The film 'The Man Who Lives With the King,' the first Korean film to portray the hidden story of Danjong (directed by Jang Hang-jun, distributed by SHOWBOX Corp., produced by Onda Works Co.·BA Entertainment Co.), released character stills of Park Jihoon, who has been transformed perfectly into Danjong, Lee Hong-wi.
Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the film 'The Man Who Lives With the King,' which tells the story of a village chief who volunteered for exile for the village's revival and a young former king who was driven from the throne and exiled, attracted attention by releasing character stills of Park Jihoon, who has been transformed perfectly into the young former king Lee Hong-wi, who was driven from the throne and exiled to Gangwon Province.
Actor Park Jihoon, who made a strong impression as Yeon Si-eun in the series 'Weak Hero Class,' has finished preparing to approach audiences by playing Danjong, Lee Hong-wi, in 'The Man Who Lives With the King.'
In the released character stills, Lee Hong-wi's gaze captures attention by containing at once the sadness of the young former king, who became crown prince and ascended to the throne at his father's will but was dethroned by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang, and his resolute will. Dressed in a white robe and holding a bow, he emits strong energy as he looks toward somewhere, provoking curiosity about what kind of life he will lead and what choices he will make in exile, cut off from the outside world.
Having been stripped of the throne at a young age and living with guilt and helplessness as loyal subjects were killed for treason, Lee Hong-wi is a character who regains his will to live in exile through sharing hardships and joys with Gwangcheon-gol village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hai Jin). Danjong, often portrayed only fragmentarily in many media under the name "the ill-fated king," has been completed as a more three-dimensional and rich character through Park Jihoon. Park Jihoon's irreplaceable character performance, which transformed into Danjong himself and sparked buzz from the launch teaser onward, is drawing strong interest from audiences.
Park Jihoon said, "I deeply pondered how to portray Lee Hong-wi so audiences could understand his heart," revealing the process of agonizing over expressing the complex inner world of the Lee Hong-wi character. As director Jang Hang-jun said, "Park Jihoon is an irreplaceable actor," Park Jihoon's passionate performance, having completed his own Lee Hong-wi, is expected to move audiences beyond the screen.
The film 'The Man Who Lives With the King,' noted as the most anticipated work of the new year, opens on Feb. 4, 2026 (Wednesday), ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
[Photo] SHOWBOX Corp.
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