Actor Kwak Dong-yeon is set to enlist for active duty on August 25, 2026, following his appearance in the Netflix original series The East Palace. The announcement by his agency, THEBLACKLABEL, comes as the fantasy historical drama has become a global hit, ranking second among non-English shows globally.
While the series follows Gucheon and court lady Sang-geang as they uncover a royal curse, the Crown Prince serves as the origin of the mystery and a central figure in the story’s biggest twist.
Prosthetic Challenges and the “Spoiler” Burden
Because his character’s existence was a critical plot point, Kwak was under strict orders to maintain secrecy. He noted that still images were only released on or the day before the premiere. This secrecy created a disconnect with his fanbase, who frequently questioned his activities during filming.
Photo: 조선일보
“What I felt most sorry about was that fans asked incessantly what was going on, but even while filming I couldn’t say we were filming. Some people enjoy waiting for a surprise reveal, but others get frustrated, and that bothered me the most. Now that it’s released I mostly feel relieved.”
Photo: Chosun
Kwak Dong-yeon, Actor
The physical toll of the role was centered on the transformation in episodes 7 and 8, where the character’s hair turns white. This required rubber patches glued from the neck to the face, which limited his facial expressions and, combined with contact lenses, severely impaired his vision. The makeup process was a grueling endurance test; initially taking four hours, the time was eventually reduced to about two hours. Because the shoot took place during the summer, the adhesive frequently peeled, requiring constant touch-ups. Kwak noted that removing the makeup with oil caused significant skin damage, though he credited modern medicine for the recovery.
Technical Execution: CGI, Wire Work, and “Earl Grey” Blood
The production of The East Palace leaned heavily on technical synergy.
The East Palace | Behind The Scene | Nam joo-hyuk, Roh Yeon-seo
The action sequences were equally demanding.
Kwak noted that the makeup team prepared various types of fake blood that tasted sweet like coffee mix and sometimes included an Earl Grey flavor.
Cast Dynamics and the Road to Enlistment
Due to the grave nature of his role, Kwak had limited opportunities to bond with his co-stars. He described his only meeting with Jo Seung-woo as an enjoyable but brief encounter, noting that the two did not exchange many words. His relationship with Nam Joo-hyuk was similarly professional; while they shared many action scenes, their private interaction was minimal, though Kwak did manage to secure an autograph for a close acquaintance’s mother on the final day of shooting.
As he prepares for his military service, Kwak’s immediate schedule is tight. While he will not participate in the new season of The Village Barber due to his August 25 enlistment, he is expected to appear in a 10th-anniversary special variety show for Love in the Moonlight in early August.
The transition from a high-tech, CGI-heavy set to active duty military service marks a sharp pivot in Kwak’s career. The primary uncertainty remaining is how his absence will impact the casting of upcoming projects like The Village Barber, which is moving forward with Ko Kyung Pyo as a new cast member.
