Netflix’s The East Palace has quickly become a talking point since its debut — and it’s not just the leads getting all the attention.
Several supporting players are emerging as scene-stealers in their own right, with viewers singling out Jang Young Nam, Lee Hong Nae, Hong Su Zu and Jo Ha Jin for their standout performances.
Jang Young Nam
Jang Young Nam commands the screen as the Queen Dowager, bringing both authority and menace to the role.
Fixated on protecting the royal family’s power, the Queen Dowager is driven by twisted ambition and deep-seated anxiety, and Jang plays both sides of the character with striking control. Even after being attacked by vengeful spirits, her obsession with removing the king only intensifies, pushing the character further into madness.
Jang’s piercing gaze and restrained performance give every scene an added sense of weight.
Since the series premiered, viewers have praised her performance, with reactions including, “The whole vibe changed the moment Jang Young Nam showed up,” and, “She went beyond the typical Queen Dowager character and made the role entirely her own.”
Lee Hong Nae
Lee Hong Nae, who previously caught viewers’ attention as Yoon Dong Hyun in The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, makes his historical drama debut in The East Palace.
He plays a male shaman who sides with the Queen Dowager and goes head-to-head with Gu Cheon. His possessed-like movements and fierce sword dance gave the character an intimidating presence and made a strong impression on viewers.
Lee reportedly met with a practicing shaman before filming to study movements, breathing techniques and ritual practices in an effort to make the performance feel as authentic as possible.
Hong Su Zu
Hong Su Zu has also earned praise for her emotional turn as a court lady favored by the king. Suspected of being the ghost haunting the palace pond, her character carries both a tragic past and secrets tied to the palace.
Hong brings out the resentment and sorrow buried beneath the surface with a restrained performance, giving the character’s complicated inner life real weight.
After appearing in projects including the Sweet Home series and The Impossible Heir, Hong is being praised for showing another side of her range in The East Palace.
Jo Ha Jin
Jo Ha Jin also managed to catch viewers’ attention despite his brief appearance as the late king’s third prince.
Known as the nephew of actress Go Eun Ah and MBLAQ’s Mir, Jo took on a small visual role in the series. Though his screen time was limited, Jo said he learned a great deal on set and described the shoot as a meaningful experience.
He also drew attention after sharing behind-the-scenes photos, including one featuring a sign that read, “Actor Jo Ha Jin, Third Prince in ‘The East Palace,'” along with a warm photo of himself with Jang Young Nam.
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