As the box office fever for the film The King's Warden continues, director Jang Hang-jun personally took to the streets to thank audiences. But it does not end there. The actors who are the driving force behind the hit also announced they will all appear to give stage greetings, raising expectations.
Director Jang Hang-jun held a coffee truck event to thank audiences for the success of The King's Warden in the square in front of the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, at noon on the 12th. Hundreds of citizens flocked to the scene to see the director in person, and the 200 prepared cups of coffee drew so much interest that the waiting line was full even before the event began.
In particular, director Jang Hang-jun delighted the crowd even more by showing his usual cheerful wit along with a bolhat and V poses and air kisses as various fan services. Fans at the scene held up placards reading "day one of hoping to recruit master Jang Hang-jun fan club" and cheered. Fans who came from all over the country nearly paralyzed Seoul. The director said, "Thanks to the great love from audiences, the actors and staff are having a dreamlike time," and added, "I hope this film becomes an opportunity for Korean cinema to come back to life."
This coffee truck event was arranged as part of the "10 million pledge" that director Jang Hang-jun had previously put forward. It was prepared to express gratitude to the audiences. However, in a later interview the director drew a line on the 10 million pledge, saying, "It was more of a joke said in fun than a pledge." Regarding the "20 million pledge," he said, "I think it could not happen and should not happen," and added, "It is not good for the film industry as a whole if only one film does well. Behind it, there are films made with care by fellow directors waiting."
Above all, buoyed by this popularity and box office momentum, the actors are reported to be preparing to meet audiences in person, raising expectations. Park Jihoon, who plays the role of Danjong, Yoo Hai Jin, who plays Eom Heung-do, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, KIM MIN, Lee Jun-hyuk, Kim Su-jin, Park Ji-yoon and other main cast members are scheduled to hold a gratitude stage greeting at Megabox COEX in Seoul on the 17th.
In addition, The King's Warden will have director Jang Hang-jun appear on several news programs to share his thoughts on the success, and on the 13th at 10:50 p.m. KST, Yoo Ji-tae will coappear on KBS1's Newsline W to deliver even more varied stories, raising expectations. Amid unstoppable box office momentum, the director and actors continue to meet audiences in person to express their gratitude.
The King's Warden is a work set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo that depicts the story of the young dethroned king Danjong and the villagers who welcomed him. Since its release it has spread by word of mouth and continued a long run at the box office, surpassing 12 million cumulative admissions and setting the highest box office record for a Korean film this year.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SHOWBOX
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