Yoo Hae-jin is sharing the credit for his latest performance with his director and his breakout co-star.
Speaking at a Jan. 21 press screening and Q&A for "The King's Warden" at Megabox Samseong in Seoul, the veteran actor deflected praise for his “best-ever” turn. “Director Jang Hang-jun was playful and incredibly open,” Yoo said. “He really listened, so I never hesitated to bring ideas. And if something needed tweaking, he was flexible about making changes.”
Yoo also singled out first-time scene partner Park Ji-hoon. “Acting is give-and-take, and this time the rhythm was spot-on,” he noted. “Park’s eyes helped me so much. I cried a lot watching the film. It wasn’t about over-preparing―the emotions just formed naturally because of what he gave me.”
Recalling a late-act emotional sequence, Yoo added, “I caught myself thinking, ‘Is this what it feels like for a parent looking at their young child?’”
Park returned the love: “I can still feel that moment when our eyes met. I was so happy. I’d be grateful to experience that again.”
Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, "The King's Warden" blends history and imagination to tell a moving story about a village head who volunteers for exile to revive his town and a young monarch cast out from the throne. Yoo plays Yeongwol’s headman Eom Heung-do, while Park portrays the deposed king Yi Hong-wi (known posthumously as Danjong).
The film opens Feb. 4.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)