Interview: Cast of ‘Poong, The Joseon Psychiatrist’ Share Tips for Mental Wellness

In the much anticipated second season of Poong, The Joseon Psychiatrist, viewers are seeing a deeper exploration of the characters and their journey.

Poong: The Joseon Psychiatrist is a South Korean historical drama television series that was released in 2022. It is set in the Joseon dynasty and tells the story of a royal physician named Poong (played by Kim Min-jae), who is the kingdom’s first psychiatrist. Poong uses his medical knowledge and innovative techniques to treat patients with mental illness and cure the root cause of their psychological problems. Throughout the series, Poong faces challenges as he tries to change the traditional views on mental health and provide proper treatment for his patients.

In an interview with the cast, we had the opportunity to learn more about this season’s filming. The cast members Kim Min-jae and Kim Hyang-gi discuss their experiences working on the drama.

Kim Min-jae, who portrays the lead character Poong, said that he is excited to continue his journey as the character. “Poong is a complex and multi-faceted character, and I am eager to dive deeper into his world in season 2.” He was drawn to the role due to his strong moral values and dedication to helping others.

Kim Min-jae mentions that he enjoys playing characters who have a positive impact on people. He describes his experience of working with the cast as enjoyable and full of great chemistry, which was built through outdoor shooting and bonding activities.

When asked about advice for people facing mental health issues, he says to not blame oneself and to find a way to be happy. He also shares that he has become good at self-healing and has various hobbies that bring him happiness. These days, he enjoys going for walks whenever he has time.

Kim Hyang-gi, who plays Seo Eun-woo, describes her character as warm-hearted and curious. She notes that in the second season, Eun-woo’s confidence and skills as a female physician have improved. She is impressed by Yeon Bo-Ra’s portrayal of Namhae Daek in Season 1 and the new characters Kang-Il and Ahn Hak-soo in Season 2.

As a former child actress, Kim Hyang-gi reflects on her journey as an actress and her transformation to an adult actress. She emphasizes the importance of learning from each work and leaving a lasting impression on her fans.

Kim Hyang-gi also shares tips on how to deal with negativity and comfort oneself when feeling down, such as creating a hobby, basking in the sun, taking deep breaths, looking at adorable things, and taking nutritional supplements. She expresses her desire to explore different genres of acting in her next role, including noir, black comedy, and fantasy.

For those who haven’t caught up till season 2, the production team also shared that the current season will bring new challenges and twists to the storyline, with a focus on exploring the complexities of mental health and the impact it has on individuals and society as a whole.

The finale of Poong, The Joseon Psychiatrist 2 will be aired this Thursday and Friday (9 & 10 Feb) at 9.15pm (GMT+8) on tvN Asia (Singtel TV CH 518, StarHub TV CH 824). Don’t miss it!

(Photos: tvN Asia)