On July 20, Nam Joo-hyuk uploaded a series of selfies to his social media account with the simple caption: “9000.” The photos showed the actor relaxing on a leather sofa in what appeared to be a waiting room between shoots. Although dressed in full Joseon-era costume including a royal official’s hat Nam Joo-hyuk added a playful twist by wearing modern black sunglasses.

Other images offered fans a rare look at the making of the series, featuring crew members dressed in full-body green chroma key suits crawling across staircases and reaching toward the actor during filming. The unusual scenes highlighted the extensive CGI work used to create the supernatural world depicted in The East Palace.

Released on July 17, The East Palace follows the story of Gu-cheon, a man capable of crossing between the human world and the realm of spirits, and Saeng-gang, a palace maid hiding a dangerous secret. After receiving a royal command, the pair investigate a mysterious curse haunting the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Nam Joo-hyuk stars as Gu-cheon, a reserved figure who has long distanced himself from society before becoming involved in the palace’s supernatural mystery.

Following the series’ release, Nam Joo-hyuk’s performance has generated mixed reactions from viewers. Some audiences have praised the drama’s visuals and production scale while expressing reservations about the lead actor’s portrayal of Gucheon.

Critics online have argued that the character required a broader emotional range and stronger screen presence, with some commenting that his line delivery and facial expressions felt restrained for a fantasy thriller centered on supernatural conflict. Others, however, have defended the performance, suggesting that Gu-cheon’s quiet and emotionally reserved personality was intentionally portrayed with subtlety. As with many high-profile releases, audience reactions remain divided.

The East Palace is reported to have been produced with a budget of approximately ₩40 billion (around US$29 million), making it one of the year’s largest Korean drama productions. The series combines historical settings with creature horror, fantasy, and mystery, relying heavily on visual effects to bring its supernatural elements to life.

Despite the ongoing discussion surrounding The East Palace, Nam Joo-hyuk has already confirmed his next project. He is set to star in the upcoming Disney+ original series Code: Faust Game alongside actress Lee Yi-dam.

The mystery thriller follows ambitious lawyer Yoon Tae-joo, who discovers a mysterious mobile application called “Code” that grants people’s wishes, leading him into a dangerous series of events.

Sources: 네이트 뉴스