Jang Hang-jun expressed psychological pressure after the success of The King's Warden.
On the 13th broadcast of MBC FM4U Two O'Clock Date with Ahn Young-mi, director Jang Hang-jun appeared as a guest and talked.
At the director's appearance that day, listeners said "Now people introduce you not as 'a person surnamed Kim's husband' but as Jang Hang-jun, the director of The King's Warden," and Ahn Young-mi said "Right? It has become like this now. You never know about people," and laughed.
In response, Jang Hang-jun agreed, saying "You really can't know," and when a listener said, "Be careful with your words, Director Jang. Are you being careful with your words these days? A tight-lipped director doesn't suit you," Ahn Young-mi said, "He's being very careful not to act rashly."
Jang Hang-jun complained, "I didn't know it would be so hard not to act rashly," and Ahn Young-mi also said in sympathy, "This is hard. It somewhat reduces the feeling of happiness."
Then Jang Hang-jun nodded and said, "It diminishes," and complained about the strict standards that come with popularity: "My motto was to live recklessly, but there are too many eyes watching me. And internet users. I really don't like them. The nature of internet users—I've actually never posted that someone is good or bad in my life. Isn't that true for most people? But I think like this. One hand holds a stone and the other holds a flower; when praising, they praise breathlessly. Then if this person slips up somehow, when suddenly rising people make one mistake, the things I did a few steps earlier... the flowers turn into stones and they throw stones."
Ahn Young-mi agreed, "There are really no memes. It's a scary era these days," and director Jang Hang-jun said, "So I watch my words a lot. My wife always tells me, 'Oppa, please don't talk so much. If you talk a lot, mistakes will inevitably increase.'"
Ahn Young-mi said with regret, "But being talkative was one of our director Jang Hang-jun's strengths. Of course the film's great success must make you happy, but you don't look that very happy," and Jang Hang-jun candidly said, "This is not the life I wanted."
Responding to the remark, "It must feel like being awake and having sleep paralysis, as if your limbs are tied," he said, "That's right. Look. There's no great joy in my eyes. There's no happiness or pleasure." Ahn Young-mi said, "Because the word 'be careful' is written there. You have to be careful," and Jang Hang-jun joked, "'Hang-jun, you're chicken?' doesn't that stick in people's minds?" adding laughter.
Meanwhile, Jang Hang-jun's film The King's Warden, released in February, surpassed a total cumulative audience of 16.84 million, ranking second in the all-time box office based on strong performances by actors Yoo Hai Jin, Park Jihoon, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do and others. It also received honors at the recently held 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, winning the rookie actor award (Park Jihoon), the grand prize (Yoo Hai Jin), and the Gucci Impact of the Year award, among others.
[photo] MBC FM4U
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