Director Jang Hang-jun Discusses Nerves and Support from Wife Kim Eun-hee Ahead of 'The Man Who Lives with the King' Release

Director Jang Hang-jun expressed his nervousness ahead of the release of his film 'The Man Who Lives with the King' and shared insights into his wife, star writer Kim Eun-hee's reaction.

On the 23rd, at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, director Jang Hang-jun discussed his upcoming film 'The Man Who Lives with the King.'

The film tells the story of King Danjong, the sixth king of Joseon, who was dethroned and exiled to Yeongwol, and the village chief of his place of exile. The film stars Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon.

Director Jang shared, "I'm particularly nervous about this film. The Korean film industry is facing challenges, and many directors are struggling to secure investments, which adds to the sense of responsibility. I also wonder how long I can continue making films." He added, "This project is different in style and larger in scale than my previous works, which makes me even more anxious."

As this is his first historical drama, Jang admitted, "When I first received the proposal, I was hesitant. There's a lot to prepare, and these days, historical accuracy can become a controversy. It also requires a significant budget, which is why many directors are wary of this genre." He continued, "I tend to do things that others aren't doing, and when something becomes trendy, I avoid it. Since not many were doing historical dramas, I thought, 'Why not give it a try?'"

When Jang was contemplating his involvement in the project, his wife, the successful writer Kim Eun-hee, encouraged him to take it on. Known for her hit dramas like 'Sign,' 'Signal,' and 'Kingdom,' Kim Eun-hee is reported to earn millions. Jang explained, "Kim Eun-hee and I sometimes consult each other when we're on the fence about a decision, like '51% yes, 49% no.' This time, her input tipped it to '52% yes, 48% no.'"

When asked if Kim Eun-hee would attend the premiere, Jang laughed, "She'll be there. It would be strange if she didn't." He added, "As I get older, I realize what a great friend she is. She's truly on my side, sometimes even more than my parents. She had positive things to say about this film as well."

Regarding whether he received help with the script, Jang noted, "We've both been so busy with our own work that we haven't reviewed each other's projects in over five years. Kim Eun-hee once said, 'If you review mine, I'll review yours,' but as writers, we tend to focus only on our own work. These days, we just support each other." He humorously added, "Occasionally, we ask each other's opinions, but surprisingly, Kim Eun-hee asks me more. My questions are usually about when she's coming home or what she wants to eat."

'The Man Who Lives with the King' is set to release on February 4th.

By Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr