Good Bye My Princess summons Joseon ghosts to Netflix's No. 2 spot

No. 2 in Non-English TV Shows Just 3 Days After Release, a K-Occult Mystery Chasing Joseon's Secrets

The Netflix series 'Good Bye My Princess' climbed to No. 2 in the Netflix Top 10 Non-English TV Shows category just three days after its release. Set in the Joseon royal palace, the series follows Gu-cheon (played by Nam Joo Hyuk), who possesses the ability to see ghosts, and Princess Saeng-gang (played by Roh Yoon-seo), who can hear them. Under the King's (played by Cho Seung-woo) orders, they uncover the secrets hidden behind the successive deaths of the crown princes.

Chasing the identity of the 'Pond Ghost'—which has been killing crown princes for 30 years—and the secrets of the royal family, the work has captured viewers' attention as a 'K-Occult Period Drama' that combines traditional Korean folklore with shamanism. Writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jea-won teamed up with director Choi Jeong-gyu, who directed 'Money Flower' and 'The Flower in Prison,' to enhance the production quality.

The Acting Duel Between Cho Seung-woo and Jang Young-nam, Defining the Boundary of Two Worlds Through Color

The core that sustains the tension of the work is the dense acting of the cast. In particular, the confrontation between the King and the Queen Dowager (played by Jang Young-nam) was so intense that it drew reactions from the on-set staff calling it overwhelming. To emphasize the King's dignity and mystery, the camera team boldly utilized side shots to capture the character's psychology.

The visual direction is also outstanding. To separate the real world from the spirit world, the production team utilized extreme color contrasts. Lighting director Kim Seung-gyu visualized the difference between the two worlds by placing cold, static blue-toned lighting in the real world and blood-like red tones in the spirit world. While cinematographer Park Jeong-hun used orderly shots for the static aesthetics of reality, he applied high-speed filming in the spirit world to capture its unique atmosphere. Art director Mok-won Lee added immersion by designing original spaces tailored to the characteristics of ghosts, ranging from Buddhist temple sets to elements like water, darkness, and wind.

The Appearance of 'Joseon Groot' Kkeomeok-sari and the Fusion of Korean Fantasy

The ghost 'Kkeomeok-sari,' who follows Gu-cheon, is garnering attention and has earned the nickname 'Joseon Groot' due to its large, black eyes. While it typically drains Gu-cheon's positive energy, it transforms into a creature during moments of crisis to defeat vengeful spirits. Among viewers, there are voices expressing anticipation for the release of merchandise based on the character's charm.

Director Choi Jeong-gyu stated that he worked to imbue the supernatural world behind reality with unique Korean colors based on traditional Korean folklore and modern ghost stories. Cinematographer Park Jeong-hun remarked, "Watching the performances of Cho Seung-woo and Jang Young-nam is a special point of enjoyment," adding, "I hope the feeling from the set is delivered directly to the viewers."