Park Ji-hoon: From Kpop idols to a new generation of "box office kings"

Park Ji-hoon officially brought the movie "Under the Shadow" (The King's Warden) to surpass the action comedy superhero Extreme Job to become the highest-grossing film of all time in the land of Kim Chi.

The resonance of two generations of talented actors

With an impressive figure of 142 billion won, the work not only conquered dry records but also captured the hearts of the audience with a historical story full of humanity.

If Park Ji-hoon brings the image of the melancholy and fragile young king Yi Hong Wi in the midst of a spiral of power, the "monstrous" Yoo Hai-jin transforms into the role of the village chief Eom Heung Do who is sincere, austere but full of tolerance. The intersection between an exiled former emperor and a small commoner has created an invisible bond that moves people's hearts in the midst of a turbulent historical context.

The character poster set that has just been released immediately caused a storm by the sophistication in the arrangement of light and color, fully revealing the interior of each character line:

Cold Blue: Surrounds Yi Hong Wi (Park Ji-hoon), depicting the loneliness and helplessness of a worldly emperor.

Warm and intimate tone: For Eom Heung Do (Yoo Hai-jin), honoring rusticism and warm humanity in the midst of difficulties.

Red and Dark: Covers those in power such as Han Myeong Hoe (Joo Ji Tae) or Geumseong (Lee Jun Hyuk), creating a suffocating atmosphere of political calculations.

The most expensive point is "eye language". Without the need for loud and loud dialogues, the restrained expressions of the cast from the gorgeous dragon to the old worn cloth shirt have told the story of the opposite identity and the pain of the times.

"Under the Shadow of His Highness" is based on a real event, taking the audience to a remote exile area. Here, the village chief Eom Heung Do made a bold decision: to turn the impoverished village into a "prison" for the young king in exchange for a livelihood for the villagers.

However, behind that calculation is a journey of silent protection. The film cleverly peels apart the deepest layers of loyalty and protection, where the little people lean on each other to weather the vicious waves of history together.

In Vietnam, "Under the Shadow of His Highness" is expected to be officially released in theaters from April 10, 2026, promising to be a cinematic experience not to be missed for fans of psychological and historical films.

From "Idol encroaching" to the king of the big screen

After the great success of the Weak Hero series, Park Ji-hoon has officially had the role of "for life" when transformed into Danjong – Yi Hong-wi. No longer a K-pop idol, he conquered the professional world with a multi-layered, haunting image of Yi Hong-wi.

To fully portray the desperation of a young king deprived of the throne, Park Ji-hoon spent hundreds of hours discussing with director Chang Hang-jun. The pent-up and explosive energy in his eyes is the key that makes the director affirm: "This character must be Ji-hoon, it can't be anyone else."

As Eom Heung-do, Yoo Hai-jin once again proves why he is called the "box office guarantor". Different from his previous comedic roles, he brings an image of serving the monarch loyally, warmly and full of concerns.

Notably, the veteran actor pays special respect to juniors:

"I was really influenced by Park Ji-hoon's energy on set. He evokes a lot of emotions in me. It's an honor for me to work with such a great actor."

Park Ji-hoon: The journey from "National Idol" to a real movie star"

Park Ji-hoon was born on May 29, 1999, he started his career as a child actor, but his name really exploded across Asia after winning the runner-up position on the survival show Produce 101 season 2. Nicknamed "Wink Boy", he became a key member of the phenomenal group Wanna One, appearing on world tours and reaping a series of prestigious music awards.

After Wanna One disbanded, Park Ji-hoon did not choose the safe path but drastically pursued his passion for acting, gradually shaking off the image of a sweet idol to challenge himself in roles with complex psychological depth:

Promising beginnings: He made headlines through dramas such as Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency and Love Revolution, revealing a keen acting mindset.

Brilliant turning point: In 2022, Park Ji-hoon made a big splash with her role as Yeon Si-eun in the series "Weak Hero Class 1". His cold, melancholic eyes and explosive inner strength completely conquered the critics, bringing home the Best New Actor award at the 2023 Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Historical peak: In 2026, with the role of the young king Yi Hong-wi in the superhero "Under the Shadow of His Highness", Park Ji-hoon officially entered the ranks of box office stars. The ability to fully transform into characters with tragic fates has helped him dispel the prejudice of "acting idols", becoming one of the most sought-after young actors in Korean cinema today.

Behind the glory of box office records is a disciplined training journey. Park Ji-hoon is not only a lucky actor who chooses a good script, but he is also highly appreciated by the profession for his independent character thinking.

To prepare for his role in Weak Hero, he spent months studying martial arts and studying the psychology of teenagers suffering from school violence. Coming to Under the Shadow of His Majesty, he continues to amaze when he learns how to walk, court etiquette, and how to regulate his breath to show the fall of a young king who is slowly losing everything.

"Acting with the eyes": This is a phrase that directors and audiences often use to talk about Ji-hoon. The eyes, which were once a weapon that helped him attract millions of fans during the idol era, have now become the most subtle tools of inner expression – from lifeless, cold gazes to poignant moments containing a melancholy sky.

Park Ji-hoon is not only a symbol of personal success, but also a paving the way and inspiring the next generation of "Idol-Actors". He proves that: as long as there is a big enough passion and seriousness to the profession, the gap between the music stage and the cinema lens will be erased by strength and perseverance.

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