The film 'The Man Who Lives with the King,' released on the 4th, is set in 1457 Cheongnyeongpo and tells the story of village chief Eom Heung-do, who voluntarily exiles himself for the village's revival, and the young dethroned king, Lee Hong-wi, living together. As the first Korean film to focus on the hidden story of Danjong, it has garnered significant interest even before its release.
Proving its popularity, as of the morning of the 3rd, KOBIS (Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets) reported a reservation rate of 28.2%, ranking first in real-time reservations. The number of reserved tickets is 120,467, with a cumulative audience of 27,145 so far. Among these, Park Ji-hoon's portrayal of Danjong Lee Hong-wi is a key point of interest. He revealed that he lost 15kg for the role.
In 'The Man Who Lives with the King,' Park Ji-hoon once again expands his image, proving himself as an actor unafraid of challenges and constantly presenting new facets. His portrayal of Danjong Lee Hong-wi, a tragic historical figure, is not merely symbolic but unfolds as a narrative of human emotion and growth. His restrained emotions and weighty approach breathe fresh life into the character, enhancing the film's immersion.
Park Ji-hoon's 'gaze,' a noted strength, shines in this work as well. His eye acting is so impressive that it completes the narrative, conveying fear, resignation, and a will to live again. Even without dialogue, the character's situation and emotions are vividly communicated, demonstrating Park Ji-hoon's meticulous construction of the character's inner world and convincingly portraying Danjong's solitude and dignity.
In the film, Park Ji-hoon's Danjong is surrounded by various characters. From village chief Eom Heung-do to the people of Gwangcheongol, Mae-hwa, Prince Geumseong, and Han Myeong-hoe, Park Ji-hoon subtly expresses the changing emotions in these relationships, naturally revealing character development or heightening scene tension with intense confrontations. Particularly, his relationship with Yoo Hae-jin's Eom Heung-do transcends simple role contrast, depicting an emotional connection that nurtures and grows, touching the audience's hearts. Additionally, his synergy with experienced actors like Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, and Lee Jun-hyuk is expected to create a deep and natural acting harmony.
Thus, 'The Man Who Lives with the King' is anticipated to clearly showcase where Park Ji-hoon stands as an actor today. Through this work, Park Ji-hoon is expected to fully embody the character of Danjong Lee Hong-wi, naturally proving his growth as an actor.
Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr