Director Jang Hang-jun Discusses Future Projects and Reflects on 'The Man Living with the King'

Director Jang Hang-jun recently appeared on JTBC's 'Newsroom' to discuss his thoughts on the success of his film 'The Man Living with the King' and share insights into his upcoming projects.

During the interview, Jang revealed that he made numerous revisions to the script, particularly focusing on the character Eom Heung-do. He explained, "Eom Heung-do had to face a dilemma: should he report to survive, or protect the young, vulnerable king? This line was crucial." Jang added, "I imagined that the villagers taught Danjong why he should be king and how to be one. Scenes of sharing meals, laughing, and teaching were central to the film."

When asked what he would have done if he were Eom Heung-do, Jang candidly replied, "I would have gone to the authorities. It's hard to endure when your entire family is threatened. We respect independence fighters and patriots because they sacrificed personal comfort for a greater cause. Ordinary people can't do that." He also expressed gratitude to Eom Heung-do, saying, "Thank you for allowing future generations to remember your significance 600 years later."

Jang, known for his diverse filmography, humorously described himself as "the Kim Bap Heaven of film directors," referring to a popular Korean restaurant chain with an extensive menu. He stated, "I get bored easily, so I try different genres. But I won't be doing another historical drama next."

Currently, Jang is considering two new projects: a black comedy and a mystery thriller that delves into deep human emotions.

Regarding his early work 'Running and Thinking,' which his wife, writer Kim Eun-hee, favors, Jang mentioned, "We talked about remaking it just a few days ago, but I'm unsure how a script written 30 years ago would be received today."

Jang's ultimate goal as a director is "longevity." He said, "I'm not interested in rankings or competition. I want to stay in the film industry for a long time, regardless of success or failure. I haven't found a job as fun as being a film director." He added, "I just want to live happily and energetically. After retiring from directing, I'd like to try writing."

Meanwhile, 'The Man Living with the King' continues to enjoy immense popularity, surpassing 12 million viewers.

Reported by Kim Eun-jung, TenAsia