“Ordinary life was all I ever dreamed of; I just wanted to live the ordinary life,” reflects Yoon Chae-ok, one of the principal characters of the 2023 Korean television sensation, “Gyeongseong Creature.” Chae-ok’s journey, however, is anything but ordinary. Her story becomes further complicated when she meets Jang Tae-sang, the affluent owner of a pawnshop, set in the Japanese-occupied Korea of the 1940s.
As fans eagerly await the sophomore season of the show, premiering on September 27, the narrative takes an unexpected turn, propelling viewers to the bustling metropolis of Seoul in 2024. Chae-ok, skillfully portrayed by Han So-hee, has weathered the turmoil of the Gyeongseong spring of 1945, only to find herself in the midst of modern-day Korea. Here, she meets Jang Ho-jae (played by Park Seo-joon), whose striking resemblance to Tae-sang is more than mere coincidence.
If the inaugural season of “Gyeongseong Creature” captivated audiences by following Tae-sang and Chae-ok as they unraveled the dark secrets of Onseong Hospital — a place where numerous people were trapped in a hidden basement ward plagued by a deadly monster — the second season raises the stakes. The narrative crescendos, bringing back some familiar terrors and introducing even more sinister elements, following a dramatic time leap.
“Chae-ok is the backbone of this story. Seventy years have faded, yet she persists. She is at the heart of every unfolding event and drives the narrative forward,” comments Han So-hee during an interview ahead of the show’s release. The leap through time was a factor both she and her co-star, Park Seo-joon, took into careful consideration while preparing for their roles.
“Considering that I embody a character who seemingly has no past memories, much of my emotional development isn’t explicitly dictated. This required me to inject my own creative interpretation,” Park Seo-joon explains. His portrayal of Ho-jae in the second season significantly deviates from his portrayal of the powerful, influential informant Tae-sang in the first season. “I had to ensure Ho-jae experienced everything anew while adapting to modern modes of communication and behavior,” he adds.
While the actors had a gap between wrapping up the show’s debut season and commencing the filming of its second, Seo-joon admits the modern setting prompted them to contemplate ways to enhance the entertainment value of the series. “I felt a mix of excitement and nerves stepping onto the set again. The series is action-packed, leaving no room for complacency,” the seasoned Hallyu star reveals. Park Seo-joon is well-acclaimed, having starred in numerous popular K-dramas like “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” and the widely successful “Itaewon Class.
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For Han So-hee, her role as Chae-ok in “Gyeongseong Creature” demands both emotional depth and physical prowess. Both seasons feature several high-stakes, action-filled sequences that have become a signature of So-hee’s versatility, especially after her electrifying performance in the action thriller “My Name.”
“While I wouldn’t say I particularly relish action scenes, I consider them a crucial way to express my character. Chae-ok is a proactive person who takes charge of her life, qualities I admire and try to emulate,” So-hee states.
One of her early scenes in the upcoming season involved filming underwater, an experience So-hee recalls with a mix of pride and discomfort. Seo-joon humorously chimes in, “You have a ‘najin,’ and you’re basically a superhero, so you were probably fine,” he laughs. The ‘najin’ is a parasitic entity used in the show by the Japanese for human experimentation. It infected Chae-ok’s mother in the first season, ultimately creating the monster that tormented Gyeongseong. This same najin later infects Chae-ok, rendering her ageless and alive decades into the future.
Shorter K-Dramas and sequels are becoming an increasingly popular trend, deviating from the standard 16-episode format. Netflix’s Korean originals have particularly embraced this trend, with shows like “Hospital Playlist,” “Alchemy of Souls,” and “Kingdom” all enjoying successful sequels.
Reflecting on the sequel for “Gyeongseong Creature,” director Chung Dong-yoon notes that while he welcomed the opportunity to helm a second installment, there were initial doubts about achieving the same level of success. “Writer Kang Eun-kyung and I believed that the story deserved two seasons to do it justice and found the time leap exciting. We approached Season 2 as if it were a completely different show with its own narrative arc,” he elaborates.
Amidst the chaos of monstrous attacks and the stealthy menace of Kuroko fighters, a burgeoning romance also finds its way into the storyline. So-hee emphasizes that this season will feature a lot more romantic chemistry than the last.
“Everything in the first season was essentially a buildup to this. The unraveling will be a thrill for viewers to watch. There are many questions to be answered, but the show is designed to be fast-paced and engaging,” concludes Seo-joon.
“Gyeongseong Creature” Season 2 is set to premiere on Netflix on September 27.
