Veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon are set to present a story never before told in Korean cinema, bringing new depth to the tragic history of King Danjong.

The film The King and the Man Who Lived With Him explores the untold exile years of Danjong, the sixth king of Joseon, who ascended the throne at 12 and died at 17. Rather than retelling well-known historical facts, the film focuses on human relationships and emotions absent from official records.

Director Jang Hang-jun, making his first foray into the historical genre, said the project demanded extraordinary care. Extensive historical consultation and research were conducted to meet the expectations of modern audiences well-versed in history. Even costumes were newly 제작 from scratch to ensure authenticity.

Park Ji-hoon transforms into the young, exiled king Lee Hong-wi (Danjong). He approached the role with restraint, emphasizing emptiness and helplessness over overt dramatization. To embody the character physically, Park Ji-hoon lost 15 kilograms and trained in traditional Korean archery, focusing on mental stillness rather than technique.

Yoo Hae-jin plays Eom Heung-do, the village chief who chooses to share Danjong's place of exile. Drawn to the unexplored emotional side of Danjong's story, Yoo focused on portraying quiet loyalty and human warmth. He even visited Jangneung, Danjong's tomb, to capture the emotional essence of the historical figure.

The two actors repeatedly expressed admiration for each other's performances. Yoo Hae-jin said Park Ji-hoon's acting deeply influenced his own emotional scenes, while Park described Yoo as a figure who evoked feelings of paternal affection during filming.

Their bond extended beyond the camera. The actors often walked together to the set, sharing conversations about the film and life, naturally building trust that translated into their on-screen chemistry.

The film also reinterprets historical figures with fresh perspectives. Yoo Ji-tae portrays Han Myeong-hoe not as a stereotypical villain, but as a physically imposing, complex political figure based on contemporary records. The cast further includes Jeon Mi-do, Lee Jun-hyuk, Park Ji-hwan, and Ahn Jae-hong, delivering performances that balance humor with emotional weight.

Director Jang Hang-jun praised the ensemble cast and crew for exceeding expectations, noting the collaborative atmosphere on set. Yoo Hae-jin described the project as one of the most emotionally fulfilling experiences of his career.

The King and the Man Who Lived With Him is scheduled for release on February 4 next year.