Netflix's 'The East Palace' surges to No. 1 as Actress Jang Young-nam commands the screen as the Queen Dowager

The Netflix series 'The East Palace' has captivated domestic viewers immediately upon its release. It ranked first in the integrated TV-OTT drama buzz index for the third week of July announced by FUNdex, and also topped the Netflix South Korea TOP 10 series list. Actress Jang Young-nam, who plays the Queen Dowager—the highest-ranking elder of the royal family—has established herself as a central pillar regulating the tension of the drama.

Heavyweight charisma clashing with Cho Seung-woo: The two faces of the Queen Dowager

In the series, Jang Young-nam commands the screen as the Queen Dowager, a figure wielding supreme royal authority. Gu-cheon (Nam Joo Hyuk) possesses the ability to traverse the world of ghosts, while Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady harboring secrets, follows the King's (Cho Seung-woo) orders to uncover the curse entwined with The East Palace. Throughout this process, Jang Young-nam demonstrates a cold, piercing charisma as the highest elder of the royal family.

Building her character through restrained facial expressions and gaze, Jang Young-nam densely portrayed the complex emotions hidden behind royal authority. In particular, her scenes clashing with Cho Seung-woo created breathtaking tension. Reactions on online communities and social media have poured in, with comments such as, "The immersion level changes every time Jang Young-nam appears," "She is overwhelming even with brief appearances," and "You can't help but say, 'As expected of Jang Young-nam.'"

The costumes and styling also supported the character's weight. Jang Young-nam pulled off magnificent royal attire and accessories that highlighted the dignity of the Queen Dowager. The delicate details of the Hanbok and the elegant styling accentuated the character's authority. Critics noted that her restrained acting, contrasting with the lavish costumes, enhanced the character's gravitas.

"I agonized much to express the complex nuances" — Jang Young-nam's sincerity

Jang Young-nam revealed that she spent a great deal of time contemplating her interpretation of the Queen Dowager for this work. This is because the Queen Dowager is a character who harbors various emotions and stories beneath her authority and coldness. Jang focused on meticulous acting to express the character's complex nuances.

Regarding the support from fans, Jang Young-nam expressed, "I am sincerely grateful to so many people for loving the Queen Dowager and sending such kind words." She added, "'The East Palace' is a work that both the actors and staff completed with long-term devotion and passion, so the interest of the viewers is a greater source of strength than anything else."

She concluded by saying, "I will do my best to meet you with new faces and sincere acting in every project," and "I hope you will continue to watch 'The East Palace' and the Queen Dowager with warmth until the end."