Director Jang Hang-jun, who hit the 10-million-viewer milestone with the movie ‘The Man Living with the King’, got candid about the complex emotions that come with being a hit director.
Appearing as a guest on MBC FM4U’s ‘2 O’Clock Date with Ahn Young-mi’ on the 13th, Jang discussed his record-breaking film. ‘The Man Living with the King’ has surpassed 16 million cumulative viewers, ranking second in all-time box office success.
While he is now hailed as a ‘master’ due to this massive success, Jang revealed the burden of his changed life. “I feel that it’s not easy to avoid acting carelessly now,” he confessed, adding, “I think my sense of happiness has decreased compared to before.” He explained that while his way of life was originally to live freely, the increased public scrutiny has made that difficult.
He also shared his honest thoughts on online public opinion. “There are times when I don’t like netizens,” he said, using a striking metaphor: “It feels like people are holding a stone in one hand and a flower in the other.” He pointed out that people might praise someone excessively, but their attitude shifts instantly if a small mistake is made or if someone suddenly gains attention, often digging up their past.
Jang also shared an anecdote about his wife, writer Kim Eun-hee. “My wife always advises me, ‘Don’t talk too much. Mistakes are bound to happen,'” he said. He opened up further, admitting, “My current life is not the image I wanted. I don’t feel great joy or pleasure,” and noted a lack of happiness and pleasure in his current state.
‘The Man Living with the King’, directed by Jang Hang-jun, became a huge hit with over 16 million viewers, cementing its place as his representative work and the second highest-grossing film in Korean history. The movie tells the story of young King Lee Hong-wi (Park Ji-hoon), who is ousted from the throne during the Gyeyu Jeongnan period and forms an extraordinary friendship with village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin) while in exile in Gwangcheon-gol.
