Director Jang Hang-jun's 'The Man Who Lives with the King' Nears 10 Million Viewers, Breaking Stereotypes

《Kim Ji-won's Kakaotalk》
Today's story, candid and sharp. Kim Ji-won, a reporter from TenAsia, critically reviews entertainment issues with a discerning eye.

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Director Jang Hang-jun is poised to transcend his 'entertainer' image and join the ranks of 'master' filmmakers. His film 'The Man Who Lives with the King' is on a meteoric rise, nearing the milestone of 10 million viewers. Previously overshadowed by the label 'God-given easy life,' his directorial skills are now receiving full recognition.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, 'The Man Who Lives with the King' has attracted 9.21 million viewers as of the 2nd. It surpassed 1 million viewers on the 5th day of release, 2 million on the 12th day, 3 million on the 14th day, 4 million on the 15th day, 5 million on the 18th day, 6 million on the 20th day, and 7 million on the 24th day. After surpassing 8 million, it crossed 9 million in just one day.

Unlike the usual trend where audience numbers drop sharply after the first two weeks, 'The Man Who Lives with the King' has maintained its momentum, drawing audiences at an accelerated pace thanks to word of mouth. The film's success was also bolstered by the Lunar New Year holiday, February's Culture Day, and the March 1st holiday. Additionally, related historical sites in Yeongwol have become popular domestic travel destinations.

The success of 'The Man Who Lives with the King' cannot be attributed to mere luck. The primary driving force is its 'entertainment' value. While maintaining the genre's historical weight, Director Jang Hang-jun effectively weaves his rhythmic storytelling and unique humor into the narrative. The film, which deals with the tragic story of King Danjong, avoids the pitfall of repeating familiar tragic narratives by presenting the story from the 'people's perspective,' creating a warmer tone.

Instead of showcasing tragedy for tragedy's sake, the film balances human aspects, desires, and humor, enhancing audience engagement. This approach reinterprets historical tragedy with a new emotional line, serving as a catalyst for its success.

The stellar performances and character dynamics also play a crucial role in the film's success. Yoo Hae-jin, who plays the village chief Eom Heung-do, who served King Danjong, anchors the film with his signature down-to-earth acting and profound emotional depth. Park Ji-hoon, who plays King Danjong, has been praised for finding his 'life character,' solidifying his name as an actor after transitioning from child actor and idol.

Director Jang Hang-jun's focus on character emotions provides audiences with the catharsis of witnessing a 'real story.' His latest film pleasantly shatters the stereotype of him as a 'lightweight director' due to his entertainer image.

From an industry perspective, the success of 'The Man Who Lives with the King' is significant. Unlike the recent trend in Korean cinema of focusing on large-scale productions or provocative themes, this film proves that a strong script and direction alone can attract audiences.

As of 3 PM on the 3rd, 'The Man Who Lives with the King' holds the top spot in real-time ticket sales (51.8%) with 120,000 tickets sold. At this rate, it is expected to surpass 10 million viewers by mid-week.

If 'The Man Who Lives with the King' reaches 10 million viewers, it will be the first Korean film in two years to achieve this milestone. In 2024, two films, 'Excavation' and 'Crime City 4,' reached 10 million viewers, but there were no such films last year.

Director Jang Hang-jun's promise regarding the film's success is also gaining attention. In January, he mentioned his pledge on SBS PowerFM's 'Bae Sung-jae's Ten.'

At the time, Jang Hang-jun joked, "There's no way it will reach 10 million, but if it does, I'll change my phone number, change my name, and get plastic surgery so no one can recognize me." He also quipped, "I'm considering naturalizing elsewhere. I hope no one looks for me." He added, "I'm thinking of buying a yacht and throwing a party on it. You can't help but eat lobster on a yacht, right? Of course, a chef will be on board."

Though his promises were made in jest, they add another layer of enjoyment for audiences as they watch to see how Director Jang Hang-jun will fulfill them.

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