughout the series. Even during emotionally intense scenes, similar expressions and vocal delivery were repeated, leading some viewers to feel that the drama’s emotional tension was weakened.
Despite the criticism, Roh Yoon Seo’s strengths have not gone unnoticed. Many viewers agreed that her fresh and graceful image suits the determined and intelligent Saenggang. Her elegant appearance also fit well with the character’s hidden identity as a princess living in disguise as a palace maid.
Director Choi Jung Kyu had previously praised the actress during the drama’s production press conference. “I often said on set that Saenggang was responsible for the elegance of The East Palace,” he remarked.
In many ways, Roh fulfilled that vision. Her refined screen presence successfully conveyed Saenggang’s graceful and dignified image. However, for many viewers, her performance ultimately fell short of expectations in conveying the emotional depth and distinctive tone that historical dramas demand, leaving acting as an area for growth despite her undeniable on-screen appeal.
Sources: Nate