On January 27, Park Ji-hoon sat down for an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, where he spoke candidly about his physical transformation for the role. The actor confessed that he lost 15 kilograms through extreme dieting, admitting that the process severely affected his health.
The King’s Warden, directed by Jang Hang-jun, is set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo and tells the story of a village chief who voluntarily chooses exile for the sake of his village, alongside a young deposed king sent away from the throne. The film focuses on the final year of King Danjong’s life and the real historical figure Eom Heung-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin), making it the first Korean film to explore the king’s hidden story.
In the film, Park Ji-hoon plays King Danjong (Yi Hong-wi), the sixth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. Crowned at just 12 years old, Danjong was later dethroned by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang, and ultimately met a tragic end during exile. To convincingly depict the king’s physical and emotional decline, Park Ji-hoon underwent an extreme transformation.
“The dieting method was simple but incredibly difficult, I just didn’t eat,” Park Ji-hoon explained. “I would survive on just a small piece of apple, and I couldn’t even sleep. I wanted to capture a level beyond simply looking thin, I wanted to look completely emaciated.” He added that exercise was not an option for achieving the desired effect, which led him to choose starvation.
Director Jang Hang-jun jokingly remarked, “If Park Ji-hoon didn’t diet, this film might become my last work,” a comment the actor took with good humor. “If I were the director, I probably would’ve thought the same,” Park Ji-hoon laughed. “At the time, I was on a break eating, sleeping, and enjoying myself without stress. I weighed a little over 70 kilograms, but I lost about 15 kilograms in just two and a half months.”
The physical toll was severe. “Even during scenes where I had to eat, I would gag just from putting food in my mouth. My condition was at its worst,” he admitted. “I didn’t even feel hungry anymore, and I maintained that state until filming ended.”
The King’s Warden is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 4, drawing attention for both its untold historical narrative and Park Ji-hoon’s intense dedication to his role.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
You must be logged in to post a comment.