As expected, it was the "look" that did it, and that sincerity came through. Actor Park Jihoon once again aimed squarely at Korea's box office with his acting and is on the verge of joining the "10-million audience" club.
According to the integrated computer network for movie theater ticketing on the 2nd, the film The King's Warden (directed by Jang Hang-jun) surpassed 9 million cumulative admissions today (March 2), its 27th day since release. In particular, on the 1st alone it drew 817,205 admissions, setting a personal best and continuing an unstoppable box office run.
Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo and telling the story of a village head who volunteered for exile to revive his village and a young dethroned former king, Park Jihoon plays the role of Danjong and embodied the tragic narrative with his whole being. With his uniquely plaintive atmosphere he brought audiences to tears, and with only his eyes he delivered a powerful transformation 180 degrees different from his previous work.
Industry experts have been heaping praise day after day. Critic Lee Dong-jin praised Park Jihoon, saying, "I've heard people say acting is a profession of selling your eyes, and Park Jihoon has such great eyes," and added, "His eyes are so sad until the middle, but then they change." Director Jang Hang-jun, who held the megaphone, also highly praised his nuanced acting, saying, "He has innate talent."
But this immaculate narrative was by no means created by luck. Park Jihoon made agonizing efforts to achieve the gaunt look of the tragic former king. He kept to a harsh diet for more than two months eating only one apple a day, which he normally dislikes, and he even avoided exercise for fear of building muscle so as to preserve the character's sensitivity. His meticulous attention down to adjusting his vocal tone reportedly left even the on-set staff astonished.
The culmination of this intense immersion ultimately gathered in his "look." In fact, Park Jihoon's gaze had already been proven once through the Weak Hero series. Having charmed the public with a bright, lovely image during his time in the nationally beloved idol group Wanna One, famously shouting "Save it in my heart," the blurred yet sharp dual gaze he showed in Weak Hero and the deepened eyes in The King's Warden once again delivered a fresh shock to the public.
Park Jihoon seems to be the actor who most perfectly proved that "a look can be the story." Beyond the 9 million mark and racing toward the "10-million legend," all eyes are on what records his gaze will write next.
[Photo] OSEN DB, still from Weak Hero
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