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| Lim Eun-jung, CEO of Onda Works, producer of A Man Living with the King / Photo: Courtesy of Showbox |
On the 11th, Lim met with Sports Today at a café in Jongno, Seoul, to discuss A Man Living with the King (directed by Jang Hang-jun).
Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the film follows village head Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin), who chooses exile to revive his town, and the young, dethroned king Yi Hong-wi (Park Ji-hoon). Onda Works, founded by former CJ ENM executive Lim Eun-jung, co-produced the film with B.A. Entertainment, led by Jang Won-seok, the producer behind The Outlaws series.
Two years after The Outlaws 4, the film crossed the 10 million admissions mark, becoming the 34th Korean film to reach that milestone. Interest in the cast has surged, and Park Ji-hoon — a former member of the idol group Wanna One — has emerged as a standout for his portrayal of the dethroned king.
Lim said Yoo Hae-jin's attachment to the project made Park Ji-hoon's casting possible. \"Yoo Hae-jin provided a solid anchor,\" she said, noting that, as an industry insider, she wanted to introduce fresh talent. \"Everyone wants new faces, but a frozen market makes taking risks difficult. With Hae-jin stabilizing the project, we felt we could take that chance.\"
Lim added that she had identified Park early on. \"The role required a specific image and a certain intensity in the eyes,\" she said. \"I've been a longtime viewer of Produce 101 season 2 and have followed many of the trainees who debuted from the show. That background made him an interesting casting choice for me.\"
She also noted her connection to the producer of Weak Hero. Having heard that Park is exceptionally diligent, she recommended him to director Jang Hang-jun. \"After watching Weak Hero, the director said, in one line, that Park's eyes were exactly right for the dethroned king,\" she recalled. Meeting Park in person, she said, only strengthened their confidence.
[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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