'The King's Warden' director Jang Hang-jun and actor Yoo Ji-tae shared their thoughts on reaching 10 million viewers.
On the 13th broadcast of KBS 1TV's 'Newsline W', director Jang Hang-jun, who directed the film 'The King's Warden', and actor Yoo Ji-tae, who gave a passionate performance as Han Myeong-hoe, appeared.
'The King's Warden' depicted the story of Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, the village chief who volunteered for exile for the village's revival and the young dethroned king who was exiled. It became the 34th film in history to reach 10 million viewers, surpassed 12 million viewers on the 36th day after release, and continued to hold the No. 1 spot at the box office in its fifth week, establishing itself as one of this year's representative hits at the theaters.
Yoo Ji-tae, who became a 10-million-viewer actor for the first time in his life, said, "There can be value in a film beyond numbers, but there cannot be a film without an audience. The figure of 10 million is special to me and to the audience," and added, "We achieved the goals we had set. As a fellow cast member I hope it remains the biggest hit for everyone involved. I also secretly hope it becomes the third highest-grossing Korean film of all time."
Director Jang Hang-jun said about casting Yoo Ji-tae as Han Myeong-hoe, "I thought of Yoo Ji-tae from the start. I wanted to portray a different Han Myeong-hoe, but when I looked through historical records there were descriptions very similar to Yoo Ji-tae. The descriptions of the appearance matched Yoo Ji-tae, so I contacted him and he agreed with the project and was cast," Yoo said. In response, Yoo Ji-tae said, "I know director Jang Hang-jun well and had a good impression and experience with him, so I had high expectations. As an actor working for 30 years I wanted to work with a director who has extensive film experience, and he readily accepted. He said he wanted to depict Han Myeong-hoe differently, so I saw it as an opportunity for transformation."
In particular, Yoo Ji-tae said, "There are established elements of the existing Han Myeong-hoe, so I wanted to break preconceived notions. There is also an image associated with Yoo Ji-tae, so I thought we should add different interpretations. Since I had done historical dramas before, I wanted to utilize those strengths and create a different side of Han Myeong-hoe, and I discussed this a lot with the director. After 'Vigilante' I gained weight, and I tried to maintain that. My gaze in past historical dramas was charismatic, so I wondered how to emphasize it and I slightly applied tape to the eyelids," he added.
A film that drew 10 million viewers in two years was born, and regarding his role in it Yoo Ji-tae said, "The King's Warden is a film of about 10 billion won, and it is encouraging that a midrange film achieved this level of success. I think if Korean cinema continues to produce midrange, story-driven films that can move audiences, it will continue well."
Finally, Yoo Ji-tae said, "I shot a Hollywood film that will be released in Feb. 2027. There are projects under consideration for my next work, and I am preparing for them. I am trying to lose bulk to show different characters," and added, "I am a very fortunate actor. I earned the title of a 10-million-viewer actor, and it was possible because of the great director, production team and audiences. I will do my best to continue showing good acting."
Meanwhile, the year's biggest hit of 2026, 'The King's Warden', is showing to great acclaim in theaters.
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