Finally, the two official posters for the film <The Kingโs Warden> (์๊ณผ ์ฌ๋ ๋จ์) have been released. With the premiere set for February 4th, 2026, the buzz surrounding Park Ji-hoon is already reaching a fever pitch. Just gathering these updates has left my heart feeling a bit heavy.
Going beyond a mere reproduction of a “tragic history,” this film promises to depict the hidden hours of King Danjong that we never knew. Today, along with the newly unveiled posters, Iโd like to share why industry insiders are calling this Park Ji-hoonโs career-defining performance after the recent blind screenings.
๐Park Ji-hoon as the boy king ‘Yi Hong-wi,’ holding a traditional bow with a hollowed-out, sorrowful gaze that pierces the soul.
Park Ji-hoon’s King Danjong
Have you seen the look in Park Ji-hoonโs eyes in the newly released posters? As I mentioned in my previous post, he is an actor who truly embodies the phrase “eyes that tell a story.”
That sorrowful and aching gazeโone that conveys grief and pity just by locking eyesโis haunting. ๐ Having lost 15kg to physically transform himself, Park Ji-hoon has become the living embodiment of the boy king ‘Yi Hong-wi,’ who was stripped of his throne and lost his loyal subjects.
“I heard that traditional archery is about emptying one’s mind. I practiced repeatedly with the mindset of letting go of the string only when my mind was completely clear.”
Just as he shared in his interview, the archery form he achieved through this process of “emptying” has earned him praises for being “beautiful.” I feel like I found the answer to how Park Ji-hoon would express the firm will to live hidden beneath helplessness in that image of him holding the bow.
A truly Fine Fellow Yu Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon
The pairing of Yu Hae-jinโthe actor with the highest cumulative audience in Koreaโand the trending Park Ji-hoon is the talk of the town. While the combination felt fresh and unexpected at first, the behind-the-scenes stories prove their incredible synergy.
Yu Hae-jin praised Park Ji-hoon as “an actor with fundamental energy and an outstanding ability to condense and restrain his performance.”
Their bond grew deep during long walks on set in Yeongwol, with Yu Hae-jin even sending a snack truck to support Park Ji-hoon’s next project, The Legend of the Cookhouse Soldier.
In the movie, they meet as the clever village head ‘Eom Heung-do’ and the exiled king ‘Yi Hong-wi.’ I am highly anticipating how their chemistryโsometimes like father and son, sometimes like friends transcending ageโwill bring warmth to the box office.
Exclusive Blind Screening Review
This is the highlight of todayโs post. The reactions from film industry insiders who attended the blind screenings are extraordinary.
According to insiders who participated in the blind screenings, the emotional arc in the latter half of the film was a performance that was only possible because of Park Ji-hoon.
“The venue became a sea of tears after the screening ended.”
“Park Ji-hoonโs acting is beyond ‘crazy.’ Insiders are joking that managers should start getting on the good side of his agency right now.”
“I can’t say much because of spoilers, but I walked away feeling so envious of Park Ji-hoon’s fans.”
With the touching relationships between the village people surrounding Danjong, I am incredibly curious to see how this painful storyโwhere history itself is the spoilerโhas been woven into something so powerful by ๐ Park Ji-hoon’s performance.
Why We Must Head to the Theatres on February 4th
With Jang Hang-junโs delicate direction and a perfect acting ensemble including Yu Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yu Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do, The Kingโs Warden is ready to meet us.
Even though we already know the ending, the reason we wait for this film is to witness the “lives” and “sincerity” that were never recorded in history. On February 4th, I plan to head to the theater to witness the last light that the boy king faced in Cheongnyeongpo.
What emotions do you feel from these posters? After hearing the glowing reviews about Park Ji-hoon’s acting, my expectations are through the roof. See you at the theaters on February 4th!
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