Director Jang Hang-jun, who promised a million viewers, speaks

As the movie 'The King and the Man' approaches the 10 million viewer mark, director Jang Hang-jun's past "10 million pledge" is once again becoming a hot topic. In a broadcast last January, the director promised to undergo a name change, plastic surgery, and a cruise party if the film surpassed 10 million viewers. While it was taken as a joke at the time, the film's unexpected box office success has drawn attention to whether the pledge will be fulfilled.

Director Jang recently revealed on a broadcast, "I was frustrated because the first day's score was so bad. I said it as a joke, hoping we'd at least break even, but now that 10 million is actually within reach, I'm flustered." He added that he's been receiving hundreds of teasing messages from acquaintances and joked that plastic surgery would be "a complete rebuild, like demolishing and reconstructing," which he can't handle.

Director Jang said, "Who keeps all their promises in the world? Probably only Jesus or Buddha," and mentioned that as a realistic alternative, he is preparing a coffee truck event for citizens in downtown Seoul. Producer Jang Won-seok also added, "If the director was in his right mind, would he have made such a pledge?" and "It's the director's personal pledge, so the production company is not involved."

According to the Korean Film Council's Integrated Network for Film Ticket Admissions, 'The King and the Man' recorded a cumulative audience of 9.4 million as of April 3rd. The film continues to draw audiences on weekdays, making it certain to surpass 10 million viewers this weekend. This is expected to be the first 10 million-viewer film in two years, following 'The Roundup: Punishment' in 2024.

The movie 'The King and the Man' is set in the Joseon Dynasty and tells the story of the deposed King Danjong meeting the village chief Eom Heung-do in exile. The cast includes Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do.