A 53-episode short drama has been transformed and released as a groundbreaking vertical cinema experience. On the 12th, a press conference for the vertical cinema Gwang-an: The Crown Prince’s Woman was held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Director Jo Barun attended the event alongside cast members Sung Joon, Chyu, and Moon Ji-hoon (Swings) to share insights about the project.
Gwang-an: The Crown Prince’s Woman follows the story of Crown Prince Lee Hyun (played by Sung Joon), who is branded ‘Gwang-an’ due to his wild gaze. Eun-woo (played by Chyu), an assassin who infiltrates the Western Palace disguised as a court lady to assassinate him, unexpectedly falls in love with him, forcing them to rebel against their predetermined destinies.
The Unique Charm and Production of Vertical Cinema
Discussing the distinct characteristics of vertical cinema, Director Jo Barun noted that the format creates an exceptionally high focus on the actors. While horizontal cinema allows for extensive background art and elements, vertical cinema focuses roughly 90 percent on the actors themselves, prompting much greater attention to character performance.
Sung Joon, who previously collaborated with Director Jo on Ghost Mansion, shared that he felt apprehensive about tackling a brand-new format but decided to take the leap without hesitation due to his strong teamwork with the director. Chyu expressed excitement about challenging herself with the popular short-form format, highlighting how screening it in a movie theater greatly enhances audience immersion.
Cast Reflections and Character Development
Swings, stepping into his second acting project following Tazza: The Great King of High Rollers, described the experience as simply refreshing. Reflecting on his first historical and short-form role, he admitted to having limited understanding of historical dramas due to living abroad for a long time, but praised the director for acting like a private tutor to help shape his unique, rule-breaking character.
Director Jo Barun expressed awe at successfully casting the three stars, noting that Swings was envisioned for the role of a unique royal guard after listening to his music while heading to the gym. For Chyu, the director was drawn to her deeper, more hidden emotional layers beyond her bright and cute image. Regarding Sung Joon, the director expressed deep gratitude that an actor of his caliber readily accepted the script for a challenging short-form experiment.
Release Details
The vertical cinema Gwang-an: The Crown Prince’s Woman adapts the 53-episode drama into a cohesive single-flow cinematic experience by removing transitional pauses and refining the soundtrack to maximize emotional resonance. The film is scheduled for an exclusive release in Lotte Cinema theaters on November 18.
