The film "The King's Warden" surpassed 10 million viewers, bringing renewed attention to the long journey of director Jang Hang-jun. In particular, the story of his wife, writer Kim Eun-hee, who believed in his dream to the end, is being reexamined and deeply resonates.
In the past, director Jang Hang-jun appeared on SBS entertainment program 'Strong Heart' and opened up about the difficult times when he dreamed of becoming a film director. He recalled, "While working as a film scenario writer I had the dream of becoming a director, but the works I prepared for three years were repeatedly canceled at the production stage."
Financial difficulties continued. Director Jang recalled, "I couldn't even go drinking with friends, and later we experienced running out of rice," and said at the time, "life was so hard that I eventually urged my wife, 'Why don't you think about working?' and encouraged her to return to work." After that, writer Kim Eun-hee started working as a radio writer again and took responsibility for the household.
But the family's worries grew. Director Jang's father urged him to give up the path of film directing and demanded a realistic choice. He told his son to give up his dream, saying he could not support him becoming a film director. At that moment, something unexpected happened. Writer Kim Eun-hee knelt before her father-in-law and spoke on behalf of her husband.
Recalling his wife Kim Eun-hee, Jang Hang-jun remembered, "To my father, she said, 'Jang Hang-jun can do it. He will be a good director,'" and he recalled that she asked him not to give up his dream. Moved by that desperate faith, his father gave him time, and that is how he was able to keep his dream.
Fortunately, director Jang Hang-jun later debuted as a director, and as time passed he paid off all his debts, saying, "When I got married and lived, that was the moment I was most grateful to my wife," and "My wife kept the dream I could not protect," which moved many people.
And in 2026, that time of faith bore fruit. Director Jang Hang-jun's film "The King's Warden" reached 10 million cumulative viewers on the afternoon of March 6, its 31st day after release, and has become 2026's biggest box-office hit. The work joined the ranks of the fourth historical films to reach 10 million viewers after "The King and the Clown", "Masquerade" and "The Admiral: Roaring Currents", bringing renewed vitality to theaters.
The director's dream, which he did not give up even amid hardship. And his wife's one line that believed in that dream to the end. In the end, Kim Eun-hee's faith made Jang Hang-jun a 10-million-viewer director, a story that once again leaves a deep impression.
[Photo] 'Broadcast screen'
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