Beyond a rising star, Ro Yun-seo has established herself as a “trust-worthy actress,” opening new horizons for a fantasy historical drama and drawing viewers around the world.
“A palace maid who hears the voices of ghosts”… “Saenggang,” the three-dimensional character Ro Yun-seo crafted
Netflix Original series “Kingdom of Two Hearts,” released worldwide on the 17th, is an occult fantasy drama in which Gucheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a person with mysterious abilities, and Saenggang (Ro Yun-seo), an inspection palace maid with a secret, receive the king’s summons and set out to uncover the curse that has taken hold in the palace. The show’s standout on-screen chemistry—Gucheon’s performances cutting through ghosts and Saenggang’s acting that anchors the drama—has been drawing strong reactions since it aired.
Saenggang, played by Ro Yun-seo, is a character with a special ability to spiritually hear the voices of lingering souls and ghosts that others cannot. On the surface she appears calm, but inside she carries a tough resolve. Working together with Nam Joo-hyuk, she tracks down the vast court conspiracy and its secrets. Ro Yun-seo completely unpacks even a fantasy setup that could seem somewhat difficult to grasp, using restrained emotional contours and a powerful command of dialogue delivery to maximize the drama’s immersion. In particular, she is a key driving force leading the mystery, skillfully building a tightly woven emotional arc in which she and Nam Joo-hyuk—initially locked in sharp opposition—gradually begin to understand each other’s wounds and grow closer.
Ro Yun-seo pulls off striking sword-and-blade action in her first period drama… winning over global viewers
Above all, what has grabbed viewers’ attention in this project is Ro Yun-seo’s daring action performance. To vividly capture the harsh survival and the pursuit process, she took on high-difficulty action that lets her wield a bow and sword with ease. The hard-hitting action in elegant hanbok outfits breaks from her earlier “pure” image, unleashing a rough, commanding charisma and earning high praise.
After her debut, Ro Yun-seo tried her hand at a traditional period drama for the first time. She took control of a sweeping universe where fantasy, brutal historical drama, and occult elements intersect, with acting solid enough to come across as not at all “newbie-like.” With the pressure of being her first challenge seemingly erased, she anchored the drama’s center with a weighty presence, and praise is pouring in from overseas media and global Netflix viewers alike. With Ro Yun-seo once again proving her seemingly endless range, eyes are on what she will do next on the global stage through “Kingdom of Two Hearts.”
