Netflix’s ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ returns for season two with modern-day setting

“I believe the story embedded in ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ and its message isn’t something that only Koreans can relate to, but it is a painful story that resonates universally,” director Chung Dong-yoon said during the series’ press conference held in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Wednesday.

“I believe what’s important now is that we take a moment to reflect on the people who caused this pain,” the director added. “I think it is important to confront them, without easily compromising, and standing strong without bowing our heads, which was the initial vision behind creating this series.”

Directed by Chung and written by Kang Eun-kyung, who both participated in the previous season, the second season will tell the story of Yoon Chae-ok and Jang Ho-jae, who looks exactly like the first season’s Jang Tae-sang.

Actors Han So-hee and Park Seo-jun will appear again in the upcoming season as Chae-ok and Ho-jae, joined by Lee Mu-saeng as Captain Kuroko and Bae Hyeon-seong as Seung-jo.

The upcoming second season, set for release on Sept. 27, jumps 79 years to Seoul in 2024. The previous season was set in 1945, during the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea, when the city was known as Gyeongseong.

The director said he jumped in time to bring out another “ironic” message.

As the historical background is different from the previous season, the actors had to newly adjust to build their characters.

Han’s character, Chae-ok, has lived for 79 years since the previous season. It was something the actor had to consider when taking on her role, now set in a new era.

“With Chae-ok being a character that is living through this era alone and in isolation, I tried to concentrate on exploring what kind of emotions she must have had to endure while living through this period,” Han said.

The change in periods also affected the series’ pace, which is a distinction from season one, according to the director.

“Since 1945 was a very heavy era, I think we approached it with a more static style to reflect that weight,” director Chung said. “However, in season two, as we jumped 79 years, I tried to speed up the pace of the series to suit the modern context.”

As the pace sped up, the action in season two has also become much more spectacular and visually captivating, according to Park.

For Han, it was her first time doing wire action, saying, “I think I overcame my fear of heights.”

In the new season, two new characters will appear: Lee as Captain Kuroko and Bae as Seung-jo.

Lee admitted that he was mesmerized by the story of season two, which led him to take on the role.

Actor Bae, who often takes roles that are sweet and innocent, showed his determination to show a different side of himself while acting.

“I wanted to show that I could portray a character like Seung-jo, who has cold eyes and a menacing presence,” the actor said. “So, I put in extra effort to prepare thoroughly before going in to shoot.”

Han says to look out for her character’s emotional journey as she reunites with Ho-jae, who looks like Tae-sang, after almost 80 years.

“I believe that, from Chae-ok’s perspective, she might see it as a reunion,” Han said. “I think that there are emotions that only she can feel when she looks at him, even though he is Ho-jae. There will definitely be heart-wrenching moments for viewers when following Chae-ok’s viewpoint.”

The director recounted his memories of shooting the series as the press conference ended, saying, “I remember the last scene of the last episode of season two. I have nice memories of shooting that scene, which felt like coming to a bright place after pushing through a dark tunnel. I hope that those memories and emotions can be delivered to the viewers worldwide and I would be incredibly grateful if everyone could stick with us until the end.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]