▲ Veteran director Lim Soon-rye speaks during on online press conference for upcoming TV series "Oh My Ghost Clients," held in Seoul on May 30, 2025, in this photo provided by MBC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- “People say it’s really tough for film directors to move into TV dramas. I even heard jokes like, ‘One lost four teeth, another lost six,'" said veteran director Lim Soon-rye with a smile, explaining why she decided to direct her first drama during an online press conference for MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama “Oh My Ghost Clients” held on Friday. 

 

"Still, the script was great, and since film investment isn’t really happening these days, I took it as a chance to try something new," she added. 

 

Lim, a symbolic figure in Korean cinema, has directed acclaimed films since the 1990s including "Waikiki Brothers," "Forever the Moment," "Little Forest," and "The Point Men." She was recognized with a lifetime achievement award by the Women in Film Korea organization in 2023 for directing more feature films than any other female director in the country.

 

Naturally, her move into television drew attention from the start.

 

She noted, “Aside from the longer shooting schedule and number of episodes, it wasn’t all that different from filmmaking. I was lucky to work with great actors and staff.”

 

 

▲ The lead cast for MBC's upcoming TV series "Oh My Ghost Clients" pose for photos during the online press conference held in Seoul on May 30, 2025, in this photo provided by MBC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

The TV series, Oh My Ghost Clients, tells the story of a labor attorney who suddenly gains the ability to see ghosts and helps workers who died unjustly due to industrial accidents find peace. While infused with comic elements, it also deals with serious topics like labor rights and workplace fatalities.

 

Lim emphasized the importance of balance: “Industrial accidents are a very real part of everyday life, while seeing ghosts is pure fantasy. I focused on maintaining balance between the ordinary and the surreal, the heavy and the light.”

 

Actor Jung Kyung-ho, who plays the protagonist Noh Mu-jin, said, “The main character learns responsibility and professional ethics as he resolves each case. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in meaningful, but engaging storytelling.”

 

As the first Korean drama to feature a labor attorney as the central profession, expectations are high for its originality. Jung explained, “The term 'labor attorney' combines the characters for work, effort, and professional. It refers to someone who advocates for workers. I even received a commendation from the Korean Association of Certified Labor Attorneys thanks to this drama.”

 

Actress Seol In-ah plays Noh Mu-jin’s sister-in-law and office manager Na Hee-joo, while former idol Cha Hak-yeon (N of VIXX) appears as a YouTuber named Go Kyun-woo.

 

Oh My Ghost Clients premieres tonight at 9:50 p.m. on MBC.

 

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]