Since her debut in 'Our Blues' (2022), followed by 'Crash Course in Romance' (2023) and the film 'Cheongseol' (2024), actress Noh Yoon-seo has carved a distinct path with her vibrant and bold energy. She has reached a new pinnacle in her acting career through the Netflix series 'Donggung,' where she portrays the resolute character 'Saenggang,' facing the eerie world of spirits as a royal.
"This is my first time in a historical drama, and it's also my first experience with the occult and fantasy genres. When I read the script, it felt like reading a webtoon or a comic, and I imagined how it would come to life. Seeing the final product exceeded my expectations, and I felt proud of the process that the director and staff went through to create it," she said.
Despite the physical challenges that come with the genre, Noh chose the project primarily for the character's appeal.
"There are many stories about the hardships of historical dramas. It wasn't an easy decision, but since I hadn't experienced it before, I thought, 'Okay, let's take on the challenge.' The character Saenggang and the storyline were so much more interesting that my concerns about the difficulties faded away, and my desire to try it out took precedence. Saenggang is someone who is cold when necessary but risks her life to save others. Despite her royal status, she actively seeks solutions, which made me eager to portray her," Noh explained.
To solidify her portrayal of Saenggang, Noh engaged in constant discussions with the production team to clarify the character's motivations before filming began.
"Saenggang interacts with many characters, including her chemistry with Gucheon, and the intricate narratives with the king. We discussed how to approach each character, as Saenggang is a deposed princess. I wanted to clarify what she thought while being outside the palace and what her mindset was upon returning, so I had many conversations with the director about her objectives," she said.
Working with invisible creatures required Noh to engage in a fierce battle of imagination. Fortunately, the presence of a model for the 'Ggeomeoksal' creature helped her evoke emotions more easily.
"There was a model of Ggeomeoksal on set, a heavy, stone-like puppet. I had to imagine its presence while it was there, and the director explained how it would be animated later, detailing how the creature would grow and move. Those explanations were very helpful," she noted.
The relationship with her indispensable partner Gucheon (played by Nam Joo-hyuk) is a central element of the story.
"Initially, I thought of him as a strange but necessary person. There was distrust, and he was just someone I needed for my goals. However, as we shared our stories and supported each other, our bond deepened. Eventually, saving him became a priority, and I think it turned into a camaraderie. While acting, I focused more on the situation than labeling our relationship. I was immersed in the blind emotion of 'I need to save this person,'" she explained.
The presence of veteran actors like Jang Young-nam and Jo Seung-woo provided Noh with invaluable lessons on set.
"I have always admired Jang Young-nam. I was disappointed that we didn't interact much during 'Crash Course in Romance,' but I was happy to share some scenes with her in this project. Watching her portray the character so powerfully made me realize how intense her performance was. She focused solely on the character, generating ideas and contemplating how to present it. I learned a lot from that. I also asked Jo Seung-woo about the relationship between Saenggang and the king, and even after filming, I inquired about how he analyzes scripts and builds characters. Initially, he said it was nothing special, but as I probed further, he provided detailed advice on imagining the character's history and how they would walk. I was very grateful for that," she said.
Under the meticulous direction of Choi Jeong-kyu, Noh discovered a new side of herself while watching the completed work.
"I think they captured me in a way that was even more beautiful and impressive than I am in real life. The colors, lighting, and cinematography were so stunning that I think the characters reflected that. As the story progresses, Saenggang and Gucheon become more disheveled, but they still look charming in their own way. I found it interesting. While acting, I couldn't monitor every take, but watching the edited version made me realize, 'This is the Saenggang I portrayed.' Especially in the scene with my father, I thought, 'I made that expression, and the senior actors had those expressions.' I appreciate that they captured those moments," she said.
'Donggung' has left a significant mark on Noh Yoon-seo's filmography and has influenced her personal acting philosophy. It has broadened her perspective as a lead actor.
"I think this is my first time participating as a lead in a long drama. I discussed with the director how to view the overall flow and how to see the forest for the trees. This project made me think a lot about having a perspective that allows me to see both the trees and the forest. Given that it's a historical fantasy, I learned a lot about what expressions are more effective, how to manage intonation, and how to enhance scenes without being overly technical. I want to continue developing my skills," she said.
After completing this intense challenge, Noh channels her lingering acting regrets into a healthy motivation for growth.
"I've never felt completely satisfied. I'm good at self-reflection, so I have my own regrets that never seem to end. However, I believe those regrets drive my development. I don't dwell on them; instead, I focus on doing my best today and tomorrow. I consider it a healthy regret. If I take on another historical drama, I recognize areas for improvement, such as speech and vocal techniques. I think I need to develop those aspects further. If I focus too much on technicalities or appearances, I could lose my foundation, so I plan to study the character more. I may not be able to satisfy everyone, but I want to deliver a performance that can persuade many viewers," she concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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