Park Ji-hoon Dominates the Screen as the Tragic King Danjong... Character Stills from 'The Man Who Lives as a King' Released

Actor Park Ji-hoon has perfectly transformed into the tragic king ‘Danjong’ in the highly anticipated film 〈The Man Who Lives as a King〉, set to release in the first half of 2026, showcasing his irreplaceable presence. This film, which shines a light on Danjong's hidden exiled life for the first time in Korean cinema, has captivated the attention of prospective audiences with character stills that capture Park Ji-hoon’s deep gaze.

The film 〈The Man Who Lives as a King〉 is set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, depicting the shared struggles of village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin), who voluntarily goes into exile for the revival of the village, and the young former king Lee Hong-wi, who is exiled to Gangwon-do after being dethroned. Park Ji-hoon plays the role of Lee Hong-wi, who regains his will to live in isolation after being deposed by his uncle, the Duke of Suyang, showcasing complex inner performances.

Between Sadness and Determination… Park Ji-hoon’s Reinterpretation of ‘Lee Hong-wi’

In the released character stills, Park Ji-hoon is seen wearing a white robe and holding a bow, exuding intense energy. His gaze, which simultaneously conveys the sorrow of the former king who ascended to the throne at his father's behest but was helplessly deposed, and the guilt towards the loyal subjects who died trying to protect him, overwhelms viewers. Critics have noted that he has completed the character of the ‘tragic king’ Danjong in a more three-dimensional and rich interpretation than previously depicted in existing media.

Having proven his powerful acting skills as Yeon Si-eun in the series 〈Weak Hero Class 1〉, Park Ji-hoon is ready to deeply immerse himself in this character and evoke empathy from the audience. He has deeply contemplated how to express the character of Lee Hong-wi so that the audience can understand his true feelings, and the irreplaceable performance born from that process has already garnered significant attention since the launch of the teaser trailer.

Acclaim from Masters and Senior Actors… Unveiling on February 4

Director Jang Hang-jun, who is at the helm, praised Park Ji-hoon as an “irreplaceable actor” and highlighted the acting chemistry with Yoo Hae-jin, who plays the village chief managing him and gradually opening his heart, as a key point of interest in the film. The film industry is focused on how these two actors will fill the blank pages of history with an emotional narrative.

The meeting of Park Ji-hoon’s passionate performance and Director Jang Hang-jun’s excellent storytelling in 〈The Man Who Lives as a King〉 will be released in theaters nationwide on February 4.