Publisher Nexon Games and developer LoreVault have released a seven-minute interview video featuring Woochi the Wayfarer Director Kang Dong Yeon and Art Director Mok Youngmi, discussing the recently announced Joseon-era action-adventure title.
Check out the transcript below:
Kang Dong Yeon, Director: “Hello, I’m Kang Dong Yeon, director of Woochi the Wayfarer.”
Mok Youngmi, Art Director: “Hello, I’m Mok Youngmi, art director for Woochi the Wayfarer.”
What kind of project is this?
Yeon: “We’re LoreVault, a name meaning ‘a vault of stories’. Woochi the Wayfarer is an action-adventure game we’re creating at LoreVault. It combines an emotionally resonant story with a richly imagined Joseon-era setting and exhilarating combat befitting a ‘Dosa (The Taoist Sorcerer)’.”
What’s the game’s setting?
Youngmi: “Internally, we call it ‘Joseon fantasy’. We’re building a world grounded in historical research while blending imaginative elements to enhance gameplay. You’ll encounter characters from Korean mythology—’Dosa’, Dokkaebi, Gumiho, and many others in this fusion historical drama.”
What does the title represent?
Yeon: “As the title implies, the hero is Woochi, a legendary ‘Dosa’ well-known among Korean audiences. At its core, the story follows Woochi during his training to become a ‘Dosa’. The game is built around his adventures during this journey. We felt it crucial for the title to symbolically capture the hero’s identity, story, and goals. After exploring countless possibilities, we settled on Woochi the Wayfarer. Since we’re targeting global release, we chose an English title for accessibility worldwide.”
How does this differ from original Woochi tales?
Youngmi: “Traditional Woochi stories have many interpretations. We wanted to capture his timeless charm while adding our own vision—creating something distinct from films or TV dramas. We blended Korean traditional visuals like gat, hanbok, and dorongi with fantasy elements to craft our unique version.”
What type of game is this?
Yeon: “It’s a story and combat-focused single-player title. We aim for an emotionally impactful narrative that resonates post-credits. Among storytelling methods, we’re prioritizing cinematic direction. Equally important, we’re crafting diverse thrilling combat sequences to ensure equally engaging gameplay.”
Is the game dark in tone?
Youngmi: “We didn’t intend it as dark, but showcased characters/environments had heavier tones which may cause that impression. The actual core atmosphere is bright, colorful, and welcoming. We believe these vibrant hues and inviting tone will distinguish us from other East Asian fantasy games. We included early footage to showcase this—though visuals aren’t finalized.”
Will the magpie wielding a weapon appear in-game?
Yeon: “Absolutely. When we saw K-Pop Demon Hunters, we were genuinely surprised and delighted—recognizing their deep research resonated with us. While themes may overlap, our game features a more realistic/adorable magpie plus a majestic tiger. Without spoilers, the shaman character ‘Myoan’ from our teaser also appears.”
What did you intend to convey with the teaser?
Youngmi: “Every teaser scene uses in-game assets. We captured scenes exactly as in-game to convey the title’s authentic atmosphere/quality. Using 3D scans and MetaHuman tech, we created realistic characters. By presenting distinctly Korean elements like the magpie, shaman, and ‘Dosa’, we wanted to highlight the game’s identity.
What’s the story behind the weapon-wielding magpie?
Youngmi: “In the video, it mimics a scholar’s look using a stick-made weapon. Personally, I find it thoroughly adorable.”
When will the game release?
Yeon: “This teaser announces our project to players and developers. While release timing is unconfirmed, we’ll share updates as development progresses.”
What are the strengths/challenges of the Joseon setting?
Youngmi: “Key advantages are accessible references for lifestyle/architecture/clothing/cuisine, plus explorations of real Korean landscapes. Many teammates enjoy this new approach. The challenge lies in balancing historical accuracy with fantasy. As Joseon was an actual historical period, authenticity matters—yet imagination drives gameplay. We constantly debate realistic portrayals versus creative interpretations. Folklore creatures lack visual references, making designs challenging yet exciting since we bring them to life through our own lens.”
Any message for developers interested in joining?
Yeon: “This challenging genre in Korea requires boldly adventurous mindsets. As we’re creating a dream project—single-player gameplay—we especially welcome those passionate about such titles.”
How can developers join the project?
Yeon: “Clicking the link below leads to Nexon Games’ careers page. Search ‘LoreVault’ or ‘Woochi’ for open positions.”
Any message for interested developers?
Youngmi: “Capturing Korea’s beauty is a unique perk—any studio joiners will love this. If you have Joseon-era knowledge, we’d welcome you. We’ll share more updates ahead. Thank you for your interest and support.”
Woochi the Wayfarer is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
